I love music. It can define my mood, my outlook, and help me
change it. Music can relax me and pump me up. I’m not surprised that music and
musicians are mentioned in books. Sometime the song title or artist name is the
easiest way to convey things to the reader.
change it. Music can relax me and pump me up. I’m not surprised that music and
musicians are mentioned in books. Sometime the song title or artist name is the
easiest way to convey things to the reader.
I’ve been very pressed for time these last few weeks with chairing
a major conference (next week) and our daughter’s wedding (the end of the
month). When I browsed Publisher’s Weekly though, I had to stop to enjoy the
music. Here is the article by Gabe Habash, a New York University professor, on
the the
ten most mentioned songs in books. Gabe
mentions a website, Small Demons
that acts as a book content web, connecting people, places, music, movies,
TV/radio, books, food/drink, magazines, events, vehicles, and weapons mentioned
in books.
a major conference (next week) and our daughter’s wedding (the end of the
month). When I browsed Publisher’s Weekly though, I had to stop to enjoy the
music. Here is the article by Gabe Habash, a New York University professor, on
the the
ten most mentioned songs in books. Gabe
mentions a website, Small Demons
that acts as a book content web, connecting people, places, music, movies,
TV/radio, books, food/drink, magazines, events, vehicles, and weapons mentioned
in books.
What songs would you (or have you) referenced in your writing? Why
did you choose them?
did you choose them?
I’ll start. I referenced light jazz in Knight of Runes. When my heroine in the 21st century
drives 3 hours from London to her new home, Fayne Manor she listens to light
jazz, probably Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five.”
drives 3 hours from London to her new home, Fayne Manor she listens to light
jazz, probably Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five.”
Here are the top ten from Small Demons.
10. “Bohemian
Rhapsody” by Queen
Rhapsody” by Queen
9. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
8. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
7. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
by The Beatles
by The Beatles
6. “Stairway to Heaven” by Led
Zeppelin
Zeppelin
5.
“Blue Suede Shoes” by Elvis Presley
“Blue Suede Shoes” by Elvis Presley
4. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
3. “We Are the World”
2. “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley
1. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
My heroine’s “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck
Makes you wonder what universe of books it is he took this from…
I have not referenced any music. Mostly because I write Regencies and none of my heroines doing more than they must with the piano.
@ellaquinnauthor
There are some great classical pieces that I imagine your heroine must play: brooding Beethoven, playful Mozart, and the child prodigy Chopin. For me, there is always music.
… Ruth
@Regan
Certainly not romance but it was fun to watch the videos all the same! Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
That's interesting. I don't think I would have guessed most of those songs. As for what I would mention in my own writing, I'm a big Supernatural fan, so I wouldn't be surprised if "Carry On Wayward Son" pops up in something soon.
Jennifer Sampson
Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard. Got to see them perform is live last month.
Not a list I've ever seen any of in my reading, and I agree, certainly not romance-style music. lol Interesting just the same, Ruth. I like a lot of these- though they ill probably never turn up in anything I write.
Cool list!
Interesting list, very eclectic! But I've always been warned off even the smallest snippet of song lyrics — or commerical jingles! — in novels, b/c of copyright issues. So I don't dare. ;-D
DMac
Savvy Authors