Song Sung Blue (2025) – Transcript & Analysis

Brewer has made a biopic about people who loved music so much they devoted their lives to playing someone else's songs, getting at something truer than most.
Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman in Song Sung Blue (2025)

Song Sung Blue (2025)
Director: Craig Brewer
Writer: Craig Brewer
Based on: Song Sung Blue by Greg Kohs
Release Dates: October 26, 2025 (AFI Film Festival); December 25, 2025 (United States)
Stars: Hugh Jackman (Mike Sardina / “Lightning”), Kate Hudson (Claire Sardina / “Thunder”), Michael Imperioli (Mark Shurilla), Ella Anderson (Rachel Cartwright), Mustafa Shakir (Sex Machine), Fisher Stevens (Dave Watson), Jim Belushi (Tom D’Amato), King Princess (Angelina Sardina), Hudson Hensley (Dayna Cartwright), John Beckwith (Eddie Vedder), Jackie Cox (Babs), Cecelia Riddett (Grandma Stengl), Sean Allan Krill (Buddy Holmes), Beth Malone (Bridget), Jayson Warner Smith (Earl / TCB), Erika Slezak (Frances Stengl)

Plot

Mike Sardina makes his living as a Don Ho impersonator at the Wisconsin State Fair, one of those anonymous performers who disappear into someone else’s skin night after night. But something breaks in him—he walks off the job when he can no longer stomach being anyone but himself. Claire, about to take the stage as Patsy Cline, catches him on his way out and plants a seed: why not try Neil Diamond? He stays to watch her sing, and that’s when he falls. Back home, he drops a Diamond record on the turntable and starts learning a new man’s moves.

Their first outing as “Lightning and Thunder,” a Neil Diamond tribute act, bombs spectacularly. They get married anyway. And then, improbably, the shows start clicking—one after another, crowds eating out of their hands. They’ve built something together.

Then a car jumps the curb while Claire is planting flowers in the front garden, and she loses her left leg below the knee. What follows is the slow devastation that catastrophic injury brings: the depression that settles in like weather, the pain that never quite releases its grip, the pills that promise relief and deliver something else entirely. Claire starts suspecting Mike of infidelities that exist only in her unraveling mind. The fighting intensifies.

Mike’s daughter, Angelina, corners him one evening about his AA meetings—has he been going? He deflects, but she keeps pushing until he admits the truth: singing has become meaningless without Claire beside him. The stage holds nothing for him alone. Angelina insists he get back to his meetings, and he relents. When Claire has an episode severe enough to send her wandering from the house in the middle of the night, the family makes the difficult call to have her admitted for psychiatric care.

While Claire is away, Mike hunts for work. His stepdaughter Rachel reveals that she’s four months pregnant and has been hiding it from everyone—she wants to give the baby to a couple struggling to conceive. Mike absorbs this and asks her simply: what do you need? Rachel admits she needs her mother.

Claire fights her way back. She learns to walk again, mends what’s broken in her body and her mind, and makes it home by Christmas. She and Mike find their way back to each other.

She’s the one who insists they resurrect “Lightning and Thunder.” They return to the circuit, and audiences remember why they loved them. Claire shepherds Rachel through the rest of her pregnancy, and together they place the child with the grateful couple. Mike and Claire take long walks so she can build strength with her prosthetic, mile by mile reclaiming what the accident stole.

Then the Ritz in Milwaukee calls with an offer: headline the same night Neil Diamond himself is playing a sold-out arena nearby. The logic is beautiful—Diamond fans who couldn’t get tickets can still spend the evening with his music. Mike and Claire take the gig. Word comes back that Diamond wants to meet them personally. Their show sells out too.

The night of the performance, while getting ready, Mike suffers another heart attack. He collapses, striking his head on the sink before hitting the floor. Before everything happens, they wish each other luck, and Mike tells Claire that none of this—none of it—would exist without her. She is his everything.

The concert is a triumph. Mike dies later that night. Claire sings at his funeral.

Time passes. One afternoon, Claire’s son Dayna puts on a recording of Mike singing “Song Sung Blue.” Claire is outside in the garden, planting flowers in the exact spot where the car struck her down.

* * *

Diamonds in the Rough

Hollywood has been strip-mining the music biopic for years now, churning out one tedious hagiography after another—the childhood trauma, the meteoric rise, the inevitable fall, the redemptive comeback, all of it set to greatest hits and rendered in the same glossy, reverential style. Craig Brewer has done something cleverer with “Song Sung Blue”: he’s made a biopic about people who loved music so much they devoted their lives to playing someone else’s songs, and in doing so, he’s gotten at something truer about what music actually means to people than most pictures about the artists themselves ever manage.

The film is based on a 2008 documentary about Mike and Claire Sardina, a Milwaukee couple who, as “Lightning and Thunder,” became regional sensations performing Neil Diamond’s catalog at bars, Thai restaurants, and eventually sold-out theaters. Hugh Jackman plays Mike, a recovering alcoholic and Vietnam vet who, in the film’s opening scene, refuses to go on stage as Don Ho at the Wisconsin State Fair. He’s spent years disappearing into other people’s identities, and something in him has finally cracked—he won’t perform as anyone but himself. The irony is that he’ll spend the rest of the film becoming someone else entirely: Neil Diamond, or rather, his own particular interpretation of Neil Diamond, a man channeling another man’s glitter and spiritual uplift through the prism of Midwestern working-class longing. What Brewer understands is that this isn’t a contradiction. Mike finds himself precisely by losing himself in Diamond’s music—the way certain people find God, or sobriety, or love.

Kate Hudson plays Claire, and if you’ve written her off based on the romantic comedies she spent a decade making—those films where she seemed to be coasting on her mother’s legacy and her own considerable charm without ever really breaking a sweat—you should know that she’s extraordinary here. There’s a warmth to her Claire that feels lived-in, a brightness that isn’t performative but seems to emanate from some genuine well of feeling. When she first suggests to Mike that he try “the Neil Diamond route,” you can see her mind working, see her sizing him up and recognizing something kindred. Hudson has always been watchable, but here she’s something more: she’s present in a way she rarely has been, and when tragedy strikes—a car accident that costs Claire her leg below the knee—she charts the character’s descent into addiction and paranoia with a rawness that’s genuinely startling. Her final song at the film’s end is devastating, the kind of moment that silences audiences and makes you realize you’ve been holding your breath.

Jackman is good too, though in a more familiar register—he’s always been a showman, always had that Broadway energy that can tip into too-much-ness, and here he uses it to suggest a man who performs not out of ego but out of desperate need. Mike needs the stage the way he once needed a drink. What grounds him, what keeps him from spinning off into pure theatrical excess, is Claire. Their chemistry is genuine, and Brewer wisely lets their relationship anchor the film even as he piles on calamities that, in a lesser picture, would feel sadistic. Heart attacks, amputations, psychiatric hospitalizations, an unexpected pregnancy, addiction—it’s a lot, and the film’s tonal shifts can give you whiplash. One moment you’re toe-tapping along to “Forever in Blue Jeans,” the next you’re watching a woman in the grip of opioid-induced psychosis wandering into the night.

This is where Brewer’s sensibility becomes crucial. He’s always been drawn to stories about marginalized dreamers—”Hustle & Flow,” “Black Snake Moan,” the wonderful “Dolemite Is My Name”—and he approaches the Sardinas with the same affection he brought to those earlier films. He never condescends to them, never treats their sequined costumes and makeshift wind machines as objects of ironic amusement. The bedazzled wigs and the performances at Thai restaurants and VFW halls aren’t jokes; they’re expressions of something genuine and even beautiful. There’s dignity in imitation, the film suggests, if the imitation comes from a place of real love.

And Neil Diamond’s music—which could so easily have been reduced to camp, to ironic nostalgia—emerges as genuinely powerful here. Brewer digs deep into the catalog, beyond “Sweet Caroline” (which becomes a running joke, as audiences request it endlessly while Mike pleads that Diamond has other songs). When Mike launches into “Soolaimon,” with its eerie Arabic chanting that builds into ecstatic release, or when he and Claire harmonize on “Play Me,” you feel the transportive quality that made Diamond’s fans so devoted. The music isn’t cool in any contemporary sense, and the film doesn’t pretend otherwise. But it matters to these people, and Brewer makes you understand why.

The supporting cast is filled with other impersonators—Michael Imperioli as a Buddy Holly tribute artist, Mustafa Shakir as a James Brown one—and they form a kind of community, a fellowship of people who’ve found meaning in honoring other people’s artistry. It’s a generous vision of what music can be: not a zero-sum game of originality and authenticity, but a tradition passed down and shared, like folk music, like hymns. The real Neil Diamond granted the rights to use his songs, and the film ends with footage of the real Claire meeting him—a benediction from the source.

The picture isn’t perfect. The dialogue can clunk, particularly in some of the family scenes with the couple’s various children from prior marriages. The timeline is compressed in ways that occasionally strain credibility. And the final act, with its multiple endings that keep feinting toward closure, goes on perhaps a bit too long. But these are minor complaints against a film that manages to be both a raucous good time and a genuine tearjerker, often in the same scene. Brewer has made a movie about the redemptive power of music that actually earns its emotions, that doesn’t rely on biographical proximity to genius to generate feeling.

The climax, in which Lightning and Thunder headline the Ritz in Milwaukee on the same night Diamond himself is playing a sold-out arena nearby, has a kind of poetic rightness to it. The overflow crowd chooses the tribute over the master—or maybe understands that there’s room for both. Mike and Claire weren’t trying to be Neil Diamond. They were trying to share what his music meant to them, and in doing so, they created something that belonged entirely to themselves.

* * *

Transcript

Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.

♪ ♪

(acoustic guitar strumming)

(tuning string)

(continues tuning)

(short strum) “I am,” I said.

“I am,” I cried.

I am… an entertainer.

When I’m not doing engine work or oil changes, I, uh… I’m the lead guitar with the Dog Night Specials at the Red Dragon Lounge.

The band ain’t great, but they serve free hot dogs on Wednesday nights, so there’s that.

I am the only honky in an all-Black band called The Esquires.

Yeah, I hold my own.

So far, they haven’t given me the hook like at the Apollo.

I, uh…

I got a karaoke machine I, uh, use for solo gigs.

I sing all types.

I got Mellencamp, Elvis, Bon Jovi.

And, oh, for these occasions, I have created a persona.

It’s like a… it’s like a superhero of rock and roll.

I mean, I got no cape or nothing, I got no mask, but I got… a bolt.

You know why I got a lightning bolt?

‘Cause they call me Lightning.

(playing jaunty rhythm)

Oh, yeah.

Lightning’s a star.

Lightning is a rockin’ god.

He’s like Chuck Berry, Barry Manilow and The Beatles all rolled into one.

Oh, yeah.

He’s singing the songs people love to hear.

The songs that people need.

The songs that I need.

(sighs)

Yeah.

The songs that I need… to keep going.

When the, uh… when the song’s over and the applause stops, I’m not…

I’m not Lightning anymore.

I’m just another drunk.

Hello. My name is Mike, and I’m an alcoholic.

OTHERS: Hi, Mike.

And, uh, I’m happy to be here because, uh, today’s a special day.

It’s, uh… it’s my sober birthday.

Uh, 20 years off the bottle and counting.

(encouraging chatter) (strums lively rhythm) Thank you.

Ooh. (sniffles)

MAN: All right.

But I got a… I got a tradition on my sober birthday.

Uh, I sing the same song by a great man.

A man whose songs have got me through some sad times, some rock bottoms, and…

(sighs)

today I get to sing one of his songs for you.

♪ But this is not

a sad song, no ♪

♪ A sad song to sing

when you’re alone ♪

♪ In a way,

it’s a glad song, yeah ♪

♪ A glad song, a simple song ♪

♪ That simply seems

to makes you feel good ♪

♪ When you sing along ♪

(strumming Neil Diamond’s “Song Sung Blue”)

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Everybody knows one ♪

You know the words. Come on.

(others singing along): ♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Every garden grows one ♪

“Me and you are subject to…”

(full band joins in)

♪ Me and you are subject to ♪

♪ The blues now and then ♪

♪ But when you take the blues

and make a song ♪

♪ You sing them out again ♪

♪ You sing them out again ♪

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Weeping like the willow ♪

(laughter, playful screaming)

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Sleeping on my pillow ♪

♪ Funny thing ♪

♪ But you can sing it

with a cry in your voice ♪

♪ And before you know it

get to feeling good ♪

♪ You simply got no choice. ♪

(song ends)

♪ All of my love ♪

(band playing “Oh Boy!”)

