The Best LA Songs: #8 "To Live and Die in LA" Wang Chung (1985)

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"To Live and Die in LA" is a 1985 crime movie taking place on the streets of Los Angeles. William Peterson starred as a secret service agent hot on the trail of counterfeiters. The movie was not very memorably save a good car chase sequence. Director William Friendkin did not want a theme song but liked Wang Chung's song. Wang Chung was a shortlived new wave band best known for the dance anthems "Dance Hall Days" and "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." Written by Nick Feldman and Jack Hues, the soundtrack cut reached Billboard Hot 100 #41. What the song had to do with an action movie is a little fuzzy but is an opus to LA. There is a dark and somber mood about missing someone whose gone away. The singer wants out: "I can't get away To live and die in lA" The title is cool and that is enough.