The Music of the Codex
Happy Saturday!
When I first wrote The Secret of the Codex (it was just called The Codex back then, until I found another book by the same name! Spoiler: I like my new title better) way back in 2008/2009, I started collecting music inspiration in the form of a killer "Codex" playlist. I thought it might be interesting for you all to hear the songs that inspired the book as I wrote it. Some songs even fit a specific scene so perfectly that I got chills!
Ready? (If you want to skip my commentary, I recreated the playlist on Spotify and the link is at the end. Feel free to scroll.)
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First up... The original Twilight soundtrack. Obvi.
Next up, RED. These guys are my theme band. (If that even makes sense.) Especially their second album, Innocence & Instinct. I still get chills when I hear "Never Be the Same" which I've unofficially dubbed the Codex theme song. Probably more on that later. :) Also, "Start Again" is another one of my favorites, which fits in well toward the end of the book. (No spoilers!)
Then some random songs—Fall Out Boy then a couple from Bones (which I loved)—and my Snow Patrol faves. "Make This Go On Forever" came on just as I was writing a pivotal scene in Chapter 6 and it was one of my first WOW moments when writing. The song fit the scene PERFECTLY. I realize now I'll probably have to go into more detail with these after the book is out!
Next up is Boys Like Girls. Not sure how I discovered them, but I'm glad I did. So many of their songs take me back to that first draft. This song especially, though I don't have a clue why. I probably just like the drops in the chorus. :D
Then The Fray, which I realize now I haven't listened to in forever. *goes and listens to The Fray*
Okay, I'm back.
Some other random songs, but notable ones.
"A Man I'll Never Be" by Boston—the band I listened to with my dad growing up. (Awww!)
"Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence—takes you back, doesn't it? Pretty sure I heard them on the radio today on the THROWBACK LUNCH HOUR. I AM OLD.
"Never Alone" by Barlow Girl—if you've never listened to this song, or this band, before, go listen now. Spoiler: the Spotify playlist is below. Makes it easy.
Then my rock phase shows up in the form of random bands (Rise Against, Saving Abel)...
After that is A Twist in My Story by Secondhand Serenade, another album that really takes me back to my first draft. It's great to have albums like that, so you can listen to something if you need inspiration and you're right back there, creating the first draft. Makes you want to get right back at it.
Then a random movie score, you know, to keep things interesting (Angels and Demons by Hans Zimmer—probably for those times when I just couldn't concentrate with words in the songs)...
Then Anberlin! This band is great. Their new stuff is great too. Go listen.
More random stuff (Sixx AM and a couple of others), 30 Seconds to Mars (awesome), a random Natasha Bedingfield selection, lots of Good Charlotte (must've been another phase), then more random songs by Papa Roach, Saliva, Story of the Year, Sum 41, Three Days Grace. Yes, I listened to a lot of rock. Must've edited out a lot of the angst in the editing. Haha, just kidding—it somehow managed to not be angsty! By some miracle...
So here's the Spotify playlist I've been hinting at!
https://open.spotify.com/user/melissamaewrite/playlist/7vXXjShJjuz1j8SFQb9Qu4
Enjoy!
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I've found I can listen to just about anything when I'm writing, but when I'm editing I need silence. Which makes me a little sad, but that's how it is.
Do you listen to music when you read or write?