| By Marilyn Brant | July 3, 2009 |
I am, admittedly, a tad on the fanatical side when it comes to music. It plays a big part in my writing largely because it plays an even bigger part in my life. I was in my mid-twenties before I discovered not everyone in the world had a musical soundtrack that accompanied them through their day — from their hastily inhaled morning coffee (“Wake me up before you go-go…”–Wham!) to the boring staff meeting at 3pm (“It’s been a long day…”–Matchbox 20) to a quick stop at the post office (“Oh, yes, wait a minute Mr. Postman…”–The Marvelettes) to the microwave meal nuked for dinner (“Drop it like it’s hot…”–Snoop Dogg).
I’m not saying the references were always appropriate (*g*), but I would hear these lyrics beneath the swirl of real conversations around me — the cross-genre, multiple-era melodies running through my mind like an inside joke I couldn’t share with anyone. Just about every memory I have is tied to a song and, even if I wanted to, it’s not possible for me to escape that.
Thankfully, though, I get to inflict this special kind of fun on my characters.
Both of my first two novels are heavily music laden. The first, According to Jane (Kensington, 09-29-09), persistently references the era of big hair and legwarmers — a time when Michael Jackson (RIP) still wore a single white glove, Spandau Ballet was all the rage and Def Leppard rocked the stadiums with “Hysteria.” As much as I also love the music of today (can’t get enough of Coldplay), the songs of the 1980s are inexorably, undeniably linked to my goofiest and most poignant memories of high school, and I find it impossible to listen to Bruce Springsteen belt out “Dancing in the Dark” without remembering dancing in the, um, dark. And, you know, other eventful teen stuff…
There are a number of songs that — were they to be removed from my debut novel — would make me fear the narrative was incomplete: Boston’s “Don’t Look Back,” Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is,” Eric Carmen’s “Make Me Lose Control” and the endlessly amusing (and somewhat mystifying) ”Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats, to name but a few. I don’t expect readers to know every verse of these songs as I do, but as I wrote the book, the unstated lyrics informed the text. In my mind, at least, they underscored the dramatic situations and played up the comedy. For me, these musical asides were a little bonus I could give those readers who were equally fanatical about the music of this era. And, in that small way, I’d get to finally share my inside joke with someone.
And, so, to my fellow writers, I ask: Do musical soundtracks accompany your books? If so, which songs were important to the telling of your stories?
And to everyone, writer or not: Do you have a favorite ’80s tune or two? If yes, which ones?
For anyone who comments on this post today, I’ll be drawing two names late tonight and giving away an advanced reader copy of According to Jane to each of them, as well as a 3-pack of the new Starbucks VIA Ready Brew coffees. (The coffees are only available in Chicago, Seattle and London right now, so I hope it’ll be a tasty sneak preview.)
May those of you living in the States, have a very Happy 4th — or, to put it another way, since I’m hearing Martina McBride playing in my head now — may you enjoy celebrating ”Independence Day” 
. And may everyone who reads this have a wonderful weekend!
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
Life without music, why live at all? My writing is laced with music. Love, love, love the 80’s…Blondie, Queen, Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi, The Kinks, Cheap Trick, Pat Benetar. Some are still rockin’, some have faded into obscurity, others faded from life. You know you’re old when….
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 am
Oh! I love Independence Day by Martina McBride. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs. Unfortunately, I never have listened to much ’80s music. I’ll have to look into it.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:20 am
Great post, Marilyn!
I’m an 80’s child, too. My husband is the musical one (plays a number of instruments, has been in and out of bands in the years we’ve been together), so he listens to everything. He thinks satellite radio is the greatest invention, because he can listen to whatever he’s in the mood for– rock, pop, jazz, blues, etc. He gave me satellite radio for my car. I tuned in to the 80’s station and pretty much leave it there all the time, much to his chagrin!
My son has grown up listening to the 80’s music I listen to. At one point, he kept asking to hear the “Wiccan Dance” song. Huh? Finally, we figured out he was asking to hear Saftey Dance. “We can dance.”
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
OMG. This is so good. I actually remember standing at the light rail station in Denver with a group and I asked a gal what she was listening to on her iPod and she said, the soundtrack to my life. I just love that.