♪ All of my kissin’ ♪

♪ You don’t know what

you’ve been amissin’ ♪

♪ Oh, boy ♪

♪ When you’re with me,

oh, boy ♪

♪ The world can see that you

were meant for me ♪

♪ Stars appear

and shadows afallin’ ♪

♪ You can hear

my heart acallin’ ♪

♪ A little bit of lovin’

makes everything right ♪

♪ I’m gonna see

my baby tonight ♪

♪ All my love,

all of my kissin’ ♪

♪ You don’t know what

you’ve been amissin’ ♪

♪ Oh, boy… ♪

Who are you supposed to be?

Oh, hey, Earl.

I thought you were in Florida on a cruise or something.

Uh, yeah, well, I thought you were gonna be, uh, Don Ho, singing “Tiny Bubbles.”

Yeah, I’m not gonna do that.

I’m gonna go on as Lightning.

EARL: You can’t go out there like that.

You look too much like Elvis.

I mean, you’re head-to-toe in denim like he wore in ’68 Comeback. He wore black leather in ’68 Comeback, not denim.

Not during the “Guitar Man” medley.

Ah.

He wore denim.

Uh… Oh, and you even got a lightning bolt.

I’m Lightning.

I can’t wear a bolt?

That’s Elvis’s logo.

“Taking care of business in a flash.”

That’s me. That’s my handle.

Oh, you own that, do you?

TCB.

All right.

I am the one and only Elvis impersonator in all Milwaukee.

(song ends)

(cheering) Thank you very much.

Comin’ right back.

One thing’s for sure, we got too many Elvis impersonators and not one Little Richard.

Say it loud. (laughs) Where’s the Hawaiian shirt?

You’re singing “Tiny Bubbles.”

I don’t want to sing “Tiny Bubbles.”

I’m gonna sing “Eye of the Tiger,” and then I’ll close out with “Suspicious Minds.”

Over my dead body does he sing “Suspicious Minds.”

Earl, Earl, Earl, calm down.

Mike.

MIKE: What?

We’re impersonators here.

That’s why the state fair booked us for the blue-haired crowd.

(Mike sighs) I don’t look like Don Ho.

I’m not Hawaiian. It’s dumb.

That’s why Carl Kahananui was doing it, but his gallbladder ruptured.

You agreed to fill in and do me a favor.

So you’re saying no Lightning?

It’s Don Ho or a no-go?

Yeah, Mike.

That’s what I’m saying.

Then it’s a no-go.

(sighs) Claire, you’re up next.

Uh, Babs, uh, instead of “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” do “People Who Need People.”

The blue-hairs are losing their slow dance song since “Tiny Bubbles” is out.

BABS: I’ll manage…

I guess.

Thanks, Mike.

Sex Machine, you close it out.

I’ll go tell the band.

All right.

(indistinct chatter, laughter)

MIKE: You supposed to be Loretta Lynn?

Oh, oh, Patsy Cline.

I sing her songs all the time.

I don’t usually dress like this, but any chance to sing, you know?

Yeah, I just can’t be Don Ho on my birthday.

Oh, happy birthday.

It’s not really my birthday.

Oh, o… okay.

You know, you could be Frank Sinatra.

Maybe sing “Luck Be a Lady.”

Yeah, I like Frank, but the whole crooner vibe?

I don’t know, I like to move.

I like to rock.

Yeah.

EARL: Elvis has left the building.

Oh, you know who you’d be perfect for?

Neil Diamond.

Oh, no. Never.

No, I hold that man in such high regard.

No, no, no, no.

“Sweet Caroline.”

Yeah. “Baba.” I know, I know.

♪ Bom, bom, bom. ♪

No, no, no, listen.

He’s got other songs, too, okay?

And if it ever got back to him that I was goofing on his music or… like Earl over there, I’d kill myself.

Not Neil. I…

You know how much he got paid for that cruise?

20,000 bucks.

That poseur pulled in 20 Gs?

Waha!

(laughter) Nostalgia pays.

(sighs): Oh, God, I’m burning up in this wig.

If my boobs were just a bit bigger, I could be Dolly.

You’re a blonde?

Oh, boy, am I.

MARK: All right, put your hands together for Ms. Patsy and The Greatest Hits.

I hope you sing as good as you look.

(band playing Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight”)

(cheering)

♪ I go out walkin’ ♪

♪ After midnight ♪

♪ Out in the moonlight ♪

♪ Just like we used to do ♪

♪ I’m always walkin’ ♪

♪ After midnight ♪

♪ Searchin’ for you… ♪

Claire Stengl.

She sing country, rock, classical like that “Ave Maria” joint.

MIKE: Hmm.

She look all kind of good, don’t she?

Huh! Yeah!

(Mike chuckling) My man Lightning.

♪ After midnight ♪

♪ Searchin’ for you ♪

♪ I stop and see

a weepin’ willow ♪

♪ Cryin’ on his pillow ♪

♪ Maybe he’s cryin’ for me ♪

♪ And as the skies turn gloomy ♪

♪ Night winds whisper to me ♪

♪ I’m lonesome as I can be ♪

♪ I go out walkin’ ♪

♪ After midnight ♪

♪ Out in the starlight ♪

♪ Just hopin’ you may be ♪

♪ Somewhere awalkin’ ♪

♪ After midnight ♪

♪ Searchin’ for me. ♪

(song ends)

DR. DAVE: Okay, Mike.

Open wide.

Geez.

You could park a car in that gap.

I’ll take a Cadillac.

I got something much better for you.

Take a look… at this.

Is that a lightning bolt?

Lightning for Lightning.

So when I smile, it’ll be like I’m advertising.

That is smart, Dr. Dave.

See, that is why you’re my manager, Dr. Dave.

Always thinking.

I got a call from Walter over at First National.

First thing, he still wants you to perform at his Christmas party.

Great.

Second thing, you’re three months behind on your mortgage.

Can’t he just take it out of my performance fee?

Mike, it’s not something you can just sing away.

Maybe you should think about downsizing.

No, I got to keep my house.

When my daughter comes up, that’s the one consistent thing that she’s got.

Anyway, we shouldn’t be talking about downsizing.

We should be talking about getting higher-paid gigs, like a residency, something steady.

Why don’t you talk to your Buddy Holly friend?

You know, he’s got that gig over at the Shawano Casino.

Eh, Mark’s pissed at me.

I quit the Legends gig the other night.

What? Why’d you quit?

‘Cause he wouldn’t let me be Lightning.

You were supposed to be Don Ho.

Why I got to be anybody other than me?

I should be enough.

Shit. Well…

I guess there goes my ten-dollar commission.

Do you need an oil change?

Come on, give me your car keys.

(jet engine roaring)

(whistling softly)

(“Cracklin’ Rosie” by Neil Diamond playing)

♪ Ah, Cracklin’ Rosie,

get on board ♪

♪ Get on board ♪

♪ We’re gonna ride till

there ain’t no more to go ♪

♪ Takin’ it slow ♪

♪ Takin’ it slow ♪

♪ And Lord, don’t you know ♪

♪ Lord, don’t you know ♪

♪ We’ll have me a time ♪

♪ Don’t you know ♪

♪ With a poor man’s lady ♪

♪ Don’t you know… lady ♪

(singing along): ♪ Hitchin’ on a twilight train ♪

♪ Ain’t nothing here

that I care to take along ♪

♪ Maybe a song ♪

♪ To sing when I want ♪

♪ No need to say please

to no man for a happy tune ♪

♪ Oh, I love my Rosie child ♪

♪ You got the way

to make me happy ♪

♪ You and me, we go in style ♪

♪ Cracklin’ Rose,

you’re a store-bought woman ♪

♪ But you make me sing

like a guitar hummin’ ♪

♪ So hang on to me, girl ♪

♪ Our song keeps runnin’ on ♪

♪ Play it now, play it now ♪

♪ Play it now, my baby… ♪

Oh! Ow! Ow!

Geez… Ow!

(groans) (song continues in background)

(inhales sharply, exhales)

(breathing deeply)

(“Get on Up” by The Esquires playing)

SINGER: Everybody! Come on!

(vocalizing in harmony)

(crowd cheering)

♪ Gotta get on up ♪

♪ Get on up ♪

♪ Gotta get on up ♪

♪ Get on up ♪

♪ Gotta get on up now ♪

♪ Get on up ♪

♪ Gotta get on up ♪

♪ Get on up ♪

♪ How can you sit yourself ♪

♪ Down for a rest ♪

♪ When you know that

I’m trying my best ♪

♪ To dance with you? ♪

♪ Get on up ♪

♪ To dance with you ♪

♪ Get on up ♪

♪ You know what, sugar? ♪

(whooping)

(singers vocalizing in harmony)

(laughs)

♪ Hey, you. ♪

(song ends)

CLAIRE: Thank you.

So… you just go by Claire Stengl?

Well, I used to be Claire Cartwright, but then after the divorce, I switched it back to my maiden name, which is Stengl, so Claire Stengl.

It’s not the most exciting stage name…

I know, but it’s not like I’m Cher or Madonna.

Oh. You’re better than them broads.

(laughs)

Stop. You’re so sweet.

You are.

I’m a hairdresser parttime.

I wash. I trim. No dye jobs.

By the way, I did change my hair up a little bit.

I noticed.

Did you notice?

You also got a new tooth.

Oh, yeah. Look.

Huh?

Is that a lightning bolt?

Oh, my God.

Yes, yes, ’cause…

‘Cause you’re Lightning.

Right.

I know, I know.

I know all about you.

My girlfriends and I, we used to go to Hegarty’s on Friday nights.

Hegarty’s. Come on.

And I remember you sang ZZ Top, “Sharp Dressed Man,” and at the chorus you’d, like, push your pelvis out like Elvis and we’d scream like schoolgirls.

You’re really good.

You know the other day when I said it was my birthday?

Oh, yeah, the birthday that wasn’t your birthday.

What was that?

I’m an alcoholic.

Okay.

Not anymore.

I mean, I’m always gonna be an alcoholic, but I’ve been sober 20 years, and the other day was… well, they call it a sober birthday.

Happy belated sober birthday.

Here’s the thing.

With sobriety, youyou got to face up to certain truths.

Way to go, Lightning. 20 years.

All right, I’m not a songwriter, I’m not a sex symbol, but I just want to entertain people and I want to make a living.

I know. Me, too.

I don’t want to be a hairdresser.

I want to sing. I want to dance.

I want a house. I want a garden.

I want a cat.

So here’s what I’m thinking.

I need a hook.

I need something big.

I need something new.

And as you put it, nostalgia pays.

Us, me, youit’s not going to happen.

(chuckles) Miss Fine, you’re old enough to be my…

Watch it.

Sister.

(audience laughing over TV)

Hey.

DANA: Hey, Mom.

Was the guy a wacko?

Dana, this is Mike.

Mike Sardina.

As you were.

CLAIRE: Hi.

So, feel free to make yourself a… any nonalcoholic beverage you like.

All right. (sighs) I’m gonna make a pot of coffee.

You like it black or sweet?

I don’t drink coffee.

Want to start?

(knocking) Hi. Is Grandma down?

Like, hours ago.

Oh, good.

You didn’t bring him home, did you?

Am I shiny?

Hehe’s here?

‘Cause I am sweating like a whore in church.

Oh, my…

The building manager came by.

You know, we got a twoweek extension, but it’s another $50…

Rachel, Rachel.

Don’t worry about it, okay?

I’m gonna take care of that.

Wait…

I’m gonna wear these.

Those are my shoes, Mom.

Honey, he was so cute.

What are you…

He was so cute on that stage with The Esquires, and he was smiling at me.

Okay.

And then we went for a walk, and it was just magic.

And I know you see magic all the time ’cause you’re young, but I don’t.

And so it was just beautiful.

Magic doesn’t happen for me all the time.

Rachel, I want you to go introduce yourself to him.

Okay? I want you to do that.

Uh, um, I’m not doing…

Rachel, don’t be a sourpuss.

You’re gonna go outside, and I want you to say hello to him.

No, I’m not.

No, no, no.

We’re not doing that. No, no.

I… Mom!

I’m not doing this right now.

I have to deal with your boyfriends all the time.

They come into this house…

All the time?

