A Tribute to David Lynch

Why Lynch's death is not only a monumental loss for cinema, but for the music world, too.

By Charley Burns

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The world has received a shocking and heartbreaking loss with recent passing of the legendary David Lynch. David Lynch was one of the most original, unique, visionary, and (let’s be honest) overall best voices in the arts since he made his first short in 1967. As a cinephile and filmmaker myself, I idolized Lynch. His passing hit me incredibly hard, as I know it did for so many others whose lives he touched.

Looking back on Lynch’s work, it is easy to recognize his groundbreaking contributions towards cinema. His films and TV series, such as Blue Velvet (1986), Mulholland Drive (2001) and Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 1992, 2017) are each impressive in their own right, together creating a richly diverse filmography that showcases his deep passion and talent for cinema. He changed the game in ways that no other filmmaker has ever done before and probably will never again. For decades, his surreal, twisted worlds and exploration of human nature, evil, and the unconscious captured the attention of audiences around the world. He created a safe space for unorthodox artists: his mere existence paved the way for generations of new filmmakers to experiment with the medium on a whole new level. I don’t think there is any aspect of American pop culture that hasn’t been influenced by Lynch’s work.

Though mainly known for his work in film, David Lynch also made a lasting impact in the world of music. Music holds a special place in Lynch’s filmography. Moments like Isabella Rossellini’s performance of the titular song in Blue Velvet, or Rebekah Del Rio’s performance of “Llorando” in Mulholland Drive are some of the most iconic scenes in their respective movies. Nick Cage’s performance of Elvis’s “Love Me Tender” in Wild at Heart (1990) is criminally underrated, providing a moment of perfect silliness in an often dark movie. My personal favorite is the haunting rendition of the Peter Ivers and David Lynch song collaboration “In Heaven” by the Lady in the Radiator in Eraserhead (1977). Lynch’s love for music is seen in Twin Peaks: The Return, where he showcased musical artists by having one band perform at the iconic Bang Bang Bar at the the end of every episode. Lynch’s soundtracks are legendarily well-curated, showing off his expertise when it comes to music in film. We especially see this in the score to Twin Peaks, composed by Angelo Badalamenti, often considered one of the best scores of all time. Whether it was “Laura Palmer’s Theme,” “Audrey’s Dance,” or even just the theme song, the choices of music solidified Twin Peak’s place in pop culture history. No matter what projects of Lynch’s you watch, you’ll get to see the gold standard of music in cinema.

Lynch was a distinguished composer himself, releasing two studio albums: Crazy Clown Time (2011) and The Big Dream (2013). Crazy Clown Time is an amazing album, full of everything from blues rock to electronic pop to a collaboration with Karen O. The Big Dream is also wonderful, having an older, more blues-heavy sound while still retaining the elements of electronic music that Lynch was so fond of. He also has many collaborative albums, including Thought Gang (2018) with frequent collaborator Angelo Badalamenti, This Train (2011) and Cellophane Memories (2024) with Twin Peaks: The Return star Chrystabell, and Polish Night Music (2007) with composer Marek Zebrowski. Most feature a more electronic style, creating haunting soundscapes that have an intriguing but slightly unnerving effect on listeners. Many of his other musical projects play into that vintage 50s and 60s blues/rock style so often found in his films. Lynch’s use of tremolo and older pickups allows for an stunning aged guitar style that he does quite well. He also has two spoken word albums related to his work in the field of transcendental meditation. Lynch has had a history of directing music videos, including the iconic video to Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”.

As you can see, David Lynch’s contributions to music as well as film are very important and have been deeply impactful on both art forms, as well as pop culture in general. Without his visionary mind, the world would be a much different and less original place. Both his films and music gave voice to the beautifully odd and unusual, even creating a new adjective, “Lynchian,” used to describe the surreal and morbidly picturesque. I think everybody can remember the first time they saw a David Lynch movie or listened to a David Lynch song, because they are truly life changing. The fact that he is gone is a loss for music, a loss for film, and a loss for the world, yet I can’t help but be grateful for the time he spent here. The fact that we get to live in a world with The Straight Story (1999), Inland Empire (2006), The Elephant Man (1980), and everything in between is a massive privilege that we are so very lucky for. So, thank you Mr. Lynch. Thank you for every cup of damn fine coffee and every slice of cherry pie. Thank you for everything you did, everything you created, and everything you have and will inspire. Rest easy, you will be missed.