So right now…the soundtrack to my life is The Atomic Kittens. The Tide is High.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
Marilyn–I’m actually a 70’s child, but I raised my younger sister who was an ’80s teen. My favorite artist is Billy Joel who began his career while I was in high school and became a music icon during the 80’s. Since my ’90s children (born late ’70s and early ’80s) grew up listening to my sister’s music blaring from her bedroom, the whole family loves Billy J.
I frequently reference his music in my work. I love his lyrics.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:19 am
Interesting post and a good insight into your thinking and writing process. Music? Honestly, I have no earthly idea what you’re talking about. When I started writing for a living, I had to turn off the radio because I could not concentrate on my work if there were pop music lyrics flying around the room. That’s when I switched to classical music and to foreign language music. The switch happened in 1984, BTW. Anything since then, I just don’t know about. Sorry. But yes, I do have a soundtrack in my head–it just doesn’t have lyrics.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Kelly~we may be musical twins
. I know I’m amazed when I think about the longevity of some musical groups (like Bon Jovi) vs. the fleeting fame of others (i.e., A Flock of Seagulls), but hearing them always bring me back to a point in time. Makes me feel a bit younger!
Melanie~Isn’t Martina incredible?! Her voice just has a way of touching the listener’s emotions. There are a number of her songs that bring tears to my eyes and some, like “This One’s for the Girls,” that make wanna dance as well. She doesn’t have an ’80s musical equivalent, but you might like the strong, powerhouse vocals of someone like Pat Benatar or Patty Smyth (a solo artist who was also with a group named Scandal).
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:45 am
Laura~LOL!! The “Wiccan Dance”! That is really funny…
We don’t have XM Radio (yet–I really want it), but when we rented a car last year, it had that, and all of us fell in love with it. Unfortunately, all of us wanted to listen to different stations 
.
Tina~Thank you. And I *love* that phrase–”the soundtrack to my life.” Now, I have to go listen to The Atomic Kittens in your honor!
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Laurie~oh, Billy Joel — yes!! “The Stranger” album is one of my long-time favorites and, you’re right, his lyrics are fantastic. (I thought “We Didn’t Start the Fire” was genius, but so many of his earlier songs are poetic and thought provoking.) I was thrilled to finally see him in concert with my brother several years ago, when he and Elton John were on tour together. It was a wonderful, memorable show. BTW, I love the ’80s but I’m not exclusive to it.
The book I just turned in, that’s due out a year after “Jane,” has an entire ’70s soundtrack, with England Dan & John Ford Coley, Supertramp and a host of references to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac!
Lyn~I was twenty-something before I found a few classical composers I really loved, and I truly wish I would’ve been exposed to more of it sooner. (My husband got me this Symphonic Rock Orchestra CD from the Vienna Master Series, and they performed “Classical Highlights” — the Mozart piece is one of my favorite musical selections ever.) But, even though I have music in my head all the time, I’m like you in that I can’t write while songs with lyrics are playing for real. It’s way too distracting for me, too, and I envy those people who can listen to their iPods and still write coherently. I love that you listen to both classical and foreign music, though. Any specific ones you’d recommend?
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Hands down, We Belong by Pat Benatar. LOVE that song. I’m driving, it comes on, the windows go down, the volume goes up, and I’m belting it out at the top of my voice.
I’m a 70s gal, for the most part, and a number of my bands have made the transition from my play list to my children’s. The Eagles, The Moody Blues, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, BTO, CCR, ELO, and others. Neil Diamond, Bob Segar,and Gordon Lightfoot are just too great not to mention.
I also love classical music, but having once written a love scene accompanied by the 1812 Overture (The dawn part was fine, but things got a little explosive, in the music AND on the page, later on!)and realized that the music definitely impacted the work. It became a safety issue—if for no one other than my heroine! So no music when I’m working these days.
Great post, Marilyn. Took me back to the days when my kids were small and jammin’ to Oh, Mickey. Thanks for the smile.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Gwynlyn, my husband gave me tickets to see Pat Benatar about two years ago. Have so say, she (and her jammin’ hubby) can still ROCK. (I also think she bears more than a passing resemblance to Nora Roberts, so perhaps they share the same “long-lasting success” gene!)
