It doesn't happen for me with every book, but sometimes the author mentions a certain band or song a few times and I start humming it in my mind even when I'm not reading. Or I'm listening to a new song or album when I read the book and the two become linked in my mind.
It happens to me when I write books as well. I always make a playlist for a new book I'm writing, but the song that comes to embody that book sometimes surprises me.
When I wrote my rom-com Cover Story, I played the soundtrack to The Blues Brothers over and over. And over. The tone really suited the story, but the main track I played was their version of The Peter Gunn Theme. To me, this is Tobi Fletcher as she's searching for the culprit of the gnomicides - determined and a bit ridiculous. Here, let me show you:
There were two romance themes. The first was Muse's version of Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Any version of this song would have worked, but this version has an irreverence (wait for the chorus) sitting right beside the sensual romance of it. (In fact, I even had my heroine's sister tell her that the hero couldn't take his eyes off her!)
The second romance theme was Pearl Jam's version of Soldier of Love. This song is so perfect about how Simon feels about Tobi:
I also played a bit of ABBA for the perky tone and sense of fun. If you've read the book, you'll know one of the characters, Jazlyn, plays ABBA pretty much all day, so the soundtrack made its way onto the page. (I have a feeling Michelle Douglas will appreciate this one being here!)
Another song that has the sense of fun is Queen's Crazy Little Thing Called Love. I played this one a lot too.
What I'd love to know is: when you're reading a book, do you ever associate a song with what you're reading? Maybe something the author actually wrote on the page, or perhaps a song that just seemed perfect for the story? Or is there a song that you've always thought would make a great book? And besides these questions, I'd love to hear what you think of Cover Story's playlist! :)
What an interesting playlist. I l love all those tracks, especially Queen's.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I associate music with stories I read or write. Though when listening to songs I do get ideas for stories though never replay that piece over and over while writing it. Something to try some time.
Queen is amazing! Interesting that you get ideas from songs, Sue. that's happened to me a couple of times too. Re: playing it over and over - I find if I just play it a few times, I listen to the lyrics, but if I play it heaps, it becomes like white noise.
DeleteGreat playlist!
ReplyDeleteNo, I can't say that I have ever associated reading a book with music, but it could happen. I do have a playlist when writing. Sometimes there's an obvious link like Andrea Bocelli when writing a book set in Italy, sometimes it's not obvious at all why I've chosen the track(s), but the 'feel' is right for me.
Claire, I think that sometimes those that 'feel' right are the best!
DeleteThere are lots of books that I associate with music - I should have put some in the post! One that springs to mind is Jenny Crusie's Maybe This Time. It's a reunion story and the hero always thought the heroine walked like she was moving to Eric Clapton's Layla. When he meets her again, his brother asks if that's still true, and the hero says yeah, but now it's the acoustic version. I think by having two versions of the song mentioned a few times, I had it playing in my own head when she was on the page. :)
I have to say I don't associate music with books- I write in silence, but could possibly try writing to music. I think I'll have a go tomorrow- (thinking of a playlist is fabulous procrastination, and I do love me some of that!!)
ReplyDeleteLouise, glad to have given you a new procrastination technique. ;)
DeleteYou might want to start with music with no lyrics, since you're coming in from silence. Sometimes you can find instrumental versions of songs you want, like U2's All I Need Is You covered by the guys in 2Cellos. Still very emotional without the distracting words.
I love your playlist, Rachel! They're all fabulous but I especially the Peter Gunn Theme and Queen's Crazy Little Thing Called Love!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a regular playlist when I write but there is one song that really "spoke" to me for one of my stories - it's a 1981 country song called Somebody's Knocking but Terri Gibbs. I still remember the very first time I heard this song. Odd how some songs really get under your "skin"! If you want a listen here it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kEDU7m2z14
OMG, Sharon! That song is…well perfect for some heroine that lives in my future. :-) Thanks for the link.
DeleteOh, that's so cool, Michelle! :) I debated whether to post a link so now I'm glad I did!
DeleteSharon, that's a great song! I'm thinking along the same lines as Michelle - that's going on a future soundtrack. :)
DeleteOf course, now I'm mentally running through all your books, trying to work out which one it was... I'm thinking Bachelor Dad, Girl Next Door, but that could just be because the heroine's name is Terri. :)
LOL. I think whenever we need story inspiration we should just turn to each other for songs! So with that in mind… Here's a link to a song I've pilfered from Jenny Cruise (I've been reading her blog recently). The song is called God Help the Girl. I'm finding it a tad addictive…and I need to find a story to fit to it. :-)
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABh8w78OsEY
I can't say I've ever associated music with books. I didn't realise that I was familiar with The Peter Gunn Theme, but it does fit perfectly with Tobi and the gnomicides.
ReplyDeleteOverall, a pretty good soundtrack for the story, but I think A Crazy Little Thing Called Love would fit with any romance/rom-com story.
Oh, and currently questioning whether I'm nuts - have just signed up to NaNoWriMo for this year. Less with an aim to write 50k words and more just to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard reguarly.
Lyn, good for you for signing up for NaNoWriMo! Yep, getting into the routine of working every day is a big part of the challenge.
DeleteGlad you felt the link between The Peter Gunn Theme and the gnomicides. It shuffles on my iPod and every time I hear it, I'm straight back in gnome street, writing about Tobi's sneezes and watches. :)
LOVE that ABBA track, Rach! :-) But then you knew I would. In fact I think your entire playlist is fab.
ReplyDeleteI make playlists for all of my books too. They help me find the right tone for the story. They help me "discover" (Jenny Crusie's description) my story too. It's funny, though. Often once I've created the playlist and have started working on my book, I don't play it again. Mind you, some songs will take me straight back into a particular story world. :-)
Hey, Louisa, I hate writing to music too. Need quiet when I'm writing. But a playlist is a great tool when one is plotting and planning and dreaming a book. :-)
Michelle, how did I know you'd like that ABBA section of the playlist? ;)
DeleteI like the white noise effect of music while I'm writing. If I have silence, then I'm listening to all the other sounds - dogs barking, postman coming down the street, fridge humming, etc, and I get nothing done!
Hi Rachel
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever associated a story with a song although I do love the songs on this list :) I do love my music and I often have the radio playing in the background while I am reading but I don't link them that I know of
I am really looking forward to this one
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, glad you liked the songs on the list!
DeleteI haven't read many rock star books, but I've been wondering about whether they invoke music for the reader... Maybe I should read a few more and see!
I have to admit that I don't really have music in my head when I'm reading (or writing). However, anything to do with ABBA makes me happy and gets me up and dancing.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, it seems there's a definite fan base for ABBA amongst the LoveCats! :)
DeleteGreat play list, Rachel! I'm a HUGE Queen fan (even went to see the musical with their songs a few years back). I don't create playlists for my books but I love seeing what other authors come up with.
ReplyDeleteStefanie, another Queen fan! Did you see their tour with Adam Lambert? I missed it but it sounded like it was amazing.
Delete