"Aftershocks" Playlist & Descriptions
So, when I'm reading a book and there is a playlist that the author adds, I think it's really cool, because it adds another layer to the book. Stephenie Meyer was the first author I read who did this, and to this day, I still listen to the playlist for New Moon all the time, because it just fit so well with the book, which I pretty much have memorized at this point (yes, I love Twilight, and I'm not ashamed to admit it). So I decided to do the same thing - mostly because, like Meyer, I also tend to visualize my books and characters as if they were in a movie, and movies are just better with soundtracks.
But I thought I'd take it a step further and explain why I placed each song into the book. At times, it's simple, the song is playing in the background during the scene, and I probably even mention it in the book, but in other instances, it was more of a feeling I got from the song that made it fit, more like a soundtrack.
So, that being said, here is the playlist for Aftershocks. And, if you scroll down further, you'll see the same list with descriptions below each song. Enjoy!
Those Nights – Skillet
The Outsiders – Needtobreathe
Start a War – The National
Jejune Stars – Bright Eyes
On My Way Back Home – Band of Horses
We Are Nowhere and It’s Now – Bright Eyes
Mine is Yours – Cold War Kids
The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance – Vampire Weekend
Fake Empire – The National
The Last Night – Skillet
Percussion Gun – White Rabbits
We Could Run Away – Needtobreathe
July, July! – The Decembrists
Breathing – Lifehouse
Fed Up – Am Taxi
I Can Barely Breathe (Acoustic) – Just Surrender
Make-up Smeared Eyes – Automatic Loveletter
Keep Your Eyes Open – Neetobreathe
We Are Young – Fun.
Ships in the Night – Mat Kearney
My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
There for You – Flyleaf
Dancing with a Gun – Jack’s Mannequin
Turning Tables – Adele
Better Than Revenge – Taylor Swift
Say You’re Mine – Kate Voegele
Drifting Further Away – Powderfinger
Here I Stand – Madina Lake
Sweet and Low – Augustana
All We Are – Matt Nathanson
The Life – Hinder
Airplanes – B.o.B. (feat. Hayley Williams)
Aftershocks (Acoustic) – Marga Lane
Heartbeat – The Fray
Sweet Sour – Band of Skulls
Count on Me – Mat Kearney
Aftershocks Playlist Explanation
*Spoilers below, so proceed with caution*
Those Nights – Skillet: This song is a great depiction of the relationship that Abby and Wyatt have. They were there for each other, and because of that they really didn’t need anyone else. It was them against the world, no matter what they were going through. Because each other, things never seemed as bad as they really were. Now that Abby doesn’t have Wyatt by her side, she’s remembering how much she relied on him.
The Outsiders – Needtobreathe: This song describes how Abby, Nicky and Luke feel about themselves when faced with everyone at school, but they’re okay with it. It’s also the song Nicky plays as they’re driving into school on the first day.
Start a War – The National: This song is what I hear playing in Abby’s head when Alexis tries to start an argument with her in the hallway before first period. She needs to just walk away, because she knows it won’t do any good to argue with her.
Jejune Stars – Bright Eyes: There is a line from this song that talks about putting your umbrella under your arm and walking into the green of the radar. I imagine this song giving Abby confidence as she walks into the perpetual storm of the lunch table where her old friends and Alexis are sitting. It also talks about nostalgia and looking through the portal of time. Abby remembers a lot about how her life used to be and the friends she used to have, but it’s just memory.
On My Way Back Home – Band of Horses: I chose this song because I mentioned Connor wearing a Band of Horses t-shirt which gives him and Abby a common ground – music. Since Abby was on her way back home when she saw him, I thought it was appropriate. It’s also a really pretty song in its own right.
We Are Nowhere and It’s Now – Bright Eyes: I thought this was the song that would be playing in the background when Connor and Abby drive to the football game together. It’s a little awkward, and they sort of feel like they’re in limbo with each other, floating above reality in their own little world.
Mine is Yours – Cold War Kids: This song fit in nicely when Connor meets Abby in her tree house for the first time and they kiss. Connor is letting her into his world, just a little bit, but no matter what he’s facing, she’s there for him – especially when his girlfriend isn’t . . .
The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance – Vampire Weekend: I liked this song for when they go to the movies. You really start to see the dynamic between Connor and Abby and how much better she is for him than Alexis. It’s then that you really know that they don’t stand a chance – they’re going to end up together.
Fake Empire – The National: This is the song by The National that Connor and Abby are listening to when Alexis tells him to turn down the volume on the music. It again shows how much more Abby and Connor have in common. I also felt it was appropriate because at this point, when she and Connor are alone, Abby almost starts to see it as a perfect world, even if she knows what they have isn’t real. He has a girlfriend, and Abby’s not her.