Yeah, the last one smelled like a skunk.

He was clearly a dope dealer.

He just liked…

No, he was not.

He was. Yes.

We’re gonna go outside…

He’s a Zen guy, Mom.

One second. Let’s go.

Mom.

Yeah, come on. Let’s go.

Mike? Mike.

MIKE: Hey.

Yeah?

Mike, this is my daughter Rachel.

Oh, hey. How’s it going?

Rachel, say something.

Don’t make a mess on the couch.

Rachel!

What?

(door closing) Hey, what do you think?

(laughing): Oh.

It’s good.

Right? You know, we just got to work your hair a little differently, and I got a guy for that.

All right. Oh, and look at these outfits. Come on.

Look at that. It’s, like, shimmering, you know?

Oh. You know, my hair guy does clothes, too.

Awesome. You know, Neil… is special, and I just want everyone to get that feeling I get when I listen to “America” and “Forever in Blue Jeans”…

Or “Sweet Caroline.”

And “Sweet Caroline,” yeah, but I-I’m never gonna be the real McCoy.

I mean, I-I don’t really look like Neil.

I don’t even really sound like Neil.

And I… I got to be Neil, but I just got to be me, too.

Yeah, you don’t want to be a Neil Diamond… impersonator.

You want to be a Neil Diamond interpreter.

I was looking for the right way to say it, and you just came right out and said it.

A Neil Diamond interpreter.

Mm, yeah.

Yeah. Oh.

And you can sing some Patsy Cline songs, likelike one or two.

Oh. (scoffs) I mean, maybe while you’re doing a costume change, but… no, I don’t want to confuse people.

I will back you up in keyboards and vocals, but this is about Neil.

And this is about his fans, you know?

Yeah. Yeah.

I can sing the Barbra Streisand part on “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”

“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”

Right, but we got to get ’em on their feet and get ’em clapping.

Look up “Cherry, Cherry.”

Mm.

♪ ♪

(playing Neil Diamond’s “Cherry, Cherry”)

MIKE: All right, ready?

Two, three, and…

(stops playing piano) (strumming intro to “Cherry, Cherry”)

(clapping rhythmically)

♪ Baby loves me ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, she does ♪

Uh, you see where I underlined there?

I was thinking maybe at the top…

Oh, yeah, I double up.

I got it, I got it, I got it.

(strumming intro)

(harmonizing): ♪ Baby loves me ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, she does ♪

(holding note) Good.

♪ Ah, the girl’s

outta sight, yeah ♪

♪ Says she loves me ♪

♪ Yes, yes, she does ♪

(holding note) Nice.

♪ Mm, gonna show me

tonight, yeah ♪

♪ Hey, she got the way

to move me ♪

♪ Cherry ♪

♪ She got the way to groove me ♪

♪ She got the way to move me ♪

♪ Cherry, baby ♪

♪ She got the way ♪

♪ To groove me ♪

MIKE: Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

♪ Tell your mama, girl,

we can’t stay long ♪

♪ We got things

we gotta catch up on ♪

(Claire scatting)

♪ Mm, you know ♪

♪ You know what I’m sayin’ ♪

Excuse me. Excuse me!

(scatting) Oh.

Much too late for anyone to be singing that loud.

CLAIRE: Ma, this is the man I was telling you about.

Mike Sardina.

This is Lightning.

How you doing tonight?

Not good.

Sing softer.

(Claire sighs)

She’s going to a retirement home.

I’d like to say that she’s less grumpy in the day, but I’d be lying.

(Mike laughs) (Mike playing gentle intro to Neil Diamond’s “Play Me”) What’s that? That’s very pretty.

Well, she said, “Sing softer.”

I’m going softer.

♪ She was morning ♪

♪ And I was nighttime ♪

♪ I one day woke up ♪

♪ To find her lying ♪

♪ Beside my bed ♪

♪ I softly said ♪

♪ “Come take me” ♪

♪ For I’ve been lonely ♪

(electronic beat playing)

♪ In need of someone ♪

♪ As though I’d done

someone wrong somewhere ♪

♪ But I don’t know where ♪

(plays chord with organlike tone)

♪ I don’t know where ♪

(plays electric piano tone)

♪ Come lately ♪

(plays soft synth tone)

♪ You are the sun ♪

♪ I am the moon ♪

♪ You are the words,

I am the tune ♪

♪ Play me ♪

(continues playing with soft synth tone) Nice.

♪ Song she sang to me ♪

♪ Song she brang to me ♪

♪ Words that rang in me ♪

♪ A rhyme that sprang from me ♪

♪ Warmed the night ♪

♪ And what was right ♪

♪ Became me ♪

(harmonizing): ♪ You are the sun ♪

♪ I am the moon ♪

♪ You are the words,

I am the tune ♪

♪ Play me ♪

(bell ringing)

CLAIRE: My exhusband?

He’s a good guy.

(“Play Me” continues)

And he really liked my singing and all, but when I started trying to book gigs, he just started making fun of it, like it was a threat or something.

I don’t know why he… wanted to make me feel so small, but he sure did.

MIKE: Hmm.

(Claire sighs) I got to say, with me and my ex…

…I was the one making her feel small.

I was selfish. I was angry.

I was… wrong.

But I’m here, you know, trying to be better.

I mean, aren’t we all?

♪ And so it was ♪

♪ That I came to travel ♪

♪ Upon a road ♪

♪ That was thorned and narrow ♪

♪ Another place ♪

♪ Another grace ♪

♪ Would save me ♪

♪ You are the sun,

I am the moon ♪

♪ You are the words,

I am the tune ♪

♪ Play me ♪

♪ You are the sun,

I am the moon ♪

♪ You are the words ♪

♪ I am the tune ♪

♪ Play… ♪

♪ Me. ♪

That’s great.

(plays concluding notes on guitar)

(laughing)

And, uh, hey, I was thinking, uh…

Yeah?

I was thinking we should call ourselves something.

Oh, like a tribute band name?

Yeah.

So I’m thinking Lightning & Thunder: A Neil Diamond Experience.

Lightning & Thunder?

Yeah.

So you’d be Lightning and…

I’d be Thunder?

Uh, yeah.

You…

Mm. That is not very professional of me, but I’ve been wanting to do it for, like, a whole…

(band playing Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”)

CLAIRE: Mm.

Okay. I’m…

Okay. Yeah.

(Mike grunts)

MARK:

♪ Every day ♪

♪ It’s agettin’ closer ♪

♪ Going faster

than a roller coaster ♪

♪ Love like yours will

surely come my way ♪

♪ Ahey, ahey, hey ♪

♪ Every day seems

a little longer ♪

♪ Every way ♪

(coins clinking)

♪ Love’s a little stronger ♪

♪ Come what may,

do you ever long for ♪

♪ True love from me? ♪

♪ Every day ♪

♪ It’s agettin’ closer ♪

♪ Going faster

than a roller coaster ♪

♪ Love like yours will

surely come my way. ♪

(song ends)

MIKE: I know I let you down.

But just know that I am very…

Oh, what’s the word you said?

“Contrary”?

“Contrite.”

MIKE: Contrite.

He’s very contrite.

There’s always that one friend you can’t say no to even though they repeatedly crap on you.

I hope I’m that friend.

Hey, Tom.

(Mike sighs)

DR. DAVE: Okay, now, Tom is a good guy.

Okay?

He’s got all the connections to all the casinos and venues from Chicago to Branson.

(Tom coughs) MARK: Mike, meet Tom D’Amato.

How are you, Mr. Sardina?

I’m huge.

(both laughing)

Uh, uh, you may not remember this, but-but I would sit at the bar at the Chubby Bear…

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Every Thursday night, and watch you play with your first band, Positive Traction. Yeah.

Positive Traction.

Yeah, we made some noise, but it was in tune.

You were really good, Mike.

Thank you. Thank you.

Really good band.

Well, I was, uh, talking to your manager, and he said that you’re gonna do a Neil Diamond show?

Mmmm. Mmmm.

A Neil Diamond Experience.

My partner Claire and I, we start rehearsing with costumes and everything next week.

Oh. Costumes? Really?

Wow, wow, wow.

Right, but one day, I see us being backed by a big orchestra, maybe even a choir.

And I tell you, I tell you, it’s gon…

I mean, I know we got to start small, right, if I want to play someplace like this, but one day…

But you got to make sure you play “Sweet Caroline.”

Oh, we close with “Sweet Caroline.”

Oh, great.

But we open… with “Soolaimon.”

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

(whispers): A bit louder.

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

A little bit of smoke.

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

Come on, now.

(Tom humming)

♪ Soolai, soolai ♪

♪ Soolaimon. ♪

“Soolamond”?

“Soolaimon.” “Soolaimon.”

TOM: Uh, okay. (stammers) Is that an African word?

Like, Swahili?

I think it might be Hebrew, like Solomon.

No, no, it’s Arabic.

It’s a call to celebration.

The audience are our flock, and we are the shepherd.

TOM (gasping): Oh.

I-I just got some chills. Wow.

You feel that? You feel it?

We’re gonna get that casino gig for you.

But it’s gonna take building a lot of momentum.

Right.

But, Mike, you have passion.

And all I ask-if you’ll allow me to work in service of that passion.

(chuckles softly)

We’d love to have you on the team. Oh!

Music to my ears.

Mike, thank you. (laughs) (Mike laughing) Welcome aboard.

TOM: Thank you so much.

I have to roll right now. Sorry.

But we will be in touch.

(Mike laughs) Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you had a great time at the Shawano Casino.

The Badger Bus will be leaving in ten minutes for the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino.

See you, Mike.

All aboard!

♪ ♪

I don’t know how long this rehearsal’s gonna take.

I don’t want anyone asking me that.

We really have to call him Lightning?

It’s kind of weird.

(sighs) Every time he comes to pick me up, he tries to connect with you, and you do not make it easy, Rach.

He’s very nervous about you coming.

Okay. So to make you more comfortable, he invited his daughter.

What?

And she’s your age.

This is a playdate?

Yeah, she’s only a year older.

Oh, Jesus Christ.

God, why does everything have to be so hard?

What am I, six?

I just want to sing and be happy and feel loved, and I… and I don’t want everything to be such a big deal!

(house door opens)

Come on. Come on out.

Hey.

Wave. Wave to him.

CLAIRE: Hi!

Smile and wave at him.

Goddamn it.

Be nice.

(Angelina chuckles)

When my dad bought this place, the runway wasn’t finished.

Now you get like… ten planes a day.

Oh.

Except Sundays.

So… do you split your time between your… your mom and your dad?

Um… not really.

No, I mean, my dad’s cool, but it’s just…

No, I get it.

It’s better for me to be fulltime with my mom in Florida, but…

Don’t get me wrong, my dad’s great.

He’s just, uh… (chuckles) He’s… he’s artistic.

(chuckles) Mm. Artistic.

Yeah, I…

I know all about that.

Hey, Mike, can you open the garage?

It’s getting really hot in here.

I would.

The lady across the street was giving me the evil eye as we was unpacking the drums, so maybe not.

Bomar.

We still good with that barter situation we discussed with me, uh, playing with The Esquires?

You’d be playing four free gigs just for all of us to do one show.

Yeah, I understand.

It’s just I, you know, can’t pay you anything right now. That’s all.

We came here for you, brother.

But your lady ain’t wrong.

It’s hot as Satan’s balls.

Open the door.

Yeah. (sighs) All right, maybe just for a little bit.

(musicians practicing, tuning instruments)

(indistinct chatter)

Mark.

What are you doing here?

Buddy Holly died at 22.

I’m 52, and I’ve been keeping that guy alive 30 years past his prime.

I don’t even need these.

What I’m saying is…

I’m here if you need me.

Thanks.

I didn’t bring an amp.

Yeah. We got you.

All right, guys…

My dad, he was a tunnel rat in Vietnam.

They would send him into the tunnels underground where the enemy was hiding, and they had it boobytrapped, so… sometimes he’d have to… like, crawl over dead bodies.

So, yeah, he… he used to drink.

My mom, she can get, um, depressed, so she’s, like, on meds.

I try to keep up with it for her, ’cause she can get… scattered, you know?

Well, you know, most recovering alcoholics just trade one addiction for another, and music’s that for Dad.

Without music, he can get, um…

(chuckles) What’d you call it?

BOTH: Scattered.

(laughing): Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. I think we covered all our fucked-up family history.

Most of it.

