A few times every year, especially after weeks like this that pass in this hectic haze of LA heat, something comes along to knock you out of your self-involved thoughts to remind you what’s really important in life. Off of the compilation album When Pigs Fly: Songs You Never Thought You’d Hear, it rivals Bon Iver and St. Vincent in perfect vocal pairings and is one of the most surprising tracks we’ve found all year.
Feminist music icon Ani DiFranco makes an impressive showing and coos along like a bluejay, but I’d be remiss in neglecting the true muse of the song, international superstar Jackie Chan.
The way he coddles the line “Oh my darling, it’s incredible” is an audible enlightenment. He’s in such lovestruck awe that the letter “t” holds no meaning to him anymore, its practical merits now in question, and I think that’s beautiful. His vocal intonations are revelatory, a direct flight to an eternity you never thought you’d see. Their voices pair together like cheese and bread, and well, that’s grilled cheese. By the time they get to that last shared note, I’m not quite sure if I’m living or dying.
I’ve listened to the song at least twice now, and it has yet to lose any of its charm. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to watch Rush Hour with the same childlike naiveté ever again. It seems almost too perfect we found this song just as it cooled down here in Los Angeles – like your favorite drink in hand on a Friday evening, it’s the perfect start to your weekend.
Ani DiFranco & Jackie Chan – “Unforgettable” (Nat King Cole Cover)
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