I Tried Something New: BtB Music Playlist
- Lilyana Page
- May 14
- 6 min read
I caved.
I made a music playlist for my novel-in-progress, BtB.
I don't know how widespread of a thing this is, but in the writing circles I run in, it seems that a lot of the writers around my age are creating music playlists specifically "tailored" to their current writing project. They compile songs that fit the theme of their novel and listen to them as they write.
Fine. I'll try it for BtB, I thought, It actually sounds like it could be fun.
Well, I made the playlist, but I haven't used it much. Honestly, I don't typically play music with words in the background while I am writing. Usually I listen to classical piano or something, if I listen to anything at all. Regardless, I thought it would be fun to share the contents of my playlist so that you can laugh or admire (or both), as you choose.
(Please remember that just because a song on this list is sung or performed by a certain person or group does not mean that I endorse everything they've released or will release.)
If you're an Apple Music person, I've provided easy access to the songs below. If you're not an Apple Music user, well, I guess you're on your own. ;)
I've included the songs in a drop-down list. Press the little arrow next to each title to see a little note about why I chose to include each particular song and how it fits the theme of my novel. Some of the songs are just thrown in there for fun, and I tell you that too. Enjoy!
"Make It Through" Leanna Crawford
This song is one of a few that I included to help me picture how Corinne (Beauty) might be feeling at the beginning of BtB. Life's hard, and it seems to be getting worse. Still, she's relying on her Lord to help her through all that life is throwing at her.
"Hope Returns" Matthew West
The gist of "Hope Returns" is very similar to that of "Make It Through." This song is sung by a man, therefore it's on the playlist kind of for the Beast, but also just to set the theme for the beginning of BtB.
"I Am a Rock" Simon and Garfunkel
Yep, Simon and Garfunkel. Let's just say that this isn't usually my go-to kind of music, but when I was searching for songs to put on my playlist, "I Am a Rock" pretty much hit the nail on the head in describing the Beast. He's relying upon himself instead of upon God, he's angry about life, and is scared of getting close to anyone. If you want to know more about what the Beast is like, listen to this song. It's perfect! Never fear—he won't stay an unfeeling island forever.
"Waterfall" The Piano Guys
Umm...I just love instrumental piano, so I sprinkled it in throughout the playlist. Sometimes it's easier for me to think as I write if I don't have lyrics in my background music.
"As It Was" The Piano Guys
Same as the one above. I put "As It Was" in just for the sound. I actually just looked up the lyrics to it, and I don't really like them. Wouldn't necessarily recommend a lyricized version of this, but I enjoy just listening to The Piano Guys play it without words attached.
"Something Just Like This" The Piano Guys
You're probably sensing a theme here—Like I said at the beginning of this post, I like listening to instrumental as I write. Plus, the words that would typically go along with this are love-song lyrics, and I need to have some of that sprinkled into my playlist, because we all know that Beauty and the Beast ought to be happy together in the end!
"It Is Well" Lauren Daigle (North Point Worship)
This is my favourite hymn. I've played it many, many times on my family's piano, I've sung it about as many times, and listened to it tons as well. This version of "It Is Well" isn't a traditional rendition of it, but I really like it.
"It Is Well" also applies to Beauty's character in my novel.
"Never Gonna Give You Up" The Piano Guys
Another love song of sorts. I don't know all of the lyrics, but...I like the piano version!
"Rewrite the Stars" Zac Elfron & Zendaya
This song is from a movie called The Greatest Showman. Guys, my novel is a love story, so I've got to have some love-related songs in my playlist, okay?
This song fits really well into my novel and its themes, because my two main characters are a poor peasant girl and an extremely self-centred duke—kind of an odd match in some ways. In The Greatest Showman, this song is sung by two characters of different races, and the girl can't see how it could work in their set of circumstances. Beauty and the Beast are another interesting match.
"Every Breath You Take" The Piano Guys
More instrumental. It's lovely.
"Find Your Way" The Afters
The title of this song gives a pretty good clue on the subject matter. It's about finding your way back home. Both Beauty and the Beast are a bit lost in my novel, hence why this song is present.
"Mended" Matthew West
This one's for the Beast. He's become something he promised himself that he would not. In an effort to avoid becoming the sort of man that his father has become, he's slipped into his own unhealthy extreme. When he realizes this grave mistake, it troubles him deeply. Slowly he rectifies this, turning back to God for help in this transformation.
"I Could Write a Book" Sarah Vaughan
When I stumbled upon this song, the title amused me, and so I added it onto my playlist after scanning the lyrics to make sure they weren't weird and horrible. Turns out that the lyrics are pretty on theme.
"I Could Write a Book" Frank Sinatra
Not really sure why this song is on here twice...I guess it's being sung by different people. I must've really liked both versions. Plus, you've gotta listen to some Sinatra sometimes!
"Everglow" Alexandre Pachebezian
I so badly want to learn this song on the piano. It's absolutely beautiful. I included this song as part of my playlist simply because it is a delight to the ears.
"Broken Things" Matthew West
"Broken Things" is on here to remind me how the Beast is feeling in some sections of BtB. It's a reminder for the Beast that though he's broken, God can make him whole again.
"Bless the Broken Road" Rascal Flatts
The Beast has been so scared of sharing his heart with someone that he's built stony walls all around (please see "I Am a Rock"). This song is sort of about how there was someone there all along, she just didn't come into his life until it was the exact right time. And of course, God was there all along, but the Beast had let himself grow away from his faith.
"A Thousand Years" The Piano Guys
I don't know the lyrics to this song, but they probably exist somewhere.
Just looked up the lyrics, and it turns out that this song is fairly well on theme, even though I don't think I knew that when I put this song on my list.
"The Storyteller" The Piano Guys
I actually don't like the original version of this song, but I love The Piano Guy's version. It's beautiful, and the title makes it very fitting for a playlist like this.
For those of you who may be wondering, I am planning to tackle BtB anew in the coming summer months, Lord willing. I'm currently working full-time, and I don't have much time to fit in my writing with the schedule I am keeping. I do my best, and that's all I expect from myself. :)
In the meantime, here's a list of posts related to BtB in case you missed some of them:
