Moments in Media: Music
If you’re reading this, there’s a more than decent chance that books are some of your favorite things in the world. They certainly are for me. When it comes to reading (and writing) books, music often plays a key role in illustrating the emotions on the page.
A few weeks ago I shared some of my favorite moments in movies, and since then I’ve been mulling over some of the songs that hold a special place in my heart. Do we share any of these in common?
— “Hogwarts Hymn” from the Goblet of Fire
Not the most famous of the Harry Potter music, this song might be the most peaceful. I love Patrick Doyle (he also scored the wonderful 2015 Cinderella) and something about this song is so comforting. This is a staple on my writing playlist because it’s peaceful, imaginative, and carries that sense of wonder and magic that Hogwarts always brings to mind.
— “Who Am I?” from Les Misérables
The way this song encapsulates a character’s life-defining struggle and ultimate goodness floors me every time. It’s a model of character-driven storytelling wrapped up in a few short minutes. And goodness, how I love Jean Valjean.
— “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins
The way this song gets me misty-eyed! Maybe it’s Julie Andrews's voice, maybe it’s the reverent tune, but I adore the picture that this song paints of a humble figure, a looming cathedral, and a simple act of charity.
— “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from La La Land
What begins as a specific story transforms into a transcendent ballad about yearning and dreaming. I often turn to this song when I’m feeling downtrodden about writing and it never fails to reinvigorate me.
— “The Force Theme (Binary Sunset)” from Star Wars
This song alone is the reason why John Williams always shows up in my Spotify Wrapped. I have written chapters of my book while listening to this song on a loop. It’s melancholy, mystical, and energizing. It might be the closest music can get to the swelling feeling of hope rising in the soul. If I could only choose one song to listen to for the rest of my life, this is a strong contender.
— “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
This is a personal one: my husband and I danced to this song in a park on our first date. It was the first dance at our wedding. So many happy memories and a forever favorite.
I guess the theme that ties all of these together is that music is its own form of storytelling. What are some of your favorite songs to read or write to?