On the way home from taking the kids to school this morning, we listened to 'All American Girl' by Train. I love this song. Last night, I caught 'American Idol'. This is the first season I've actually watched. And, probably only because I had a massive crush on Steven Tyler when I was 15. Kinda weird now that I realize just how old he is. Not to mention, he's pretty darn goofy; which might add to the allure. Not sure.Back on the reservation - two different reactions emerge. The first has a snazzy beat & makes me move & smile. The second, when someone gets out there & belts out amazing, makes me cry. Hankie in hand, I watch as people ascend the stage. I hope they wow it out of the room. When they don't, I cover my face & ears until it's done.
There are a few reasons for all this admiration, I think. First, I'm completely tone deaf. When I was a kid, in drum corp, I tried playing the trumpet. The music director felt it was safer for me to carry a rifle. In middle school, I tried out for the musical; um, yep, I rode an audience chair. As an adult, I sing in the car, stereo on full tilt, so no one else can hear me.
I love music. I love the poetry of great lyrics. There is something so magical when I hear The Who's 'Behind Blue Eyes'. It brings tears. When I hear 'Purple Rain', I am transported back to high school. When I hear 'I Knew I Loved You', my wedding day floods my vision. Music is such a part of our every day lives that I don't know how I would function without it. It is directly linked to emotions, memories & sometimes things I would like to pretend never happened.
When I write romance, I love to listen to 70s love songs. When I'm ticking out the opening bits, I enjoy classical - Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Bach. When my female MC is in that angry space, Ani DeFranco belts across the speakers. As the tension rises, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, or vintage Aerosmith (Janie's Got a Gun). Music is so closely associated with our experiences that we can tap into its power & move the story along its path.
When writing, do you have a variety, a soundtrack, or a general feel preference? What music inspires you most?
Happy Writing,
Patti
I have a Pandora station I created for this book that has a mix of Enya, Lorena McKennit, and traditional Irish music. It works for the Elizabethan, country setting.
ReplyDeleteI have also dedicated Duran Duran's 'Undone' to my female's issues with the relationship and Simple Minds 'Don't You Forget About Me' to the male.
Music? Around here, it's always on low when I'm at the computer. Celtic. Classical. Other folk. If I really need to be jazzed, I do the Balkan, Greek and Middle Eastern stuff. Love the drum rhythms.
ReplyDeleteWhen the lyrics are in another language, I find I don't get caught listening to the words when I should be writing words.
Classical music usually inspires me the most, although some songs can, if they're just right. Beethoven's 9th Symphony is the music that really fits my WIP right now. :)
ReplyDeleteMozart.
ReplyDeleteOr 60s to 80s
Wow, you guys. What a great collection of musical inspiration. Thanks for all of your posts.
ReplyDeletePatti