INTRODUCTION
Music
has always had a strong pull for me. Right from the moment I wrote my first novel as a 15 year old, I have used songs as a way of understanding my characters and getting into and developing their emotional lives. Songs in themselves tell stories - frequently of deeply or strongly held feelings and I harness the resonances in lyrics and music as part of my creative process. I had popular music soundtracks to my novels long before film makers started using them regularly in blockbusters, on TV and to sell cars and insurance! Indeed, I was rather miffed when the Heath Ledger film A Knight's Tale came out, because it had pinched my way of marrying the medieval story with the Medium of the rock song!

People are often surprised to know that I use such contemporary music to inspire my novels, but it's my opinion that society changes, not people. The lyrics in a song such as Cat Stevens' Father and Son is as relevant to the Middle Ages as it is to today, juxtaposing as it does, the impatience and fire of youth with the tolerance and knowledge of maturity and slowing down.
My tastes are eclectic, although I tend not to go for opera, rap or hip-hop. I have a weakness for guitar-driven metal and rock in most of its incarnations. I own most of Bruce Springsteen's albums. I was a fan of Bryan Adams long, long, long before he performed the theme to the Kevin Costner Robin Hood film. As a teen my favourites included the aforementioned Cat Stevens, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Bad Company, Eric Clapton, Amazing Blondel, Stevie Wonder and Joan Baez - eclectic as I say! Those favourites have been joined by (to name but a few) Tori Amos, Anberlin, Nightwish, Grey Eye Glances, Seether, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Apocalyptica and Loreena McKennit.


To cut to the chase. I have created this blog to list the soundtracks I have used in my various novels and explain without getting too spoilerish for those of you who haven't read the books, why those tracks have been chosen. I've included some urls to Youtube so that you can hear some of the songs that have helped me on my way to creating my characters and scenarios.


Sunday, July 22

SOUNDTRACK NOTES: A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE

A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE:
SOUNDTRACK NOTES
I've linked many of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!


Track
1. TUNNEL OF LOVE - Dire Straits

John Marshal at court - the ups and downs of the political life, the plotting, the subterfuge, the women. http://tinyurl.com/3295d6


2.CHEMISTRY - Semi-Sonic

John's attitude to the pleasures of the flesh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgCVR2pjXc0

3. MOTHER - Tori Amos

Aline's marriage to John. Her fear and uncertainty - being pushed out of the nest and into something she's not ready for.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70G7rywtvIg

4. VOLCANO - Damien Rice

Aspects of the relationship between John and Aline.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=259uK-4OqWA

5. BREAK THE NIGHT WITH COLOUR - Richard Ashcroft

John at court in 1135 around the time of the death of King Henry. It's dangerous and he has to decide what to do.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUCTNlij8y8

6. AVE MARIA - Beth Nielsen Chapman

Aline's relationship with her religion. It's the only place where she is happy.

7. ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK - Murray Head

The danger of the royal court in Oxford. The wheeling, dealing, the rise and fall of powerful men http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAIFOR0Tmyw

8. ALREADY GONE - The Eagles

John splits with King Stephen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8o_C50JFkc

9. ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER - U2

John and a mercenary discuss their mutual and not so mutual interests.http://tinyurl.com/3czwzj


10. OUT IN THE FIELDS - Thin Lizzy

The Fight for Wherwell Abbeyhttp://tinyurl.com/32r4gz

11. GIMME SHELTER - The Rolling Stones

John makes his way home from Wherwell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJDnJ0vXUgw

12. ANGELS OF THE SILENCES - Counting Crows

John recovering from his injuries and feeling bitter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDbR_8K3J70

13. ALIVE - Meat Loaf

John comes to terms with what has happened to him and goes back out to kick ass!http://tinyurl.com/2fywmu

14. SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR - Grey Eye Glances
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPMw3HueKzc

Sybilla wonders if there is more to life than the humdrum one she is living.