(laughs) Might be a little more.

Oh, there’s more?

Maybe a little. Just a little.

Hey, listen, I know we just met, too, but, um…

I have a joint.

You know, I thought I smelled it on you.

(laughs)

(playing Neil Diamond’s “Crunchy Granola Suite”)

♪ Mm ♪

♪ I got a song been on my mind ♪

♪ And the tune can be sung

and the words all rhyme ♪

(scatting in harmony)

♪ Though it don’t say much

and it won’t offend ♪

♪ If you sing it at school ♪

♪ They’re liable

to send you home ♪

♪ Never knowin’

what you’re showin’ ♪

♪ Think you’re growin’

your own tea ♪

♪ Good Lordy ♪

♪ Let me hear that,

get me near that ♪

♪ Crunchy Granola Suite ♪

♪ Drop your shrink

and stop your drinkin’ ♪

♪ Crunchy granola’s neat ♪

♪ Sing it out ♪

♪ All right ♪

I wouldn’t go any shorter than this, though.

No, I want it to ripple and wave when the wind blows my shirt, like… (blows sharply) Wind in a bar? How?

Yeah.

Like a leaf blower.

(blows sharply)

Do you have one?

Sure.

♪ I know a man was outta touch ♪

♪ And he’d hide in a house

and he didn’t say much ♪

(scatting in harmony)

(panting): Okay.

I used to do this as a kid.

Come on.

Am I getting… getting on here?

Okay. (grunts) Here.

ANGELINA: Lay back.

(both laughing)

♪ Family man ♪

♪ Tried my brand ♪

♪ Dig! Ha! ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Let me hear that,

get me near that ♪

♪ Crunchy Granola Suite ♪

♪ Drop your shrink

and stop your drinkin’ ♪

♪ Crunchy granola’s neat ♪

♪ Sing it out ♪

♪ All right ♪

♪ Hey! Come on! Hey! ♪

(hollers)

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah. ♪

Whoo! (laughs)

(laughing)

Yeah!

(laughter, excited chatter) Oh, I was scared you were gonna hit your head.

(laughter)

(laughter echoes, fades)

If you live long enough…

(chuckles)

you can see your dreams die a slow death.

Young people don’t know how good they have it.

Not ’cause they can, uh, touch their toes and screw all night.

They haven’t learned that most things just don’t work out.

♪ ♪

Most times, you just mess it up, so it’s easier not to try. We’re all just looking for some hope.

But at my age, hope is hard.

(chuckles)

Hope’s not enough.

(engine sputtering)

(groaning)

(pained grunting)

(gasping breaths)

(panting)

GROUP: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

(continues panting)

(engine starts)

(engines roaring)

There seems to be a bit of a miscommunication.

(beeps)

When I booked this gig a month ago, it was my understanding that there was a motor home convention in town, being that that’s what I was told.

No, I didn’t.

I did not say that.

You said the Emerald Motor Home Convention!

I said Emerald Lion Motor Club Reunion.

And you said you had a classic rock band like ZZ Top or CCR.

Neil Diamond? Not classic?

MIKE: All right, Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom.

(chuckling): Tom, I still don’t see the problem.

You see, Mike, with these motor home types, uh, I figured we’re in the pocket, you know?

But these bikers…

MIKE: They love Neil Diamond.

I-I don’t know. Look at ’em.

They got leather, chains. I-I…

Neil Diamond doesn’t have chains.

MARK: That’s a lot of leather.

We ain’t got nothing these hog-squashers can dig.

Mike, why don’t we put Claire up first?

I mean, look at her.

She’s pretty. She’s nice.

Have her sing “Crazy” or one of those Lynyrd Skynyrd songs.

They’d love Lynyrd Skynyrd.

CLAIRE: You know, I can fake my way through “Sweet Home Alabama.”

No, no, no, we’re not changing our show, all right? No.

TOM: At least start with “Sweet Caroline.”

Nobody here is gonna appreciate the Arabic incantations of “Solomon.”

“Soolaimon”!

“Soolaimon.”

We could move up “Kentucky Woman.”

And open with “America.”

“America” is great.

‘Cause bikers love…

I’m in charge of this band, and I’m telling you we open with “Soolaimon”!

Have you got the fans?

Yeah.

I got the fans.

(band playing “Soolaimon”)

(crowd chattering)

CLAIRE: ♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

Travelers of our nation’s Emerald highway, welcome to Tierney’s Tavern.

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

I am Lightning.

♪ Soo… ♪

This vision of beauty is Thunder.

Oh, come on.

(laughter) We bring greetings to the great city of Chicago with the songs of the incomparable, leather-jacket-wearing entertainer Neil Diamond.

We are Lightning & Thunder.

♪ ♪

♪ God of my want, want, want ♪

♪ Lord of my need, need, need ♪

♪ Leading me on ♪

Man, what is this trash?

♪ On, on ♪

♪ On to my woman,

she dance for the sun ♪

♪ Lord of my day, day, day ♪

WOMAN: I’m blinded by that shirt!

Play “Free Bird”!

♪ God of my night ♪

MAN 2: This is awful!

♪ Night, night ♪

WOMAN: You’re ruining my night!

♪ Seek for the way, way, way ♪

(indistinct shouting)

♪ Taking me home ♪

Someone get him off there.

MAN 3: What does bumblebee think he’s doing?

♪ She callin’ ♪

MAN 4: Nice shirt, loser!

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

MAN 5: Get off the stage!

MAN 6: Play some rock and roll!

♪ Soolai, soolai ♪

WOMAN: My mom sings better!

♪ Soolaimon ♪

♪ Soo… ♪

(music stops)

(raucous shouting)

MIKE: Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Come on.

Hey, come on.

All right, that’s enough.

Get rid of the guy.

MIKE: Just, we’re up here.

We’re just trying to entertain you. That’s all.

Neil Diamond sucks!

(bikers cheering)

What did you say?

You heard me, nelly.

(scattered laughter)

Oh, Mike! Oh, my God!

Jimmy, get over there!

CLAIRE: Oh, my God, Mike!

MARK: Mike!

Mike! Oh, my God.

Come on, say it again!

Come on, nelly!

You’re the worst manager in the history of the world.

Don’t talk to me. Don’t talk!

What did you say? Say it again!

TOM: Mike!

(both muttering, grunting)

CLAIRE: Oh, Tom. Here.

Ah, it’s okay. I-I’m a bleeder.

Oh, God.

It’s really…

I mean, it’s just a nosebleed.

It’s not bad.

Hey, Tom, can you drive?

Because if you can’t, one of us could.

No, I-I have to, Ricky.

It’s a liability insurance issue.

You know, it’s a requirement.

Tom, put this in your nose.

This?

Yeah, to…

Hold it in there so the blood doesn’t come out.

MAN: Yeah, let it all down the side.

TOM: Tell Mike I’m sorry.

CLAIRE: You be safe.

(Tom sighs)

TOM: Okay.

(dog barking in distance)

(bus engine starts)

(horn honking)

Had a whole plan for how tonight would go, and I just… it all went south.

Well, you made it very clear that you are in charge of this band and make the decisions, so I guess if it was a Donna Summer tribute band, I’d be calling the shots, but… now I know.

It’s your show.

I mean, would it have killed you to open with “Sweet Caroline”?

(sighs) There’s more to Neil Diamond than “Sweet Caroline.”

He’s got hundreds of songs, and all anybody wants to hear is “Sweet Caroline””bom, bom, bom.”

That’s right.

That’s what they want to hear.

After the show, I was gonna take you to this fancy hotel with a big suite and an all-you-can-eat buffet, and I was gonna propose and…

What?

Yeah, I got you a ring and everything.

But if you’re not into it, maybe we could still hit that buffet.

They got a guy there that does omelets and crepes and…

CLAIRE: Mmm!

(laughing): Oh, yes!

Oh, yes!

(laughing): What?

To you, to this, to everything.

Okay.

(laughs) Oh.

Okay, wait, one thing.

Anything.

We open with “Sweet Caroline.”

Agree?

I do.

(band playing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”)

MIKE: ♪ Where it began ♪

(cameras clicking)

♪ I can’t begin

to know when… ♪

SEX MACHINE: I would like to welcome you to this celebration of marriage.

Marriage is the promise between two people who love each other…

(snickering) …who trust that love, honor each other as individuals in that togetherness, and who wish to spend the rest of their lives together.

…keeping yourself solely unto him as for as long as you may live?

I do.

♪ Hands… ♪

I do.

SEX MACHINE: …and the power entrusted in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.

Now, jump back and kiss yourself.

(laughter)

♪ Touching me ♪

(cheering)

♪ Touching you ♪

♪ Sweet Caroline ♪

ALL: ♪ Ba, ba, ba ♪

MIKE: ♪ Good times never

seemed so good ♪

♪ I’ve been inclined ♪

♪ Ba, ba, ba ♪

♪ To believe ♪

♪ They never would, but now I ♪

We need to hit two venues in under four hours.

We got a 7:00 p.m. show at Good Time Charlie’s…

All right, here we go.

All aboard!

♪ Look at the night ♪

♪ And it don’t seem so lonely ♪

♪ We fill it up with only two ♪

♪ And when I hurt ♪

♪ Hurtin’ runs off

my shoulders ♪

♪ How can I hurt

when holding you? ♪

Are you ready to rock out to some Neil Diamond?

(cheering)

♪ Warm ♪

♪ Touching warm ♪

♪ Reaching out ♪

♪ Touching me ♪

♪ Touching you ♪

♪ Sweet Caroline ♪

♪ Ba, ba, ba ♪

♪ Good times never

seemed so good ♪

♪ So good, so good, so good ♪

♪ I’ve been inclined ♪

♪ Ba, ba, ba ♪

♪ To believe they never would ♪

♪ Oh, no, no ♪

Oh, my heart throbs.

He’s such a good-looking man.

Claire Sardina sang Patsy Cline songs.

Mike Sardina sang rock and roll medleys.

But together, they are Lightning & Thunder, a Neil Diamond tribute band the people of Milwaukee can’t seem to get enough of.

I just love Lightning & Thunder.

They are my fave.

TOM: You know, you’re gonna see Lightning & Thunder in Las Vegas.

Oh, “Sweet Caroline”? I-I think that’s my new favorite song.

♪ Sweet Caroline ♪

♪ Ba, ba, ba ♪

♪ Sweet Caroline ♪

♪ Ba, ba, ba ♪

♪ Good times never

seemed so good ♪

♪ So good, so good, so good ♪

♪ Sweet Caroline ♪

♪ Ba, ba, ba ♪

♪ I believe they never could ♪

♪ Oh, no, no. ♪

(cheering and applause)

(song ends)

Here’s the question: Tell me something that people are struck by.

Lightning.

Oh! Lightning!

Yeah.

Lightning.

Lightning!

(bell dings)

(crowd cheering)

(shouts excitedly, laughs)

(grunts fiercely) Oh, no.

Rachel, can you please make me spaghetti?

Mom wants fish sticks again.

I’m dying.

Mike?

MIKE (laughing): Yeah!

Eddie on the phone for you.

MIKE: My show, baby.

Uh, auto shop Eddie or another Eddie?

No clue.

MIKE: As you were.

CLAIRE: Number one: lightning.

RACHEL (laughs): Really?

CLAIRE: Yeah.

What?

(snapping fingers) (hushed): Hey. Hey.

CONTESTANT (over TV): Another person.

MIKE: Uh, you mean like a commercial or…

I mean, we’ve done car shows before, but never a…

(TV muted)

Like a concert for jelly?

Hold on. What’s a Pearl Jam?

What about Pearl Jam?

That’s what I’m asking.

This guy says he’s with Pearl Jam.

Give me the phone.

Who the hell is this?

What’s Pearl Jam?

It’s a band, Mike.

You don’t know who Pearl Jam is?

Oh, Pearl Jam’s a “who”?

RACHEL: C-Could you hold, please?

Yeah, so… um… I think I’m gonna throw up right now.

(laughing): This is Eddie Vedder.

Eddie Vedder’s on the phone right now.

Say something and not stupid.

(laughs)

(Mike clears throat)

Yeah, Lightning speaking.

Uh, all right, let me check.

Are we doing anything on Friday?

ALL: No!

Um… (clears throat) no, it sounds great.

Okay. See ya.

Wow.

I guess we’re opening for Pearl Jam.

(screams) DANA: Oh, my God!

