Musical Musings #15: Universal Solider

The third week of the Sixtie's retrospective, this week's prompt is Donovan's "Universal Soldier."

Written and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie in 1964, who said of the song "It's about individual responsibility for war and how the old feudal thinking kills us all". Although it received attention in folk circles, it was not an instantly popular.

The song got the attention of Irish folk singer Donovan, who recorded it for a 1965 EP and it was a month released as a single after the EP failed to sell. It reached #53 on the Billboard charts. The song has recently seen a revival, capturing the sentiments of the anti-war movement.

I was lucky enough to see Damien Leith sing it at the Byron Bay Writers festival, accompanied by Mark Seymour (of Hunters and Collectors fame). Not an Australian Idol fan by any stretch of the imagination, it was an amazingly moving and rousing performance.


Using the theme of war, call to arms and the archetype of the solider, follow your muse through the moving words of Universal Solider to find your story.

Musical Musings #14: My Generation

Continuing on with the 60's theme, this week's prompt is The Who's My Generation (the fim clip that follows is recorded at Woodstock in 1969!) It is named the 11th Greatest Song on Rolling Stones list of 500 Greatest Songs of all time and part of the Rock and Roll Hall of fames 500 Songs that shaped Rock and Roll. It was released in early November 1965.

Written by Pete Townsend for the rebellious British youth called 'mods', it was an echo of the youths disenfranchisement from their parent's generation and their feelings of how the older generation just didn't get them. Townshend reportedly wrote the song on a train and is said to have been inspired by the Queen Mother who is alleged to have had Townshend's 1935 Packard hearse towed off a street in Belravia because she was offended by the sight of it during her daily drive through the neighbourhood.

It is considered to be one of the most distilled statements of youth rebellion in rock and roll, and is one of the acknowledged forebearers of punk.

Using the theme of being misunderstood or wanting to be understood, follow your muse through the thrashing sounds of My Generation to find your story.

Musical Musings #13:(Can't get no) Satisfaction

September is a celebration of the Sixities. It is the one era of history that I wish that I had have been born to see.

This week's song is The Rolling Stones (I can't get no) Satisfaction. It is ranked number 2 on the 500 Greatest Songs of all times. Written by Jagger and Richards it was released in 1965, a month after they had finished writing it. Richards woke in the night to record the riff (which he thought later was too basic and a little silly) and the words I can't get no satisfaction on a tape recorder. They later went on to finish the song in Florida May of 1965

Satisfaction gave the Rolling Stones their first US #1 and the fourth in the UK. Originally it was only played on pirate radio stations as its lyrics were considered to sexually suggestive. While it has references to sexual intercourse, and a girl having her period (which was outrageous at the time), the song was meant as a statement about the rampant commericalism that the Stones had experienced while touring the US. Critic Paul Gambaccini stated: "The lyrics to this were truly threatening to an older audience. This song was perceived as an attack on the status quo."

Why can one of your characters get no satisfaction?

The lyrics can be found here compliments of http://www.lyriczz.com/

Musical Musings #12: Express Yourself

This week is the third week of exploring the narrative between music and the film clips that go with them. Often the film clip ellucidates themes or provides an alternative view of the song. So it is your job to listen and watch ... and then write the story that comes to you.

This week's prompt is Madonna's 1989 hit Express Yourself. The song was a top five hit around the world, taking the top honours in Europe, and making it to second place in the US and Japan. The film clip is said to be inspired by Fritz Lang's classic film 'Metropolis' and explores the divide between feminity and masculinity. Riding the gender quake that was shaking the US in second half of the 80's Express Yourself is an anthem of female empowerment urging women to never take second best and to test the premises of love. The film clip won the MTV best video of the year in 1989.

A personal aside: I have to admit that the when Annie first shared the world, character and vision that she is creating for her NaNo project this year, this film clip immediately came to mind. It was also one of my favourite songs as a teenager and still makes me want to get up and dance without inhibition (shameful admissions I know!)

Musical Musings #11:All I want is you

This week is the second week of exploring the narrative between music and the film clips that go with them. Often the film clip ellucidates themes or provides an alternative view. So it is your job to listen and watch ... and then write the story that comes to you.

This week's prompt is U2's 1989 hit All I Want is You. You will need to go to this link to watch the clip (no embedding is allowed!) My friends and I would argue for hours as teenagers as to who it was that was 'really' in the coffin ... and if it was the woman, how did she meet her untimely death?

Happy writing!

Musical Musings #10: What Sarah Said

This week is the beginning of a month long set of prompts again. Throughout August Musical Musings will be exploring the narrative between music and the film clips that go with them. Often the film clips ellucidates themes or provides an alternative view. So it is your job to listen and watch ... and then write the story that comes to you.