I can’t listen to music with lyrics when I’m writing. Gotta be classical or jazz. I’ve got a Yo-Yo Ma CD that gets a lot of play during heavy writing sessions, and if you can find anything by them these days, Flim & the BBs put out a number of jazz fusion albums that are really awesome.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Marilyn, I’m making it a point to go through my day today with a musical soundtrack playing. OMG – Safety Dance? That brings back memories. I’m in awe of your nostalgia for music! I’m so bad at remembering favorites, but when songs I loved are mentioned, I start singing them like it was yesterday that I last heard them. Some favorites – KC & The Sunshine Band, The Fixx, Pat Benatar, and many more I can’t remember.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I sometimes listen to music while writing, but not usually a specific soundtrack for that book. I’ve heard of others who do that and keep meaning to try it…
80’s songs. Wow. I listened to a lot of alt stuff in the 80’s. Kind of the new wave latter punk stuff. LOVE it. Was just playing on itunes thte other day and downloaded a few ong lost songs that didn’t warrant a CD purchase like She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult and Every Day is Halloween, by Ministry. Didn’t much care for the Pat Benatar, or Bon Jovi kind of stuff.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Oh boy Marilyn, this got me reminiscing! I’m an 80s girl also. I think of Paula Abdul and Madonna from my high school years but late 80s I worked in a dance club so it was all about dance songs with a beat. Erasures “Little Respect” was one of my favorites. B-52 “Love Shack” and my absolute favorite 80s tune…”Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Love that song. Have it on my ipod!
My writing music is very mellow. Soundtrack from Sleepless in Seattle, Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, etc. However, when I was writing a book set in Paris I had 5 Paris CDs downloaded so had “La Vie En Rose” and French tunes running through my head for months.
Thanks for the 80s flashback!
Beth
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Hi Marilyn!
Congratulations on the impending release date for your book!
I sometimes have songs in mind as I write certain stories, but it doesn’t happen very often. I can’t listen to music when I write – maybe that’s why. But certain songs from certain periods of my life WILL bring back that period, no doubt.
Kiss You All Over by Gino Vanelli always brings back the first year of my relationship with my now-dh, as I was away at university and missing my new boyfriend intensely. There was a song by the Little River Band that year, too, something about Reminiscing. When I hear that song, I remember how we used to wonder if we’d still be together when we were old (seeing as we’d just started dating). Now we’re middle-aged, and, yep, we’re still together.
There’s a song from the early 80s that always reminds me of my dh’s brother, who died when he was only 25. I can never remember the artist or title of the song, but when I hear it, it always makes me think of him. I think it was the theme song to a TV show called The Greatest American Hero or something like that. It became popular a few months after he died, and I still tear up thinking about it – even though I can’t recall the words to the song. Something about “…walking on air, I never thought I could feel so free… believe it or not, it’s just me.”
Okay, now I need a hanky. Gee, thanks.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Oh, gosh, The Stranger – LOVED it. Still love it. Billy Joel was my fav artist of the 80s.
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Gwynlyn~”We Belong” is SO good! (I have it on my iPod…) I pretty much worshipped Pat Benatar in h.s.
And The Eagles, particularly Don Henley, made a huge musical imprint on me. Jackson Browne, too (he and Glenn Frey co-wrote “Take It Easy”) — I love, love, love Jackson’s solo stuff. Oh, and Gordon Lightfoot. Sigh. LOL about the 1812 Overture!!
Laura~I haven’t heard of Flim & the BBs. I’ll look them up!!
Robin~How could I forget about KC & the Sunshine Band?! As for The Fixx, I have them on my iPod, too (“One Thing Leads to Another”). It makes me move faster on the elliptical machine when I listen to it!
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
70’s is really my music, but I love listening to the 60’s. I had four older sisters so I think I was indoctrinated. I do like a lot of the 80’s, 90’s and today’s music also.
Writing my first book I didn’t listen to any music at all while I worked but with my second western I played, The Rimrock Rambler’s – Way Out West, constantly. LOL! I finished that mss in 5 months.
I think I better put the music back on!
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
**Something funny — right now we have our windows open and one of the neighbors is blasting Whitesnake. “Here I Go Again” Hee…
Maureen~I’ve heard *of* The Cult, but don’t recall ever listening to them. But I’ll look up the song you mentioned — I’m curious to hear them. As far as alt stuff, I didn’t diverge too far away from mainstream, although I still remember when U2 was consider “edgy”
. Ever listen to the Welsh band The Alarm?
