How the Use of Classic Rock Songs Help Tell the Story in "Almost Famous"

The movie "Almost Famous" takes place in the world of rock and roll during the early 70s and director Cameron Crowe uses a number of classic rock songs to help communicate the feelings of the characters and the film's plot points. In the scene where William runs after Penny and finds her drunk and overdosing on drugs, he feels this overwhelming sensation to help and protect her. He ends up telling her that he loves her and kisses her. The song "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder plays in the back round as Penny is getting her stomach pumped from the drugs that she took. The song is about a boy who is watching this girl that he likes very much. The contrast to this scene is William watching Penny throw up all the drugs she took because she was upset with Russell.

In another example the song "America" by Simon and Garfunkel plays as we watch his sister leave the house to go away with her boyfriend to become and stewardess in San Francisco.  The song "America" is about young adults leaving the house for the first time trying to find themselves. Before she leaves she pulls William in close and says"Check under your bed, it will set you free". William watches his sister leave. Once she is gone he goes into his room and he looks under his bed and finds all the albums of rock and roll artist that his sister has given him. He starts tracing the covers with his fingers very intrigued about the artist. This is when he learns to love rock and roll music.

In conclusion the director used the popular rock and roll songs of the 70's to help convey the emotions of the characters that were going on during the movie.