Oh, my God! Oh, my God, I’m gonna meet Eddie Vedder!

(excited chatter)

How did this happen?

(live recording of “Alive” by Pearl Jam playing)

♪ Oh, I ♪

♪ Oh, oh, I’m still alive ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, I ♪

♪ Oh, oh, I’m still alive ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, I… ♪

Hey, uh, we’re Lightning & Thunder.

Yeah, we’re opening for Pearl Jam.

Uh, okay. I’ll check.

♪ ♪

♪ Mm… ♪

(quiet chatter)

(song ends)

Whoa, I always wanted one of those Everly Brother Gibsons with the wraparound pick guard.

Yeah.

It’s a beaut.

Yeah, uh, Neil plays one of these, right?

Mostly uses the Ovation acoustics, but, uh…

Yeah.

You, uh… you on the tour?

Uh, me and my wife here, we’re, uh…

You’re the Pearl Jam guy.

We-we talked on the phone.

I’m-I’m Eddie.

Eddie. That’s right. Hey.

Thanks for this.

Um, Eddie, I’m, uh… just a little worried your crowd may not dig my kind of show.

I-I don’t get a lot of mosh pits, you know?

There are no rules, man.

Tony Bennett’s opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Tony Bennett?

Besides, who doesn’t like Neil Diamond, right?

Are you, uh… are you playing “Holly Holy” tonight?

Uh, no, not for this crowd, but, uh…

Hey.

You mind if I ask you a favor, you know, one musician to another?

(applause, cheering) This is exciting.

DANA: It’s happening.

It’s happening.

Okay, okay. All good.

They’re ready.

(crowd shouting)

FAN: Come on!

Holy shit.

(cheering)

If you’ve ever had a shot, pal, this is it.

(crowd shouting, whooping)

FAN: Eddie, I love you!

ANNOUNCER: Please welcome to the stage Milwaukee’s own Lightning & Thunder.

(cheering and applause)

Hello, Milwaukee!

That’s great. The costumes look great. Yeah, yeah.

(playing Neil Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans”) Come on, kids!

(clapping rhythmically)

Yeah.

Very big for them.

MIKE: You know the words. Come on.

♪ Money talks ♪

♪ It don’t sing and dance

and it don’t walk ♪

♪ Long as I can have you

here with me ♪

♪ I’d much rather be

forever in blue jeans ♪

♪ Honey’s sweet ♪

♪ It ain’t nothin’

next to baby’s treat ♪

♪ And if you pardon me,

I’d like to say ♪

♪ We’d do okay ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans ♪

Give it up for Eddie Vedder!

♪ Maybe tonight ♪

(cheering)

♪ Maybe tonight by the fire ♪

♪ All alone, you and I ♪

♪ Nothing around

but the sound of my heart ♪

♪ And your sighs ♪

Come on, Milwaukee!

(cheering)

♪ Money talks ♪

♪ But it don’t sing and dance

and it don’t walk ♪

♪ As long as I can have you

here with me ♪

♪ I’d much rather be ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans, babe ♪

♪ And honey’s sweet ♪

♪ It ain’t nothin’

next to baby’s treat ♪

♪ If you pardon me,

I’d like to say ♪

♪ We’d do okay ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans ♪

I love you, Eddie!

Eddie Vedder!

Lightning & Thunder, baby!

It was like…

Oh, my God.

…he wanted to keep going.

He was so cute, too.

But that audience, they were just, like… they were just, like…

(laughing) You look so good.

Oh!

(laughing)

(growling playfully)

♪ Money talks ♪

♪ But it don’t sing and dance

and it don’t walk ♪

♪ As long as I can have you

here with me ♪

♪ I’d much rather be ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans, babe. ♪

(song ends)

Zoo… ming in.

Zoo… ming out.

♪ ♪

DANA: Hasn’t hit our house yet.

And Rachel’s fixing her boyfriend’s car.

We were just changing the oil.

She’s not fixing it.

I know how to do it.

She just wanted to show me.

(engine starts)

♪ ♪

Everybody on the block has flowers and bushes, and then you look at this, and we have nothing, so I want flowers and color and beauty.

Look at that.

Four shows a week at the Shawano Casino, two shows on Saturday.

Two shows on Saturday!

“As seen with Pearl Jam.”

We’re in the big time.

DANA: Hey, Papa, how you doing?

How am I doing? I’m huge!

(blows sharply)

All right.

Which way are you facing?

Over here? Where do you want me?

In the corner? Over here?

That-that…

I think that’s good.

All right.

Are you gonna put on some pants?

Nah. Shoot me from the waist up.

(chuckles)

All right.

Tell me when you’re ready.

I’m ready when you are.

All right, this is a prerecorded message to be played on July 28th.

Hello. My name is Mike, and I’m an alcoholic.

That’s the part where you all say, “Hello, Mike.”

Hello, Mike. (laughs) Hello.

Very good.

Uh, today is, uh, my 21st…

(whistles) sober birthday, and, uh, I won’t be able to be there with you today because I’ll be playing my new gig at the Shawano Casino, but, uh, I thought maybe, even though I can’t be there, I would sing you my song just to… well, just to let you all know how important you all are to me.

♪ This is not a sad song ♪

♪ A sad song to sing

when you’re alone ♪

Oh, no.

♪ In a way, it’s a glad song ♪

♪ Yeah, a glad song ♪

♪ A simple song that simply

seems to make you feel good ♪

♪ When you sing along ♪

(strumming “Song Sung Blue”)

(jet engine blaring)

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Everybody… ♪

(engine revving)

(song stops abruptly)

(soft, high-pitched ringing)

♪ ♪

Mom!

Dana!

Excuse me.

Uh, where is Claire Sardina?

Rachel!

That’s her daughter.

RACHEL: What’s going on?

What happened?

A car rode on top…

(heavy, gasping breaths) What?

She was… she was gardening, and a car rode on top of her.

DOCTOR: Need to increase the pressure.

RACHEL: Mom! (screams) What’s going…

MIKE: It’s okay. It’s okay.

What’s going on?

Come here. Johnny, Johnny.

Take Dana to the waiting room.

Take him.

Take him. Okay.

Come on. (Dana sobbing) Gonna be all right.

RACHEL: Is she gonna die?

She’s gonna make it.

Is she… You have to tell me.

But we got to talk.

Is she gonna die?

We got to talk. Come here.

What’s going on?

Okay, listen to me.

Who’s that guy on the show you like?

Uh, the guy with the eyebrows.

Uh…

What are you…

George, George.

What are you talking about?

Uh, the guy from ER. What does this h-have to do…

Uh, Clooney, Clooney.

Listen to me. Listen to me.

Okay, something’s about to go down, and you and I are gonna take care of it…

No, I need to… while they work on your ma.

Now, listen to me.

I got a jacked-up heart…

(takes deep, groaning breath)

I got a jacked-up heart, I’ve had it for a long time, and I think I’m having a heart attack.

What?

You-you need to get a doctor.

No, no, no, no, no.

We’re gonna do my plan.

It’s gonna be okay.

Now, you listen.

Listen to me, Rachel, okay?

(device whirring, beeping) So…

I am gonna pass out, and when I do, you’re gonna jolt me back just like George does.

No.

Now, remember how I showed you how to jump a car?

This is just like that.

I’ve done it before.

You can do this.

You see that?

You’re gonna hold that, and you’re gonna put that one up here.

In your right hand, you’re gonna put that down here.

All right?

You can do this, Rachel.

I can’t do this, Mike.

Now, after you hear the…

I can’t do this. No…

After you hear the…

(breathing heavily, muttering)

After I… after I hear the what?

(screams)

Mike!

(rapid beeping)

Lightning! Lightning!

Papa!

(beep, high-pitched whirring)

(rapid beeping)

(grunts) (gasps)

(gasps)

(crickets chirping)

(sighs)

(sighs)

(pained yelling) Claire!

Baby, baby, hey.

Oh, I think I’m okay.

Oh, God. Claire, what happened?

I just… I…

I just… I just forgot.

Oh.

(Claire breathing heavily)

God.

(Claire sighs) Come on, baby.

Hold tight.

(Claire groaning softly)

(Mike speaks softly)

It’s only been three weeks since your accident.

It’s gonna take time to adjust.

Those motor skills can take control.

I know. Especially in the middle of the night when you’re not completely awake. I know.

I just don’t want to dwell on it and get stuck.

If I have to make adjustments, I just want to make them and move on.

And that day will come, but you need to allow yourself some time.

NURSE KETT: Please understand, Mr. Sardina, this isn’t something that needs to be paid in full today.

The old guy that lost control and hit my wife with the car, his family isn’t able to provide the settlement money for another six months.

What am I supposed to do in the meantime?

There’s dismemberment insurance that your wife can qualify for.

That should cover a sizable portion of the cost.

(inhales deeply, sighs)

That’s a different department, but I’d be happy to put you in touch with them.

Mmhmm.

And we still need to bill your insurance company.

(laughs) Insurance?

Miss, do you know any musicians?

We’re broke as a joke.

CLAIRE: Me and Mike, we started singing.

We were really cooking.

And I could see it, like-like a way to pay my bills and-and be able to say I…

“Look at me. I made it.”

DOCTOR: Take one every three to four hours for the phantom pains.

I was so close.

Yeah, thanks, Doc. Thanks.

♪ ♪

(birds screeching)

(sighs)

(takes deep breath)

(groaning softly)

(sighs)

(sighs heavily)

(knocking)

RACHEL: Mom?

It’s Wednesday.

Mm.

Your prosthetic therapy is in half an hour.

Okay?

Yeah, hon, no.

I-I don’t think I can do that.

Okay, fine. If-if you’re gonna cancel again, how about you make the call?

‘Cause they don’t buy my lies, and I’m sick of doing it.

You know what?

Can you just give me a minute?

Mom, we got to go.

We got to drive there and-and get you in the car.

Rachel.

And it’s gonna take a second.

Rach.

Rach, please, just give me a minute.

All right, fine. Just hurry up.

(sighs)

(knocking)

(groans) Give me a minute.

(knocking) I said give me a minute!

(sighs)

(knocking)

Rachel.

Goddamn it, I…

Dinner’s ready.

♪ ♪

(breathing deeply)

(sighs softly)

(groans softly)

(takes deep breath)

(exhales slowly)

(grunts softly)

(grunts)

RACHEL: It’s geometry, and I told him…

MIKE: Oh, I’m good at geometry.

RACHEL: I hate it. There’s no point.

I don’t understand when I’m gonna use any of it.

And I told that to him.

I was like, “I don’t…”

MIKE: Oh, you don’t use it ever.

The thing about it is…

Why do I want to learn that if I’m not gonna use it?

It’s, like, problem solving.

CLAIRE: Hey.

What happened to therapy?

Are you serious?

I mean, that was… that was four hours ago, and you…

You know what, I’m-I’m not…

I’m done.

MIKE: Oh, honey, grab a seat.

Come here. Come on.

(sighs) Come on, babe.

We, uh, got screwed on the mashed potatoes.

We got gravy, just no potatoes.

Anyway…

So, uh, I don’t know, maybe we take a little road trip down to Six Flags.

Get some, uh… get some sunshine, you know?

A little adventure?

I’m gonna have a little extra money, seeing as I, uh, may have got a job.

Yeah.

You guys remember Cliff?

You know, Sex Machine?

Does James Brown?

He says he might have some work for me down at this Thai joint.

Uh, they just need a host for karaoke, but, uh, he thought I could fill in for him.

So, you’re gonna play Neil Diamond songs?

Uh, no.

I mean, maybe a few, but it’s more of a hosting thing.

Getting other people singing, you know?

DANA: Yeah.

Karaoke.

You know, it’s only temporary.

It’s, uh… you know, until your mother and me can, uh…

Get back on our feet?

DR. DAVE: How are things going at home?

Not.

DR. DAVE: Hmm.

I know the band has other gigs, but, uh, maybe you and Claire can still use that karaoke machine.

(sighs)

It’s not about the instrumentation.

It’s just, she won’t get up out of bed.

It’s these drugs she’s on, and… her mind, it…

Now, what does a duo do if one doesn’t want to do what the other’s doing?

I believe in you, Mike.

I always have.

Now, open up here.

RANEE: Do you sing anything current?

Anything contemporary pop or just dad rock stuff?

Dad rock? Like…

She means like, you know, Skynyrd, Creedence, Steely Dan.

