Do you ever turn on the radio, or listen to a new CD, and hear a song that really resonates with you? One where it seems like the singer got inside your head and wrote about your life?
It happens to me all the time, especially when I’m making the (almost) monthly four and a half hour trip home.
Usually, when I listen to songs with lyrics, I associate them with a character. Sometimes it fits in with my own life, but often it’s a character from a book or movie. Now and then it will be a friend or relative. Other times, it’s a pure creation of my imagination. These songs can be incredibly inspiring, and can be a great source of story and character ideas. Here are a few that have been inspirational in my writing:
Mad World, Gary Jules
Stand My Ground, Within Temptation
Hurricane, 30 Seconds to Mars
And here's one that's been inspirational in my own life:
Free Life, Dan Wilson
Music definitely inspires me, though I can't write with music on (yep, you read that right). When I'm driving, or just doing chores, I listen to music and it gets me ready to write. I love the different emotions music can invoke within us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your playlist! I love Mad World as well. ;)
Yeah, I can only write to music if it is what I call "background music" (anything calming; usually doesn't have lyrics, half of which are taken from movie soundtracks), but whenever a song comes on that I know the words to, it snaps me out of it.
ReplyDeleteI had a roommate who could write papers with the TV on- that's something I can't do!
I love music, it can fit characters so perfectly. Sometimes I can't even figure out why! Great post. :)
ReplyDelete