"Out of the Past" (1947) is a classic film noir starring Robert Mitchum as Jeff Markham and the amazing Jane Greer as Kathie Moffat - one of the all-time greatest femme fatales.
At the heart of its labyrinthine plot is the ill-fated relationship between Jeff and Kathie - and that's the focus for the video here.
The idea for the song was very much inspired by the film: how would you react if someone you had loved (despite them being absolutely no good for you) and lost came back into your life after you had moved on? In the film, Jeff can’t help himself, even as Kathie reveals herself to be every bit as dangerous as she ever was. Even his late attempt to right her wrongs is doomed; this is a film without a happy ending.
While it's a relatively simple song musically, it has had the longest of births. The key was changed twice, the lyrics were completely rewritten from scratch as the meaning of the song was entirely changed (I was never really happy with the original idea), bass and lead guitar parts were added and tweaked, sounds and effects were changed and countless other alterations were made.
I think it has been worth it. I'm really proud of it, and I hope you like it too.
Thanks for stopping by.more