That type of thing.

Oh, yeah.

I rock with those guys.

Yeah, I mean…

Sorry, are you saying you don’t want me to sing those songs or…

RANEE: I’m not saying not to.

I just want to hear Aaliyah and Alanis every once in a while.

Yeah, Monica, Mariah.

See, the thing is, uh, I got more of a specified act, like Sex Machine here.

I mean, past year, I’m known for singing Neil Diamond music.

But he can sing any music.

Luther Vandross, Usher, Jodeci.

(speaking Thai)

…Neil Diamond?

(Dao speaking Thai)

Ah. “Soolaimon”?

“Soolaimon”?

You know “Soolaimon”?

Nobody knows “Soolaimon.”

They only know “Sweet Caroline.”

“America,” “Cracklin’ Rosie.”

You sing “Play Me”?

Anytime.

Ah. Ah.

Ah.

(speaking Thai)

…Neil Diamond.

You do know who Jodeci is, right?

Hmm.

You can do your Neil Diamond thing on Wednesday nights, host karaoke Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

SEX MACHINE: Yeah.

Boom.

Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown, Brown.

Head of family.

Yeah, yeah.

All right.

Name something that people shake before they use it.

(buzzer beeping) Yes, sir?

(TV broadcast continues indistinctly in distance)

(sighs)

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

(phone ringing)

Claire?

(phone continues ringing)

(TV continues)

(liquid pouring in sink)

Claire? Claire?

RICHARD DAWSON (over TV): Tell me something that men do better than women.

(phone continues ringing) (TV continues) As you were.

Oh, hey, Sister Anne.

Uh, no, this is Lightning, her husband.

I mean Mike.

Uh…

Okay, yeah. No, sure. Tomorrow?

We… No, we can be there.

Uh, all right.

You have a good day, too.

Uh…

Why didn’t you pick up the phone?

Uh, that was Sister Anne.

She, uh… she wants us to come in for some kind of parent-teacher thing tomorrow for Dana.

All right, I got to get ready to go out.

Where are you going?

Uh, I got my night gig at the Thai joint.

Been doing it for weeks now, you space cadet.

Yeah.

I, uh…

I see the way you look at those girls in the crowd, you know?

How they look back at you.

I’m not a fool.

Oh, yeah? You think I got a little piece on the side ’cause I’m so young and wealthy? Huh?

I used to think it was so cute the way you’d take the scarf and put it around all those hussies and kiss ’em.

The scarf was a bit.

You know that.

Yeah, for Elvis, not for Neil Diamond.

You just wanted to kiss them, Mike.

You know, I really wish these medications would make up their mind.

Are you gonna be, like, loopy and not give a shit, or are you gonna be angry and paranoid?

You know what?

My mom was right about you.

You’re just a selfish son of a bitch.

So why don’t you go find yourself a new girlfriend and give her a new nickname!

You think you’re the only one that’s hurting?

Every day, I think about the big adios. Oh.

Every day!

But I’m here trying! I’m here!

(objects clattering) You want to throw shit at me?

You ought to throw something else!

Goddamn it!

(door slams)

(breathing heavily)

(Claire sobbing)

(“I Am… I Said” karaoke track playing)

♪ Did you ever read

about a frog ♪

♪ Who dreamed of being a king ♪

♪ And then became one? ♪

♪ Well, except for the names

and a few other changes ♪

♪ If you talk about me ♪

♪ The story is the same one ♪

SOMECHAI: ♪ But I got

an emptiness deep inside… ♪

Oh, sorry. We’re closed.

Oh. That’s my-my dad.

Ah, Lightning?

It’s my mother’s birthday.

She died of lung cancer.

Sad songs all night.

Right.

BOTH: ♪ “I am,” I said ♪

♪ To no one there ♪

♪ And no one heard at all ♪

♪ Not even the chair ♪

♪ “I am,” I cried ♪

SOMECHAI: ♪ “I am,” said I. ♪

(song ends)

You know, I…

I talk to Rachel a lot.

Hmm.

Rachel says that you and Claire have been fighting a lot more.

So…

Are you drinking or…

No.

I’m wondering if, uh, the ride would be a little less bumpy if I fell off the wagon.

When was your last meeting?

Angie, what are you doing?

You’re my daughter.

You’re not my sponsor.

Look, everybody tells me to move on.

I’m the guy that looks like Neil.

“Why do you need Claire?”

But they-they just don’t get it.

I…

I love her, and I’m…

I’m losing her.

(takes deep breath)

Listen, just… (sighs) Dad… would you just please go to a meeting?

Please?

Mm.

(muffled jet engine roaring)

♪ ♪

Mike?

♪ ♪

(faintly): Ladies and gentlemen.

(applause)

(intro to Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams” playing)

♪ Sweet dreams ♪

♪ Of you ♪

♪ Every night ♪

♪ I go through ♪

♪ Why can’t I forget you ♪

♪ And start my life anew ♪

♪ Instead of having

sweet dreams ♪

♪ About you? ♪

♪ Sweet dreams ♪

♪ Of you ♪

MIKE: Claire. Honey.

Claire.

Claire, come on. Come on down.

Mike.

Come on, let’s go.

♪ Come true ♪

Claire.

Mike, don’t do this.

Mike, you’re embarrassing me.

No, no.

I am not stopping.

This is not your show.

No.

This is… You’re confused.

This is embarrassing.

Come on. Come on, baby.

Mike, I would never do this to you.

You’re scaring everybody.

No, no.

And you’re gonna get yourself hurt. Let’s go.

Mike, no.

Let’s go. Go.

I am not going any… Mike.

Come on. Come on!

(grunts) (song stops)

(vehicle approaching)

CLAIRE: No.

No, no.

Mom?

CLAIRE: What are you doing?

What are you all doing up here?

It’s okay. It’s okay.

What about the show?

She’s just tired. It’s okay.

RACHEL: Okay, we just…

Mom, we just are trying to help you, Mom.

CLAIRE: No, no.

Okay? We just…

No, this is my show.

I’m up here. I’m up here, Mike!

Okay, come on. Let’s go.

I’m not going to stop the show!

Come on, let’s go.

Don’t touch me.

You’re not even supposed to be up here.

(sobbing): Stop it, Mike!

Baby, come here.

Stop it. This is my show.

Baby, come here. Come here.

CLAIRE: This is my show!

It’s okay. It’s okay.

Mike’s got it, okay?

(sobbing): Help me.

RACHEL: He’ll figure it out.

It’s all right. It’s okay.

DANA (crying): Mom.

(indistinct chatter)

NURSE: There’s a 72hour observation period for all voluntary patients.

A mental health professional will assess her condition and determine the course of treatment and length of stay.

And if you could just fill out the medication she’s currently taking or anything she’ll need over the next three weeks.

I…

I know I’m a…

I’m a stranger to you, but what I could really use… right now is… is for you to just tell me I’m doing the right thing for…

(breath trembles)

…for her.

We’re gonna take really good care of her, make sure she gets what she needs, okay?

You okay?

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

(chuckles)

(grunts)

(softly): Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

(Claire sniffles)

(smacks lips) Oh, Mike.

I don’t think we’ve been apart more than a day since we’ve been married.

(inhales)

It’s okay.

(softly): Okay. Okay.

It’s okay.

(takes deep breath)

CLAIRE: Okay.

Thank you.

(sighs)

(“O Holy Night” by Neil Diamond playing)

(sniffs, sighs)

Right through there.

(Claire breathing deeply)

NEIL DIAMOND: ♪ O holy night ♪

♪ The stars are

brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night ♪

♪ Of our dear Savior’s

birth… ♪

Hey. Um… (clears throat) I was wondering if I could speak to the manager or the guy who, um… who does the hiring.

My radiator is hissing.

I’m trying to get a job here.

Yeah, well, I’m trying to get to my job.

Being that I’m the only one that has one here.

Uh, listen, I-I’m sorry.

I’m sorry. God.

(groans) (distant train whistle blows)

(sighs)

(hood latch clicks) All right.

Here you go.

Here you go. Hold this.

Just pour it in.

But there’s a leak.

Yeah.

It’ll fix it. Just do it.

It’s got, uh, like, little metal particles in it that, uh, heat up while the car is running.

And then it melts into the leak, welds it closed.

Slow, slow, slow.

Yeah. (sniffs) I get it.

There’s people in this world that get new shit, and then there’s people like us just patching up broken shit.

I… I know this has been hard for you.

Somewhere along the way, I got put in charge of everyone’s problems.

I worry about my mother.

I worry about Dana.

(scoffs, sniffles)

Every time you touch your chest, I worry about you.

I don’t want you worrying, and trust me, this thing with your mother is gonna get better.

I’m pregnant.

(Rachel takes deep, shaky breath) Oh. Okay.

Uh… uh, when?

Like… four months ago.

Four months?

Oh, my God.

How did we miss this?

Because you’re all crazy.

I mean, I’mI’m huge.

How can you not see?

We all put on some pounds.

I just thought it was a family phase. It’s…

Uh, here. Give me that.

Uh, is it the guy you were…

No, that’s over.

He can’t be counted on.

And…

(crying): I guess neither can I.

Aw, baby. Baby, baby.

(crying continues)

(Rachel sniffles)

Okay.

So we got this thing in the Marines.

It’s called a SMEAC, all right?

Stands for “situation,” “mission,” “execution,” “administration” and “command.”

It’s a way to break down a problem real simple.

Okay.

So, what’s the situation?

I’m knocked up.

Okay. Okay.

So, what’s the mission?

What do you want to do about it?

I want to give it to a couple that wants to have a baby.

Okay, so that’s the mission.

Okay. Now you got to execute.

You got to have the kid.

I already called the Adoption Information Center, and there’s a potential couple that could assist in medical bills and all that.

Okay, so you already took care of the “A” for administration.

That just leaves command.

So, who do you want to be in charge of all this, you know, helping you?

(voice shaking): My mom.

(sighs)

Whenever Mike would run off to his AA meetings, I…

I was always pretty ugly about it.

Like, why can’t you just deal with your problems without all the talking?

Mike can talk.

And I can talk, too, and I talk a lot.

Sometimes I talk so much I don’t even know what I’m saying half the time.

Yeah, and the thoughts, they just, like, go around in my head.

Spin around all the time.

That’s where the singing helped.

And something happened when I… would sing Patsy Cline songs, like…

Like, I’d… just disappear, you know?

In the music.

Yeah.

Yeah, I’d just… disappear.

Yeah.

I mean, the accident took my leg, but I shouldn’t have let it take my singing away.

That’s mine.

All mine.

(jet engine whirring)

(jet engine continues whirring louder)

(whirring fades in distance)

Good night, Mom.

Mm, good night, sweetheart.

Love you.

Okay. Love you, too.

MIKE: Good night, kiddo.

Love you.

DANA: Love you.

Good night.

Night.

(dog barking in distance)

I made a pot of coffee.

You want some?

No, thank you.

You want to watch a show?

I don’t know.

Unless you do.

When do you go back to work?

I start back at the shop tomorrow.

Well, what about karaoke?

Claire, wewe just got home.

I’m tired.

I-I’m just asking a question, Mike.

No, no, you’re getting ready to argue.

And, you know, I just don’t know what’s okay to say and not to say since you went to that place.

Well, if you have any questions, I can answer them for you.

I… I didn’t get a lobotomy.

Not yet.

Well…

Well, I’m not doing the karaoke thing ’cause, uh, I’m, uh… well, I’m not doing Lightning anymore.

That’s o… that’s over.

(choking up): Lightning is, uh…

It’s just nothing without you.

It’s…

If you’re not gonna be there with me, I got no…

I got…

I got no song to sing. I got…

I got nothing.

♪ ♪

(quietly): Honey. Oh, Mike.

It’s okay.

(sobbing) Oh, honey. Breathe, honey.

(sighs) I-I…

I’ve been doing a lot of talking, you know, like you do at your meetings.

Yeah.

And I’ve been figuring things out in my head.

I think that the struggle with my prosthetic…

I think it was more in my head than my leg.

I felt hurt andandand ugly.

(Mike sniffles)

And, like, I had all this anger inside of me and fear, and it just cracked.

Now, look, the folks at the hospital, they talk about having an emotional catharsis.

It’s like where you let everything go and just move forward.

(Mike takes deep breath)

I don’t think I’ve had that yet, ’cause everything still feels very scary for me.

You know, walking and standing.

