A lot of writers like background music while they tap out their stories. A lot don’t.
So, for those writers who prefer silence, please skip to my blog about the “15 Best Places for Writers to Retire.” And fergawdsakes, don’t listen to the rest of this little ditty.
But for those scribblers who prefer a soundtrack for their creativity, Spotify has compiled a playlist of 50 songs for ink-stained wretches. OK, songs like “Death of an Author” (Jenny Hval) and “Sylvia Plath” (Ryan Adams) might not be the best choices for joyfully hammering out a first draft but, hey, they’ve got a nice beat and you can dance to them.
My Top Ten Songs for Writers, in “shuffle” order:
- Hemingway’s Whiskey (Kris Kristofferson / This One’s for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark)
- Annabel Lee (Stevie Nicks / In Your Dreams)
- If I Could Write (Sam Phillips / A Boot and a Shoe)
- White Blank Page (Mumford & Sons / Sigh No More)
- Tonight I Feel Like Kafka (Jealous of the Birds / Parma Violets)
- Type Endlessly (Magic Arm / Images Rolling)
- Death of the Author (Jenny Hval / Innocence Is Kinky)
- Oh, Mr. Darcy (The Doubleclicks / Chainmail and Cello)
- Oxford Comma (Vampire Weekend / Vampire Weekend)
Author Ron Franscell remains convinced that “Hotel California” is really about the difficulties of looking for a literary agent. Or maybe “American Pie.” One of those.