Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

Hedwig is definitely a weird flick and probably isn’t everyone’s cup of transgender tea, but it’s a fun movie musical with a phenomenal soundtrack of pop-rock songs, charting Hedwig’s journey from sexually confused Germaner to frustrated wannabe rock star. It’s a bit Rocky Horror Picture Show-ish, but instead of sci-fi/comedy it’s an emotional journey of self-discovery/comedy. If you don’t mind seeing Jimmy Darmody from Boardwalk Empire make out with a guy with a hackjob penis, check it out. There’s a Broadway version with Neil Patrick Harris, who isn’t nearly as good as John Cameron Mitchell, the original Broadway and film Hedwig. Below are some of my favorite songs from the film, which is basically all of them. Warning: the last couple songs kind of spoil the movie if you haven’t seen it.

“Tear Me Down”

“Origin of Love”

“Sugar Daddy”

“Angry Inch”

“Wig In a Box”

“Wicked Little Town”

“Hedwig’s Lament/Exquisite Corpse”

“Wicked Little Town (Tommy Gnosis Version)”

If you haven’t seen the movie, Tommy is a music student of Hedwig’s who falls for her/him and basically screws over Hedwig by stealing all of her songs and becoming a rock star. Lyrically this is probably my favorite song in the movie, especially “There’s nothing you can find, that cannot be found.”

“Midnight Radio”