10 Song Playlist Relating
to Course Texts
By: Justin Shemie
“It’s a
Hard Knock Life” – Annie (1982)
Text
Relation: Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neill
Baby feels
a very empty feeling at times during the novel, as though no one really cares
about her, especially when she was separated from her dad, similar to the way
an orphan feels according to the lyrics of the song: “No one cares for
you a smidge! When you're in an orphanage!” When Baby was staying with Mary,
Felix and Johnny, she felt very alone and sad. “I was the only one who was
dispossessed in this house.” She felt lost and unimportant.
Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills & Nash
Text
Relation: Just Kids by Patti Smith
Patti’s
journey to NYC to find opportunities to be an artist, which was supported by
her parents who were very supportive of her and encouraged her to find her
passion despite the slim chance of making a living while practicing her trade. In
this song the group tells us to “feed them on your dreams, the one they
fix, the one you'll know by.” To make the people who supported you very proud.
Our House – Crosby, Stills & Nash
Text
Relation: Just Kids by Patti Smith
Patti looks
back on her life experiences, especially her coming of age period, when she is
settled down with her husband and children in Michigan. The song has a
relatively calm tone that relates to the phase of settling down and making life
simpler that Patti embarks on with her husband, Fred Sonic Smith. In the song,
the group sings of simple but happy memories of life in the house: “I'll light
the fire, you place the flowers in the vase that you bought today. Staring at
the fire for hours and hours while I listen to you
Play your love songs all night long for me, only for me.” In the novel, as Patti gives birth to her second child, she notices the simple yet beautiful things of life, like a double rainbow, symbolizing that things are becoming simpler and more traditional.
Play your love songs all night long for me, only for me.” In the novel, as Patti gives birth to her second child, she notices the simple yet beautiful things of life, like a double rainbow, symbolizing that things are becoming simpler and more traditional.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and
Tami Terrell
Text
Relation: Just Kids by Patti Smith
In this
song, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell make vows to each other to always be there
for one another, which can be applied to Robert and Patti’s commitment to each
other. However, there is another meaning to this, which is that no matter what
obstacle, Patti and Robert are determined to succeed through their artistic
passions and share their work with the world. They demonstrate resiliency and
show that no matter how poor or hungry, their sole focus is art.
Where is the Love – Black Eyed Peas
Text
Relation: Just Kids by Patti Smith
Before adding
Ivan Kral to her band, Patti Smith struggled to find a guitarist for her band,
citing that many of the guitarists who auditioned for the part were
disinterested by the fact that the leader of the band was a girl. Those
guitarists underestimated Smith and her band because she was a women, a clear
sign of discrimination, which is what the Black Eyed Peas make the listener aware
of in this song. “Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity.” By
underestimating others through discrimination, we are further separating
society.
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Text
Relation: Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neill
At the
ending of the novel, Jules decides it is in Baby’s best interests to send Baby
to live with her aunt in Val Des Loups, where she won’t be as exposed to drugs
and prostitution and will be able to go to school and have a motherly figure.
Baby’s past can be related to the songs lyrics: “Little darling, it’s been a
long long lonely winter, Little darling it feels like years since it’s been
here, Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, And I say it’s all right.” A relation
to Baby’s situation where, after a tough past few months, things will get
better and everything is going to be ok.
Home – Phillip Phillips
Text
Relation: Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neill
Jules and
Baby go through a cycle of change over the course of the story. Jules and Baby
are always moving to different apartments but Baby does not seem to be bothered
by it claiming that “Home was wherever Jules and I were together.” (17,
O’Neill) As Phillips says in the song “Just know you’re not alone, ‘Cause I’m
gonna make this place your home.” This can be related to Baby and Jules’s
situation as it does not matter where they go, home is where they are together.
Get Up Stand Up – Bob Marley
Text
Relation: A & P by John Updike
The
message is very clear in this song: stand up for your rights and stand up for
what you believe in. In A & P, Sammy stands for what he believes in by
quitting his job in protest to his boss’s actions towards the girls who his boss
felt were inappropriately dressed and Sammy felt he embarrassed them by kicking
them out of the store and talking down to them. Despite the fact that Sammy
knew his decision would have repercussions; he decided to act in favor of the
greater good.
Thinking of Me – Olly Murs
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5w4N3pKnQw
Text
Relation: Just Kids by Patti Smith
After
Robert and Patti’s strong relationship, which was characterized by the love,
passion and support for each other and for art that they shared, came to an
end, they remained close until Robert’s death. However, even after he died, Patti
would never stop thinking about him.
Beautiful World – Jim Brickman
Text
Relation: Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neill
When
reading and listening to the lyrics of this song, you hear Brickman describe
the pretty little details of the world that anyone can notice. Baby tends to be
very observant of the details of her surroundings and is able to find the
positives of them. For example: “I never thought of heroin as a terrible,
frightening thing. I remembered how Jules loved me best when he was stoned.”
(287, O’Neill)
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