15. BLAZE OF GLORY - Bon Jovi
John takes on Patrick of Salisbury http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o

16.DANCING IN THE DARK - Bruce Springsteen

John and Sybilla assess each other before their wedding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEJ26h_cBqQ

17. STOP! - Sam Brown

Aline's shock at the break up of the marriage. Sam Brown's performance is perhaps too forceful for Aline's character, but a lot of the lyrics fit, especially from verse 1.http://tinyurl.com/2tqbt5

18. ELEANOR RIGBY - Thrice

The metal version. It conveys more emotion than the one by the Beatles. Aline's character and a general comment on some of the emotions felt by all the characters. Intentionally screamy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAhFUXOxm_w

19. WHITE WEDDING - Billy Idol
The suggestion of the wedding between John and Sybilla is mooted. Lyrics are perfect!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9j6DE6RnSk


20. BETTER DAYS - Bruce Springsteen

'This fool's half way to heaven and just a mile out of hell and I feel like I'm coming home.' Wow! This one was just so perfect for the soundtrack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKVrVAA7E7I

21. SAMBA PA TI - Santana

The opening sequence to a series of wedding night songs. John and Sybilla's first dance together at their wedding feast - sexy and tender.
http://tinyurl.com/2dqsr6

22. IRIS - Ronan Keating

The preliminary to the wedding night. John's slight apprehension.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29GuKIzALZ8

23. BIG LOVE - Fleetwood Mac

The wedding night from both viewpoints. Fairly explicit!http://tinyurl.com/3yhoaf

24. SHOW ME HEAVEN - Maria Mckee

Sybilla's view of the wedding nighthttp://tinyurl.com/2mmhgj


25. AIR THAT I BREATHE - The Hollies

John's view of the wedding night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7S8-Iewi0

26. LOVE RESURRECTION - Alison Moyet

Sybilla getting to grips with life with her new husband. 'If we pull together, we'll never fall apart again.'http://tinyurl.com/ypyb6q

27. CROSSING THE RIVER STYX - I Am Ghost

Aline's remarriage. The end of everything with Johnhttp://tinyurl.com/ypzmkg


28. BED OF ROSES - Bon Jovi

John's ongoing relationship with Sybilla and his thoughts while away at war.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKOjcqoZRRs


29. THE MUMMER'S DANCE - Loreena McKennit

The birth of John's fourth son William on an April morning.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxTpvA-pUG0

30. SHE'S A LADY - Tom Jones

John's feelings about Sybilla - lyrics are spot on. She did help him build a mountain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIfxBthfFkg

31. I WON'T BACK DOWN - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

John facing enormous odds but doing as the song title says! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpdm1ySJsqw

32. HURT - Johnny Cash

John's reaction at having to give up his five year old son, William.http://tinyurl.com/y4d76y

33. DOWN TO MY LAST - Alter Bridge

John at the siege of Newbury as it comes to crunch time. Again lyrics are spot on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-OwAs1_3m8

34. LEARNING TO FLY - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Little William setting out on his life path to greatness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WowZLe95WDY

35. SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG - Labi Siffri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcKoYGNj0BU

Finale song.
36. ONLY THE BRAVE - Runrig

A song that helped me find the book's title http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUNVcL_fzqM

37. BROKEN PROMISE - Placebo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY30VY1dmMI

This is the song that if I had copyright permission, I'd put on the 'trailer' to the movie.

38. MY SHIP IS COMING IN - The Walker Brothers
One that didn't make my final cut but which had meaning for Alison, my Akashic consultant and so it gets an honourable mention.

THE SCARLET LION SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES

THE SCARLET LION:
SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES

I've linked several of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!

Track:
1. Hymn To Her - The Pretenders.
It's about the female element in the novel and it opens with a childbirth scene and concerns the power of women. Url to the song at youtube here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcMzLRWlg68&feature=fvw

2. Holding Out For A Hero - Bonnie Tyler
William Marshal's theme music if ever there was. 'Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasy, somewhere just beyond my reach, there's someone reaching back for me.' http://tinyurl.com/2kpaq9

3. THE BEST - Tina Turner
Isabelle's view of her husband. May sound a bit cheesy through familiarity these days, but it has tremendous resonance and feeling. There's a reason it always gets played at discos as weddings!

