People are always surprised to hear that I can’t write to music. I guess they figure that as a musician, it would only be natural for me to surround myself with tunes but in actuality-its distracting. I get too into what I am listening to and the next thing you know I am up singing and dancing and then I can’t get anything done. ha ha. Occasionally I can listen to classical or instrumental because that is more of a “soundscape” but that’s about it.
However, when I was writing FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME, there were a number of songs that inspired the plot line, set the rhythm and tempo as I wrote certain scenes or that were going through my head as I wrote MonAmi’s lyrics. I’ve never told anyone what some of these songs were, but I thought it might be fun for readers to learn the lyrical backstory of FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME. this is hardly an inclusive list…but it will give you all a little more insight into what was going on in my head at the time:
“Perfection” by Cher: It seems that I heard this song about the same time that the idea for FMoF came into my head. I liked the desperation that this song evokes and that no matter what you do, no matter how big you get, it will never be enough. Favorite lyric: “Worked so hard…made a name…but the loneliness inside stays the same…”
“Rockstar” by Nickelback: I originally wanted a snipped of the lyrics inside FMoF and I still need to do some research on the legalities of that, but the refrain of this song pretty much sums up how Megan feels about becoming an entertainer and just how far she would go to get there. Favorite lyric: “I’m gonna change this life for fortune and fame, I’d even cut my hair and change my name…”
“Shot in the Dark” by Ozzy Osbourne: This choice probably makes no sense to anyone who isn’t me, but the pacing of this tune was the driving force of a certain scene and I literally found myself listening to it in order to mark out certain actions. Favorite lyric: “But just like the wounded, and when it’s too late…they’ll remember, they’ll surrender…Never a care for the people who hate, underestimate me now…”
“Not a Dry Eye in the House” Meat Loaf: Meat’s songs provide the perfect fodder for writing material because they all sound like musical numbers. Unlike a traditional ballad, most of his tunes always seem like they are trying to propel a story along. While I am sure there were several of his that helped me out along the way. This one stands out. Favorite lyric: “It was almost like a movie, those nights we touched the stars, time stood still for you now it’s sad enough to make you cry.”
“It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Celine Dion: Ah, the mighty Jim Steinman! I can spot one of his opuses at 40 paces because they are longer than long and seem to repeat choruses more than necessary. Meat Loaf eventually covered this one as well, but I like Celine’s version better. However I must confess, both videos inspired a scene in the book. Favorite lyric: “When you see me like this…when I see you like that…we see just what we want to see…it’s all coming back to me…”
“I Drove All Night” by Celine Dion. OK, for the record, it’s not her voice that gets Celine Dion a double shot on this list…it is truly the lyrics, which in this case were written by Cyndi Lauper. This is an awesome road song and something to get the inspiration going when you need to get through a scene. Favorite Lyric: “I think about you when the night is cold and dark….nobody moves me the way that you do…nothing erases this feeling between me and you…”
“There’s No Easy Way Out” by Survivor: I watched a lot of montage scenes to create Megan’s transformation into MonAmi because they are always backed up by a clever little song that somehow encapsulates the feelings and emotions of the main character. Rocky montages are some of the best in terms of pacing. Favorite lyric: “Some things are worth fighting for…some feelings never die…I’m not asking for another chance…I just want to know why?”
“Radar Love” by Golden Earring: This is my stamina song. If I need a burst of energy, this is the song I turn to in order to get me through. It’s long enough to help you think and has a driving beat that makes you want to keep going. It’s almost impossible to pick a favorite lyric on this one, but if I had to…I would have to say, “When she gets lonely and the longing is to much…she sends a cable coming in from above…we don’t need a phone at all.”
“Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi: It’s no secret that JBJ somewhat inspired the character of MonAmi. I wanted to base her on someone I admire rather than a train wreck, but I also wanted her to go through the hell of the music industry and somehow come through it even when there were people who wondered if she could/would. Bon Jovi as a band had similar problems in their career. When you get to be so big, your career can be like a machine that gets on top of you and nearly crushes you. Favorite lyric: “We gotta hold on, ready or not…you live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got.”
Sometimes I think I will read anything that I can get my hands on because anyone who knows me understands that I am not the most fashion forward person on the planet. So when I saw this book by blogger Shauna Miller, I really had no reason to pick it up, but I did…and I loved it. In plain and simple terms, this young woman offered a lot of practical tips that I have to admit, I am putting into practice in my own wardrobe. Who knew?
Author/ Writer Julie Young 