Saturday, September 17, 2011

Music While Writing, 2nd Playlist

Here's another playlist I put together for myself, ten songs fitting the mood of:


Sadness, loss, separation:

The pitch the singer uses really pulls at my heart. Even without knowing the story behind the song or the show, I think this song can really evoke longing and loneliness.
This song works with both lyrical content and melody. Heather's voice and pitch really moves me. The final verse is extremely moving, and has inspired a lot of scenes for me while writing.
Another of Heather's songs, from the Arthurian mythos. The tone of the song doesn't quite inspire melancholy, but there's one point in the song that nailed it into my playlist: “It was white as angel's raiments, but when feebly he begged her, fairest Blanchemaine softly told him, 'Tis of Night'.” The song builds into this crescendo of hope and love and overcoming a great trial, only to be stabbed in the heart with that simple phrase from the jealous wife.
This could probably fit into the Love category, as well, and another of Vienna's songs will be there. But the tone of this song really draws up more lonely images, like someone trying to cope with being alone.
Most anyone who knows this song would put this on a list of sad songs. For good reason, too, as it has the perfect tone and lyrics to drum up very sad, lonely emotions and images. I've used this song many, many times to hone in that feeling.
I absolutely love Train, and the majority of their songs are so fun and upbeat, but this song, after I paid attention to the lyrics, created such a sad image in my head. Sung in the POV of a man who's lost his wife, remembering the good times and what it's like to move on.
Another favorite band, the lead singer having one of my favorite voices in rock. Their ballads are my absolute favorite, and this song never fails to evoke some melancholy emotions.
This movie was one of the first times I learned about orphans and orphanages as a little kid. There is a very soft and sad tone to much of the movie, and both of these songs drum up some nostalgic emotions connected to the film. Their tone and the pitch of the singer's voice should make it relate-able whether you've seen it or not.
I'd never heard this song before Britain's Got Talent. I loved it then, but after finding this version, the original version, I fell even deeper in love with it. The popularized version cuts out what became my favorite verse, so I just have to go with this version. I also think Ruthie's emotional performance, being trained in theater, evokes a stronger response in me.
This is well done in both English and Japanese, and listening to the English lyrics really emphasizes why it's such a sad song. But by listening to the Japanese, I'm able to focus on the tone and melody of the song and embrace the raw emotion it drums up.
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Thursday, September 15, 2011

What Works for Me Might Work for You

Music while Writing

Who doesn't play music while they're trying to write or draw? When you ask an artist what really helps them find inspiration, the most common answer has to be listening to music. There are any number of reasons as to why that is, but there's no doubt that it's a powerful tool when trying to be creative.

For me, music helps keep my mind relaxed. Even when I was a kid, I couldn't do homework without music playing or the tv going in the background because my mind would wander and I wouldn't be able to concentrate on what I was doing. So, by having something in the background for my mind to focus on, it would keep my thoughts from wandering. It's the same when I'm writing or drawing; without the background noise, I get distracted and start thinking about other things, things that usually lead me to looking something up on the computer, which leads to clicking other links, which takes me away from what I'm doing for hours at a time.

How can someone take the power of music one step further? Rather than just use any random music or your favorite song to find inspiration, I propose we create a series of playlists. Have a really sad, emotional scene to write? Pull up a playlist with appropriate songs, songs that tug at your heart strings or make you tear up, something that evokes the emotion in you that you're trying to convey to others. The same goes for a thrilling action scene, a love scene, a joyful reunion, or bursts of anger.

Don't let those playlists get stale, either. If one of the songs on the list just doesn't evoke anything in you anymore, can it and replace it with something new and fresh. I know my music tastes rotate, getting hooked on a song or set of songs for a few weeks, then on to a new set the next, to another new, until I come back around to that first set and find meaning in them again.

I've set up playlists for myself to use for a variety of different emotions or scenes; I'll list the first one here, then follow up with one more each day until I run out. It's comprehensive, with a brief explanation after each song for why I chose it, so I don't want to bog you down with all of them at once. There are ten songs in each list, expressing my own personal tastes in music, and all drawn just from my YouTube favorites list.

A lot of the songs I chose based on their tone and not necessarily the content of their lyrics. Melody plays a lot with my own emotions, allowing me to draw not only from English pop songs, but from classical music and foreign music, as well. Not all of these songs will work for everyone in the playlist I've chosen. Everyone's emotions work differently; this is merely an example, illustrating the range each playlist could have.

To start off, we'll go with something fun.


Happiness, joy, victory:
Who can listen to this and not smile and start tapping their foot? Two friends just having a good time; it's easy to be happy and express happiness while listening to this short little piece. Setting it to repeat while you try to work out a particular scene may be worthwhile.
I know, I know; I just love Heather's voice. This song has always seemed very uplifting to me, while not being overly joyous. It has a 'coming home victorious from war' feel to it.
I absolutely love Takada's voice, and the whole tone of this song is very victorious and happy. She sings with so much power and purpose that it pulls me into the music and I feel energized and ready to keep writing.
Another song that just screams energy and joy. 'I'm Alive' no matter what you say, and I'm happy to still be here. It's a great, high-energy song that lifts the spirits.
Another feel-good song with a different tone. Fell in love with this the first time I heard it.
These guys will probably be up here again later, too. This song is just so much FUN, that I can't help sticking it on this list. I just want to dance every time I hear it, and again it inspires the feel-good happy emotions I need when writing a happy and joyous scene.
Another upbeat, foot-tapping song that always makes me smile. The show is a favorite for both myself and my boyfriend, so it holds some nostalgic and sentimental quality as well. Plus, who doesn't love a touch of bagpipes in all the right places?
  • Through Heaven's Eyes, from the Prince of Egypt - http://youtu.be/s2Ow2yPkAbM
I first heard this song in high school upon seeing the movie for the first time, and was forever captivated by the melody and instrumentals. The lyrics themselves don't mean too much to me, if they did this would lean more towards the romance category, but just for the melody it always gets me energized.
I have to admit I never looked up what this song was about, and probably never will. All I know is that it put a smile on my face the first time I listened to it and has never stopped doing just that. I love this song, and its high energy wakes me up when I'm starting to feel sluggish.
There's much more to this song in the Japanese, but I have loved the english version ever since following Kenshin on Toonami back in high school. I would sit on the edge of the coffee table as soon as it came on and just start belting out the theme at the top of my lungs. What's not to love about this great little song?

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