4. LANDSLIDE - Fleetwood Mac

Isabelle's feelings about the passage of time and coming into her own. She and William married when she was a girl. Now she's a woman and looking to future responsibilities and duties.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbZhj6H9kfY

5. THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD - Gordon Lightfoot
The voyage to Ireland which was pretty grim. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U219P_zs7w&feature=related

6. CHANGE MY WORLD - Moya Brenan
Arriving in Ireland - a different place to the courts of Normandy and England

7. INTO THE FIRE - Sarah McLachlan
Isabelle is reunited with her mother http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar6a1pkiGf8

8. SHERRY DARLING - Bruce Springsteen
One of several Springsteen tracks. William is not enamoured of his mother in law!

9.DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - Bruce Springsteen
A bitter, dark number concerning the burdens shouldered by the men who knew what happened to Prince Arthur. http://tinyurl.com/2hegjm

10. ALL MY LIFE - Foofighters
King John and the incident with Prince Arthur - and all the other incidents throughout John's life. 'Done, done and I'm on to the next one....' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqxgwX62Ozw

11. STORY OF ISAAC - Suzanne Vega
The hostage situation

12. WORLDS APART - Bruce Springsteen
Isabelle and William disagree over the hostage situation and their difference of opinion is fuelled by suspicions about what happened to Prince Arthur 'Sometimes the truth just ain't enough, or it's too much in times like this, let's throw the truth away and find it in this kiss.' http://tinyurl.com/2xcqa8

13. FLYING COLOURS - Jethro Tull
William and Isabelle's marriage continues rocky because of John and their sons.

14. STICK TO YOUR GUNS - Bon Jovi
Isabelle has to cope in Ireland while William goes to court http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKzWabwp-co

15. AGAINST THE WIND - Marie Brenan
Hanging tough in Ireland http://tinyurl.com/3ykhqn

16. THE ONE I LOVE - REM
William at court in England, biding time, sending out a mental warning to Isabelle. I know the meaning of the song is different in reality, but it has the above meaning to me, with 'Fire!' meaning 'Beware!' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R52RrbF3mM4

17. EMERALD - Thin Lizzy
The Battle at Newtown and subsequent battles in Ireland. 'Down from the glen came the marching men with their shields and their swords.' http://tinyurl.com/29zusp

18. I NEED SOME SLEEP - Eels
William struggling at court, not knowing what's happening at home. Everything has gone to hell in a handcart. http://tinyurl.com/3y4468

19. A MATTER OF TRUST - Billy Joel
William returns to Ireland and is reunited with his family

20. SCARLET - All About Eve
Isabelle and William's daughter-in-law Alais de Bethune. Her character and what happens to her.

21. SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT - Nirvana
More on Alais and the happenings at Pembroke. William's son Will when he hears what has happened. 'A denial, a denial, a denial.' Raw, ragged, emotional. http://tinyurl.com/324kwt

22. IF IT BE YOUR WILL - Jann Arden
My feelings about Alais and giving her a voice that history hasn't heard until now.

22. LOVE HURTS - Nazareth
William Marshal and his family are threatening to tear apart beneath all that's happening to them. Particularly a song for Will, William's eldest son. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2BjJbKQkgc

23. BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS - Greenday
Will squaring his shoulders and trying to come to terms with what's happened to him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tK7-OuYfJc

24. JUST FOR YOU -Lionel Richie
Will thinking back and realising life isn't like that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz6r1TcvL7I

25. FATHER AND SON - Ronan Keating
The conflict between William and Will. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY_pjVaKcq8

26. PARALLEL UNIVERSE - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The battle of Lincoln and William's altered state of mind as he enters the fight. That joyous surge of the sword. 'Christ I'm a sidewinder, I'm a California King.' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fPYyoY49Bc

27. IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH - Coheed & Cambria
The battle of Sandwich and more stirring battle action. http://tinyurl.com/347xok

28. AVALON - Roxy Music
William and Isabelle share some poignant moments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zJdbpzfJMs

29. HEAVEN CAN WAIT - Meatloaf
William making preparations to depart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w4YRPUQRlo

30. I HOPE YOU DANCE - Ronan Keating
William sending out thoughts to his eldest daughter, Mahelt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL0uRP-A7C0

31. MY IMMORTAL - Evanescence
Isabelle's feelings about William as she comes to terms with what's happening, especially his association with the Templars. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU9FwP4uOY8

32. EVENSTAR - Isabel Bayakdarian
A bidding farewell. I was inspired not only by the music, but by the scene of Arwen standing before Aragorn's tomb in the second Lord of the Rings film The Two Towers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im5CIpMFo4Q

33.SAND AND WATER - Beth Nielsen Chapman
Isabelle coming to terms with her life. I felt this one extremely appropriate as in 1219, her youngest son would have been about 11 years old.

