Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe likely performance behind this headline is Scarlett Johansson singing the Pretenders’ “Brass in Pocket” in the karaoke scene in Lost in Translation (2003). It is a memorable moment from a film, not a one-time live concert—and the available reporting does not establish that fans are still stunned by it today. Johansson’s musical career also includes a 2008 album and a separate live appearance at Coachella.
The likely match: “Brass in Pocket” in Lost in Translation
Johansson’s karaoke rendition of the Pretenders song is the most plausible match for the headline. In a 2008 profile, the Las Vegas Sun called it her most famous vocal performance up to that point; The A.V. Club also discussed the scene as a recorded example of her singing. Those accounts show that the moment was already widely recognized in contemporary coverage, but they do not measure present-day fan opinion or establish a continuing reaction.
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The setting matters: this is a performance within a scripted film scene. It should not be described as a singular live concert, and the headline’s phrase “one-time performance” cannot be confirmed as a precise identification without the clip it refers to.
Three distinct parts of Johansson’s musical history
| Appearance or release | Format and song or material | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Lost in Translation karaoke scene | Filmed performance of the Pretenders’ “Brass in Pocket” | Feature film released in 2003; covered in 2008 by the Las Vegas Sun and The A.V. Club |
| Coachella | Live backing vocals with the Jesus and Mary Chain | April 27, 2007, according to NME; separate from the film scene |
| Anywhere I Lay My Head | Studio album described as ten Tom Waits covers and one original song | Released in May 2008; its contents are summarized in a 2024 UNILAD retrospective |
Johansson’s voice beyond the film scene
Johansson’s recorded music career makes the karaoke moment part of a broader musical history. Her 2008 debut album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, was built largely around Tom Waits songs, with one original track, according to UNILAD’s 2024 retrospective. That article reported renewed social-media surprise at discovering the album; it does not show that the film performance itself is still stunning fans.
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In an interview about the album, Johansson described her childhood voice to Pitchfork: “I was this blonde-haired, pigtailed girl with a baritone singing voice.” The quote is about her childhood, not a description of the “Brass in Pocket” scene.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the headline needs a qualification
The sources support identifying the Lost in Translation karaoke scene as a likely subject and documenting its recognition in 2008. They do not identify the intended clip with certainty or substantiate a current, measurable wave of fan reaction. The Coachella appearance and the studio album are real but distinct events, and neither should be substituted for the film scene without further context.
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