A Pop Soundtrack to the Getty Collection, Vol. 1

Oakland indie band Shannon and the Clams was one of the hits of this season’s Saturdays Off the 405 concert series at the Getty. Listening to their vintage-surfer songs, I was struck by how perfectly their sounds and lyrics seem to mesh with artworks in our collection—almost as if the paintings on the walls were starring in the music video.

1. Dreaming of Him

The Song: “Into a Dream”
The Mood: ‘80s romantic comedy starring dramatic teenagers contemplating the high school prom
The Art: Young women lost in thought, as if wondering why Count Dreamy won’t take them to the ball

I don’t know what this could mean.
The barns are gone: only vines I see.
I don’t know, Is he gonna be there?

Why Hasn’t He Called?

Young Italian Woman at a Table, about 1895–1900, Paul Cézanne. Oil on canvas. 36 1/4 x 28 15/16 in. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Beautiful Daydreams

Mischief and Repose, 1895, John William Godward. Oil on canvas. 23 7/8 x 52 3/8 in. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Is His Carriage Late?

Portrait of Anne, Countess of Chesterfield, 1777–78, Thomas Gainsborough. Oil on canvas, 87 x 61 ½ in. The J. Paul Getty Museum

2. Broken Promises

The Song: “You Will Always Bring Me Flowers”
The Mood: A romantic drama featuring lovers’ quarrel and a broken vase of flowers
The Art: Angry women demanding an explanation

(You said) you will always bring me flowers
(You said) you will always bring me flowers
(You always said) you will always bring me flowers
(You said)

Too Late for Apologies

Before, 1730–31, William Hogarth. Oil on canvas, 15 ¾ x 13 ¼ in. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Accusatory Gestures

The Studio, about 1870, Honoré Daumier. Oil on canvas, 16 x 12 ½ in. The J. Paul Getty Museum

The Iron Grip

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife, about 1630, Guido Reni. Oil on canvas, 50 ¾ x 66 15/16 in. The J. Paul Getty Museum

3. Waiting

The Song: “Corvette”
The Mood: Waiting for never
The Art: People practicing the virtue of patience

I’m just waiting
Here on the corner
For our corvette that never comes
I’m just waiting

Waiting For Her to Pick An Outfit Already

Portrait of John Talbot, later 1st Earl Talbot, 1773, Pompeo Batoni. Oil on canvas, 108 x 71 ¾ in. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Forgotten at Daycare

Waiting, about 1882, Edgar Degas. Pastel on paper, 19 x 24 in. The J. Paul Getty Museum. Owned jointly with the Norton Simon Art Foundation, Pasadena

The Hour that Feels Like 50 Years

An Old Woman with Cat, 1878, Max Liebermann. Oil on canvas, 38 x 29 ½ in. The J. Paul Getty Museum