♪ Demons come from every side ♪
♪ In the darkness is the light ♪
♪ Out of the shadows of my life ♪
♪ In the darkness is the light ♪
♪ Surrender will win the fight ♪
♪ This girl's walked on fire and ice ♪
♪ But I come out on the other side of paradise ♪
♪ Paradise ♪
[Annie] Supposedly, when they first started recording stuff,
they engraved the sound vibrations on tin foil...
Then there were records and tapes,
and now CDs and MP3s.
They've gotten so good
they can record stuff we can't even hear...
Unless we listen very closely.
[Molly] Here we are, guys, Generate Studios.
Some of the greatest music in rock 'n roll history
was recorded right here.
Whoa, would you look at this?
Wow, sweet.
Did we just step into a time machine?
[Carey] Hello, Thomas Edison, courtesy of Generate Studios.
I can hear it...
I know.
Isn't it amazing?
There's so much music history in this room,
it almost vibrates.
[Jack] Look at these ancient artifacts.
What did they call these things again, mom?
[Molly] Ha ha.
That's hilarious, Jack.
Joke away, but these "records," as we like to call them,
are from some really important groups.
It's true, there's a lot of history here.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.
You must be Molly Phillips.
Yes.
Hi. Sarah Weider.
Nice to meet you.
And this is my son, Jack,
and that's Carey...
And this is Annie,
who seems to have been strangely overcome
with an unusual interest in her homework.
This is my daughter, Jennifer.
Hi.
When our schedule took us through Chicago,
I just had to stop for a tour of this place...
-I've got it. -What have you got?
A song. What do you think?
A song? When did you write this?
Just now.
[Molly] Annie, that's great.
Wait, you mean you wrote an entire song in, like, five seconds?
Well, I mean,
I've been working on the music for a while,
but ever since I walked in,
the words just seem to have hit me.
Generate Studios is a very inspiring place.
Hey, you know what? I could show you guys around.
I've lived here all my life, so I know where everything is.
Jennifer and I need to finish up some work first.
No, we don't.
We don't need to.
Sweetheart, we do.
We will be right back.
You can take a look around
or have a seat in the lounge, okay?
I'm going to go check out the rest of the studio.
[humming]
Wow... You know what? This is pretty good.
I mean, there's some--
some structural stuff that needs fixing,
but it's got a great hook,
and the lyrics are really...
They're really clever.
Seriously?
Seriously.
Cool.
Does your song have a title?
"Never Give Up."
[Sarah] "Last Train," take six.
[guitar playing]
Whoa.
[ominous sound]
Let's take it again.
[Sarah] "Last Train," take seven.
[guitar playing out of tune]
I can't remember how to...
No, wait.
I wrote this. I can get it.
[guitar playing out of tune]
I can't believe this.
Excuse me, Sarah.
Oh, hey, you ready for the tour?
Where is everyone?
Well, actually,
I was wondering if you had any studio time available
today and maybe tomorrow.
Wonderful. You've got a song?
Well, it's Annie's song.
Oh.
She's talented for someone so young.
And yes, we do have some studio time available.
Unfortunately,
all my recording engineers are off until next week.
Oh...
Look, I'm a little rusty, but I can do it, if that's okay?
Absolutely. I'd be honored.
Musicians...
[Molly] Speaking of which, I'll need some session players.
My band's traveled on ahead, so I'm going to need somebody.
Oh, you don't need any musicians.
You've got an entire band right here.
Mom...
Really?
Jennifer can fill in for an entire band?
Well, she's very gifted,
and as soon as she finishes her education,
we can show her off to the whole world.
Mom, this is totally humiliating.
Well, I'd love to hear you play.
Of course.
Come on up this way.
Wow...
[Annie] Okay, so do you want to use my charts?
Oh, she doesn't read music.
It's all natural.
Oh... okay. I guess I'll just show her, then?
[humming]
Like that.
Hey, are you okay?
Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.
Can we just do it?
Sure.
[piano playing]
Wow...
She is unreal.
Yes...
[music stops playing]
Wow, you really can play by ear.
Yeah.
Hey,
you want to go hang out in the lounge?
Uh, Jennifer,
I think you might be better off staying in here.