The Last Night – Skillet: I have always loved this song and the powerful feeling of love and friendship portrayed in the lyrics. Even though the genders don’t match the song, I felt like it was completely perfect for the story of how Abby saved Wyatt’s life. I imagined it resonating with them on the anniversary of his suicide attempt.
Percussion Gun – White Rabbits: This song was on the “Party Mix” Abby made for Connor that they listen to on the way to Alexis’s house. It is a fun, upbeat alt rock song.
We Could Run Away – Needtobreathe: When Abby and Connor leave Alexis’s house, she knows he needs to get away to get his mind off what Alexis did. They run away together, even if it’s just for a night.
July, July! – The Decembrists: This was one of those songs I heard while I was writing Aftershocks, but it honestly wasn’t a song I even thought about for the playlist because it’s a happy, peppy song, but I guess because the suicide story was on my mind, I heard the line “the water runs down the drain, the blood runs down the drain” in a different way than I had before. It instantly conjured up images of the bathtub, post-suicide attempt, and I started to think about how Abby would feel hearing that lyric after seeing a mix of blood-soaked water and knowing it came from Wyatt. The song would never sound the same again, which is why she can’t listen to it anymore.
Breathing – Lifehouse: I felt like this song was the perfect one to describe how Abby was feeling the night she and Connor finally got together. She knew what they were doing was insane and a complete mistake, but all she could do was hold on tight and fall with him, because there’s no place else she’d rather be in that moment, even though she knew it was just a moment and it couldn’t last
Fed Up – Am Taxi: I loved this song as Connor’s alarm on his phone. It was just obscure enough that he would choose it and add it as his alarm because of the line “and she’s screaming wake up, wake up, is anyone else getting fed up, holding out for the wishing well to pull us from the wreck?”. That last line was applicable also because he and Abby wake up to a little bit of a train wreck after what they did together.
I Can Barely Breathe (Acoustic) – Just Surrender: This song fit Abby’s mindset perfectly once she gets confirmation that Connor is going to stay with Alexis. She can barely breathe, and she just wants him to take everything back, because it was a mistake. I liked that their indiscretion was bookended by songs about breathing – one positive, one negative.
Make-up Smeared Eyes – Automatic Loveletter: This gritty, raw confessional is so appropriate for how Abby feels after Connor leaves her house. She’s trying convince everyone that she’s fine, but she’s feeling a bit ripped apart inside. She knows that night will never leave her, but all she can do is move on since he doesn’t want to be with her.
Keep Your Eyes Open – Neetobreathe: This song was a perfect way to echo what Jack was telling her. She needed to let go of Connor, have fun and in time she’d be okay, as long as she kept her eyes open to all the great things around her. It was his way of reminding her not to focus on something so singular as one boy who rejected her. And if she does fall apart, Jack will be there to catch her.
We Are Young – Fun: This song was the perfect one to describe the weekend trip to Michigan. It was a complete departure from reality, but even though the three of them had been through hell and back, separately and together. At any given time, they’d supported the person who was falling, and no matter what happened, they would always carry each other home. It’s all about having fun, letting go and knowing your friends have your back.
Ships in the Night – Mat Kearney: Abby and Connor were ships in the night, feeling so far from each other when they were so close to each other. Neither wanted to give in to the other, even though they missed each other like crazy.
My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson: This is the essence of what Abby feels when she realizes she wants to forgive Connor and let him back into her life.
There for You – Flyleaf: When Connor opens up about his mom and his past, Abby realizes that no matter how pissed she is at him, she wants to be there for him. He’s grateful that she’s always been there for him.
Dancing with a Gun – Jack’s Mannequin: This song was pretty much perfect for when Abby puts her heart on the line and tells Connor that she wants to be with him. She knows she’s taking a huge risk, but she has to pull the safety and take a shot.
Turning Tables – Adele: This song speaks to Abby’s frustration with Connor being so indecisive. She decides to cut him out of her life because it’s too hard to be around him when he knows how she feels.
Better Than Revenge – Taylor Swift: I love the simplicity of this song. Once Abby is confronted by Alexis, she knows it’s game on. Regardless of how Connor feels for her, she knows she’ll find satisfaction in taking Alexis down by taking what’s hers. It’s the first time Abby is consciously trying to steal Connor from Alexis.
Say You’re Mine – Kate Voegele: Abby wants nothing more than for Connor to tell her he’s hers. When they’re that close, and he doesn’t seem to want to be anywhere else, she doesn’t understand why he can’t admit how he feels.
