The BRIGHT dream soundtrack/playlist part II
1.) For my first song on the Bright dream soundtrack playlist, I chose "Get Out Of My House" Kate Bush, from the Dreaming (1982). Rumours abound that Bush wrote this song about her impressions of The Shining, both the Stephen King novel and the Stanley Kubric film. As with that film, this song is about unwelcome presences in someone's place of refuge. I think this is the most amazing example of a singer with a beautiful voice refusing to constantly paint a perfect universe of ballads and breakups around herself. Bush makes Mariah Carey look pitiful to be honest. Bush can sing, and nobody sounds like her. She's experimental, not afraid to try strange things, like surrounding her beautiful vocals with cheeky French comments about being "the concierge, chez moi, honey...won't let you in for love nor money...my home, my joy are barred and bolted..." with slow-mo'd "Won't let you in!" and and then the enraged wail, "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" This is Walter, finally fed up with Helena's reign of terror. When Helena boldly marches into Walter's home, accompanied by Dove and Pastor Hughes, after Walter firmly asked her not to return, she arrogantly announces that Walter is going to be prayed for and healed. At this point in the story, Walter has gotten past fed up with Helena's hatred, intolerance and domineering attitude. She's ruined his life as much as she can ruin it and she still wants to launch another attack. The lyrics are Walter: "This house is full of my mess...madness...mistakes!" and "I clean the stains." Natalie frantically tries to get the police on her phone, and Monty arrives home just in time to witness the horrific scene of Helena beating and choking Walter. But Walter's not going down without a fight. He has arrived, finally turning into the strong, stubborn mule, "Eeehhhh Awwwwww!!!! Eeeeeee Awwwwww!!!" Genius...pure genius.
2.) "The End Of Time" by Stendhal Syndrome from Blinding Lights (2010). I believe there are more than one bands with this name, but I am a huge American fan of the triphop/electronic duo from Barcelona, Adri and Alfred, who use visual artist Alba Corral during their concerts. The moment I heard The End Of Time, I knew it was the love theme of Monty and Walter. "The world may turn dark but I'll be by your side...make everything bright, make sure you will smile..." Many of the songs for this book's playlist ended up being about brightness and light, and about darkness and shadows, and about how you can't assume brightness always represents goodness and will always lead you into the right direction. The song's vocals and instrumentation intrigues me to this day. It begins with a piano cue, but quickly turns "snowy" "cold" "metallic" "wintry". Sometimes its robotic synthesizers make me think of the first Terminator movie soundtrack by Brad Fiedel. Metallic, yet the melody and lyrics are so passionate and tender.
3.) "Ghosts" by Ladytron, from 2008's Velocifero. Named after the infamous Roxy Music/Brian Eno anthem, Ladytron magically concocted an incredibly sexy song, reminiscent of some of Goldfrapp's saucy numbers. I especially loved the reference to El-ahrairah, the mythical hero of the rabbit universe of Watership Down. The lyric brought to mind Monty, whose arrival in peaceful, pokey old Bannock Valley throws order into chaos. "I made you a Prince with a Thousand Enemies." IOW, Walter had been able to hide, to lay low, to not be picked on by too many people except for the ever so charming Helena, but with the appearance of the irresistable Monty into his life and the discovery of his sexuality, things would never be "relatively easy" for Walter ever again. Monty might want to say he's sorry for bringing Walter out of his shell, but truthfully, he's not sorry. He wants Walter to live a full, happy, free life away from Helena's oppression. This is the kind of song I can easily imagine Monty and Walter playing kinky bedroom games to as well ;)
4.) "Breathe" by Telepopmusik from Genetic World (2001) is a pleasant, catchy, though downtempo dance track that seems to be telling the listener to just live each day, just breathe, just be as happy as you can be. How one character is "used to it by now", which is to say, he knows he's dying and he's fighting not to live in fear every moment of his life. This makes a good song for the scene where Walter has gotten sick not long after the wedding and he has an honest discussion with Monty about disease process and death, and how even the sick need someone to love them.
5.) "Abracadabra" by the Brown Eyed Girls, from 2009's Sound G. This exuberant yet unnervingly wicked dance number is one of the most popular KPop songs heard worldwide. I love its beat, its melody. Admittedly, it's mostly sung in Korean, but the music video's themes surround a maltreated woman who wants out of the relationship. The video is colorful and fun, and I love the evolution of the oppressed woman into a sure and strong individual whose life may be taking a new and exciting direction.