[Sarah] Might pick up some pointers from Carey.
Mom...
I just want to hang out with Annie before she has to leave tomorrow.
Sounds good to me.
You are, like, so talented.
You know, that pendant is really cool.
Where'd you get it?
I got it when I lived in South America.
So do you play, like, drums and stuff, too?
South America?
That is so cool.
That is, like, wicked cool.
I wish I could travel.
Yeah, but tell me what else you play.
So...
Where'd you actually live in South America?
Peru, in the Amazon.
You know what?
Here.
I want you to have it.
Really?
Yeah.
Do you mean it? Thanks.
You don't really seem to like music too much, do you?
I... I love music,
and I'm going to be famous some day.
[Molly] Okay, sweetie, just try and relax.
This is only the first take.
Now, you're going to hear the music and your voice in the headphones.
It's going to be kind of weird at first, but I promise you'll get used to it.
You ready to try one?
Sure.
[Molly] Okay, let's do it.
"Never Give Up," lead vocal, take one.
♪ There's a voice that I can't see ♪
♪ Sometimes in dreams it calls to me ♪
♪ I hear a voice but no one's there ♪
♪ It says be strong you'd best beware ♪
♪ It's up to you, you got to choose ♪
♪ Are you gonna win, or are you gonna lose ♪
Incredible, and on the first take.
That girl's got an amazing instrument.
♪ And when you fall down You got to get back up again ♪
♪ You know you've got to be a fighter ♪
♪ If you're ever ♪
[music stops]
[Annie] Everything okay?
Oh... I am so sorry.
I guess wasn't looking where I was leaning.
That's okay, dear.
It was only the first take.
Annie, you've got some big fans in here.
Yeah...
Thanks. That felt great.
[Sarah] Oh, hang on.
This deck's been misbehaving lately.
I'm going to need some time to fix it,
so why don't you go and relax?
[tape playing backwards]
Nai kobaa.
Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Nai kobaa.
[Molly] That sounds like some kind of language.
Okay, that is really strange.
Nai kobaa.
Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Nai kobaa.
Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Nai kobaa. Hi gi kosi bagiai...
[Jennifer] She's not that great. She's no Britney.
Don't be silly. You heard her.
She has the perfect voice.
No, she doesn't. I've heard a million better voices.
But this is the perfect voice.
No, mom, please.
You're jealous.
I am not.
You want that voice, don't you?
No.
That's good, darling.
It's okay.
Jealousy is... good.
[Molly] Her name is Annie Thelen.
She recorded the song at Generate Studios,
but here's what it sounded like backwards.
What're you doing?
An old professor of mine
teaches linguistics at the university here.
I know that backwards stuff probably doesn't mean anything,
but it did kind of sound like a language.
It's probably just one of those weird things.
Nai kobaa. Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Nai kobaa.
Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Nai kobaa.
Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Nai kobaa.
Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Nai kobaa.
Hi gi kosi bagiai...
Look out.
They will steal your gift.
And The Orange Wind... Oh, they were great,
but that was their last album
and they just kind of disappeared after that.
And Stacy...
You know, she was pretty good,
but she didn't do much after this album either.
What about these guys,
"Willing Disbelief"?
That was their last album.
It was very rare-- only 2,000 pressed.
Are you guys noticing a pattern here?
This room is like the last album graveyard.
Hey, you're right.
That is officially creepy.
And I think that's my cue to go finish my homework.
I'll be visiting my best friend, Mr. History book.
[Molly] Tell him I said hi.
[Carey] I wonder how Sarah's doing with that tape machine.
I'm going to go check in the studio.
[Molly] I'm going to go get Annie.
[guitar playing]
That sounds just like the song that guy was playing earlier.
Yeah, I learned it from him.
Wow...
You really are a fast learner.
[door opening]
Hi. Are we ready?
Yeah. Where's Molly?
Oh, she's in the bus.
She sort of caught Jack visiting Mr. Playstation
instead of Mr. History book,
and now they're both visiting Mr. Playstation.
Okay.
Well, I'll go get Molly, then.
Ok.
Listen...
Don't record anything without us, okay?
So you ready to try again?
Oh, I'm supposed to, just as soon as everyone gets here.
Oh, great, I can't wait to hear it.