Drifting Further Away – Powderfinger: This is the song I heard in the background when Abby and Connor are standing on the front lawn. She knows they’re drifting apart, and as much as he wants her to stay, she knows she can’t. It’s too late. He made his choice.
Here I Stand – Madina Lake: As much as she hates it, Abby knows she isn’t strong enough to keep Connor out of her life. Because of that, she goes to talk to him and gets her heart broken all over again.
Sweet and Low – Augustana: This song is so simplistic and almost achingly beautiful. I imagine it in the scene in which Connor realizes that he and Abby are meant to be together. If she’ll have him after everything they’ve been through, he’ll take care of her no matter what. It’s what she’s been waiting to hear.
All We Are – Matt Nathanson: This song speaks to the simplicity of Abby and Connor’s relationship and how easy it is for them to be together. They made things so hard for so long when it could have been so simple just to be with each other, just as they are.
The Life – Hinder: This is the realization that hits Abby when she learns about Connor’s accident. When the “real world crashes down” she sees her dreams turning into nightmares in front of her eyes.
Airplanes – B.o.B. (feat. Hayley Williams): With Connor fighting for his life, Abby needs a wish more than anyone. She needs him to be okay.
Aftershocks (Acoustic) – Marga Lane: Since I’m a bit of a music freak, I decided to see if there was a song with the same name as my book. There are actually quite a few, but this one really resonated with me. It was so beautiful, but more than that, listening to it I started to picture Abby sitting in the hospital, wondering if Connor was going to make it and suffering from deja vu, having just been in a similar situation with Wyatt just a year before. Everything is too fresh, and she feels trapped, wondering if she’s going to lose the boy she loves so soon after finally getting him. The aftershocks keep rolling over her, and she can’t seem to stop them. All she can do is survive each day and keep the faith that everything will be okay.
Heartbeat – The Fray: This song was perfect for the moment Connor wakes up. Everything comes back to life for Abby with that one beat of his heart.
Sweet Sour – Band of Skulls: This song is angry, but it’s also a little vengeful at the same time. I just pictured karma kicking Alexis in the ass when Abby and Connor learn she’s been lying about the baby. For them it’s a sweet moment, but for her it’s completely sour, just like her.
Count on Me – Mat Kearney: This is literally one of the happiest songs I have on my iPod. From the jaunty tune to the playful lyrics, I thought it would be the perfect end to a book that’s about knowing who you can trust and who will be there for you when the chips are down. Abby has all the people in her life that she can count on – Wyatt, Jack, Connor, Nicky and Luke. That’s all that matters.
But I thought I'd take it a step further and explain why I placed each song into the book. At times, it's simple, the song is playing in the background during the scene, and I probably even mention it in the book, but in other instances, it was more of a feeling I got from the song that made it fit, more like a soundtrack.
So, that being said, here is the playlist for Aftershocks. And, if you scroll down further, you'll see the same list with descriptions below each song. Enjoy!
Those Nights – Skillet
The Outsiders – Needtobreathe
Start a War – The National
Jejune Stars – Bright Eyes
On My Way Back Home – Band of Horses
We Are Nowhere and It’s Now – Bright Eyes
Mine is Yours – Cold War Kids
The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance – Vampire Weekend
Fake Empire – The National
The Last Night – Skillet
Percussion Gun – White Rabbits
We Could Run Away – Needtobreathe
July, July! – The Decembrists
Breathing – Lifehouse
Fed Up – Am Taxi
I Can Barely Breathe (Acoustic) – Just Surrender
Make-up Smeared Eyes – Automatic Loveletter
Keep Your Eyes Open – Neetobreathe
We Are Young – Fun.
Ships in the Night – Mat Kearney
My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
There for You – Flyleaf
Dancing with a Gun – Jack’s Mannequin
Turning Tables – Adele
Better Than Revenge – Taylor Swift
Say You’re Mine – Kate Voegele
Drifting Further Away – Powderfinger
Here I Stand – Madina Lake
Sweet and Low – Augustana
All We Are – Matt Nathanson
The Life – Hinder
Airplanes – B.o.B. (feat. Hayley Williams)
Aftershocks (Acoustic) – Marga Lane
Heartbeat – The Fray
Sweet Sour – Band of Skulls
Count on Me – Mat Kearney
Aftershocks Playlist Explanation
*Spoilers below, so proceed with caution*
Those Nights – Skillet: This song is a great depiction of the relationship that Abby and Wyatt have. They were there for each other, and because of that they really didn’t need anyone else. It was them against the world, no matter what they were going through. Because each other, things never seemed as bad as they really were. Now that Abby doesn’t have Wyatt by her side, she’s remembering how much she relied on him.
