I've always wanted to make a fanmix, but they seemed so... overdone in most fandoms. So I have the distinguished pleasure of making what I think is the first fanmix ever in the fandom of my heart: "I'll Burn You Down," a Dairine Callahan fanmix. Warning for emo girlpop.
The first time I read High Wizardry, the book in which she's introduced, I really didn't like Dairine that much. But I came to realise the error of my ways - and in apology, present a fanmix for the much-loved Dairine Callahan.
1. John Williams - Theme from Star WarsInstrumental
"Darth Vader. She wants to beat him up."
2. Ani Difranco - Not a Pretty GirlI am not a pretty girl
that is not what I do
I ain't no damsel in distess
and I don't need to be rescued
Vintage Dairine from start to finish.
3. Supergroove - You Gotta KnowHe scratched his head, clicked his pen and looked me up and down,
as he called for Security he leaned towards me slowly with a frown,
"You gotta know to understand."
I wanted something about this aspect of Dairine. This one isn't a perfect fit, but it does pretty well.
4. Sarah Bettens - SisterI might say I don't need any advice
But I wear the clothes that I found
In the back of your closet,
Wherever you hide.
Dairine and Nita post-Dilemma. This song is a perfect fit for the Callahan girls.
5. Melissa Etheridge - The DifferentYou've never been to the moon, but don't you wanna go
Under the sea & the volcano?
You've never looked into my eyes but don't you wanna know
What the dark and the wild and the different know?
In some ways I think this is Dairine's approach to her wizardry - the attraction of all that secret knowledge.
6. Barenaked Ladies - Never is EnoughI never spent a single day in retail
telling people what they want to hear
telling people anything to make a sale
Eating in the food court
with the old and the bored
I think never is enough (yeah never is enough)
I never want to do that stuff
And this is the other thing I think she thinks is cool about it - not just everybody's a wizard, you know. ;)
7. Rilo Kiley - A Better Son/DaughterBut you'll fight and you'll make it through
You'll fake it if you have to
And you'll show up for work with a smile
And you'll be better
You'll be smarter
More grown up and a better daughter or son.
Dairine during A Wizard Alone and Wizard's Holiday, trying to keep up appearances after her mom's death.
8. Bic Runga - Say After MeRaze to the ground, I'll burn you down
Before you go and break me
Burn like the sun, what has become
Of you and me my baby?
Dairine/Roshaun, post-Wizards at War. The sun/fire imagery throughout this song strike me as particularly fitting - not to mention "moon glow/where did you go?" being especially reminiscent of Roshaun's mysterious fate.
9. Poe - HelloWord has it on the wire
That you don't who you are
Well if you could jack into my brain
You'd know exactly what you mean here
The computer/brain analogy through this song is perfect for Dairine, Spot and the mobiles, especially during HW.
10. Letters to Cleo - SparklegirlA good girl always knows what's right
Don't forget your keys now, don't be late
I'm told that if you last the night
They'll make you drown or float just wait
Something a little more up-beat and determined, because Dairine isn't miserable all the time, right?
11. Cat Stevens - But I Might Die TonightI don't want to work away, doing just what they all say
Work hard boy and you'll find one day you'll have a job like mine.
Be wise, look ahead, use your eyes he said
Be straight, think right,
But I might die tonight!
Dairine vs. The World.
rar file of all songs, including covers.
Art on the front cover is a composition from one of the Astronomy Pictures of the Day, and the High Wizardry digest cover. Art on the back cover is by the excellent
bad_mushroom.
As ever, let me know if a link you want runs out. x-posted to
fanmix.