Beth~OMG, I remember when “Relax” and “Love Shack” were *always* on the radio! Those were such classic dance-mix tunes. How fascinating to have worked in a dance club!! I’ll bet you have more than a few interesting stories from that experience…
Cindy~Thank you! (And I’m gonna add an additional thanks because Cindy helped me format the text around the book cover in my post — could not have done it without her!!) I remember all the songs you mentioned. I was a fan of the Little River Band and “Reminiscing,” too, but wow — that “Greatest American Hero” song is one I still think about often. Actually, *every time* I see or write the words “Believe it or not,” I hear in my head the rest of the chorus for that song. Somewhere in my pile of lyrics, I have all the words written down. I think Joey somebody — Scarbury? — sang it, and it’s haunted me, too. I’m sorry it’s tied to such a sad memory for you, though. I have a few of those, unfortunately, as well…
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Caroline~LOL about the fast writing with music!! Oh, I’m so envious of that
. Not only am I unable to concentrate with real music playing, but it’s pretty darn near impossible for me to write anything quickly. (And, even though I don’t write westerns, I’ve *got* to check out this “Way Out West” song!!)
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Wow–an 80s song–I was so tied up in having babies that decade that it’s hard for me to pick. I’d have to confess though that “Eternal Flame” by the Bangles is a favorite from the 80s! As for writing music, it entirely depends on my mood–might be Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, some Glenn Miller/Benny Goodman, gasp Barry Manilow (I know a serious character flaw), or Elvis. My iPod is definitely an eclectic mix! As for the perfect soundtracks though, if I were ever lucky to get a book published and turned into a movie, I’d be furiously writing to John Barry or Carl Davis to get them to compose something. Hands down I LOVE what how they utterly capture the feel of a novel.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Oh- my favorite 80’s song–
Heaven by Bryan Adams
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Deb~Ha! My brother loved the Barry Manilow tune “I Write the Songs” when he was a toddler, so my mom played that album again and again. I grew attached to it in spite of myself
. Got my fingers crossed I’ll get to see a movie based on your book and hear a wonderful John Barry or Carl Davis soundtrack!!
Caroline~Bryan Adams…sigh. I loved “Heaven,” too. And “This Time.” And “Summer of ‘69″… He’s got his own section on my iPod.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I’m one who has to have a soundtrack to whatever my WIP is. It’s not that I try and do it that way, it’s just how the girls send me characters, turning points and many other parts of my story.
For 80s tunes, you expect me to pick just one or two? Why not ask me to pick which book I love best, or family member? To even narrow the list down to a top 10 list would feel like giving myself a Brazilian Wax–just too much pain.
But now I’m thinking of what that list would be. Hmm…
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I might have known you’d tackle music
There is a song by the Toadies called Possum Kingdom I listened to right around the same time I was finishing a novel with a creepy boathouse. That one is definately on that novel’s soundtrack, along with Patsy Cline. Don’t ask. It’s an ecclectic mix
Fun post, Marilyn. Loved it!
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
How about Huey Lewis and the News, The Power of Love and the entire sound track to Tom Cruise’s, Top Gun.(Take My Breath Away, Danger Zone,
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Pamela~In your case, no. You are exempt from having to select just one or two songs.
Provided you *finally* tell me about your Bon Jovi concert experience. Stop holding out.
L.A.~LOL! Well, yes. How could I resist this topic? I love the name “Possum Kingdom” for a song title but I don’t know it at all (yet another one I’ll get to hunt down online now). Did you ever include any of your fave metal bands in a book?
Tina~ohhh, Huey! When I think of “The Power of Love,” I always think of “Back to the Future.” And, yeah, the “Top Gun” soundtrack is so memorable, too. It’s interesting to me how Kenny Loggins marked the ’80s with 3 very different songs–”Danger Zone,” “Footloose” and “I’m Alright” from the film “Caddyshack.” I wonder what he’s working on now?
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Ooh, I love Take My Breath Away : ) Big Top Gun fan.
I have a soundtrack for all my books and sometimes the contents are quite random. I have a semi-futuristic urban fantasy that has a lot of Dixie Chicks in it for instance. Still haven\’t figured that out.
Two favourite 80\’s songs is too hard (80\’s kid here too). But U2, Wham, Melissa Etheridge, Madonna and ABBA would feature.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Marilyn,
Very cool blog! I never thought of music accompanying my novels, but now that you mention it, while I was writing my debut novel A Passion Most Pure, which is inspirational family saga romance, I’d get goose bumps listening to Darlene Zschech’s “Glory to King,” a worship song that literally flowed through my book with lyrics like “You’re The Father To The Fatherless
The Answer To My Dreams,” tying in with the story of a close-knit Irish family who loses their father.