34. THE MIRACLE OF LOVE - Eurythmics
Finale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s901V3GvELQ&feature=related
























THE GREATEST KNIGHT: SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES


I've linked many of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!

Track:

1. THE VOICE - Instrumental of the Irish Eurovision Song contest sung by Eimar Quinn.
A general introductory piece to settle into the novel

2. RELAX - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
William Marshal, a young knight has to learn to control himself in the thick of the fray as he experiences his first hard battle for real. http://tinyurl.com/382kur

3. FIGHT - No Vacancy
More of the above. A driving rock song as William is engaged in fierce fighting
http://tinyurl.com/3963hk

4. FELL ON HARD TIMES - Neal Casal
William suddenly finds himself horseless and without a job. He has to sell his cloak in order to make ends meet. I loved the bit in the lyrics that echoes this: 'I sold my green leather jacket' .

5. GODDESS IN THE DOORWAY - Mick Jagger

William first sets eyes on Eleanor of Aquitaine and he is captured for life!
http://tinyurl.com/39vlyp


6. SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN - Billy Joel
More on the character of Eleanor of Aquitaine
http://tinyurl.com/2jq2jm

7. I WANT IT ALL - Queen
King Henry's heir, Henry The Young King is impatient for power and glory. Echoes of William in some of the lyrics too
http://tinyurl.com/2ss53o

8. WOULD YOU? - Touch and Go
William's meeting up again at a tourney with Clara, the woman who saved him earlier

9. ADDICTED TO LOVE - Robert Palmer
Clara and William get to know each other better
http://tinyurl.com/2j2c8f

10. WHAT ABOUT LOVE - Heart
Clara and the dissatisfaction about what she's getting from William

11. YOU'RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon
The Young King's personality
http://tinyurl.com/ysqvpb

12. THAT DON'T IMPRESS ME MUCH - Shania Twain
More of the above. The Young King. 'So you got the moves but have you got the touch?'
http://tinyurl.com/yucxql

13. HALLELUJAH - Rufus Wainwright
The conclusion of William's relationship with Clara. Some echoes too of William's relationship with the Young King
http://tinyurl.com/2qe8fp

14. DON'T SPEAK - No Doubt
The relationship between William and the Young Queen's wife from her viewpoint.
http://tinyurl.com/23nbxl

15. EVERYBODY KNOWS - Don Henley
A comment on the end of William's association with the Young King. 'Everyone knows it's coming apart, take one last look at this sacred heart before it blows.'

16. OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY - Nightwish
William accused of things he hasn't done and he exiles himself on pilgrimage.
http://tinyurl.com/354z37

17. THE LEAVING SONG - AFI
More of the above. William takes a hard look at his life
http://tinyurl.com/27cm69

18. PROTOCOL - Gordon Lightfoot
William on pilgrimage and coming to terms with himself. The death of Henry II. 'Where are the kings in their coats of mail who rode by the Cross to die? Did they all go down into worthiness, is it wrong for a king to cry?'

19. THE CLASP - Jethro Tull
Political manoeuvering between the Kings of France and England.

20. EASILY - Red Hot Chili Peppers
William expecting hard times after the death of Henry II, but finding himself in favour instead. In the difficult years he has very much become his own man and no one's gofer.
http://tinyurl.com/ypodgb

21. THESE DREAMS - Heart
Isabelle de Clare dreams of a life beyond the walls of the Tower of London
http://tinyurl.com/2z8ulb

22. BRING ME TO LIFE - Evanescence
Isabelle and William meet and find out they not only have a great deal in common, they complement each other too.
http://tinyurl.com/24xe6w

23. GOD GAVE ME EVERYTHING - Mick Jagger
William suddenly finds his cup runneth over. His life force at full surge.
http://tinyurl.com/25dxnf

24.VINDICATED - Dashboard Confessional
An aching, bitter, poignant song about William's brother John.
http://tinyurl.com/2hezv8

25. FIELDS OF GOLD - Sting
William's brother John again. This time there's a sad, redemptive quality.
http://tinyurl.com/2bc59b

26. ALL ABOUT SOUL - Billy Joel
William and Isabelle. The foundation of their relationship. It's about coming through and going forward.
http://tinyurl.com/2cqcrb













SHADOWS AND STRONGHOLDS: SOUNDTRACK AND NOTES


I've linked many of the tracks to urls at Youtube. Not all of the video content is appropriate to what I had in mind, but the songs themselves are all very relevant and will give readers an idea - I hope!

