Sad song blogfest is hosted by L. Diane Wolfe. List songs that inspire you, move you to tears or break your heart. Ten or less, there is no limit.
To be honest this wasn't easy for me. I don't often get to listen to music. Too many people in the house and everyone wants something different. My kind of music is no one's favorite but me. I am a child of the sixties and while rock n' roll was important then, I was also in choir and melody is major in my musical taste. On occasion, I still like a Beach Boys melody or a Beatles tune, but not often. Life hasn't been easy. So when I turn to music I want something that is smooth and easy to listen to, even sad songs must fit this criteria.
Factor in writing, characters and scene development and it is even more important. Here is number one. John Denver's 'Annie's Song'. There is hope in this song, yet despair for John has lost his wife in divorce. My interpretation of this song fell smack into the middle of my epic fantasy, The Treasures of Carmelidrium. My hero longs for his love and doesn't know if she will ever return his sentiment. He hopes beyond all hope, and is moved by her music and her smile. Annie's song could be translated easily into Missie's song. If my book where to ever be made into a movie, it is this song I would insist on, not actors, and I'd want Josh Groban to sing it.
The first time I heard 'In the Arms of an Angel', by Sarah McLaughlin I had no idea there was a movie to go with it. Years later I saw the movie and I really didn't like it, but I still love the song. Once again, hope is the underlying factor in this song. The melody has a lilting quality, hence I suspect my Scot/Irish heritage is partly at play.
In Dreams, L.O.T.R., what can I say, I love Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. They are the reason I write fantasy. What book or movie has ever captured soul searching, longing for love like LoTR? We hope with Aaragon that his love will wait and cry when she is finally left alone after years and returns to her elfin roots to die. As I grow older and a little more cynical, it is good to be reminded how love moved me when I was young, and the price I was willing to pay for the that love. My writing and characters are deeper and richer for it.
If I were to list more songs, they would be recorded by artist with clear voices like, Josh Groban, Celtic Woman and others. I tend toward instrumental and love the flute. I bet you couldn't guess that one. I also like the sound of nature in songs. Songs without words while I write are important even if I know the words. This way I don't have anything interrupt my train of thought.
I'm looking forward to reading all your post. Please be patient with me since resent health concerns has made my blogging limited.
Nancy
