And maybe your antagonist’s, too.
I’ve always seen a certain meme going around called: What is your theme song? Although I don’t have one–unless Don’t Worry, Be Happy counts, heh—I’ve always had one for my hero or other major characters in a novel.
We’re the good guys!
Here are a few…
Heroes:
Steave Brown: The first time I heard Peter Cetera’s Big Mistake, Steavie came to mind. Why? ‘Cause the song is about a womaniser who can’t be tamed. That’s Steave.
Kelly Brown: Steave’s twin brother. When I think outlaw, I think of a loner who doesn’t trust anyone–a man tough on the outside, but soft on the inside when it comes to the woman he loves. That’s Kelly. So he is Outlaw Man by the Eagles.
Jebb Nielsen: In the City by Joe Walsh is about being trapped in the inner-city, never experiencing nature—unless parks count—and dreaming of a better place. That’s Jebb.
Jesse Sweetwater: He’s more complicated than Jebb and led just as tough of a life. He’s a man who subconsciously wants to find his true love. So when I’m writing him, I enjoy listening to Gambler by Whitesnake.
Gabriel Conner: He’s a who has no intentions of settling down anywhere. He’s all about music, sex, and drifting. Metallica’s Wherever I May Roam could suit him, but I prefer the spunk and attitude in Bob Seger’s Rambinl’ Gamblin’ Man, ’cause Gabriel isn’t a brooder.
Antagonists:
Keith Harlow: The King of Hollywood by the Eagles is about a powerful man who abuses his power. Yeah, that’s Keith.
I’ll do heroines for my next post. What about you? Does your hero have a theme song?
Maggie Blackbird 
Walking on Sunshine is a great theme song! I love how what you’re writing determines your music. Thanks for sharing.
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I’ve always claimed “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves as my personal theme song, because the middle part always sounded to me like “And Joanie feel good” instead of “And don’t it feel good.” Probably nobody but me heard it that way, but it’s my theme and I’m sticking with it. However, I don’t really have theme songs for my characters as much as I have artists that keep me in my characters. For example, my daughter said she always knew what projects I was working on one summer because of the music playing. I automatically put on Nancy Griffith when I was writing an rural-based project, and Sheryl Crow when I was writing an urban project. I just do that automatically, find an artist to lock me into the project. The songs aren’t as important as the tempo and music, and the songs aren’t important to any particular character as they are to the whole project. I guess music invokes setting and time for me more than it does character.
Good post. Thanks!
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