Track
1. THE HOUSE YOU LIVE IN - Gordon Lightfoot
The hero,Brunin, a child at the start of the novel, is taken into the household of Joscelin de Dinan. The lyrics are Joscelin's philosophy on life.

2. THUNDER ROAD - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Above mentioned Joscelin's relationship with his wife. The lyrics strongly link to the way their relationship started.
http://tinyurl.com/293525

3. HOW YOU REMIND ME - Nickelback
The relationship of Brunin's parents, seen particularly from his father's viewpoint.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cQh1ccqu8M

4. IN A BIG COUNTRY - Big Country
Brunin and Joscelin come to know each other as squire and lord. Joscelin sets about building Brunin's confidence and developing his potential.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk5SkiBna24

5. EXPRESSO LOVE - Dire Straits
Brunin is captivated by Marion's feminine wiles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdupU80HMss

6. DANGER ZONE - Kenny Loggins
Brunin discovers how close to the edge he can get while learning to fight. 'You never say hello to you until you get it on a red light overload.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58QOBqAWNzE

7. HERO - Chad Kroeger & Josey Scott
Brunin has the talent but is holding back from using it.

8. FEEL - Robbie Williams
Brunin is wary of letting himself go even though he has settled into life with his new family. The lyrics from this song are just spot on for his character.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOewegX7H-Q

9. THE PROMISED LAND - Bruce Springsteen
Brunin coming into his own. He's going to do or die.

10. DEEP, DEEP OCEAN - Belinda Carlisle
Hawise's feelings about Brunin

11. NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - The Moody Blues
The main love song from Shadows and Strongholds. Brunin and Hawise's wedding night.
http://tinyurl.com/2ahocp

12. I'M STILL STANDING - Elton John
Brunin's relationship with his grandmother
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz7ifClpT4g

13. THROUGH THE BARRICADES - Spandau Ballet
The troubled relationship between Brunin's parents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLR9yyI9CHg

14. THE WEAVER'S ANSWER - Family
The death of Brunin's father. Memories and regrets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYCUQ81vJYw

15.CHINA GIRL - David Bowie
Marion's relationship with Ernalt de Lyslehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMiY_ekrPSk

16. BLOOD BROTHERS - Iron Maiden
Warfare, the struggle for land and livelihood. The patterns of the past repeating
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmAtwvZYTe8

17. LIVING ON A PRAYER - Bon Jovi
Not the driving rock version, but the slow one. Brunin and Hawise on the verge of losing everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxnGC-N07m8

18. COVER ME - Bruce Springsteen
And if things were bad before, now the struggle really begins to bite amid personal tragedy.

19. PROTECT AND SURVIVE - Runrig
Joscelin reflects on what has happened and the futility of warhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLvaZPdPYg4

20. ROAD TO YOUR SOUL - All About Eve
Joscelin and Sybilla come to a refreshed understanding of each otherhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg31JfqZHaQ

21.IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND - Faith Hill
More of Joscelin and Sybilla, but from Sybilla's viewpoint. A proud woman who has to find a different sort of pride now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2PKp-Ogy4

22. GIRL - Tori Amos
Marion's state of mind

23. WEAK - Skunk Ananse
Marion again, same as 22
http://tinyurl.com/yrm2as

24. STAY - Shakespeare's Sister
Marion finally deals with Ernalt and then makes her own irrevocable decision
http://tinyurl.com/3xa3fr

25. SECRET SMILE - Semi Sonic
The relationship between Brunin and Hawise as he recovers from his wounds and recent traumas. He's aching and he needs her.

26. TIMES LIKE THESE - Foofighters
Brunin finally comes into his own. 'I'm a new day rising, I'm a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhzmNRtIp8k

27. IT'S MY LIFE - Bon Jovi
I couldnt decide between this and Times Like These as the final song, so I used them both!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKFwtgUJHs