Skip to main content
DeepCutsArchive
BrowseArtistsTimelineMapDecadesSubmit

DeepCutsArchive

Preserving the footage that shaped music history. Rare clips, studio sessions, and moments lost to time.

BrowseArtistsGenresDecadesLocationsSubmit a ClipAboutContactEditorial PolicyArticles

© 2026 DeepCutsArchive. All footage remains the property of its original creators.

Privacy PolicyTerms of UseSupport

Developed with love as a personal project by Jamie McDonnell

ui-ux-design.comai-consultancy.company
The Ballad of Maxwell Demon - Shudder to Think — DeepCutsArchive
PreviousUse arrow keysNext
0 views
Share this clip

The Ballad of Maxwell Demon - Shudder to Think

Shudder to Think
TV Appearanceyoutube

TECHNOIR is now on Discogs! https://www.discogs.com/user/brstaybeautiful/collection The Ballad of Maxwell Demon - Shudder to Think from Velvet Goldmine Soundtrack. Shudder to Think also sing 'Hot One' on the soundtrack. Although Ewan McGregor is terrible, as ever in Todd Haynes's Velvet Goldmine, it really is an extraordinary film. I thought it was laughable and dire the very first time, I watched it. Since, I have come to appreciate its brilliance and often listen to the soundtrack for fun (excepting the execrable 'Personality Crisis' cover). Best scene is when Christian Bale is watching the gender bending Demon on TV and turns to his appalled parents and says 'That's me!' . A great way to show teenage identification with musical heroes. It was like watching Jimmy watch The Who on 'Ready Steady Go' in Quadrophenia, or The Manics on Rapido. Sterling stuff. Lyrics: Got tired of wasting gas living above the planet Mister, show me the way to earth The boys of Quadrant 44, vicious metal hounds Never come around here no more Sometimes I wonder if I'm still alive I'm six feet down and age 25 Maxwell Leather Demon rock hand jive I came down like water for the age of solar And hail to the father kiss your sons and daughters goodbye, goodbye With steam steady roller lady tongue controller Ten feet tall, better walk it back down Despite the great duress, always get off 'cause damn it It's the only sure-fire way to win Your poison doesn't hurt me, no Tender wine disguised in a milk-fat fair kiddie show I'm here to celebrate the one below image: http://static.urx.io/units/web/urx-unit-loader.gif At last I've heard from good God above As the slap on my ass by a lipstick-kissed elbow glove I came down like water for the age of solar And hail to the father kiss your sons and daughters goodbye, goodbye With steam steady roller lady tongue controller Ten feet tall, better walk it back down I came down like water for the age of solar I came down like water kiss your sons and daughters, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh You’re ten feet tall, better walk it back down Synthwave and delving back and forward. Any previous uploader who does not want your video on my channel, I will be more than happy to take it down. Your appearance here is merely a small tribute to your good taste and a desire to collect some good stuff in one place.



Know someone who'd love this clip?

Share it with friends and fellow fans.

Share this clip

Keep Exploring

All ArtistsAll GenresAll DecadesBrowse by Tag

About Shudder to Think

Shudder to Think is an American rock band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1986. They released three albums on the D.C.–based label Dischord Records, and two on Epic Records. Their early work was largely influenced by post-hardcore, although they gradually drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including art rock and power pop.

More about Shudder to Think→

Added 19 Apr 2026

About This Footage

This 4:48 clip is a rare gem from Shudder to Think's appearance on the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack. Released in 1998, the film was a critical darling and a cult classic that has only grown in stature over time. Directed by Todd Haynes, Velvet Goldmine is a sprawling epic that explores the intersection of music, art, and identity in 1970s New York City.

Shudder to Think's contribution to the soundtrack, "The Ballad of Maxwell Demon," is a haunting and atmospheric track that perfectly captures the film's themes of alienation and disillusionment. The song's lyrics, with their references to "wasting gas living above the planet" and "the age of solar," evoke a sense of disconnection from the world around us. It's no wonder that Christian Bale's character in the film is so taken by the song - it's a anthem for anyone who feels like they don't quite fit in.

At the time this clip was filmed, Shudder to Think was already an established band with a loyal following in the D.C. post-hardcore scene. They had released two albums on Epic Records and were known for their eclectic blend of art rock and power pop influences. But it's their appearance on Velvet Goldmine that really puts them on the map - the film's soundtrack is a veritable Who's Who of alternative rock talent, featuring contributions from everyone from Sonic Youth to Moby.

What makes this clip so notable is its rarity. Shudder to Think was never as commercially successful as some of their contemporaries, and it's only in recent years that they've begun to receive the recognition they deserve. This clip is a testament to their enduring influence on the alternative rock scene - and a reminder that even though they may not have achieved mainstream success, they left an indelible mark on the music world.

Watching this clip will transport you back to the late 1990s, when alternative rock was at its peak and Velvet Goldmine was all the rage. You'll be struck by Shudder to Think's raw energy and emotional intensity - it's a performance that's both deeply personal and universally relatable. And as you watch Christian Bale's character react with awe to the song on TV, you can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for a time when music was truly revolutionary.

The Ballad of Maxwell Demon is more than just a song - it's an experience. It's a journey through a world that's both familiar and strange, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred. And as Shudder to Think's haunting vocals soar through the speakers, you'll be swept up in a wave of emotions that will leave you breathless.

This clip is a must-see for anyone who loves alternative rock, Velvet Goldmine, or just great music in general. It's a rare glimpse into the world of one of the most underrated bands of the 1990s - and a testament to their enduring influence on the music scene today.

Curated from public records and music databases.

More from Shudder to Think

View all →
Thumbnail for Shudder To Think - Interview (1997) by Shudder to Think1:16

Shudder To Think - Interview (1997)

Shudder to Think

1990sInterviewRare
Thumbnail for Shudder to Think - Little by Little by Shudder to Think1:56

Shudder to Think - Little by Little

Shudder to Think

Rare
Thumbnail for One On One: Craig Wedren - Don't Tell December 19th, 2017 Long Island Bar Brooklyn, NYC by The Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M., Fugazi, The Afghan Whigs, Stew, The Band, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Shudder to Think, Conor Oberst, Songwriter, Chris Cornell2:19

One On One: Craig Wedren - Don't Tell December 19th, 2017 Long Island Bar Brooklyn, NYC

The Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M., Fugazi, The Afghan Whigs, Stew, The Band, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Shudder to Think, Conor Oberst, Songwriter, Chris Cornell

2010sSoloTV Appearance
Thumbnail for Shudder to Think - Medusa Seven 7" (1989) Full Single by Shudder to Think7:58

Shudder to Think - Medusa Seven 7" (1989) Full Single

Shudder to Think

1980s