The Outsiders – Needtobreathe: This song describes how Abby, Nicky and Luke feel about themselves when faced with everyone at school, but they’re okay with it. It’s also the song Nicky plays as they’re driving into school on the first day.
Start a War – The National: This song is what I hear playing in Abby’s head when Alexis tries to start an argument with her in the hallway before first period. She needs to just walk away, because she knows it won’t do any good to argue with her.
Jejune Stars – Bright Eyes: There is a line from this song that talks about putting your umbrella under your arm and walking into the green of the radar. I imagine this song giving Abby confidence as she walks into the perpetual storm of the lunch table where her old friends and Alexis are sitting. It also talks about nostalgia and looking through the portal of time. Abby remembers a lot about how her life used to be and the friends she used to have, but it’s just memory.
On My Way Back Home – Band of Horses: I chose this song because I mentioned Connor wearing a Band of Horses t-shirt which gives him and Abby a common ground – music. Since Abby was on her way back home when she saw him, I thought it was appropriate. It’s also a really pretty song in its own right.
We Are Nowhere and It’s Now – Bright Eyes: I thought this was the song that would be playing in the background when Connor and Abby drive to the football game together. It’s a little awkward, and they sort of feel like they’re in limbo with each other, floating above reality in their own little world.
Mine is Yours – Cold War Kids: This song fit in nicely when Connor meets Abby in her tree house for the first time and they kiss. Connor is letting her into his world, just a little bit, but no matter what he’s facing, she’s there for him – especially when his girlfriend isn’t . . .
The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance – Vampire Weekend: I liked this song for when they go to the movies. You really start to see the dynamic between Connor and Abby and how much better she is for him than Alexis. It’s then that you really know that they don’t stand a chance – they’re going to end up together.
Fake Empire – The National: This is the song by The National that Connor and Abby are listening to when Alexis tells him to turn down the volume on the music. It again shows how much more Abby and Connor have in common. I also felt it was appropriate because at this point, when she and Connor are alone, Abby almost starts to see it as a perfect world, even if she knows what they have isn’t real. He has a girlfriend, and Abby’s not her.
The Last Night – Skillet: I have always loved this song and the powerful feeling of love and friendship portrayed in the lyrics. Even though the genders don’t match the song, I felt like it was completely perfect for the story of how Abby saved Wyatt’s life. I imagined it resonating with them on the anniversary of his suicide attempt.
Percussion Gun – White Rabbits: This song was on the “Party Mix” Abby made for Connor that they listen to on the way to Alexis’s house. It is a fun, upbeat alt rock song.
We Could Run Away – Needtobreathe: When Abby and Connor leave Alexis’s house, she knows he needs to get away to get his mind off what Alexis did. They run away together, even if it’s just for a night.
July, July! – The Decembrists: This was one of those songs I heard while I was writing Aftershocks, but it honestly wasn’t a song I even thought about for the playlist because it’s a happy, peppy song, but I guess because the suicide story was on my mind, I heard the line “the water runs down the drain, the blood runs down the drain” in a different way than I had before. It instantly conjured up images of the bathtub, post-suicide attempt, and I started to think about how Abby would feel hearing that lyric after seeing a mix of blood-soaked water and knowing it came from Wyatt. The song would never sound the same again, which is why she can’t listen to it anymore.
Breathing – Lifehouse: I felt like this song was the perfect one to describe how Abby was feeling the night she and Connor finally got together. She knew what they were doing was insane and a complete mistake, but all she could do was hold on tight and fall with him, because there’s no place else she’d rather be in that moment, even though she knew it was just a moment and it couldn’t last
Fed Up – Am Taxi: I loved this song as Connor’s alarm on his phone. It was just obscure enough that he would choose it and add it as his alarm because of the line “and she’s screaming wake up, wake up, is anyone else getting fed up, holding out for the wishing well to pull us from the wreck?”. That last line was applicable also because he and Abby wake up to a little bit of a train wreck after what they did together.
I Can Barely Breathe (Acoustic) – Just Surrender: This song fit Abby’s mindset perfectly once she gets confirmation that Connor is going to stay with Alexis. She can barely breathe, and she just wants him to take everything back, because it was a mistake. I liked that their indiscretion was bookended by songs about breathing – one positive, one negative.
Make-up Smeared Eyes – Automatic Loveletter: This gritty, raw confessional is so appropriate for how Abby feels after Connor leaves her house. She’s trying convince everyone that she’s fine, but she’s feeling a bit ripped apart inside. She knows that night will never leave her, but all she can do is move on since he doesn’t want to be with her.
