Each song's title and band name is linked back to itunes, making it easy for you to either listen to a sample of the song or purchase it. If you're like us, you'll be purchasing a new sound track this weekend. Enjoy the first half this awesome playlist!
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The soundtrack for Clockwork Prince was a little challenging because I found that I was listening to songs about London, or that mentioned London, over and over, so I decided to do a soundtrack of just London songs. But of course there are a lot of songs about London (“London Calling”, etc) that while fine and dandy on their own didn’t really fit the mood or the narrative. So in the end these are the thirteen that I did pick.
Cemeteries of London, Coldplay
This seemed perfect for a book that starts off with a scene in a cemetery! And the lyrics:
At night they would go walking
'till the breaking of the day
The morning is for sleeping
Through the dark streets they go searching
Seemed to me to fit Will and Jem and their nightly searches for demons:
So we rode down to the river
where Victorian ghosts pray
For the curses to be broken
We go underneath the arches
where the witches are and they say:
There are ghost towns in the ocean.
Good Life, One Republic
The song actually begins “Woke up in London yesterday” but it was these lyrics I thought fit:
Hopelessly, I feel like there might be something that I'll miss
Hopelessly, I feel like the window closes oh so quick
Hopelessly, I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cause hopelessly, the hope is we have so much to feel good about
Tessa, Jem and Will are all deserving of happiness, and trying hard to be happy, but timing and mortality get in their way.
England, the National
Put an ocean and a river
Between everybody else,
Between everything, yourself, and home
Put an ocean and a river
Between everything, yourself, and home
This one makes me think of Tessa, so far away from where she lived and was born. It gets at that disassociated feeling of being an expat.
Winter Winds, Mumford and Sons
As the winter winds litter London with lonely hearts
Oh the warmth in your eyes swept me into your arms
Was it love or fear of the cold that led us through the night?
For every kiss your beauty trumped my doubt
Loving someone you shouldn’t — this could really go for most of the cast! It could be about Tessa and Will – or Tessa and Jem.
Welcome to England, Tori Amos
There is a magic world parallel
So leave your daily Hell,
He said welcome to England
Welcome to my world.
Well, parallel magical worlds, what else could you ask for? This one actually makes me think of Nate, being drawn into the dark underworld of London by Mortmain.
London Belongs to Me, Saint Etienne
Do you ever wonder where we've been?
Do you ever wonder where we're going?
Just close your eyes.
This song is really about knowing a city so well it becomes part of you. And of course everyone in CP is wondering where they’re going and what they’re doing half the time! Used to play this while writing about the Lightwoods.
Waterloo Sunset, Blur
Dirty old river, must you keep flowing
Flowing into the night
This is originally a Kinks song, but I prefer the Damon Albarn cover. It’s a deceptively soft and pretty song about loneliness. “But I don’t need no friends — as long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset.” Makes me think of Will, wandering around, especially as the Thames is such a big character in the books.
Cemeteries of London, Coldplay
This seemed perfect for a book that starts off with a scene in a cemetery! And the lyrics:
At night they would go walking
'till the breaking of the day
The morning is for sleeping
Through the dark streets they go searching
Seemed to me to fit Will and Jem and their nightly searches for demons:
So we rode down to the river
where Victorian ghosts pray
For the curses to be broken
We go underneath the arches
where the witches are and they say:
There are ghost towns in the ocean.
Good Life, One Republic
The song actually begins “Woke up in London yesterday” but it was these lyrics I thought fit:
Hopelessly, I feel like there might be something that I'll miss
Hopelessly, I feel like the window closes oh so quick
Hopelessly, I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cause hopelessly, the hope is we have so much to feel good about
Tessa, Jem and Will are all deserving of happiness, and trying hard to be happy, but timing and mortality get in their way.
England, the National
Put an ocean and a river
Between everybody else,
Between everything, yourself, and home
Put an ocean and a river
Between everything, yourself, and home
This one makes me think of Tessa, so far away from where she lived and was born. It gets at that disassociated feeling of being an expat.
Winter Winds, Mumford and Sons
As the winter winds litter London with lonely hearts
Oh the warmth in your eyes swept me into your arms
Was it love or fear of the cold that led us through the night?
For every kiss your beauty trumped my doubt
Loving someone you shouldn’t — this could really go for most of the cast! It could be about Tessa and Will – or Tessa and Jem.
Welcome to England, Tori Amos
There is a magic world parallel
So leave your daily Hell,
He said welcome to England
Welcome to my world.
Well, parallel magical worlds, what else could you ask for? This one actually makes me think of Nate, being drawn into the dark underworld of London by Mortmain.
London Belongs to Me, Saint Etienne
Do you ever wonder where we've been?
Do you ever wonder where we're going?
Just close your eyes.
This song is really about knowing a city so well it becomes part of you. And of course everyone in CP is wondering where they’re going and what they’re doing half the time! Used to play this while writing about the Lightwoods.
Waterloo Sunset, Blur
Dirty old river, must you keep flowing
Flowing into the night
This is originally a Kinks song, but I prefer the Damon Albarn cover. It’s a deceptively soft and pretty song about loneliness. “But I don’t need no friends — as long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset.” Makes me think of Will, wandering around, especially as the Thames is such a big character in the books.
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THANK YOU Cassie!!! I think these songs are a perfect fit for Clockwork Prince. Be sure to stop by tomorrow when we post the second half of the playlist.