…and other fun, moody and broody song lyrics.
I’m in research mood and I need YOUR help! For what, you ask? For a novel that is several books away from being written, but I’m already collecting inspiration for when this book is ready to be birthed. Part of that ‘research’ is creating a playlist on Spotify. While I don’t write with music on (I’m a write in total silence kind of girl) I will listen to a playlist as I’m doing other tasks in the months leading up to starting a first draft. Music helps set a tone for my muse.
That said. I’m looking for some musical help from you. What are some songs that resonate a sense of solitude for you? The book will be the last in the Later in Life Romance series and will about a woman coming to terms with her newly single status. So the songs could be bittersweet, angry, or, like Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, contemplative.
Here’s what is already on my list:
Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me (ugh, what a gut wrencher!)
No Doubt’s Don’t Speak (Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt!)
Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn (“Nothing’s fine…I’m torn.” Torn, indeed!)
Matchbox Twenty’s Bent (“Can you help me I’m bent I’m so scared that I’ll never get put back together.”) How can you not be inspired after a lyric like that?
The Killers- Mr. Brightside (“She takes off her dress now, letting me go” Guy’s point of view, but still hits the mark of feeling of being discarded)
Pink- Try (Because no playlist is complete without her)
Janet Jackson’s If (How is THAT song for a woman wronged? Tee hee)
As you can see, the playlist is far from complete. I need some help rounding it out. So, what do you suggest? If you found yourself newly single…what sort of songs would help you get through it? Sad ones? Raging ones? Ones of acceptance? Comment with a song you think should go on my list!
Danielle Bannister, Author and playlist maker
Danielle Bannister, Author 
Elbow’s ‘The Bones of You’ about a long-lost love is beautiful – they’re so good with lyrics. It’s about how a song can trigger powerful memories. ‘When out of a doorway the tentacles stretch of a song that I know and the world moves in slo-mo – Straight to my head like the first cigarette of the day.’
Oooo, I’ll check that one out. I love good lyrics and songs that trigger memories! Thanks for the suggestion!
Me too. Love that feeling that wells up inside when the lyrics and the melody are just right. I always write to music with headphones on – not too loud though. Can’t write in silence 😀
I wish I could listen to music while I wrote! I find myself singing along to the songs instead haha
Always a danger! 😀