Soundtrack Sunday – OBLIVION Edition

This is a trickier one as the book has two different narrating protagonists, each with their own soundtrack, and both settings (our world and that of Oblivion) have their own as well.

For Peri’s parts of the books, there’s a fair amount of crossover with her Lineage soundtrack, obviously. Here’s a sampling of what I listened to with this book.

Mourning Ritual – “Bad Moon Rising“
Heard this cover, instantly found it fit perfectly with the dark apocalyptic tone of this book; I wish I could transfer the images in my head so you could see the Oblivion music video I see to it.

Amy Lee – “With or Without You“
The Utada Hikaru cover of this was on the Lineage soundtrack, as it was one of my Peri/Nic themes. Given the dark tone of this book, I like this darker version of it.

Disturbed – “The Sound of Silence“
There’s an important chapter later in the book with this same title.

Thirty Seconds to Mars – “This Is War“
Although this is the last book, I’ve said repeatedly there are more carrying on another arc (of about five books), and it’s more during those final books, in addition to Oblivion, that This Is War becomes the theme song. If you want to leave guesses in the comments to where the characters fit (the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, the victim, the prophet, the liar, the honest, the leader, the pariah, the victor, the messiah), have at it.

Smashing Pumpkins – “The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning“
This is very much my theme for the Oblivion dimension scenes, as well as Mishka’s POV.

Lana Del Rey – “Once Upon a Dream“
Another Oblivion dimension song, given the creepy etherealness to it.

Janel Drewis – “In the Pines”
I had to write some really difficult Peri scenes during the the beginning of her last section, and I had this on repeat. (h/t to Amanda for the suggestion!)

Gemma Hayes – “Wicked Game“
“The world is on fire and no one can save me but you”

Sanders Bohike – “The Weight of Us“
“there’s a cold heart buried beneath//and warm blood running deep//and secrets are mine to keep//protected by silent sleep//I’m not ready//for the weight of us”

Alex and Sierra – “Little Do You Know“
Mel suggested this as a Zara/Nate song, and of course it ended up on my playlist. It fits them really well, particularly the alternating voices with Zara echoing Sierra and Nate echoing Alex.
“Little do you know//I’m still haunted by the memory//Little do you know//I’m trying to pick myself up piece by piece//Little do you know//I need a little more time”
“I’ll wait, I’ll wait//I love you like you’ve never felt the pain” and “Little do you know//I love you ’til the sun dies”

John Murphy – “In the House, in a Heartbeat”
A bunch of action scenes were written to this one.

Matthew Perryman Jones – “Canción de la noche“
“Is it your ghost//Keeps hiding under the smoke//It’s getting louder”

Electric President – “Safe and Sound”
“When there’s no way out//I’ll let you build your home with me till the clocks run down//When your looks run out//Call me and I will come and fix you get your feet on the ground//When there’s no way out//Call me and I will come and bury you all safe and sound”

Clarity – “Don’t Panic“
A lot of the more emotional stuff toward the end of the book and apocalyptic stuff was written to this.
“Bones sinking like stones//All that we’ve fought for//Homes, places we’ve grown//All of us are done for”

Peter Gabriel – “Heroes“
The final, pre-epilogue chapter was written to this. (I apologize in advance for that.)
“We can be heroes, if just for one day”

Peter Gabriel – “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today“
This is the epilogue theme, which I knew for years before I wrote the book.
“Broken windows and empty hallways//a pale lit moon in a sky streaked with grey//Human kindness is overflowing//and I think it’s gonna rain today.”

Oblivion is out on Tuesday!