So I’m working on a little short story at last that I’d wanted to include with River but didn’t (as I was really sick when that book came out and not writing at all), called Rebellion. I’ll have more news on that later, but I’ve once again pulled out my River playlist while writing it and thought I’d re-share.

(This was originally shared as part of the blog tour in the summer, ICYMI.)

So, River fans, here are the songs that I played both while writing the book in 2003 and rewriting it last year (hence a wiiiide variety). Lyrically, they usually fit with the characters or scenes I’ve referenced below (otherwise, they just sort of fit with the book).

Enjoy!

Stabbing Westward – “Television”
River’s theme.
I’ve searched the world//For someone with answers//To questions that are plaguing me//I scream in vain//To anyone who’ll listen//But everbody’s watchin’ TV

Linkin Park – “Numb”
Daryl’s theme.
Every step that I take is another mistake to you

Jeffrey Gaines – “In Your Eyes”
(If you’ve read the book, you know this song has a prominent role.)

Blue Foundation – “Eyes on Fire”
River stalks Daryl.
I’m taking it slow//Feeding my flame//Shuffling the cards of your game//And just in time//In the right place//Suddenly I will play my ace

Sarah McLachlan – “Building a Mystery”
(Both because River feels like her opponent is building a mystery, and also because David Usher is in the video and he looks a bit like I pictured young Mr. Marsden.)

Florence + The Machine – “Howl”
“Daryl tumbled but I was on him before he hit the ground, my lips parted in a half-howl, half-scream.”
If you could only see the beast you’ve made of me//I held it in but now it seems you’ve set it running free

Korn – “Alone I Break”
River’s rage when she tears up her room.
I will make it go away//can’t be here no more

Evanescence – “Haunted”
River’s nightmares.
Watching me, wanting me//I can feel you pull me down

Angie Hart – “Blue”
Night falls//I fall// And where were you?//Warm skin//Wolf grin//And where were you?

Sheryl Crow – “Strong Enough”
River’s other theme.
When I’ve shown you that I just don’t care//When I’m throwing punches in the air//When I’m broken down and I can’t stand//Would you be man enough to be my man?

K’s Choice – “Believe”
Bravely I look further than I see//Knowing things I know I cannot be, not now

Moist – “Leave It Alone”
River mourns at her brother’s grave.
I’d walk the water to get back to you//And where I was complete

BOA – “Duvet” (acoustic)
“I’d rather drown next time than have you following me”/“I’d rather you be alive and hating me than dead”
And you don’t seem to understand//A shame you seemed an honest man//And all the fears you hold so dear//Will turn to whisper in your ear 

Twinbed – “Trouble I’m In”
“Fine. No more words.”
I wanna feel your touch//It’s burning me like an ember

Poe – “Wild”
Chase through the woods/final fight.
You’ve got a lot of nerve to come back//Plan your attack yeah I am still waiting//You wrote the rules to try to contain me//You broke ’em//Now you have untamed me

Lifehouse – “Everything”
“…if I thought it would make you happy.”
How can I stand here with you//And not be moved by you?

Sarah McLachlan – “Fumbling Toward Ecstasy”
“We don’t need human words.”
and if I shed a tear I won’t cage it//I won’t fear love//and if I feel a rage I won’t deny it//I won’t fear love

And, as a bonus, the theme song for the sequel, Wolfe:

Johnny Cash – “Hurt”
If you’ve read that book, know that “Hurt” played pretty much on repeat during the entire final fifth of the novel.
Everyone I know goes away//In the end//And you could have it all//My empire of dirt//I will let you down//I will make you hurt

Next time: either the Bloodlines or Soulless soundtrack.