A couple of you guys out there have read TWISTED. I need your help. I am putting together a playlist for the book and am desperate for recommendations.
For those who haven’t read it, some background. I think this is on the publicity materials:
“High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy—and Tyler’s secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.
In Twisted, the acclaimed Laurie Halse Anderson tackles a very controversial subject: what it means to be a man today. Fans and new readers alike will be captured by Tyler’s pitchperfect, funny voice, the surprising narrative arc, and the thoughtful moral dilemmas that are at the heart of all of the author’s award-winning, widely read work. “
The short pitch: Emoish guy with a good heart has his butt kicked by the world and thinks seriously about leaving life, permanently.
What songs fit him? Ideas? Please?
how about “Out of my League” by TJ McCloud? I’m not sure if I will fit him, but it might (and it’s an amazing song, regardless)
‘i know it’s over’ by the smiths
‘innocent’ by our lady peace
‘adam’s song’ by blink 182
“Over my Head” by The Fray
I suggest any of Elliott Smith’s songs–his album “Figure 8” might be most appropriate.
I haven’t read it yet, but based on your description, try some of these:
Duncan Sheik would fit – Try the track Bite Your Tongue for a snarky-but-true song, or November for something more solemn.
Jimmy Eat World has plenty of great emo-boy rock anthems, again ranging from the sad, like , to the upbeat, like A Praise Chorus.
Jason Mraz – The Boy’s Gone. Must-have.
Let me know if you want more ideas and songs!
It depends. If he’s ANGRY, you should have him listening to Brand New and Nirvana and The Smiths.
If he’s brooding mellow, you should go for The Smiths, Elliott Smith, and Nick Drake.
he goes back and forth – great suggestions!
Excellent! I look forward to reading Twisted.
i second “the boy’s gone”- by jason mraz
as well as “innocent”- by our lasy peace
both of those songs seem to fit perfectly with the character that you have explained to us.
i’ll get back to you if i find any more that might work
<3.
Mad Mad World by Gary Jules (from the Donny Darko Soundtrack)
lyrics: http://www.lyrics007.com/Gary%20Jules%20Lyrics/Mad%20World%20(Donnie%20Darko%20Soundtrack)%20Lyrics.html
I haven’t read it, but your sort description makes me think Alkaline Trio, for certain. Maybe “Continental” (or “Blue in the Face”) from Good Mourning, but the whole album is fantasticly, well, it’s sort of cheerily bleak, but also truthfully dark. If that’s possible and/or makes sense.
I second the Jimmy Eat World, particularly the album Clarity, and Brand New’s Deja Entendu. I’ve also got a weakness for the Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About.
OH! The Promise Ring, Nothing Feels Good. But I am kinda getting into emo from the last decade… showing my age, here. But it’s super good.
perhaps…..
It’s Getting Dark In Here
Elton John
PeachTree Road album
template
I like this template much better, Laurie. It’s much easier for me to process mentally.
Good choice!
This is an oldie, but a goodie:
Everybody Hurts, by R.E.M. It’s the perfect song for someone considering suicide, especially the refrain, “So hold on … hold on …”
The soundtrack to Spring Awakening the Musical. And Then There Were None, in particular. Duncan Sheik wrote the music, so I second‘s suggestion.
Risque by Cute is What We Aim For
I agree with the people who said Brand New (also, they are my favorite band, so I’m a little biased.) Um…let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you.
Also… Laurie! Why didnt you tell us you were going to be on the cover of section of the post standard talking about salt potatoes!! What an awesome article, I read it at work haha. And I think your idea is fantastic.
I didn’t know it was going to be printed. Imagine my surprise… and the tea I spewed all over the table when I opened the paper.
“Hold On” – Good Charlotte
“Adam’s Song” – Blink-182
“Andy, You’re A Star” – The Killers
“Empty Apartment” – Yellowcard
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
“Don’t You Forget About Me” – Simple Minds
“How To Save a Life” – The Fray
“I Don’t Want To Be” – Gavin DeGraw
“I Hear The Bells” – Mike Doughty
“Mad World” – Gary Jules
“Hallelujah” – Rufus Wainwright
“Much Like Falling” – Flyleaf
“Pain” – Jimmy Eat World
“Pinch Me” – Barenaked Ladies
“Reflecting Light” – Sam Phillips
“Rooftop” – Melissa McClelland
“Xo” – Fall Out Boy
“View From Heaven” – Yellowcard
“Wreck of the Day” – Anna Nalick
Pinch Me is definitely a great track. BNL manage to write the most depressing songs without sounding angry.
You have a bunch of great selections. Though I’d definitely choose Jeff Buckley’s rendition of Hallelujah over Rufus’s…
Hell yeah, Jeff Buckley. Excellent taste.
If you like depressing but not angry sounding songs check out Guster and Loudon Wainwright (so much better than his son.)
I also recommend Brand New…any emoboy in our day (myself included) listen too and love Brand New. I prefer the new album “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me” over “Deja Entendu”, but both are excellent.
