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Unfair Playlist
🕑 Added 2020-07-31 13:47:01 +0000 UTCThis isn't quite a "Retrospective" (Especially since the novel isn't finished yet...by a long shot), but since lots of you enjoy Unfair, I thought I'd share a more in depth look at my brain.
When I write Unfair, I specifically have a short playlist that I jam out to while typing out. They're all familiar, fairly poppy songs, that I more or less know by heart, so I can take turns enjoying them/tune them out when I'm on a roll, but they definitely put me in the mindset of a certain (ex) Little Pre-K teacher.
Not that I'd ever expect anything I write to be actually turned into a movie, but I tend to think in those terms. "What would the soundtrack be?" For those of you who've read with me for a long time, I doubt you'll be surprised. Dante ended up having literal magical singing powers, and several of my stories borrow song lyrics for each chapter.
Here's what I got and my rationale so far for the Unfair tale of Clark G.
Mean- Taylor Swift. This is kind of Clark's "power song". The "you" who is only ever gonna be mean after T-Swifty is successful is very likely every Amazon, but gun to my head, this is probably the song that he'd have sung to himself (assuming there was a Taylor Swift version in the DD) when thinking about Brollish.
Big Fun- From Heathers. This is the song that inspired the Gwiffin Party segment. I was listening to the London Soundtrack and on the fourth or fifth play through of this song it clicked to me. "Dad says 'Act your age'. You heard the man it's time to rage!" In the context of the musical, it's meant to represent every 80's highschool party montage as well as Veronical Sawyer's feeling of elation now that she's not the "nerd" anymore. For Clark's world, this is EVERY Little rebelling and showing they can be an adult by (ironically) showing their ass to the world, drinking too much, and getting up the next morning.
You Can't Win- From The Wiz. Scarecrow's song in The Wiz (I prefer the Elijah Kelley version over the Michael Jackson version...come at me!) Is Clark's mindset from Chapter 1 on. "You can't win. You can't break even. And you can't get out of the game." Right there, it's Clark's adult Little life. Every Little's life, in a way. And just like how the Scarecrow is brainless, Clark is too in a way. Has all of these bits of advice and observations...but so many times thus far they've been proven incorrect, short-sighted, or Clark just can't follow his own advice.
"My Monkey"- Jonathan Coulton. This is a sweet song....it inspired a chapter that hasn't been written yet. Google it. Youtube it. Listen to the lyrics and see what JoCo has to say about it. It might be a hint about a chapter that's yet to come.
"Royals"- Lorde. Another "slumming song" about making the best of it. Depressing, but beautiful in its own way.
"Flaws"- Bastille. This song IS Clark's song. Yes, they're ALL Clark's songs, but this one IS Clark. "You have always worn your flaws upon your sleeve and I have always buried them deep beneath the ground." That could apply to so many chapters about Clark's various relationships, romantic or otherwise.
"9 to 5"- Dolly Parton. Because of course! This is what a goober like Clark might think regarding his life at work. All the work, no appreciation; almost no accommodations. But still making it through (until recently.
"Blue Monday"- New Order. An edgy...depressing song. "How does it feel, to treat me like you do." I feel like I don't have to specify which Amazon our protagonist is talking to in this number anymore.
What do you think? What other songs might be part of Clark's life were this a movie/television sound track? What other scenes line up far too well with Clark's slice of life or with a particular chapter or dynamic?
If you feel like it, lemme know in the comments.
I need a catchphrase,
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you should listen to the dreadnoughts, that's some music to give anyone energy
Man, you really are a music buff. I feel like such a pleb. Any black metal will put me in a writing mood. XD
Oh dear...I think you might be onto something
Pelo Dee
Oh, I think I just got one! :D Santa Esmeralda - Don't let me be misunderstood. (Well, any version would work, but this one is the most catchy.) But sometimes I feel myself alone and regretting / Some foolish thing, some foolish thing I've done I'm just a soul who's intentions are good / Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood Wouldn't that fit dear Clark?
Think I'm missing any Pop Classics? When it's done, I might just send Unfair to James Gunn. Maybe Tarantino. I think they could do it justice.
Thank you for the insight. Its always interesting to me to see how artists create their work. I tend to use music to help me zone in and tune out the rest of the world...but the content matters less to me. I love that you've shared this.