Singing.

But maybe if you’re there with me…

…I can have that catharsis.

(“Holly Holy” karaoke track playing) (sniffles) Okay.

♪ Holly holy… ♪

Thank y’all for coming out here tonight to Charm Thai.

Uh, we got a great night here for you, and don’t forget, we, uh… we do karaoke night on Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night.

I’ve seen you here.

It’s a lot of fun.

And, uh, well, there’s also the allyoucaneat buffet Monday to Friday.

But, uh, tonight I got something, uh…

Wow, we got something special.

My name is Lightning.

This is my lovely wife Thunder.

And tonight, we’re gonna sing for you.

BOTH: ♪ Holly holy ♪

♪ Holly holy dream ♪

♪ Wanting only you ♪

He’s good.

♪ And she comes ♪

♪ And I run ♪

♪ Just like the wind will ♪

♪ Holly holy ♪

♪ Sing ♪

♪ Sing a song ♪

♪ Sing ♪

♪ Sing a song of songs ♪

♪ Sing ♪

♪ Sing it out ♪

♪ Sing it strong ♪

♪ Sing, sing ♪

♪ Sing, sing, yeah… ♪

Nice. Nice, baby.

You’re doing great.

You’re doing great.

(bicycle bell jingles)

♪ Call the sun

in the dead of the night ♪

♪ Call the sun ♪

♪ And the sun’s gonna rise ♪

♪ In the sky… ♪

Does it hurt?

Yeah.

Okay.

♪ Touch a man

who can’t walk upright ♪

♪ Touch a man ♪

♪ And that lame man ♪

♪ He’s gonna fly ♪

Why don’t we stop?

Okay.

We stop?

No, let’s keep going.

You sure?

One more block. Yep.

♪ And I fly ♪

♪ Fly ♪

♪ Holly holy love ♪

♪ Take the lonely child ♪

♪ And the seed ♪

♪ Let it be filled

with tomorrow ♪

♪ Holly holy ♪

♪ Sing ♪

The words of Neil Diamond bid you to make a beautiful noise, Charm Thai.

♪ Sing ♪

Are you ready to sing?

(scattered applause, cheering) Are you ready to sing?

Yes!

♪ Sing ♪

Are you ready to sing?

Yes!

Come on!

♪ Sing a song ♪

♪ Sing ♪

♪ Sing ♪

♪ Sing, sing ♪

Clap your hands with me.

Come on!

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

Somechai, take the mic.

♪ Call the sun

in the dead of the night ♪

♪ Call the sun ♪

♪ And the sun ♪

♪ Gonna rise in the sky ♪

(laughing)

♪ Touch a man

who can’t walk upright ♪

♪ Touch a man ♪

♪ And that lame man ♪

♪ He gonna fly ♪

♪ And I fly, yeah ♪

♪ Fly ♪

♪ And I fly ♪

♪ Fly ♪

♪ Holly holy dream ♪

♪ Dream of only you ♪

♪ Holly holy sun ♪

♪ Holly holy rain ♪

♪ Holly holy love. ♪

(song ends)

(birds chirping)

(jet engine blaring)

(Claire screams)

Claire.

Babe, baby, you all right?

(breathing shakily)

(grunts unsteadily, sniffs)

I… I-I don’t know what happened.

I just… I lost control.

(Claire laughing)

I-I hope you’re ok…

(laughing)

I… I…

I-I mean, don’t you see?

(laughing): Lightning can strike the same place twice.

(sighing): Oh. Oh.

It’sit’s okay.

I just… (laughs)

(beeping, whirring)

CLAIRE: Look. All this music.

All this life.

And here’s my accident.

Mmhmm.

And then… nothing.

MIKE: I see. I see.

Whatwhat are you getting at?

I want these boxes filled up again.

Bad things happen over and over.

And I just want to sing, and I want to shine before another car runs into me.

(laughing): The car’s not gonna run in…

Oh, God, it’s like they’re aiming for me, Mike.

Come on.

I am not afraid anymore.

I want to be Thunder again.

♪ ♪

I know, I know…

I’ve been a little out of it and I’m a little rusty, but I’m here to be mom again and a wife and a partner.

So, you know, what have I missed these last few months?

What do I need to know?

You want to tell her or me?

(band playing intro to Neil Diamond’s “I’m a Believer”) And then slight stretch…

MIKE: ♪ I thought love was ♪

♪ Only true in fairy tales ♪

♪ Meant for someone else

but not for me ♪

(Rachel chuckling)

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ Love was out to get me ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Nanana, nana… ♪

Hi.

NEIGHBOR: Morning, Claire.

MIKE: ♪ Disappointment haunted

all my dreams… ♪

One, two, three, four, five.

(Rachel straining) Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, he’s coming.

♪ Not a trace… ♪

Hi. Aw.

Hi.

♪ I’m in love ♪

(quiet chatter) CLAIRE: ♪ Mmm ♪

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ And I’m a believer ♪

♪ I couldn’t leave her

if I tried ♪

MIKE: Hey!

(others whooping, hollering)

(indistinct, lively chatter)

(laughter)

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ Love was out to get me ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Doda, dada ♪

MIKE: ♪ That’s the way it seemed ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Doda, dada ♪

MIKE: ♪ Disappointment haunted

all my dreams ♪

(lively, excited chatter)

♪ Then I saw her face ♪

♪ Now I’m a believer ♪

♪ And not a trace ♪

♪ Of doubt in my mind ♪

MIKE: ♪ I’m in love ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Mmm ♪

MIKE: ♪ And I’m a believer ♪

♪ I couldn’t leave her

if I tried ♪

(cheering)

We’re here today joined by two local legends staging the comeback of their careers.

The universe sent two cars to kill me, uh, but I’m still standing, even if it’s on one leg.

(both laugh)

♪ I’m in love ♪

♪ Mmm ♪

♪ And I’m a believer ♪

♪ I couldn’t leave her

if I tried. ♪

Yes!

(cheering) (song ends) I am a believer!

MARK: Mike, Claire, I want you to meet my friend Buddy Holmes.

Hey. He’s event coordinator here at the Ritz.

Hi.

Buddy.

Thank you both for coming.

Claire.

You’ve been getting a lot of press with your comeback.

Yeah, we never really left.

That’s why I wanted to talk to you about playing here.

Uh…

Oh, are we gonna open for Pearl Jam again?

BUDDY: No, you’d be the headliner.

It’d be on a Wednesday night three weeks from now.

That’ll give us just enough time to get the word out, sell some tickets.

Uh, sorry, you expect us to fill this place on a Wednesday?

Oh, we’ll make it work, Mike.

We’ll make it work.

We know what you mean to Milwaukee.

MIKE: Hey, dreaming it is one thing, but, you know, we’re not fools, Buddy.

MARK: Mike, don’t you know what’s happening in three weeks on a Wednesday night?

What? What? What’s happening?

Neil Diamond.

Neil Diamond.

He’s playing a soldout show at the Wisconsin Center Arena.

We want to be the counterprogramming to that event.

Those who can’t see Neil Diamond see the next best thing.

Could we just take a second?

One moment.

Babe, I don’t know if we’re ready for this.

Oh.

I mean…

I think you are.

I know I am.

(Mike sighs)

We’re gonna need a choir.

(“Forever in Blue Jeans” instrumental playing) Sex Machine is the choir director at his church.

Great, and timpani.

You know, the big drums?

What would you need timpani for?

(scoffs)

I’ll get the timpani, Mike.

I’ll get the timpani.

Especially because we’re opening with “Soolaimon.”

“Solomon”?

TOM and DR. DAVE: “Soolaimon.”

Okay, so remember Rachel’s gonna pick us up, but I think I want to go with Johnny to get a head start on my hair.

Are you nervous?

No, actually, I’m not.

But maybe I will right before the show. What about you?

I just hope people come, babe.

(vehicle doors closing)

DR. DAVE: Hey.

TOM: Mike!

Oh, hey.

DR. DAVE: Go ahead. You talk.

Okay, okay, okay.

I know the event coordinator at the Wisconsin Center.

He was at your wedding.

You know, big guy.

He had a big red beard.

Good Lord.

Mike, you are going to meet Neil Diamond tonight.

I-I was gonna get to that.

(Claire gasps) Oh, my God.

What do you mean?

What?

He’s gonna meet the two of you at Lake Front Frozen Custard after the show.

He’s gonna drop in with his bus.

He loves their frozen custard.

What are you gonna say to him, Dad?

Hopefully nothing dumb.

Oh, no, don’t be silly.

It’s just two musicians after their show.

Uh, both soldout shows.

We’re sold out?

It sold out? Sold out?

DR. DAVE: Sold out.

Yeah, we sold out.

(excited laughter)

Now I’m nervous.

DR. DAVE: This is a huge win for you.

You earned this, Mike.

You earned it.

(crying): He did. I’m so happy.

Are you crying?

I’m just so happy.

Are you crying? I love you.

I’m so happy for you.

Come here.

I’m so happy, too.

All right, get out of here.

Go, go, go.

We’ll see you over there.

I’llI’ll see you there.

I’m going with Rachel.

Congratulations.

Okay. Okay.

This is gonna be great.

DR. DAVE: Come on, we’ve got things to do.

TOM: Why do you do that?

Oh, my…

(Dr. Dave and Tom continue chatting indistinctly)

MIKE: Mr. Diamond… Or Neil. Can I…

Can I call you Neil?

You know, there’s a certain way that you sing “touching.”

I mean, you must know what I mean.

Of course you know what I mean. It’s you.

♪ Touching me, touching you. ♪

It’s so good. I mean, it’s just a small thing, but, like…

♪ Touching… ♪ (gasps)

Oh!

(weak, gasping breaths)

(groaning)

♪ ♪

(breathing heavily, grunting)

(panting): Okay.

(hisses in pain)

Papa?

I’m getting dressed.

Uh, Angelina had some friends she wanted to bring tonight, but I guess it’s sold out.

MIKE: Uh, yeah, no, no. We, uh…

We’ve got that handled.

(groans)

Hey, I’m going to, uh…

I’m gonna meet Neil Diamond tonight.

Are you serious?

Yeah.

Wow. (laughs) First, Eddie Vedder, and now Neil Diamond.

You think you could hook me up with Christian Slater?

(chuckles)

Papa?

(knocking)

Papa, you all right?

I’m huge, baby.

(indistinct chatter)

(musicians playing scales, tuning instruments)

(inhales sharply)

Hey, Dad.

Hey, darling.

Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.

Oh, I wouldn’t miss this.

(chuckles)

MIKE: Grandma.

Hey, uh, just to warn you, the seats we got reserved are right up front.

It may get loud.

I’m half deaf anyway, so I’ll be fine.

Have a great show tonight, Mike.

Thanks. Okay, Lightning, five minutes. Five minutes!

Places, everybody, places!

MIKE: Ooh, five minutes. Okay.

All right.

Hey. Wait, give me a kiss.

Give me a kiss.

Oh, all right.

So, any lastminute words of advice or encouragement from my two girls?

Yeah.

Play “Sweet Caroline,” okay?

(chuckles)

(sighs)

You two always know what to do.

You’re not afraid of the lift at all?

Oh, no, I just got to stand there.

CLAIRE: Okay.

MIKE: Okay.

CLAIRE: Mm.

Hey, Claire.

I can’t thank Neil ’cause every thankyou I got belongs to you, doll.

You’re my August Night, you’re my “September Morn,” you’re my “Heartlight,” and you’re my “Cracklin’ Rosie,” you got me?

♪ ♪

I’ll see you onstage.

(takes deep breath)

(groans)

(crowd cheering)

(band playing upbeat intro)

(cheering and applause)

(whooping)

(excited chatter)

Huh!

♪ I woke up this morning ♪

Yeah!

♪ And the sun

was shining bright ♪

♪ I said,

I woke up this morning ♪

Yeah!

♪ And the sun ♪

♪ Was shining bright ♪

Whoo!

Yeah!

♪ I called the weatherman,

I said, “Weatherman ♪

♪ “How can there be no rain

when all I see and hear is ♪

♪ Lightning & Thunder?” ♪

(playing intro to “Soolaimon”)

Yes!

Cue back light.

Cue back light. Reel it in.

There you go. Bring it up.

(cheering swells)

Good evening, Milwaukee!

Go, Mom!

CLAIRE: Welcome to those who yearn to dance in the glow of glory.

