My Spuffy/DUST playlist ... here there be music. Also, vids.
I can't write to music. If there are words it messes me up. I CAN and sometimes DO write to music that has no lyrics, but usually my favorite sound when I write is silence. I like the words to just roll around in my head so that I can hear them before I commit them to paper. (And for when my house isn't silent, there's simplynoise.com. I love the "brown noise" option. I put my headphones on and let the static drown out loud video games, barking dogs, noisy cats, teenagers who like to talk to me when I'm in the zone...)
But! I do listen to music for inspiration. When I'm cleaning around the house, or driving somewhere, or working on stuff for my day job, I have playlists set aside for whatever story I'm currently working on. I like to let the songs make pictures in my head and then later, translate them to story.
So, while I'm working on DUST, I thought I'd share a few of those songs, and why they're part of my playlist, including one that'll be mentioned in the next chapter when it goes up. Consider it a very tiny spoiler, if you will. Some of the songs on this playlist may be a little spoilery as well, if you haven't read the story yet, but they won't give away any major plot points (not obviously anyway.)
Scar Tissue by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Why: This is one of my favorite songs and was one of the main driving inspirations behind this story. It FEELS like the first few parts of DUST to me. It has this laid back, slow, long dusty road feel to it (which the video gets perfectly). And the lyrics fit the story I'm writing so well, of these two people who are so layered with scars both inside and outside, and who keep picking at each other and exposing even more, who are both lonely and reaching for something.
Fav lyrics: "Scar tissue that I wish you saw, sarcastic Mr. Know-it-all.
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you cause with the birds I'll share.
With the birds I'll share this lonely view yeah."
Nada by the Refreshments
Why: This one came to me as a rec from Nos. Like "Scar Tissue" it has that long, dusty road feeling that I like so much, not to mention some really appropriate lyrics for Spike.
Fav Lyrics:
"There ain't no moral to this story at all
And anything I tell you very well could be a lie
...
I been away from the living, I don't need to be forgiven
I'm just waiting for that cold, black, sun-cracked,
Numb-inside, soul of mine
To come alive"
In My Veins by Andrew Belle
Why: This is one of my ultimate Spike/Buffy songs, and I'm linking to the fanvid that uses it by nvrbnkisst. I adore this song, the solemn, melancholy feel of it, the resignation, the desperation, the way it feels like their relationship: complicated and painful, with this underlying melody that is simply, exquisitely beautiful.
Fav Lyrics:
"Everything will change / Nothing stays the same / Nobody is perfect / Oh, but everyone is to blame"
"Oh, you’re in my veins, and I cannot get you out / Oh, you’re all I taste, at night inside of my mouth /
Oh, you run away, cause I am not what you found / Oh, you’re in my veins, and I cannot get you out / No, I cannot get you out..."
Blinding by Florence and the Machine
Why: Oh, god the THEMES! It has so many THEMES in this song that match my story and the characters and oh god I have SO many emotions about this song and why it is perfect for this story.
Fav Lyrics:
"And I could hear the thunder and see the lightning crack
All around the world was waking, I never could go back
Cos all the walls of dreaming, they were torn right open
And finally it seemed that the spell was broken"
"No more dreaming of the dead as if death itself was undone
No more calling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the garden
No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love ...
No more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong world"
White Blank Page by Mumford and Sons
Why? Another awesome fanvid below using this song by nvrbnkisst. This is SUCH a Spike song. We've barely touched on Spike's human past in DUST, yet (it'll happen, I promise), but this song is so absolutely spot on to how I see him.
Fav Lyrics:
"A white blank page
and a swelling rage, rage
You did not think when you sent me to the brink, to the brink
You desired my attention, but denied my affections, my affections
So tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?"
"Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life"
Born to Die by Lana Del Ray
Why: Okay, ignoring the fact that Lana looks kinda like Buffy from some angles and the hottie bad boy she's doing on top of the muscle car in the vid... I love the feel of this song, and oh the THEMES. I love themes. This has a very Season 6-7 feel to it, too.
Fav Lyrics:
"Walking through the city streets
Is it by mistake or design
I feel so alone on the Friday nights
Can you make it feel like home, if I tell you you’re mine"
"Don’t make me sad, don’t make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough
I don’t know why
Keep making me laugh
Let’s go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime"
Brick By Boring Brick by Parmore
Why: I'm reclaiming Paramore from the hoards of Twilight fans, because I really like them. This song was a carry over from when I was writing "West of the Moon" because it sort of encapsulates some of the major themes in DUST. The idea that life is not a fairy tale, that endings are only happy if you make them that way, that it's pointless to wait for your prince because he might not be what you want, or what you need.
Fav Lyrics: "If it's not real
You can't hold it in your hand
You can't feel it with your heart
And I won't believe it
But if it's true
You can see it with your eyes
Oh even in the dark
And that's where I want to be, yeah
Go get your shovel
We'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle"
Conversations by Finger Eleven
Why: Man I wish I could explain this without giving away plot... but trust me on this, this one is really appropriate.