As far as an 80s tune that speaks to me? Uh, I’m a little too old for that, but one of the 70s songs that would lure me away was White Bird by It’s A Beautiful Day — utterly haunting!!
P.S. I’m a Seeker friend of Tina’s.
Julie
gsusatcharterdotnet
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Melanie~Yeah, “Top Gun”…
Hard not to love ABBA! Did you see “Mamma Mia”? I saw it onstage but I keep meaning to watch the film. I heard it was a LOT of fun!
Julie~Welcome!! Seekerville is wonderful
. And congrats on your books! Inspirational music is so rich with images and expressions of faith, I can see how the songs you mentioned could really underscore the themes of your stories. My background with Christian music is fairly limited, but I did go with a friend to see White Heart years ago. The opening act for them was a guy named David Martin. I don’t know how long he stayed on the music scene, but I bought one of his albums because his songs were so melodic. He was kind enough to sign it for me, too 
.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Thanks, Marilyn!
And I just had to pop back and say that when my husband, 21-year-old daughter and I saw Mama Mia the movie, we walked out thinking it was miscast — all of the leads appeared too old to portray 40-something characters. BUT, a week a later, all three of us found ourselves humming a different song each day from and within the week, we each felt like we were addicted to the movie. We immediately bought the soundtrack and then the movie months later when it came out on DVD last Christmas and now have watched it at least 10-12 times. The music is so uplifting that when my hubby and I are feeling a bit blue, we actually mandate a Mama Mia evening. I know, I know, we need to get a life …
Hugs,
Julie
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I totally forgot ABBA. I listen to ABBA Gold on my iTouch while at work.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Mamma Mia the film is wonderful. Guaranteed to cheer you up. I saw it on the stage twice : )
July 4th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Julie, Tina and Melanie~we should form an ABBA tribute band, I think!! I’d love to have a group of friends who’d want to sing “Dancing Queen” with me, just for fun.
Okay, everyone, it’s only 11:25pm in my time zone, but it’s past midnight on the blog, so I’m going to do a random number generator thing and select 2 people for the books/coffees. And they are…
#10 Gwynlyn and #1 Kelly
Congrats!! (Please email me with you mailing info so I can get them out to you: marilynbrant AT gmail DOT com.)
For anybody who’s interested, though, I’ll be giving away several more ARCs of the book — along with more VIA coffee, too — on my blog the night of July 7th. If you haven’t been a part of my “AustenFest” yet and you’d like to add a comment or two to my guest authors’ posts, you’re automatically entered to win — not just my book but theirs as well. That’s going on at http://marilynbrant.blogspot.com .
Also on the blog, I’ll be doing a coffee taste-testing thing soon. Free Starbucks coffee samples for anyone who wants to take part. (But, shhh, don’t tell…I haven’t announced all the details there yet!
Thanks, again, for all of your comments. It was a pleasure spending the day with you all!!
July 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I’d like to be in the Mamma Mia (Abba) group!! Love it!
July 4th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
LOL, Caroline!! You’re in!
p.s. I just took a look your photography website this weekend and — wow — your pictures are *beautiful*.
July 4th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I too am an 80’s chick…err…. kid.
LOL
Happy fourth to you as well!
July 4th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Sheila, thanks for stopping by. The more ’80s chicks, the merrier! And I noticed you’d joined the Everything Austen Challenge on your blog, too. Hope you’ll love P&P!
July 5th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Excellent post Marilyn! I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only person who has the soundtrack to my life running through my head as well. And I can certainly relate to the music adding texture to my writing. I don’t think I could choose a fave 80s track–I’ll have to get back to you on that one .
Thanks!
July 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Pamala, I’m so glad you’re back! I know you’re a music lover, too, and still think of you zipping around San Fran last year with your iPod on
. Maybe you’ll be able to narrow your list to the top 10?
July 6th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Of course I spend my life playing catch up. But I wrote my 2007 GH finaling manuscript based on a song, Walk Away Joe. Music inspires….it leaves us with thoughts in our heads and as writers we just have to take those stories and finish them. Great post!
July 6th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Thanks so much, Donnell! And I love that you chose that song as a theme and an inspiration for your GH manuscript! It’s a great tune
.
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