Keep Your Eyes Open – Neetobreathe: This song was a perfect way to echo what Jack was telling her. She needed to let go of Connor, have fun and in time she’d be okay, as long as she kept her eyes open to all the great things around her. It was his way of reminding her not to focus on something so singular as one boy who rejected her. And if she does fall apart, Jack will be there to catch her.
We Are Young – Fun: This song was the perfect one to describe the weekend trip to Michigan. It was a complete departure from reality, but even though the three of them had been through hell and back, separately and together. At any given time, they’d supported the person who was falling, and no matter what happened, they would always carry each other home. It’s all about having fun, letting go and knowing your friends have your back.
Ships in the Night – Mat Kearney: Abby and Connor were ships in the night, feeling so far from each other when they were so close to each other. Neither wanted to give in to the other, even though they missed each other like crazy.
My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson: This is the essence of what Abby feels when she realizes she wants to forgive Connor and let him back into her life.
There for You – Flyleaf: When Connor opens up about his mom and his past, Abby realizes that no matter how pissed she is at him, she wants to be there for him. He’s grateful that she’s always been there for him.
Dancing with a Gun – Jack’s Mannequin: This song was pretty much perfect for when Abby puts her heart on the line and tells Connor that she wants to be with him. She knows she’s taking a huge risk, but she has to pull the safety and take a shot.
Turning Tables – Adele: This song speaks to Abby’s frustration with Connor being so indecisive. She decides to cut him out of her life because it’s too hard to be around him when he knows how she feels.
Better Than Revenge – Taylor Swift: I love the simplicity of this song. Once Abby is confronted by Alexis, she knows it’s game on. Regardless of how Connor feels for her, she knows she’ll find satisfaction in taking Alexis down by taking what’s hers. It’s the first time Abby is consciously trying to steal Connor from Alexis.
Say You’re Mine – Kate Voegele: Abby wants nothing more than for Connor to tell her he’s hers. When they’re that close, and he doesn’t seem to want to be anywhere else, she doesn’t understand why he can’t admit how he feels.
Drifting Further Away – Powderfinger: This is the song I heard in the background when Abby and Connor are standing on the front lawn. She knows they’re drifting apart, and as much as he wants her to stay, she knows she can’t. It’s too late. He made his choice.
Here I Stand – Madina Lake: As much as she hates it, Abby knows she isn’t strong enough to keep Connor out of her life. Because of that, she goes to talk to him and gets her heart broken all over again.
Sweet and Low – Augustana: This song is so simplistic and almost achingly beautiful. I imagine it in the scene in which Connor realizes that he and Abby are meant to be together. If she’ll have him after everything they’ve been through, he’ll take care of her no matter what. It’s what she’s been waiting to hear.
All We Are – Matt Nathanson: This song speaks to the simplicity of Abby and Connor’s relationship and how easy it is for them to be together. They made things so hard for so long when it could have been so simple just to be with each other, just as they are.
The Life – Hinder: This is the realization that hits Abby when she learns about Connor’s accident. When the “real world crashes down” she sees her dreams turning into nightmares in front of her eyes.
Airplanes – B.o.B. (feat. Hayley Williams): With Connor fighting for his life, Abby needs a wish more than anyone. She needs him to be okay.
Aftershocks (Acoustic) – Marga Lane: Since I’m a bit of a music freak, I decided to see if there was a song with the same name as my book. There are actually quite a few, but this one really resonated with me. It was so beautiful, but more than that, listening to it I started to picture Abby sitting in the hospital, wondering if Connor was going to make it and suffering from deja vu, having just been in a similar situation with Wyatt just a year before. Everything is too fresh, and she feels trapped, wondering if she’s going to lose the boy she loves so soon after finally getting him. The aftershocks keep rolling over her, and she can’t seem to stop them. All she can do is survive each day and keep the faith that everything will be okay.
Heartbeat – The Fray: This song was perfect for the moment Connor wakes up. Everything comes back to life for Abby with that one beat of his heart.
Sweet Sour – Band of Skulls: This song is angry, but it’s also a little vengeful at the same time. I just pictured karma kicking Alexis in the ass when Abby and Connor learn she’s been lying about the baby. For them it’s a sweet moment, but for her it’s completely sour, just like her.
Count on Me – Mat Kearney: This is literally one of the happiest songs I have on my iPod. From the jaunty tune to the playful lyrics, I thought it would be the perfect end to a book that’s about knowing who you can trust and who will be there for you when the chips are down. Abby has all the people in her life that she can count on – Wyatt, Jack, Connor, Nicky and Luke. That’s all that matters.
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