I am a new member and this is my first post; I saw the thread on Stephen King's playlist for Dr. Sleep and wanted to start a discussion about his use of music in books. I have only read a handful of his books; I finished IT this morning and I connected so much with the musical themes; out of the blue and into the black. I also felt like IT was a bit like Peter and the Wolf and each character had a piece of music that represented them; Eddie Cochran was with Richie, Bo Diddley was Bill, Pennywise was Fur Elise, I have to go back and look and find the other characters and which music goes with them. I know King is a huge music fan and wanted to hear (read) people's thoughts on music in his books.
Music & Stephen King
- Thread starter MorganDorothy
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Welcome. Enjoy your time with us.
Welcome. Glad you are joining us.
I've always enjoyed his use of music as well (could have something to do with many of his references being the kind of music I like). I always open his books and sort of expect there to be a few excerpted lyrics at the start of the book which always seem to capture the theme very well. I think it would be cool if he did a book mixing music and horror. The short story "You Know They Got a Hell of a Band" was really good, but it would be cool to read one where lyrics somehow play a role in the story, dictating the characters actions, something like that. I'm reading Dark Tower now, and the reference to ZZ Top's "Velcro Fly" was amusing to me. Full disclosure, I'm a ZZ Top fan.
Welcome to the board MD! I like your connection of music and StephenKings works. Remember reading somewhere that he does listen to music quite a lot while writing so it is possible. Nice contribution and again welcome.
I enjoy his use of lyrics...whatnot...would I be going out on a limb by saying there is music in all of his stories, more so in some? Like in Christine? Where each chapter begins w/a line or two from songs...what were they? teenage love songs? road songs? I like music...or more so, lyrics, the music is probably secondary...and for most of life's situations there seems to be a song in the air that applies. What story is it...that character is thinking of another who is not there...and he (the character is a he) thinks and that's the way, oh-ho, uh-huh, I like it. Heh!
And say like in 11/22/63 there's a pile of songs from the time at play in that story.
And say like in 11/22/63 there's a pile of songs from the time at play in that story.
The Nameless
M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Yeah, I find he uses music as a tool to cement the era of the book. It is just one more thing to make it seem more vivid, and put you there. Joyland for instance, set in 1973, Devin listens to a lot of the doors, and dark side of the moon. Just reading that, I could literally hear "riders on the storm" and "us and them" etc. And it totally enhanced the experience. Of course, it helped that riders on the storm is my favourite doors song and dark side is one of my favorite albums ever.
Well said... I recall Dark Side of the Moon as one of my favorite albums to fall asleep to in college...
...I seem to remember that someone else compiled a list of music used in his novels...but for the life of me, don't remember who...I are old, forgetful, cranky and my bunions hurt...
I think, and may be wrong, but didn't one of his books have a suggested listening? Maybe Everything's Eventual? Also, I loved in 11/22/63 someone asks George his name and he says John Lennon, just made me giggle.
I loved that, too!
I find our world of technology so wonderful in many ways. While reading Doctor Sleep, I actually looked up the songs mentioned, that I didn't know, in my streaming app. It gave an extra dimension to my reading.
Very seldom he name some piece of classical music. Seems rock is his thing.
I'd like to say 'Hi'and 'Welcome' from one newbie to another 
I think that SK is a genuine lover of rock n' roll music from the 50's and 60's era and he makes such a great use of these songs in his books and films and, IMO, especially 'Christine' where each one of the songs has its own voice and adds to the story, whatever scene it's in.
I think that SK is a genuine lover of rock n' roll music from the 50's and 60's era and he makes such a great use of these songs in his books and films and, IMO, especially 'Christine' where each one of the songs has its own voice and adds to the story, whatever scene it's in.
Hello, ma'am. You are welcome here. And for his music choices. I enjoy them for his books. Like Paint It Black for example. That just fits with the Dark Tower series every way (which by the way, getting deeper into Song of Susannah, Omigod this is awesome!). Its usually Alternative rock he uses, as Ive seen a lot. And I hope you should read more of his works! They're are terrific!
Someone Saved My Life Tonight~Elton John.
If you have not come across this song as yet, you will. Keep reading.
If you have not come across this song as yet, you will. Keep reading.
The Nameless
M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
I'd like to say 'Hi'and 'Welcome' from one newbie to another
I think that SK is a genuine lover of rock n' roll music from the 50's and 60's era and he makes such a great use of these songs in his books and films and, IMO, especially 'Christine' where each one of the songs has its own voice and adds to the story, whatever scene it's in.
Hi Bevee - I just love your name! His love of 50's and 60's rock n' roll is clearly evident in most of his books, but especially IT. I have also noticed he uses alot of lyrics at the beginning of his books or even sections (like in IT).
Of course Stephen would have been just hitting his teenage years at around the late 50's/early 60's - a time when most fans of rock music start to discover it.