6.) "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, from their debut 1973 album. This classic song has been used a lot. I think Forrest Gump was just one of the films/TV shows this song is used in. I picked it out for the moment when Monty's boyfriend in Boise dumps him. Indignantly, he packs his belongings and sets out for Las Vegas. The kindness and "regret" in the lyrics are, for Monty, sarcasm. He'd just as soon throw eggs at his ex's house as sing him a song of sad farewell. I once thought of using "Call Me The Breeze" for this scene, but I think "Free Bird" has a funny irony to it, plus I love it a lot more.
7.) "Frail (You Might As Well Be Me") by The Gathering, from How To Measure A Planet? (1998) This song has a rare capability to reach down with its mysterious melody and gentle lyrics to the depths of the soul. This is the song in which Walter decides to give his virginity to Monty. There is a need for animal comfort in both of them when they talk about the things that torment them most as they wash up and prepare to dress for Jerome's funeral. One word that seems to come to mind for this song is "precious."
8.) "Hun Jord" by Sigur Ros, from their 1997 debut "Von" (Hope). Hun Jord or Hun Joro (I am not sure if this is correct Islensku) means "Mother Earth". As there are Native American spiritual themes in Bright, I thought Hun Jord was a very appropriate song to use during the long, horrible five-week nightmare Walter had to endure. A simple incident involving a pivot sprinkler...you get a splash or gush into your face. So what? You do inside and wash off, right? But Walter, a contact lens wearer, learns a brutal lesson as an infection first attacks his eyes, then invades his lungs and sinuses, and then a second infection ravages his heart and the rest of his body. "Hun Jord" is a song of prayer, but its looming darkness provides no comfort.
9.) "Trials of the Past" by SBTRKT feat. Sampha, from the 2011 album SBTRKT. This is such a sad song, filled with regret, fear, and hopelessness at times. Monty has burdens in his soul. He blames himself for the deaths of 3 people. He misses his parents even though they do not accept or respect him. Walter's beloved mother died too young. He still wears a gold bracelet she owned. He is paralyzed with fear, for now the only mother he has to look to is killing him with hopelessness. In this moment, Monty finally understands that he and Walter are the same, afraid of 2 venomous, destructive women whom no one has ever stood up to before. The lyrics are so spot on...Holding in the pain and discussing it with no one. Doing things for others and questioning nothing. Being haunted by "ghosts of the past". Going with the flow without knowing what one wants.
10.) "Remember Who You Are" by Team Dresch, from Captain, My Captain (1995). Good ol' solid queercore riot grrl music. Though its lyrics sail way over Walter's head at tims, he loves sharing this defiant feminism with his friend Ruby as they stuggle to understand WHY they continue to attend a church that is offering them nothing. They begin to rebel, quietly at first, reminding themselves that a person must question things and make decisions of their own instead of blindly following the masses.
Part III of the Bright Dream Soundtrack/Playlist later on! Night night!
2.) "The End Of Time" by Stendhal Syndrome from Blinding Lights (2010). I believe there are more than one bands with this name, but I am a huge American fan of the triphop/electronic duo from Barcelona, Adri and Alfred, who use visual artist Alba Corral during their concerts. The moment I heard The End Of Time, I knew it was the love theme of Monty and Walter. "The world may turn dark but I'll be by your side...make everything bright, make sure you will smile..." Many of the songs for this book's playlist ended up being about brightness and light, and about darkness and shadows, and about how you can't assume brightness always represents goodness and will always lead you into the right direction. The song's vocals and instrumentation intrigues me to this day. It begins with a piano cue, but quickly turns "snowy" "cold" "metallic" "wintry". Sometimes its robotic synthesizers make me think of the first Terminator movie soundtrack by Brad Fiedel. Metallic, yet the melody and lyrics are so passionate and tender.
3.) "Ghosts" by Ladytron, from 2008's Velocifero. Named after the infamous Roxy Music/Brian Eno anthem, Ladytron magically concocted an incredibly sexy song, reminiscent of some of Goldfrapp's saucy numbers. I especially loved the reference to El-ahrairah, the mythical hero of the rabbit universe of Watership Down. The lyric brought to mind Monty, whose arrival in peaceful, pokey old Bannock Valley throws order into chaos. "I made you a Prince with a Thousand Enemies." IOW, Walter had been able to hide, to lay low, to not be picked on by too many people except for the ever so charming Helena, but with the appearance of the irresistable Monty into his life and the discovery of his sexuality, things would never be "relatively easy" for Walter ever again. Monty might want to say he's sorry for bringing Walter out of his shell, but truthfully, he's not sorry. He wants Walter to live a full, happy, free life away from Helena's oppression. This is the kind of song I can easily imagine Monty and Walter playing kinky bedroom games to as well ;)
4.) "Breathe" by Telepopmusik from Genetic World (2001) is a pleasant, catchy, though downtempo dance track that seems to be telling the listener to just live each day, just breathe, just be as happy as you can be. How one character is "used to it by now", which is to say, he knows he's dying and he's fighting not to live in fear every moment of his life. This makes a good song for the scene where Walter has gotten sick not long after the wedding and he has an honest discussion with Monty about disease process and death, and how even the sick need someone to love them.
5.) "Abracadabra" by the Brown Eyed Girls, from 2009's Sound G. This exuberant yet unnervingly wicked dance number is one of the most popular KPop songs heard worldwide. I love its beat, its melody. Admittedly, it's mostly sung in Korean, but the music video's themes surround a maltreated woman who wants out of the relationship. The video is colorful and fun, and I love the evolution of the oppressed woman into a sure and strong individual whose life may be taking a new and exciting direction.
6.) "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, from their debut 1973 album. This classic song has been used a lot. I think Forrest Gump was just one of the films/TV shows this song is used in. I picked it out for the moment when Monty's boyfriend in Boise dumps him. Indignantly, he packs his belongings and sets out for Las Vegas. The kindness and "regret" in the lyrics are, for Monty, sarcasm. He'd just as soon throw eggs at his ex's house as sing him a song of sad farewell. I once thought of using "Call Me The Breeze" for this scene, but I think "Free Bird" has a funny irony to it, plus I love it a lot more.
7.) "Frail (You Might As Well Be Me") by The Gathering, from How To Measure A Planet? (1998) This song has a rare capability to reach down with its mysterious melody and gentle lyrics to the depths of the soul. This is the song in which Walter decides to give his virginity to Monty. There is a need for animal comfort in both of them when they talk about the things that torment them most as they wash up and prepare to dress for Jerome's funeral. One word that seems to come to mind for this song is "precious."
8.) "Hun Jord" by Sigur Ros, from their 1997 debut "Von" (Hope). Hun Jord or Hun Joro (I am not sure if this is correct Islensku) means "Mother Earth". As there are Native American spiritual themes in Bright, I thought Hun Jord was a very appropriate song to use during the long, horrible five-week nightmare Walter had to endure. A simple incident involving a pivot sprinkler...you get a splash or gush into your face. So what? You do inside and wash off, right? But Walter, a contact lens wearer, learns a brutal lesson as an infection first attacks his eyes, then invades his lungs and sinuses, and then a second infection ravages his heart and the rest of his body. "Hun Jord" is a song of prayer, but its looming darkness provides no comfort.
9.) "Trials of the Past" by SBTRKT feat. Sampha, from the 2011 album SBTRKT. This is such a sad song, filled with regret, fear, and hopelessness at times. Monty has burdens in his soul. He blames himself for the deaths of 3 people. He misses his parents even though they do not accept or respect him. Walter's beloved mother died too young. He still wears a gold bracelet she owned. He is paralyzed with fear, for now the only mother he has to look to is killing him with hopelessness. In this moment, Monty finally understands that he and Walter are the same, afraid of 2 venomous, destructive women whom no one has ever stood up to before. The lyrics are so spot on...Holding in the pain and discussing it with no one. Doing things for others and questioning nothing. Being haunted by "ghosts of the past". Going with the flow without knowing what one wants.
10.) "Remember Who You Are" by Team Dresch, from Captain, My Captain (1995). Good ol' solid queercore riot grrl music. Though its lyrics sail way over Walter's head at tims, he loves sharing this defiant feminism with his friend Ruby as they stuggle to understand WHY they continue to attend a church that is offering them nothing. They begin to rebel, quietly at first, reminding themselves that a person must question things and make decisions of their own instead of blindly following the masses.
Part III of the Bright Dream Soundtrack/Playlist later on! Night night!
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