This clip of What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie is not the official film clip. It was one of the videos included on their 'Directions' DVD. A special project put together by the band to allow their fans to create the film clips that they thought should go along with the songs. I remember vividly coming home and my partner, housemate and I having a very passinate debate about what this song and the film clip on 'Directions' really meant. None of us could agree even after half an hour of discussions and watching the video clip numerous times.

So what do you think is meant by it all? Is love watching someone die?

To assist you - there are french translations below the film clip. Feel free to leave comments also, and remember to come back next Monday and post the link to your story.
:o) Jodi




On the mirror she writes "He loves me"
On her hand she writes "A little?"
On the wall she writes "Very Much!"
On his arm (too quick for me to read) I think it's "passionately"
On her leg she carves "With madness"
And she finishes the sentence on the mirror "not at all."

Musical Musings #9: Honesty

This week's prompt is the last character exploration and we'll begin with a new focus next week. Take one of your existing characters and have them reflect honestly on something that they are not proud of in their lives. Are the willing to say 'sorry' for what they have done or is it too late? Does your character write a letter, make a phone call or is it simply being honest with themselves that is important.? Use the music to guide you.

Honesty was one of the hit singles from 52nd Street was released on the 1st November in 1978. "Honesty" was a top 40 hit - it reached 24 on the American Billboard Charts. In February 1979 '52nd Street' was award the Grammy for best album of the year. The album is named after the famous 52nd Street in Manhattan which hosted many of the world's premier jazz venues and performers throughout the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. I remember 52nd Street from my father's collection of tapes and would have been my first exposure to Billy Joel. I can still see Joel on the front holding a trumpet and being most upset years later to discover that Piano Man wasn't on that album!

Thank you to Annie for providing the original idea of a character being sorry (sadly we weren't so impressed with the film clip for Madonna's song "Sorry") and to Paul who happened to have a Billy Joel quote from "Honesty" on his most recent blog post which filled the void of song, but kept the original premise.

Happy writing.

Musical Musings #8: Chasing Cars

This week's prompt, Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars comes courtesy of Annie from Annie's Musings.

Your challenge. Take another of your characters (or the same character from last week if you wish). Dig deep and explore a past betrayal, disappointment, regret, unrequited love ... something that causes great pain to your character. Then share their story.





Knowing and understanding our characters inner workings and their motivations allows our characters to be rich, three dimensional characters with whom the reader can both identify and empathise with. Themes such as regret and unrequited love strike at the heart of most readers who even though their experiences may be different from the facing a character, can recognise and feel again the emotions evoked in such a situation.

Musical Musings #7: Hearts a Mess (Goyte)

This week's prompt comes with a twist.

Firstly take a past character you have created - a NaNo character who is gathering dust, a character you loved or hated from a recent short story or a character you write about on a semi regular basis.

Now, with that character in mind, hit play on the YouTube clip below, close your eyes and allow your character to take you on a trip inspired by the music.

Write down the story that your character gifts you.

At some stage take a good look at Goyte's video clip. It is one of my favourite ones of recent times.

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Musical Musings #6: I got the way

This week's prompt
This week's prompt comes from Brisbane songstress Kate Miller-Heidke. "I Got The Way" is the first song on her debut album "Little Eve." Unfortunately to get the clearest possible version of song through youtube - this is the video everyone gets this week!

The prompt this week comes in dedication to my dear friend Annie Evett who has (unlike me!) been faithfully writing and posting stories based on the songs prompts here. Annie introduced me to Kate Miller-Heidke last year and this song is one of Annie's favourites on the album. Enjoy!

#5 Night Swimming

Musical Musing #5

This week's prompt
After a week's hiatus to attend to other business - Musical Musings is back this week with the REM song Nightswimming. Use the haunting melody, the vivid imagery in the lyrics, the story within the song or the emotions this songs evokes to inspire your writing. The actual lyrics are also listed below.




Nightswimming deserves a quiet night.
The photograph on the dashboard,
taken years ago,
Turned around backwards so the windshield shows.
Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse.
Still, its so much clearer.
I forgot my shirt at the waters edge.
The moon is low tonight.

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night.
Im not sure all these people understand.
Its not like years ago,
The fear of getting caught,
Of recklessness and water.
They cannot see me naked.
These things, they go away,
Replaced by everyday.

Nightswimming, remembering that night.
Septembers coming soon.
Im pining for the moon.
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun?
That bright, tight forever drum
Could not describe nightswimming.

You, I thought I knew you.
You I cannot judge.
You, I thought you knew me,
This one laughing quietly underneath my breath.
Nightswimming.

The photograph reflects,
Every streetlight a reminder.
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night,
deserves a quiet night.

How to be part of the writing adventure:

1. