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Best-Laid Plans: My Playlist I originally had this linked, but took the links out when I started having bandwidth problems because BellSouth basically "made up" that the external links were my problem. :) I'll put the links back in eventually if I get a chance, but in the meantime, all the information is there, it's just going to require a little highlight, copy and paste action on your part. :)
Each song entry includes the artist's official Web site, where applicable. If the artist's Web site or amazon.com provided lyrics or a clip of the song, I included that URL as well, so you can get a feel for these songs if you don't know them already...just for fun! The albums are available for purchase on amazon.com or through the artist's official site. I encourage you to pick up an album or two if you like what you hear...they're all fantastic.
Hopefully you won't think this is utterly stupid. I had the list anyway, so I just put it on the site. Told you I was random! Enjoy!
"No Such Thing" by John Mayer LP: Room for Squares Lyrics and clip available here: http://www.johnmayer.com/flash/index.html (Official Site) Click "Music & Lyrics," then "Domestic," then "Room for Squares." Why I chose it: This one just sorta summed up Donna’s mood for me in the beginning — on the way to Karim’s, at the ATM, dealing with Patti in the bank before everything hit the fan. Just sort of a moment where you’ve grown and you’ve seen the world a little now, and you’re not under any illusions any more. A wiser, slightly pissed-off take on life. John Mayer is one of my favorites and this was the first song I ever heard by him.
"Break Me Gently" by the Doves LP: Lost Souls Official site: http://doves.musicblog.co.uk/archives/news/index.html Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: For whatever reason, this song was the impetus for the whole bank robbery plot bunny, which was, in turn, the impetus for the whole fic. I first heard it on ‘Alias’ a few years ago. The music and ambience the song delivers is as important as the words. In my mind, this serves as a narration for all those hours of waiting in the bank that slowly wore Donna down.
"Lay Your Weary Body Down" by the Gigolo Aunts LP: Pacific Ocean Blues Official site: http://www.gigoloaunts.net/frames.php Lyrics and clip available here: http://www.gigoloaunts.net/discography.php Click "aud" beside the song name for the clip, "lyc" for lyrics. Why I chose it: Gigolo Aunts are great. LOVE this simple song. So sweet and gentle. And of course, this helped to inspire the moment when Josh climbs into bed with Donna that first night when she’s still so upset.
"Out of Order" by Duncan Sheik LP: Duncan Sheik Official site: http://www.duncansheik.com/ Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: Duncan Sheik is an amazing singer, and this is probably my favorite song of his. Soft, broken and sincere. Using “out of order” to describe a mood or an emotional state struck me as profound when I heard this for the first time, and that was where I got Donna’s comment to Josh about feeling out of order.
"I Grieve" by Peter Gabriel LP: Up Official Site: www.petergabriel.com Lyrics available here: http://www.petergabriel.com/moonclub/lyrics/lyrics/igrieve.html Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: This and another Peter Gabriel song are what I used while writing the funeral scene. He’s such a profound artist. I liked this one better to include for this playlist because it speaks less of personal loss and more of grief in general, and not only grieving for yourself, but for those around you. And also dealing with the hard fact that life keeps moving. Very representative of what Donna experienced.
"Safe & Sound" by Azure Ray LP: Azure Ray Official site: www.azureraymusic.com Lyrics available here: www.azureraymusic.com/st7.html Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: The first time I heard this one was in a fan vid a while back, but I don't remember who did it or where it came from, so thank you, wonderful person, for introducing me to Azure Ray! I love this song. When I was writing and the words came out of Josh’s mouth that all he wanted was for Donna to be “safe and sound,” I was like, whoa. This is perfect. I feel like the lyrics really speak to the comfort they draw from each other. Several other lyrics in the song really hit the nail on the head for them as well, including the remarks about loving from afar and recognizing each other’s pain.
"Everything" by Lifehouse LP: No-Name Face Official site: www.lifehousemusic.com Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: This song is the coolest. The lyric “How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?” is so spectacular that I felt it was really a sort of theme for these two, well, until I found their actual theme, which is coming up. But it’s an amazing song that speaks volumes about people who feel a strong connection but never speak it.
"New York, New York" by Ryan Adams LP: Gold Official site: www.ryan-adams.com/default.asp Clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: I just felt this song helped to capture the frenzy of the New York trip, and hey, with the perfect title, too! More of a Charlie song in a sense, I guess, since Charlie was really the one on the mission in that chapter. :) But also a Donna song.
"Choked Up" by Whiskeytown LP: Lost Highway: Lost & Found, Vol. 1 Official site: www.losthighwayrecords.com/whiskeytown Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: I literally wore this song out during the writing of "Best-Laid Plans," I listened to it so much. This is THE Josh and Donna theme, I think. Such a sweet, happy, catchy little song. This is also Ryan Adams. Whiskeytown was the band he was in before he went solo. The fact that they never released this as a single is just wrong.
"Little Bitty Pretty One" by Thurston Harris & the Sharps Why I chose it: For obvious reasons. It’s just one of my favorite oldies, and upbeat. I figured he’d pick upbeat songs on the jukebox to try and cheer her up.
"It’s All Right" by the Impressions Why I chose it: Again, the reason for including it is obvious. I sorta had Josh pick “It’s All Right”-type songs on purpose for her. Makes sense considering her mood in the diner.
"Oh Donna" by Ritchie Valens Why I chose it: Do I need to explain?
"I’ve Got to See You Again" by Norah Jones LP: Come Away With Me Official site: www.norahjones.com/home.htm Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why I chose it: After Valentine’s dinner, Donna getting the apartment ready...this is the song that is playing on the stereo. Sexy but not too sexy. Speaks of strong attraction and impulsive behavior. Really indicative of where they both were at the moment.
"My
Skin" by Natalie Merchant LP: Ophelia Official site: www.nataliemerchant.com/ Lyrics available here: www.nataliemerchant.com/lyrics.asp?view=ly&ly=28 . Audio clip available at amazon.com. Why
I chose it: Natalie
Merchant is another one of my favorites, and this is the perfect “I
think I’m just cursed” song. Filled with such agony and despair, but
beautifully done. My song and inspiration for Donna’s breakdown and
withdrawal after Bernard’s release.
"Stay" by Michelle Featherstone LP: Michelle Featherstone Official site: www.michellefeatherstone.com/ Listen to the song here: www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=907314&q=Hi Why I chose it: Another ‘Alias’ song I heard and just really liked. She’s not the most talented singer in the world but it’s very heartfelt. This song really goes both ways after Josh and Sam find Donna. It captures a Josh perspective about not wanting her to run away, physically or emotionally, again ( “would you try and run,” “If I promise not to fight, at least not tonight, would you stay the night?”) but also a Donna perspective, in that she’s nervous that her emotional state is going to be off-putting to him (“If I was sincere and whispered my fears, would you still be here?”) Thought it was very fitting, and used it as my mood music during the hospital chapter.
"Last Boat to America" by David Gray LP: A New Day at Midnight Official site: www.davidgray.com Lyrics available here: www.davidgray.com/sounds_andam_last.html Listen to the song here: www.davidgray.com/tracks/andam6.ram Why I chose it: An unusual choice for the last scene, and for a “love” song, I know. But David Gray has wormed his way into my heart in the last few months. This wasn’t the song I bought the CD for, but I heard it at work one day (just had it in and playing in the background) and was struck by it. It’s so gentle, which was how I wrote that last scene, and it speaks of finding comfort in each other, which was a lot of what we saw them doing, especially Donna. I really like this song. |