Our friends, our fans, family, those who could not get Neil Diamond tickets.

(cheering)

Stand by.

CLAIRE: Because tonight, we make our own beautiful noise.

Cue the lift.

(cheering)

Yes, Dad!

Cue the fans.

♪ Come here, come say ♪

♪ Ride ♪

♪ On the night ♪

♪ Sun become day ♪

♪ Day ♪

♪ Shall provide ♪

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

♪ God of my want, want, want ♪

♪ Lord of my need, need, need ♪

♪ Leading me on, on, on ♪

♪ On to my woman,

she dance for the sun ♪

♪ Lord of my day, day, day ♪

♪ God of my night,

night, night ♪

♪ Seek for the way, way, way ♪

♪ Taking me home ♪

♪ She callin’ ♪

I love you, Milwaukee!

(cheering)

♪ Bring home my name ♪

♪ On ♪

♪ The wings of a flea ♪

♪ Wind in the plains ♪

♪ Dance ♪

♪ Once for me ♪

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soo, soolaimon ♪

♪ Soolai, soolai, soolaimon ♪

You know the words!

Let me hear you!

♪ God of my want, want, want ♪

♪ Lord of my need, need, need ♪

♪ Leading me on, on, on ♪

♪ On to my woman,

she dance for the sun ♪

♪ God of my day, day, day ♪

♪ Lord of my night,

night, night ♪

♪ Seek for the way, way, way ♪

♪ Taking me home ♪

(high-pitched ringing) (muffled cheering)

(breathing heavily)

(whispering): Help me. Help me.

Help me, brothers and sisters, and the itty-bitty children, Black and white, rich and poor, great and small.

All God’s children, sing, “Hallelujah!”

(cheering)

CLAIRE and CHOIR: ♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Halle, hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Halle, hallelujah… ♪

And the good Lord gave us two hands.

One hand for the giving, one hand for the taking.

And when your brother is hungry and he ain’t got what to eat, and when he is tired and he ain’t got no place to sleep, and when his heart is aching and it is full of pain, who’s gonna cry with him, brothers?

Who’s gonna cry with him?

You take your hand, you put it out to him and you say to him, “That’s what it’s there for.”

♪ Take my hand, sweet Lord ♪

♪ Walk with me this day ♪

♪ In my heart I know ♪

♪ I will never stray ♪

♪ Halle, halle, halle, halle ♪

♪ Halle, halle, halle ♪

♪ It’s Love, Brother Love say ♪

♪ Brother Love’s

Travelling Salvation Show ♪

♪ Pack up the babies

and grab the old ladies ♪

♪ And everyone goes,

everyone knows ♪

♪ Brother Love’s show ♪

♪ God of my want ♪

♪ Oh, God of my want ♪

♪ Lord of my need ♪

♪ Hey, the Lord of my need ♪

♪ Taking me home ♪

♪ Take me home… ♪

(song ends)

(cheering and applause)

(band playing intro to “Sweet Caroline”) Yeah!

They’re back. They’re back.

Yeah.

♪ ♪

Do you remember when we saw Springsteen inin East Troy?

(gasps)

Oh, my God, you saw Bruce?

I love him so much.

ANGELINA: Where was that?

Where was that?

MIKE: Uh, Alpine Valley Music Theater.

You were a kid in grade school.

But he played for like two extra hours and everyone was freaking out and dancing on the lawn.

That was this. That was this.

(laughs) Me and Bruce.

You know, I got to say-and I don’t mean any disrespect to Mr. Eddie Vedder…

Uh-oh. Be careful, Mom.

I think tonight we were just as big as Pearl Jam.

Well, it’s a whole nother crowd.

No, I got to say, our fans are just as big and just as loud.

Oh.

(crowd clamoring nearby) Word must have got out, Papa.

Oh, my God! (screams excitedly)

♪ Sweet Caroline ♪

(whooping, whistling)

♪ Good times never

seemed so good… ♪

Aw. Are you good? Are you ready?

I’m huge, baby.

♪ To believe

they never would… ♪

Hi.

(clamoring)

CLAIRE: Hi.

TOM: Claire. Claire.

Neil just finished his show.

He’s on the bus.

Oh, great.

He’s on his way.

Come on, Mike. Come on.

Come on.

Mike, come on.

Mike?

Mike.

Mike. Mike.

Mike. Mike. Mike.

Mike!

(song stops abruptly)

♪ ♪

This is hard.

I’m not good at writing speeches.

But…

I guess I’ve never written one.

So it’ll be perfect.

“You two always know what to do.”

(chuckles softly)

Why did he say that?

It’s like…

I feel like I don’t know how to do anything.

(chuckles)

Except patch a leaky car radiator.

(laughs)

(both laughing)

Come here.

(takes deep breath)

Maybe he wasn’t wrong about us.

He wasn’t.

(chuckles softly)

DANA: You look nice.

Aw, thank you.

Sometimes I forget about your leg.

Yeah.

Me, too, and then I take a step.

You don’t have to sing today.

Somebody else can do it if it’s too much for you.

I know.

But it’s something I have to do.

Not just for Mike.

♪ ♪

(clears throat)

Hi.

(voice breaking): This is gonna be hard.

(takes deep breath)

Every time, um, we would play a gig, everyone wants to hear “Sweet Caroline,” and…

(laughing): Mike would get so mad.

(guests laughing)

He believed there was so much more to Neil Diamond’s music.

So many more songs.

And there was more to Mike than being Lightning.

Uh, he was a soldier… a father… a friend.

He was the love of my life.

And really, I’m standing here because of him.

So… in his honor, I’m gonna get myself together… (chuckles)

(guests laugh softly)

…and I’m gonna sing a song.

A Neil Diamond song that’s not as well-known as “Sweet Caroline.”

(takes deep breath)

But Mike…

It’s beautiful.

(playing intro to “I’ve Been This Way Before”)

♪ I’ve seen the light ♪

♪ And I’ve seen the flame ♪

♪ And I’ve seen ♪

♪ Your eyes before ♪

♪ And I’m sure to see

your eyes again ♪

♪ Once again ♪

♪ For I’ve been released ♪

♪ And I’ve been regained ♪

♪ And I’ve sung ♪

♪ My song before ♪

♪ And I’m sure to sing

my song again ♪

♪ Once again ♪

♪ Some people got to laugh ♪

♪ Some people got to cry ♪

♪ Some people ♪

♪ Got to make it through ♪

♪ By never wondering ♪

♪ Why ♪

♪ And some people got to sing ♪

♪ And some people got to sigh ♪

♪ Some people ♪

♪ Never see the light ♪

♪ Until the day ♪

♪ They die ♪

♪ But I’ve been released ♪

♪ And I’ve been regained ♪

♪ And I’ve been ♪

♪ This way before ♪

♪ And I’m sure to be

this way again ♪

♪ Once again ♪

♪ One more time again ♪

♪ Just one more time. ♪

(song ends)

(birds chirping)

(wrench clicking)

(whirring)

MIKE (on video): All right.

(strumming guitar on video) Dana, you all right? You got it?

DANA (on video): I got you.

You sure?

(Dana giggling) Are you sure?

Positive.

Are you positive?

(chuckles) I’m positive.

Have you got me?

(Dana laughing) Have you got me, Dana?

DANA: We got you.

MIKE: I can see you.

DANA: I can see you, too.

MIKE: I got my eye on you.

DANA: All right, we’re rolling.

(Mike chuckling)

All right. Hey, everybody.

My name is Mike, and I’m an alcoholic.

Uh…

Hello, Mike.

Today is my 22nd sober birthday, but I can’t be with you here today because, uh…

(burbling, beeping) …well, we’re getting ready for our big comeback, uh, Thunder and me, and it’s, uh… it’s real exciting and, uh…

You know what? Before I sing, I just want to tell you something.

We’re all here doing the best we can, right?

Very, very best.

And if we can just look out for each other and be strong and above all be grateful, maybe we can just…

I don’t know, we can turn things around, we can make the world a better place.

What do you say?

All right?

Anyway…

(strums guitar)

♪ This is not a sad song ♪

♪ A sad song to sing

when you’re alone ♪

No, no.

♪ In a way, it’s a glad song ♪

♪ Yeah, a glad song ♪

♪ A simple tune that simply

seems to make you feel good ♪

Hey, Mom.

♪ When you sing along ♪

(strumming intro to “Sung Song Blue”) Come on. Sing along.

I know it’s early.

(singing along): ♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Everybody knows one ♪

“Every garden grows one.”

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Every garden grows one ♪

All right. I’m ready.

♪ Me and you ♪

Uh…

♪ Are subject to ♪

♪ The blues now and then ♪

All clear.

♪ When you take the blues

and make a song ♪

♪ You sing them out again ♪

♪ You sing ’em out again ♪

I can hear you.

Sounds real good. Come on, now.

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Weeping like a willow ♪

“Sleeping on my pillow.”

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Sleeping on my pillow ♪

It’s a funny thing.

♪ Funny thing ♪

♪ But you can sing it

with a cry in your voice ♪

Right?

♪ And before you know it

get to feeling good ♪

Beauty and color.

♪ You simply got no choice ♪

♪ Song sung blue ♪

♪ Song sung blue. ♪

(song ends)

Thank you, and good night.

(band playing “Crunchy Granola Suite”)

MIKE: ♪ Mmm ♪

♪ I got a song been on my mind ♪

♪ And the tune can be sung

and the words all rhyme ♪

(Mike and Claire scatting in harmony)

♪ Though it don’t say much

and it won’t offend ♪

♪ If you sing it at school ♪

♪ They’re liable

to send you home ♪

♪ Never knowin’

what you’re showin’ ♪

♪ Think you’re growin’

your own tea ♪

♪ Good Lordy ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ Let me hear that,

get me near that ♪

♪ Crunchy Granola Suite ♪

♪ Drop your shrink

and stop your drinkin’ ♪

♪ Crunchy granola’s neat ♪

♪ Sing it out ♪

♪ All right ♪

♪ Heh, heh ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah. ♪

Come on!

(song ends)

(“Holly Holy” karaoke track playing)

CLAIRE: ♪ Holly holy eyes ♪

♪ Dream of only me ♪

♪ Where I am, what I am ♪

♪ What I believe in ♪

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ Holly holy ♪

♪ Holly holy dream ♪

♪ Wanting only you ♪

MIKE: ♪ And she comes ♪

♪ And I run

just like the wind will ♪

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ Holly holy ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Sing ♪

MIKE: ♪ Sing a song ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Sing ♪

MIKE: ♪ Sing a song of songs ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Sing ♪

MIKE: ♪ Sing it out ♪

♪ Sing it strong ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Sing, sing ♪

♪ Sing, sing ♪

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

MIKE: ♪ Call the sun

in the dead of the night ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Call the sun ♪

MIKE: ♪ And the sun’s gonna ♪

♪ Rise in the sky ♪

♪ Touch a man

who can’t walk upright ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Touch a man ♪

MIKE: ♪ And that lame man ♪

♪ He’s gonna fly ♪

♪ And I fly ♪

CLAIRE:

♪ Fly ♪

MIKE: ♪ And I fly ♪

CLAIRE: ♪ Fly ♪

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ Holly holy dream ♪

♪ Dream of only you ♪

♪ Holly holy sun ♪

♪ Holly holy rain ♪

♪ Holly holy love. ♪

(song ends)

(band playing “Forever in Blue Jeans”)

MIKE: ♪ Money talks ♪

♪ But it don’t sing and dance

and it don’t walk ♪

♪ Long as I can have you

here with me ♪

♪ I’d much rather be ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans ♪

♪ Honey’s sweet ♪

♪ But it ain’t nothin’

next to baby’s treat ♪

♪ If you’ll pardon me,

I’d like to say ♪

♪ We’d do okay ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans ♪

MIKE and CLAIRE: ♪ Maybe tonight ♪

♪ Maybe tonight by the fire ♪

♪ All alone, you and I ♪

♪ Nothing around

but the sound of my heart ♪

♪ And your sighs ♪

♪ Money talks ♪

♪ But it don’t sing and dance

and it don’t walk ♪

♪ As long as I can have you

here with me ♪

♪ I’d much rather be ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans, babe ♪

♪ Money talks ♪

♪ But it don’t sing and dance

and it don’t walk ♪

♪ As long as I can have you

here with me ♪

♪ I’d much rather be ♪

♪ Forever in blue jeans, babe. ♪

(song ends)

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