Song Recs:
“Sowing Season (Yeah)” by Brand New
“The Ponytail Parades” by Emery (Emo Love Song)
“Empty Apartment” by Yellowcard
“Saturday” by Fall Out Boy (The good FOB stuff, before this nasty new crap.)
As well as most anything by Death Cab For Cutie, The Postal Service, Dashboard Confessional, and Taking Back Sunday for many moods of “emo.”
I think Millstone is a good selection from Brand New’s DAG.
It has the giving up theme.
Very true. I just love the part in (Yeah) when he’s all like:
I’m not your friend, I’m just a man who knows how to feel. I’m not your friend, not you lover, not your family.
Speaks to me, I guess…
I hate the whole “emo” thing.
Please explain.
Sometimes I get the sense that some people (esp. in the emo crowd) think it’s cool to be depressed. And it’s not at all cool; it fucking sucks. And that sort of attitude (that depression is a fashion acsessory) just makes other people not take depression seriously. And that already happens way too often. I’m not sure I’m explaining this as well as I’d like.
That actually makes quite a lot of sense. Teenagers today see it as “cool” to have a psychological disorder. It’s quite asinine. This can also be pegged on doctors, however, who are very quick to diagnose disorders like depression or bipolar disorder, much in the way they are to (mis)diagnose ADHD/ADD.
I’m always hearing about over-diagnosing, but I swear I know so many people who haven’t been treated for things that really need to. And it is so damn obvious sometimes that they need help.
ADHD probably is over-diagnosed. ADD I’m sure is under-diagnosed. Cause if you aren’t running around the classroom being a pain in the ass, nobody cares that much. They just say things like “you aren’t living up to your potential, blah, blah, blah…”
Exactly! But, we don’t know Tyler, as a character, and therefore cannot judge his “emo” status until we read the book. It’s not fair, because it is hypocritical; he could be one of the ones we feel is shunted because of depression being a major emo trend. So, we shall see. Chances are, it’s Laurie, so she knows what she’s talking about, and isn’t going to write about some sad-sack wannabe with badly parted hair. She’s above that.
Don’t forget the crappy my-girl-friend-left-me-and-it’s-the-end-of-the-world music. It’s like country with more eyeliner and less twang.
Hey. I kind of like some of that music.
I think some of it is ok, and even like a few songs, but it is not Bob Dylan and not nearly as deep as the little emos think.
Well, yeah, but sometimes you need music that doesn’t require thought. *eyes the Britney in her iPod*
Yes you do, but lets call a spade a spade.
*glares at gardening tools* “You are SUCH a spade.”
We are whoring the crap out of Laurie’s journal. If you want to continue this, my AIM is TwilightCabaret.
Um nice icon….
Haha. Sorry, I forgot to switch it to my more low-key one before I hit post.
Where’d you get it? And are the Xs significant or just because nipples are evil and not fit for public viewing?
thanks for making this exchange public, you guys. most enlightening. you are the best.
I should be reading (skimming) for class, but it’s Abnormal Pysch, and it’s mostly stuff I already know.
Plus I’d rather bitch about emo kids than think about my life.
Maybe you should make the Anti-Emo playlist. We are really close to finishing the TWISTED playlist. Stay tuned.
I have to say “Overkill” by Colin Hay is a GREAT song.
Lyrics:
I can’t get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know will be alright
Perhaps it’s just imagination
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Alone between the sheets
Only brings exasperation
It’s time to walk the streets
Smell the desperation
At least there’s pretty lights
And though there’s little variation
It nullifies the night from overkill
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day
I can’t get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know I’ll be alright
It’s just overkill
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away
Oh, also Travis!
I think the band My Chemical Romance would be good; I’d say “Vampires will never hurt you” especialy the line “Will it wash away this jet black feeling.”
Or the song “Disenchanted” because of this line: “Oh will it matter, after I’m gone, because you never learned a thing.”
You’ve already made the play list though, I’ve just realised.
Something Corporate is a good band for your character. The lyrics are great and thought-provoking. Just a suggestion that no one had made yet.
a little late, but
trouble breathing by alkaline trio is a good one.
Are you looking for songs with meaningful lyrics, or just something you can imagine playing in the background while the book is in process, or both?
Having finished the book yesterday (and W0000t!), I’ll suggest:
Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
Bravado by Rush
Gallows Pole by Led Zeppelin
songs
kay, this probubly isn’t being looked at any more but i was thinking.
Good songs(in my opionion for depressing moments):
“Until the end of the world” By:U2 especially this verse:
In my dream I was drowning my sarrows
But my sarrows they learned to swim
Surrounding me, going down on me
spilling over the brim
in waves of regret, waves of joy
I reached out for the one I tried to distroy
You, you said you’d wait till the end of the world
Sorry, long verse but I love the song.
Oh and the song “Acrobat” by U2(can you tell I’m going through a U2 fetish?) it’s just so depressing and beautiful all at the same time.
Hope I helped!