Hi, it’s me. Music plays in my head when I write.
Some great examples I've found of using pop songs in books, without using lyrics.
Is this true for you? Do you hear lyrics in songs that go with your scenes? Do you try to incorporate them into your writing?
It turns out using actual song lyrics can be costly. (Lynn Painter tell me how you do it!) Unless it is under fair use agreement your publisher will have to get permission and most times pay to use them. I’ve included articles that do a much better job explaining this the me. Links are below if you want read more about it.
I have become slightly obsessed with finding excellent uses of songs in literature without the inclusion of a single lyric. Here are the two best ones I’ve found so far.
The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell.
Lisa is a master storyteller. Seriously None of this is True is a tour de force. If you haven’tread it go do so now. I’ll wait.
Jk. But you should put it on your list.
It’s really not a huge surprise that Jewell is also a master at using a song to punctuate an emotional moment without using a single lyric. In the Family Remains two of the POVs, Rachel and Lucy meet for the first time on the streets of Paris. Lucy is busking with her children in tow. They share a moment of understanding, both having been hurt by a man. Lucy gives Rachel money and tells her she should take the night off, go somewhere warm.
“Lucy gazed at the two notes for a few seconds. Rachel expected her to push them away, but she didn’t. She took them and she put them in her pocket. Then she wiped some tears from her cheek with the back of her hand before pulling back her shoulders, picking up her violin, and saying, “I’ll play a song for you. Any song you like. Just name it.”
Rachel sank her hands into her pockets and breathed in hard to control a wave of tears. “For us?” she asked.
“Yes. For us.”
Rachel thought for a moment, cast her eyes to the sky, looked back at Lucy, and said, “How about ‘Firework’? Katy Perry?”
Lucy nodded. Knowingly. Then she put her bow to the strings and played and for three minutes Rachel stood and listened, tears coursing down her cheeks, the lyrics playing silently inside her head, overwhelmed by the sense for the first time in months that she was not alone in this world.”
Excerpt from The Family Remains: A Novel by Lisa Jewell
Why this scene works? Through the dialogue between the two women we are already at an emotional breaking point with them as characters and as readers. The use of this well know song helps bring us into the emotions more.
I’d argue those that don’t know the song had enough meat from the rest of the scene to be swept away, but can’t say for sure.
Those that know the lyrics play them in their head along with Rachel.
“Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you?
'Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
'Cause baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth”
“Firework” by Katy Perry
It’s a perfect song and masterfully woven into the narrative of this story.
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
Ever since Catherine Steadman’s debut Something in the Water I have been a huge fan. The Family Game is prob my favorite of her novels and a perfect Christmas mystery.
In this scene we’ve just met Harriet and we are walking the New York streets with her on her way to meet her handsome boyfriend, whose family is as wealthy as they are mysterious. They are ice skating, opening day at Rockefeller center.
“Christmas music blares merrily over the ice rink’s loudspeaker, and as a new song begins Edward loosens one of his hands from mine. “May I have this dance?” he intones, grinning as he slowly spins me. I realize the song they’re playing is “Fairytale of New York” by the Pogues—its craggy lilt kicking in as we slip and slide across the ice, grinning like idiots. One verse in and everyone on the ice is gliding in time with the jaunty tune as above us one of the more vocal market vendors starts to sing along with the lyrics, his accent an appropriate lilting Irish brogue. Other skaters instinctively join in, merrily blasting out the odd phrase, tongue firmly in cheek, but we’re all singing. And just for a microsecond New York is made of magic. I find myself thinking: God, I love Americans. British people just aren’t like this, our toes curl at the slightest inkling of real sentiment, and yet here I am, singing, dancing, on ice. Everyone’s caught in the moment as the song crescendos and we belt out the chorus. Edward releases my hand again and I wobble slightly as he swoops down in front of me, one wet knee on the rink. He’s got something in his hand and suddenly my stomach tightens with soul-capsizing embarrassment as I realize what it is.
Oh, please, no.”
Excerpt from The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
Why does this scene work? We’re already caught in the whirlwind moment, even more so by the lack of paragraph breaks. Even if you don’t know the song you can imagine the ambiance of the moment. We get it’s a Christmas song and if you don’t know the lyrics you get that there may be trouble in paradise due to her reaction to the proposal. If you know and love the song it adds another layer to the narrative. It’s a duet. Easily one of the most and least romantic Christmas songs all at once.
“You were handsome
You were pretty, Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging, all the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner then danced through the night
The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day
You're a bum, you're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last”
“A Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues
I love this scene and have reread it many times. The duality of the romance with the underline vibes of something being a little off is just amazing.
I’m always in the hunt for more exquisite uses of songs in books, without lyrics. If you know any send them my way.
Here is are two great articles for more information on quoting songs in your writing:
https://blog.bookbaby.com/how-to-write/writing-tips/lyrics-in-books
https://blog.bookbaby.com/how-to-write/writing-tips/lyrics-in-books-your-questions-answered