Not all bops came from real people. That’s just the world we live in. And after Black Mirror gave us Ashley O, we knew this to be true, especially after her surprise Glastonbury performance yesterday.
We must say—“On a Roll” still slaps. Ashley didn’t deserve that dead crowd.
Still, it reminds us of these fictional musicians we live for. Our favorite shows and films gave us a lot of them: Michael Fassbender in Frank, Brie Larson pre-Captain Marvel as Envy Adams, and the best (and only) track about punching Keanu called “I Punched Keanu Reeves.”
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Let’s expound your not-so-fictional fictional musicians’ playlist. Here are tracks from bands and singers we wish were real. Fair warning: they’re all earworms.
Ashley O’s “On a Roll”
Oh, honey, it’s still stuck on every Black Mirror fans’ heads. “On A Roll” placed Ashley O back on the map with “Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too.” Although it isn’t her real sound, a lot of fans have it on repeat. It’s catchy, infectious, and uber positive.
It might be a satirical jab on empowering pop music. But even Hannah Montana wants Ashley O’s ambition and verve.
Paper Boi’s “Paper Boi”
In FX’s Atlanta, Paper Boi is the underground rapper on the rise. But the real voice behind “Paper Boi” is none other than Donald Glover’s brother—Stephen Glover. Along with Chemist, they made Paper Boi’s artistry a reality (well, somehow).
Too bad we can’t hear any Paper Boi tracks in full. According to Thrillist, there’s no news yet on a Paper Boi album or an Atlanta soundtrack for that matter.
Hello Peril’s “I Punched Keanu Reeves”
Always Be My Maybe proved three things: Asians’ romcom game is strong, Keanu Reeves is amazing in anything, and Randall Park has bars. Marcus’ hip-hop band Hello, Peril got a lot of tracks in the film. But their breakout hit? It’s “I Punched Keanu Reeves,” for sure.
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Hello, Peril might not be a real band. Still, that backbeat and flow remain unprovoked.
The Soronprfbs’ “I Love You All”
The film Frank proves to us Michael Fassbender has hidden vocal chops. In this haunting ballad, “I Love You All” makes the film’s journey more authentic. It’s the culminating track after the band’s fall out in the film. It contains nonsensical lyrics, a fucking theremin, and an earnest message.
What can we say? It’s a weird track for a weirder dark comedy.
Lily Chou-Chou’s “Experiment of Love”
All About Lily Chou-Chou is all about the fictional Japanese singer, Lily Chou-Chou. In the coming-of-age film, they explore how she affected 14-year-old high school students’ lives. She’s an enigmatic musician who plays ethereal, experimental sounds.
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“Experiment of Love” is one of the tracks in her very real album. Yes, Lily Chou-Chou didn’t just exist in the fictional realm of the Shunji Iwai film. From a fictional songstress, Lily Chou-Chou became a real life band. During the 10 year anniversary of the film, producers of the soundtrack got back together and released a digital single.
Clash at Demonhead’s “Black Sheep”
Carol Danvers whomst’ve? Sorry, we only stan Envy Adams. Pre-Marvel fame Brie Larson is an enigma. Apart from starring in Short Term 12 and The Room, she also did the cult classic Scott Pilgrim vs. The World where she played Envy Adams, The Clash at Demonhead’s frontwoman and Scott’s ex-girlfriend.
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The fictional band’s single “Black Sheep” was originally performed by Metric. According to comic book writer Bryan Lee ‘O Malley, he based Envy on Metric’s lead singer, Emily Haines. Long story short—Metric’s part in the film is plain kismet.
Still from “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010)