Wicked Cozy friends, please indulge me on this rainy New England Tuesday so I can tell you about another new release. It’s not a book I’m celebrating today, though – it’s the new Goo Goo Dolls album, Magnetic.
I thought it was fate earlier this when I learned this album would be released the same day as Kneading to Die. Alas, the album’s release date was pushed to today – which happens to be my day on the blog. So you’re going to hear about it anyway. And then you can check out a sample of the album here:
Lest you think I’ve gone off the rails as a crazed groupie, let me tell you more. I often talk about authors who have inspired me, books that make me want to dig deeper, do better and teachers who have made me a better writer. But I’ve failed to mention the musical inspirations that have kept me going. There are many, but this band has been a constant for me since 1997.
I’ve always wished I could write a song. I’m sure I could come up with some lyrics, but I mean a whole song. One that makes you stop and think, wow, this person jumped right into my head and pulled out that regret/fear/anger/joy/insert-emotion-here. The first time I heard the song “Name,” I felt like that. There have not been many musical artists who have consistently reached me on that level. And over the years, their music has been my constant companion during a lot of activities, but most especially, while I’m writing.
There’s something about listening to music that inspires great emotion while you’re trying to create it in other people. It makes me try harder to reach my audience. I will never write a song like some of Johnny Rzeznik’s, but perhaps my books can make someone feel like they’re not alone in the world. If I’ve done that, I’ve done my job. And that means I can avoid the groupie title, right?
Which musical artists inspire you, and why?
“Name” is a great song. So is “Slide.” (Also a Goo Goo Dolls fan!)
For me, it’s The Cure, because Robert Smith writes all over the place: silly ditties like “Friday I”m in Love”; sincere love songs like “Love Song” which he wrote for his wife as a wedding gift; “Letter to Elise” which is about regret’; and “The Big Hand” about drug addiction. I listen to the music because I like it, but I also respect any artist, in any medium, who tries new things and topics. Such as…a writer with a new mystery series! Best of luck, Liz.
Yay, Ramona! I knew you had good taste. Slide rocks 🙂
I had never heard of the Goo-Goo Dolls until Liz! I tend to stick with my old faves like Emmy Lou Harris, Iris Dement, Cheryl Wheeler, all of whom are producing awesome new songs. But I prefer to write in quiet, unless it’s the background of an airport or a coffee shop, in which case noise doesn’t seem to bother me.
I’ve always wanted to be able to write a great song, too, Liz. Despite not being the tiniest bit musical. Unlike you, I can’t write to music. Its rhythms invade my rhythms, but I do get inspired by the direct-to-the-heart emotions of some songs.
I can’t seem to work to any music with lyrics. I get too caught up in the song’s story and I wander away from my own thoughts. I do love to listen to binaural beats when I work. Or rain. I love to work to the sound of the rain.