Monday, August 16, 2010

Do You Associate Love Stories With Music?

Do you associate certain love stories with specific songs or movie sound tracks? I know I do. Pictured here is John Cusack in his 1989 role as "Lloyd Dobler", famously holding the boom box over his head while it played "In Your Eyes", by Peter Gabriel. He was standing outside "Diane Court's", (Ione Skye) house after she broke up with him and shattered his heart. Whenever I hear the Peter Gabriel song I think of the movie "Say Anything", and in particular that scene.

Another song that automatically makes me think of a movie is the Celine Dion song "My Heart Will Go On", which of course is from "Titanic".

As for books, one of my favorites that I read many years ago, has a scene where the rakish hero Rupert Campbell Black watches Taggie, the woman who becomes his great love dance to the song "Lady In Red" by Chris de Burgh. The book is "Rivals" by Jilly Cooper, and the scene was so perfect because Taggie has long dark hair and is wearing a beautiful red gown which clings to her body and moves as she dances. Whenever I hear that song I think of that book and scene.

Not all authors listen to music while writing of course but some of those who do are publishing their playlists on their websites. Megan Hart for one, and it was through her that I found Joshua Radin's music, which I love. Ms. Hart and Lauren Dane have co-authored a couple of novels, the first one "Taking Care of Business" introduced me to "Crash Into Me", by the Dave Matthews Band. Whenever I play the song I automatically think of that book because the melody emulates the tone of the book so well. Ms. Dane like Ms. Hart publishes the playlists for all her novels at her site so you can actually look the music up and listen to snippets on iTunes or whichever music medium you use, and download if you so choose.

I've also noticed authors offering a prize of the iTune tracklists they used for inspiration while writing a book instead of copies of the novels for various contest giveaways for some time now. I think it gives readers a taste of the tone, or feel of the book. You can can then read the synopsis and excerpts provided to see if the story might be to your liking.

This brings me to my next question. Do you ever listen to a song or the tracklist of songs an author has listened to while writing a book and then want to read it? This happened to me recently. A nice lady on Twitter posted the link to the YouTube video below for "Rain", by Patti Griffin. The song was one of the tracks author Josh Lanyon listened to while writing "The Dark Tide", the 5th book in his Adrien English Mystery series. I immediately fell in love with the song, downloaded it and haven't stopped listening to it since. Moreover, the song and the entire tracklist he listened to while penning the novel made me want to read Mr. Lanyon's series of stories.

Thanks to Chris I found out which book by Mr. Lanyon the song was associated with as he published the track list on his Live Journal Entry. Chris mentioned that author Charles de Lint, often notes the music he listens to while writing, and DIK's own LB Gregg has been mentioning music that is inspiring her while she writes as well.



Tori and I are going to kick back on a beach chair and I'm going to enjoy a strawberry margarita, my book, and my usual eclectic tracklist of music playing on my iPod. Yes I do listen to music while I'm reading, do you?

Tori and I will be back on the Island tomorrow talking about the importance of an author's voice to readers.

8 comments:

MsM said...

Hi Lea!
Yes I do associate music with some books. Sometimes I will be reading a book and a song will be stuck in my head and for me that song goes with that book! LOL
In the last few years I've noticed many authors posting on their websites/blogs a music list that help inspire them to write. I love that!

:o)

MsM

Chris said...

You know I love music. :) And it's interesting the number of directions we can get to music or books via - Josh's playlist increased your interest in Adrien English books, while reading Acheron inspired me to track down the various Godsmack, Nickelback, etc, songs mentioned in the book.

And then there are books like Liner Notes by Emily Franklin, which has mix lists that the main character is listening to throughout the book. I'm a sucker for that, too. :)

Blodeuedd said...

Wow this tab has been up for like 12 hours now, one lazy woman today :)

Can't say music makes me think of anything special...well except that Titanic score

Lea said...

Hey Ms.M.

Yep, I'm the same way, and I love find new music through reading a book.

Thank you!



Hi Chris:

Thanks for your note. Linear Notes sounds very good. I would love that as well, takes you right inside the character.

Glad you love music too. (I knew that.. *g*) And Yah Acheron!



Hey B:

Well, I don't think this is for everyone. There are many, many authors who need quiet while writing and find music too distracting and I know readers that feel the same. :-)

Thank you!!

Heather D said...

Don't music and books go hand in hand? My first experience with the authors playlist was during my addiction to the Twilight Saga. Then there was another more recent but I can't remember the author or the book, im not sure that I have read the book yet either, I just remember the songs were on the King Arthur soundtrack.

I wonder if the author's playlist has something to do with the title of the book...have you ever noticed how many books have the same title as a song?

Unknown said...

Hi Lea! *bending down to pet Tori, sneaking her a puppy treat, Good Girl*

I just had this happen to me recently.... I know I've mentioned reading the Iron Fey Series, but, well, I kind of fell in love with it. So, I took a gander at Julie Kagawa's website (which there are several, lol) and she had her playlist there. I was immediately attracted to one of the song, downloaded it, grabbed the youtube for my post, and made it my ringtone. Obsessive? Maybe a little, lol, but I love it, the song: Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade.

And yes, I usually listen while I read, but not always, I think it depends on how intense the read is.... lol

As for movies, The Breakfast Club - Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds (does this say something about me?), Pretty in Pink - Pretty in Pink by Pyschedelic Furs, and Grosse Pointe Blank (another John Cusack movie) - Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes, man the whole freaking soundtrack... maybe I watch too many movies...

Dottie :)

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

Hi Lea! I do associate music with books, but not necessarily the music the autho associates with the books, LOL! Usually it's something on the radio I hear and think "that's just like Character X".

The other day my 9yo was in the car with me and a song came on the radio and she said "this makes me think of Artemis from Percy Jackson" - LOL, she's a girl after my own heart!!

The Bookworm said...

I do associate love stories with music. Especially when the movie is also a musical, like Moulin Rouge.
That scene from Say Anything is one of my favorites in a movie....ever :)

I have read authors thanking music groups for inspiration. And I have read that Stephen King listens to music really really loud while writing.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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