I met Nicole at a writing workshop in California. On the second day of the retreat she came up to me and said, “Angie, I had a dream last night that your book was turned into a movie! It was the scene where you and your mom were driving across the country. And your mom was Diane Keaton.”
Pretty good casting, I think. In Nicole’s dream, I played myself.
I was in Starbucks the other day and saw the soundtrack for the movie, Eat Pray Love, and it reminded me of Nicole’s dream in a round about sort of way. The movie is based on the best selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, and the book is, by far, one of my favorites.
Each week, I set up shop at Starbucks for a few hours to work on my manuscript. After spotting the soundtrack for Eat Pray Love, I caught myself daydreaming. If my memoir had a soundtrack, what would it be? I went through my story scene by scene, and here’s what I came up with:
Why Georgia / John Mayer
Don’t Know Why / Norah Jones
Strength, Courage and Wisdom / India Arie
Slow Down / India Arie
You’re in My Heart / Rod Stewart
T-R-O-U-B-L-E / Travis Tritt
Breakfast at Tiffany’s / Deep Blue Something
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough / Marvin Gaye
Unwell / Matchbox 20
Miss Independent / Kelly Clarkson
Watershed / Indigo Girls
Keep On Singin’ My Song / Christina Aguilera
Bonus Track: September / Earth, Wind and Fire
Do you see any songs you like? If you story had a soundtrack, what songs would make the playlist?
Hey Angie,
This is a terrific and fun post! It’s making me think here. I’m not sure my story would be chronological — maybe, so I’ll pick songs and worry about writing the book later. How’s that for a new way to write a book? thx. Giulietta
Fight the Power by the Isley Brothers
Let the Music Play by Shannon
One is the Loneliest Number by Three Dog Night
Over the rainbow by Harold Arlen sung by J. Garland
Natural Woman by Carole King sung by K. Clarkson
You should be dancing by the Bee Gees
You Wear it Well by Debarge
Livin’ in the life by the Isley Brothers
Hot stuff by Peter Belotte sung by D. Summer
My Way by Paul Anka
Everything’s coming up Roses by Stephen Sondheim sung by B. Midler
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Old Man by Neil Young sung by Lizz Wright
Chain of Fools by don covay sung by A. Franklin
Lover Man by Jimmy Davis sung by L. Rondstat
When you wish upon a star by New Washington sung by L. Rondstat
Cry me a river by Arthur Hamilton sung by J. London
Giulietta, I want your soundtrack! I had a feeling “Over the Rainbow” would make your list. I’m glad to see we have a similar love for Fleetwood Mac and the Bee Gees. And Let the Music Play! That’s just awesome.
As soon as I saw the title of your latest post I thought of Unwell by Matchbox 20. I remember how popular it was at the time and how to me it was just a catchy tune. But I also remember you telling me how it really resonated with you while you were in Portland.
She needs to be someone more fun and funky!
PS…I think Diane Keaton is too straight laced to be your mom
Steph, that’s true about Diane Keaton, but her characters can “flip out” really well!
Hmm… who would play my mom?
Angie, Starbucks always has some terrific music playing. Thanks for sharing your personal soundtrack! I’m inspired to make time to assemble my own. It will definitely include John Mayer and Rod Stewart–two of my faves–as well as Rob Thomas. Come to think of it, we should all have a soundtrack! My daughter was listening to the Eat Pray Love soundtrack with me the other day and the last track is an instrumental one. My daughter said, “It sounds like people should be running through a field.” That’s when it hit me that she got it that music really does evoke certain feelings and emotions.
i love this!!! i have often thought about this…what would my life be in a sound track. i still haven’t quite got it pegged. maybe i’m thinking too hard. at any rate, i looooove yours! i’ll keep working on mine and let you know.
Claudia, most of these songs on the “soundtrack” were actual songs that I listened to when these certain scenes were unfolding… or they just happened to be playing on the radio. Stacey, I agree that music evokes so many emotions and it definitely helps me express myself… and come to terms with how I’m feeling about something.
This was our Holiday Newsletter in 2007- a playlist. I’m kinda famous for untraditional holiday newsletters.
Download to your iPod and be with us, without the risk of getting cat and dog hair on your clothes.
Song or Podcast Artist
Working For A Living Huey Lewis & The News
SexyBack Justin Timberlake
Just Showed Up For My Own Life Sara Groves
Parents Just Don’t Understand DJ Jazzy Jeff and The
Rooftops Lostprophets
All My Rowdy Friends Hank Williams, Jr.
Welcome to the Black Parade My Chemical Romance
Everybody Wants to Be a Cat Aristocats soundtrack
(If It Takes Forever) Sally Harmon
I Will Wait For You
Christmas Canon Rock Trans-Siberian
Orchestra
I love the “soundtrack to your life” idea, though mine changes from year to year. I have 2009′s on an actual iTunes playlist and probably will never listen to it again, but for 2010:
The Weary Kind, Ryan Bingham (from the Crazy Heart soundtrack)
Beautiful World, Colin Hay
Hold on Hope, Guided by Voices
All in My Head, Shawn Mullins
Carolina in My Mind, James Taylor
Too Much Space, Lisa Germano
Who’d Have Known, Lily Allen
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve
Thunder Road, Cowboy Junkies (Springsteen cover)
I am Alright, Madeleine Peyroux
All I Want, Susie Suh
Harvest Moon, Neil Young
You Are Not Alone, Patty Griffin
Don’t Mind Me, Lucy Kaplansky
Thanks for letting me share!
How did I miss this post? What a great idea! I’ll have to give my soundtrack some more thought, but I love India Arie. A group of my friends once decided to pick theme songs for each other and the one chosen for me was Natasha Bedingfield’s Feel the rain on your skin. “I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned…” I love it!