Saturday, January 20, 2007

Music?

I was having this conversation with some friends, so I thought I'd ask it here. What sort of music inspires you to write? I don't mean what do you play while you're writing, because that's different. I personally can't write with music in the background, only speech, which is weird.

But there are certain songs, certain artistes, which set my creativity going. For example that Beatles' song 'I will'.

And some others I'm too embarrassed to mention, but I will if everyone else does!

13 comments:

Kit Wylde said...

I get inspired by Queen and the Scorpions. LOL I've even had "You Light up my Life" be an inspiration for a story. Now, if that isn't embarrassing, I don't know _what_ is. LOL

Kit

Brenda (aka: Canice Brown-Porter) said...

I don't think it's so much the music for me as it is the mood I'm in when I hear a particular song. My taste in music is eclectic, so it could be any song at any time that inspires me. Procol Harum's "Shades of Pale" has inspired me in the past. I find the instrumental part to that song very sensuous.

Ansley Vaughan said...

Well, I'd agree with both Queen and Procol Harum.

I've been playing an ancient album (now on CD) of the Mamas and the Papas. Some wonderful songs, like 'Words of Love' and 'Dream a Little Dream of Me' It's great to listen to in the car!

Marci Baun said...

LOL "Dream a Little Dream of Me" predates the Mamas and the Papas by two or three decades. I love that song. :)

Ansley Vaughan said...

True! It's that version I particularly like though.

And if we're really going back, I have to say I love almost anything by George and Ira Gershwin...

Unknown said...

Rasputina's cover of "Tourniquet" by Marilyn Manson always inspires me to write dark and sexy scenes.

I wrote the majority of one manuscript listening to Rob Thomas & Santana's "Smoothe" on loop.

Nick Cave, Tom Waits inspire me to write.

Optimus Rhyme inspires me to clean. ;)

Marci Baun said...

I love George and Ira too. (grin) Must be the lyrics or the music or the performers. I love the old time performers too. They have such wonderful phrasing. LOL

I also love Cole Porter, Roger and Hammerstein, and the list goes on.

Then again, I love Mozart, Debussy, Smetana, Haydn, Vivaldi, and numerous classical composers. If you want to hear an amazing duet, try the famous Delibes (should have an acute accent on first "e" of the name) Lakme duet. Glorious music! You have heard it in commercials numerous times without knowing it.

Marci

Ansley Vaughan said...

Oh I do agree. I love the old musicals. Do you know the wonderful song which was in 'Showboat', although it was written earlier? 'Along Came Bill' The lyrics are by P. G. Wodehouse.

Yes, I love Mozart too, and some operas (though not Wagner!) I'll quite often listen to something light-ish like 'Carmen' or 'Aida'. Great dramatic plots, as well!

Marci Baun said...

No, I didn't, Ansley. I'm not surprised, though.

I am most inspired to clean when I listen to Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Yes, I know it's a bit cliche, but the tempo galvanizes me.

Have you ever seen Bugs Bunny in "What's Opera, Doc?" If you haven't seen it, you must. It is hilarious. You may not like Wagner, but seeing Bugs dressed in drag as Brunnhilde is classic and Elmer Fudd singing with his lisp will have you rolling with laughter. They parody the opera in seven minutes time. You can view it or download it here:

http://www.archive.org/details/Whats_Opera_Doc

I love Bugs Bunny. (sigh) I know I'm an old fuddy duddy, but none of the new cartoons can even compare. (grin)

Marci

Marci

Ansley Vaughan said...

Thanks Marci. I'll look at this on my night shift (starting tonight) It might cheer me up!

I've never really advanced from my early hero-worship of Huckleberry Hound...

Anonymous said...

It's not so much music, per se, but I have to have something on in the background or I go crazy.

And for some reason, "Judge Judy" and "Judge Alex" and "Divorce Court" seem to work best.

Ansley Vaughan said...

Amanda, I also find background television more conducive to writing than music. It's weird, because you'd think it would be more of a distraction.

Marci Baun said...

Judge Judy? ROFLMAO Ah, Amanda, it's that lawyer in you. LOLOL

Marci