A lot of authors create a playlist specifically for the book they’re writing. Sometimes the lyrics speak directly to the story, and other times it’s more the vibe of the song that fits, but we play it every time we sit down to write. After a bit, the first notes of the first song feel like slipping into comfy sweats and you’re right back in the flow of the story.
At least that’s how it works for me. 😉
I pulled out the lyrics of each song on The Quiet Unraveling of Eve Ellaway playlist, but some of these are more for the vibe.
Listen Now!
World Gone Mad – Bastille
“When it feels like the world’s gone mad
And there’s nothing you can do about it
No there’s nothing you can do about it”
Somebody Else – 1975
“I don’t want your body
But I hate to think about you with somebody else
Our love has gone cold
You’re intertwining your soul with somebody else”
I Did Something Bad – Taylor Swift
“’Cause for every lie I tell them
They tell me three
This is how the world works”
Panic Room – Au/Ra
“Welcome to the panic room
Where all your darkest fears are gonna
Come for you, come for you”
The Gold – Manchester Orchestra
“I don’t wanna be me anymore
My old man told me
“You don’t open your eyes for a while
You just breathe that moment down””
Human – Rag’n’Bone Man
“Take a look in the mirror and what do you see?
Do you see it clearer or are you deceived
In what you believe?”
‘Cause I’m only human after all
You’re only human after all
Don’t put the blame on me.”
Cautioners – Jimmy Eat World
“You’ll change your mind
Come Monday
And turn your back on me
Take your steps away
With hesitance
You take your steps away from me”
Concrete Jungle – Au/Ra
“In this wasteland you can die of thirst
Or drown in the lack of your own words”
Miracle – CHVRCHES
“Ask me no questions, I will tell you no lies
Careful what you wish for
…
And I need you to know, I’m not asking for a miracle
But if love is enough, could you let it show?
If you feel it could you let me know?”
King and Lionheart – Of Monsters and Men
“Though far away, though far away, though far away
We’re still the same, we’re still the same, we’re still the same
Howling ghosts, they reappear
In mountains that are stacked with fear
But you’re a king and I’m a lionheart”
So It Goes… – Taylor Swift
“And all the pieces fall, right into place
Getting caught up in a moment
Lipstick on your face, so it goes
I’m yours to keep and I’m yours to lose
You know I’m not a bad girl
But I do bad things with you, so it goes”
Monsters – brothers sundance
“Monsters in the closet honey
Monsters overhead
Monsters lying next to me at night before I rest
They gonna haunt me
They gonna twist me into knots”
Unsteady – X Ambassadors
“Mother, I know
That you’re tired of being alone
Dad, I know you’re trying
To fight when you feel like flying
But If you love me, don’t let go
Whoa, if you love me, don’t let go”
Spirits – The Strumbellas
“I spend a lot of nights on the run
And I think, oh, like I’m lost and can’t be found
…
‘Cause something inside has changed
And maybe we don’t wanna stay the same
I got guns in my head and they won’t go
Spirits in my head and they won’t go”
Watch – Billie Eilish
“If I could get to sleep
I would have slept by now
Your lies will never keep
I think you need to blow ’em out”
Crossing A Line – Mike Shinoda
“I got demons inside me so I’m faced with a choice
Either try to ignore them or I give them a voice
And it’s keeping me up at night
Worried it’s not alright
Holding back things you don’t know
And it’s keeping me up at night
Worried it’s not alright
You’re not gonna like where this goes”
Chlorine – Twenty One Pilots
“Had you in my coat pocket, where I kept my rebel red
I felt I was invincible, you wrapped around my head
Now different lives I lead, my body lives on lead
The last two lines may read incorrect until said
…
I despise you sometimes
I love to hate the fight and you in my life is like
Sippin’ on straight chlorine, let the vibes slide over me
This beat is a chemical, beat is a chemical
When I leave don’t save my seat, I’ll be back when it’s all complete”
~~~
I have to add that the last song was stuck in my head for MONTHS because it was the last song on the playlist, to the point that I often stopped the music BEFORE the song started to avoid it!