Fav Lyrics: pretty much the whole thing
There are some songs that actually get a mention in the story, or that tie into the narrative ...
Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Mentioned in: Chapter 2, as Buffy and Spike are heading out into the desert, Spike starts to sing this song. Why?
"It was a creepy song, but somehow appropriate. His voice suited it perfectly: deep and growly and tired. He sang it mockingly and it ought to have made her mad, but Buffy knew why he was singing. Out here there was the temptation to fill the silence just so that it wasn't so empty and lonely, and even a creepy song sung by a vampire was better than walking quietly into the hollow dark."
We Are Not Alone by the Karla DeVito
Mentioned in: Chapter 15, Buffy and Spike take a study break to watch "The Breakfast Club" (Buffy's choice). The scene that follows takes place with the end credits song playing underneath.
Anthony Michael Hall finished up his speech, and Judd Nelson strode off across the football field in his long coat and big ugly boots. Buffy sighed. Then she glanced over at the other end of the couch where Spike was lounging, his gaze still fixed on the TV."
Have some "Breakfast Club" fun:
Shadow by the Lurkers
Mentioned in: Chapter 16, when Buffy and Spike visit Oz's dorm room. Spike takes the opportunity to play with Oz's punk collection.
"The angry screech of guitars and bass filled the air, accompanied by the violent beat of the drums. Voices Spike had once heard live chanted: "Shadow! Shadow! Shadow! Shadow! My heart's in the shadows! My heart's in the shadows!" If he closed his eyes he was right back in Manchester, in a tiny little club full of juicy human bodies slamming against each other to a beat that reverberated in his dead chest."
You can be right there with Spike in this vid:
Rebel Waltz by The Clash
Mentioned in: Chapter 33 (ha! I'm sneaking in a hint for the next chapter...) I'm going to leave context out and just give you a teaser...
"The floor was covered in blood--a shallow crimson pool that was nearly black underfoot. It spilled down the walls from the tarnished gold ceiling, and the candelabras reflected off the slick surface, lending the massive ballroom the appearance of hell. The dancers twirled through it, the blood staining the women’s skirts, weighing them down until the trains dragged below the surface. The men’s boots and trousers were stained nearly to their knees.
Spike stood amongst the whirl, ignoring the overwhelming scent of blood, the well-dressed dancers, the grisly decor, and the string quartet that seemed to be playing a classical version of The Clash’s “Rebel Waltz”, searching for something..."
There's a bunch of other stuff on my playlist, but I figured I'd just pick my favorites. Tell me, what are your favorite Spuffy tunes?
But! I do listen to music for inspiration. When I'm cleaning around the house, or driving somewhere, or working on stuff for my day job, I have playlists set aside for whatever story I'm currently working on. I like to let the songs make pictures in my head and then later, translate them to story.
So, while I'm working on DUST, I thought I'd share a few of those songs, and why they're part of my playlist, including one that'll be mentioned in the next chapter when it goes up. Consider it a very tiny spoiler, if you will. Some of the songs on this playlist may be a little spoilery as well, if you haven't read the story yet, but they won't give away any major plot points (not obviously anyway.)
Scar Tissue by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Why: This is one of my favorite songs and was one of the main driving inspirations behind this story. It FEELS like the first few parts of DUST to me. It has this laid back, slow, long dusty road feel to it (which the video gets perfectly). And the lyrics fit the story I'm writing so well, of these two people who are so layered with scars both inside and outside, and who keep picking at each other and exposing even more, who are both lonely and reaching for something.
Fav lyrics: "Scar tissue that I wish you saw, sarcastic Mr. Know-it-all.
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you cause with the birds I'll share.
With the birds I'll share this lonely view yeah."
Click to viewNada by the Refreshments
Why: This one came to me as a rec from Nos. Like "Scar Tissue" it has that long, dusty road feeling that I like so much, not to mention some really appropriate lyrics for Spike.
Fav Lyrics:
"There ain't no moral to this story at all
And anything I tell you very well could be a lie
...
I been away from the living, I don't need to be forgiven
I'm just waiting for that cold, black, sun-cracked,
Numb-inside, soul of mine
To come alive"
In My Veins by Andrew Belle
Why: This is one of my ultimate Spike/Buffy songs, and I'm linking to the fanvid that uses it by nvrbnkisst. I adore this song, the solemn, melancholy feel of it, the resignation, the desperation, the way it feels like their relationship: complicated and painful, with this underlying melody that is simply, exquisitely beautiful.
Fav Lyrics:
"Everything will change / Nothing stays the same / Nobody is perfect / Oh, but everyone is to blame"
"Oh, you’re in my veins, and I cannot get you out / Oh, you’re all I taste, at night inside of my mouth /
Oh, you run away, cause I am not what you found / Oh, you’re in my veins, and I cannot get you out / No, I cannot get you out..."
