It’s been awhile since I did a music post. So far I covered songs about unrequited love, break-ups, triangles, and cheating. Today, I’ll focus on something more positive. The title says it all.
Friends Forever
As I did in my previous posts, I won’t go for the obvious. There’ll be no Endless Love, Unchained Melody or anything else along those lines.
I’m with the Band by Pamela Des Barres
This is an autobiography, but I’m recommending this book because Pamela Des Barres’ early life, in so many ways, plays out like a romance novel. Ms. Des Barres is more than clear she’s in search of her rock ‘n’ roll prince charming who’ll sweep her off her feet and take her to his Beverly Hills mansion. Or perhaps her tale leans towards women’s fiction? Whatever category, this is a must-read for those who love music and enjoy stories about the ladies who coveted the men plastered on our teenaged walls.
First off, I love her voice. There’s no, “I did this and went there.” Ms. Des Barres address the readers as if we’re sitting in a circle listening to what she has to say, and as she speaks, is reliving the tale minute by minute.
Warning, there be spoilers for those who haven’t read the book.
Some of my fave romances fall into this category. He loves her, but she’s with him, but that certain him isn’t very good for her. The Last American Virgin comes to mind when I think of unrequited love. It was a cheesy eighties movie I can recall watching. The ending threw me for a loop. Boy, I didn’t see that coming. I won’t elaborate or I’ll spoil the plot for you if you’re bored enough to rent it.
“If only he wanted me…”
Oregon Bride by Rosanne Bittner
Published in the early nineties, the book’s narration has an old-school feel since Ms. Bittner refrains from using third person limited, and does a wee bit of telling instead of showing. Still, her writing holds up, along with the story and characters, otherwise I wouldn’t recommend this novel, or bother re-reading it for the bazillionth time. As a matter of fact, I love this story so much that I purchased two copies (my dog ate the first one and the second I bought right from the author, which she kindly autographed).
The widow Marybeth MacKinder has no choice but to travel from New York to Oregon with her in-laws. A single mother, she has nobody to look after her child if she decides to stay behind, because she’ll have to work in order to support herself and baby Danny. Plus, there isn’t a chance in hell her abusive in-laws will allow a mere woman to dare leave their family.
Warning: There be spoilers below.
Mad Max
Heroes, they come in all shapes and forms. Max Rockatansky from the Mad Max trilogy doesn’t want to be anyone’s saviour. A simple man, he desires to survive in a wasteland world and nothing more. Hero? Companionship? No thanks. His blue heeler is sufficient company.
Then there’s Kyle Reese, a brave, intelligent, and dedicated fighter who battles machines with John Conner in a violent world in The Terminator. Reese risks his life by journeying to the past to save Sarah Conner.
What about Chandos from Johanna Lindsey’s a Heart So Wild? He’s hell-bent on vengeance when a group of men murder and rape his mother, sister, and the other women in his peaceful Comanche village. Reluctantly, he agrees to help a young woman travel to Waco, Texas.
As a fellow Canuck, I must say Shania didn’t mess around when she asked this question. In some romances, not all, but some, the protagonist either cheats, is cheated on, or finds him or herself in a love triangle.
As I did before, I’m not trying for the obvious and will provide a YouTube link—if one is available. To start, here’s a list of songs that deal with cheating.
Three’s a Crowd
Broken Heart
Music. It moves our feet, makes us reflect, causes us to exercise like crazy, gets us on the dance floor, and a host of other actions and feelings. As writers, we use music to inspire us. While I write this entry, I’m listening to a cover of Boom Boom done by The Animals.
I’ve come across many topics on “novel soundtracks”—writers who make up playlists for the main characters. I do this, too.
Maggie Blackbird 