Jennifer, you can do anything musically.
You're amazing.
No, I can't do everything.
I can't sing... yet.
Yes, you can.
I heard you humming earlier. You have pitch.
No!
You just need a little practice.
Here, match this note...
Would you just stop it!
I don't learn that way.
Okay... okay.
Okay, sorry.
[crackling]
Is someone else there?
[Sarah] Why don't you show her, Annie?
Why don't you record your vocals now?
You don't have to.
Yeah...
I think I'm going to wait till Molly gets here.
She just walked in.
[Molly] Okay, sweetie, I just want you to relax.
Molly, it's about time.
[Molly] You ready to try one?
Yeah, sure.
[Molly] Okay, let's do it.
All right. I'll just start off easy.
[music starts playing]
♪ There's a voice that I can't see ♪
♪ Sometimes in dreams it calls to me ♪
♪ I hear a voice But no one's there ♪
♪ It says be strong You'd best beware ♪
♪ It's up to you You got to choose ♪
♪ Are you gonna win or are you gonna lose? ♪
♪ You got to never give up No, never give in ♪
♪ And when you fall down you got to get back up again ♪
♪ You know you got to be a fighter ♪
♪ If you're ever gonna win ♪
♪ Hey, you got to never give up ♪
♪ No, never give in ♪
♪ When something tries to pull me down ♪
♪ I'm feeling weak I can't go on ♪
[crackling]
♪ From way down deep comes something strong ♪
♪ I feel these words carry me along ♪
♪ It's up to you You got to choose ♪
♪ Are you gonna win or are you gonna lose? ♪
Don't fight.
Give it to me.
♪ You got to never give up no, never give in ♪
♪ And when you fall down ♪
♪ You've got to get back up again ♪
Give it to me.
♪ If you're ever gonna win ♪
[crackling]
[Jennifer] Stop! Stop it!
My voice...
Our voice.
[Jennifer] No, mom.
You've given me enough.
We both know it's the perfect voice.
Please don't.
We need this, honey.
Help...
[music starts playing]
♪ It says be strong You'd best beware ♪
♪ It's up to you You got to choose ♪
♪ Are you gonna win or are you gonna lose? ♪
No! Give it back!
She needs this!
No, mom. It's stealing.
No, it's not.
You could do so much with her talent.
Imagine what you could do.
Imagine the music you could make.
It's not stealing.
Mom, if you don't stop this, I will never play again.
Oh, you'll play.
You have to play.
You've got all the ability I could give you.
I don't want what's not mine.
I don't want any of it.
I've given you everything.
I don't want it.
The best of everything...
You couldn't ask for anything else.
I don't want it.
But that's all I have to give you.
What else could you possibly want?
I want you, mom.
I just want you.
♪ You know you got to be a fighter ♪
♪ If you're ever going to win ♪
♪ Hey You got to never give up ♪
♪ No, never give in ♪
♪ Never give up No, never give in ♪
♪ And when you fall down ♪
♪ You've got to get back up again ♪
♪ You know you've got to be a fighter ♪
♪ If you're ever going to win ♪
♪ Hey You've got to never give up ♪
♪ No, never give in ♪
That was an excellent song.
I actually found the guitar work to be particularly amazing.
[guitar playing]
Uh, excuse me, Molly?
Professor Bolton.
Is this her?
Yes.
I'm professor Ronald Bolton,
and Molly left a message on my voice mail.
Right...
I don't think I'm going to need--
You are a very clever girl.
That recording was real.
That language
is from a small tribe in the Amazonian region,
and it's unrelated to any other language,
and what's more,
there's less than 300 people
in the entire world who speak it.
Oh, that chant?
They used to use that
to protect their spirits from being stolen by neighboring tribes.
I was there.
Excuse me?
Well, when I was three, I lived there.
Small world.
Oh, are you interested in the translation?
I think I already know.
It means "I have a friend."
Well, I think it was obvious
that that Jennifer was just completely jealous of you.
Jennifer and her mom didn't stick around long
after we did the song.
I think they had other stuff to do,
like mother/daughter stuff.
When you lived in South America,
did you meet any of the tribespeople from the Amazon?
I was three...
And-- and sometimes it's hard to remember
what was real or what was a dream.