Blinding by Florence and the Machine
Why: Oh, god the THEMES! It has so many THEMES in this song that match my story and the characters and oh god I have SO many emotions about this song and why it is perfect for this story.
Fav Lyrics:
"And I could hear the thunder and see the lightning crack
All around the world was waking, I never could go back
Cos all the walls of dreaming, they were torn right open
And finally it seemed that the spell was broken"
"No more dreaming of the dead as if death itself was undone
No more calling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the garden
No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love ...
No more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong world"
White Blank Page by Mumford and Sons
Why? Another awesome fanvid below using this song by nvrbnkisst. This is SUCH a Spike song. We've barely touched on Spike's human past in DUST, yet (it'll happen, I promise), but this song is so absolutely spot on to how I see him.
Fav Lyrics:
"A white blank page
and a swelling rage, rage
You did not think when you sent me to the brink, to the brink
You desired my attention, but denied my affections, my affections
So tell me now where was my fault,
in loving you with my whole heart?"
"Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life"
Born to Die by Lana Del Ray
Why: Okay, ignoring the fact that Lana looks kinda like Buffy from some angles and the hottie bad boy she's doing on top of the muscle car in the vid... I love the feel of this song, and oh the THEMES. I love themes. This has a very Season 6-7 feel to it, too.
Fav Lyrics:
"Walking through the city streets
Is it by mistake or design
I feel so alone on the Friday nights
Can you make it feel like home, if I tell you you’re mine"
"Don’t make me sad, don’t make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough
I don’t know why
Keep making me laugh
Let’s go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime"
Brick By Boring Brick by Parmore
Why: I'm reclaiming Paramore from the hoards of Twilight fans, because I really like them. This song was a carry over from when I was writing "West of the Moon" because it sort of encapsulates some of the major themes in DUST. The idea that life is not a fairy tale, that endings are only happy if you make them that way, that it's pointless to wait for your prince because he might not be what you want, or what you need.
Fav Lyrics: "If it's not real
You can't hold it in your hand
You can't feel it with your heart
And I won't believe it
But if it's true
You can see it with your eyes
Oh even in the dark
And that's where I want to be, yeah
Go get your shovel
We'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle"
Conversations by Finger Eleven
Why: Man I wish I could explain this without giving away plot... but trust me on this, this one is really appropriate.
Fav Lyrics: pretty much the whole thing
There are some songs that actually get a mention in the story, or that tie into the narrative ...
Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Mentioned in: Chapter 2, as Buffy and Spike are heading out into the desert, Spike starts to sing this song. Why?
"It was a creepy song, but somehow appropriate. His voice suited it perfectly: deep and growly and tired. He sang it mockingly and it ought to have made her mad, but Buffy knew why he was singing. Out here there was the temptation to fill the silence just so that it wasn't so empty and lonely, and even a creepy song sung by a vampire was better than walking quietly into the hollow dark."
We Are Not Alone by the Karla DeVito
Mentioned in: Chapter 15, Buffy and Spike take a study break to watch "The Breakfast Club" (Buffy's choice). The scene that follows takes place with the end credits song playing underneath.
Anthony Michael Hall finished up his speech, and Judd Nelson strode off across the football field in his long coat and big ugly boots. Buffy sighed. Then she glanced over at the other end of the couch where Spike was lounging, his gaze still fixed on the TV."
Have some "Breakfast Club" fun:
Shadow by the Lurkers
Mentioned in: Chapter 16, when Buffy and Spike visit Oz's dorm room. Spike takes the opportunity to play with Oz's punk collection.
"The angry screech of guitars and bass filled the air, accompanied by the violent beat of the drums. Voices Spike had once heard live chanted: "Shadow! Shadow! Shadow! Shadow! My heart's in the shadows! My heart's in the shadows!" If he closed his eyes he was right back in Manchester, in a tiny little club full of juicy human bodies slamming against each other to a beat that reverberated in his dead chest."
You can be right there with Spike in this vid:
Rebel Waltz by The Clash
Mentioned in: Chapter 33 (ha! I'm sneaking in a hint for the next chapter...) I'm going to leave context out and just give you a teaser...
"The floor was covered in blood--a shallow crimson pool that was nearly black underfoot. It spilled down the walls from the tarnished gold ceiling, and the candelabras reflected off the slick surface, lending the massive ballroom the appearance of hell. The dancers twirled through it, the blood staining the women’s skirts, weighing them down until the trains dragged below the surface. The men’s boots and trousers were stained nearly to their knees.
Spike stood amongst the whirl, ignoring the overwhelming scent of blood, the well-dressed dancers, the grisly decor, and the string quartet that seemed to be playing a classical version of The Clash’s “Rebel Waltz”, searching for something..."
There's a bunch of other stuff on my playlist, but I figured I'd just pick my favorites. Tell me, what are your favorite Spuffy tunes?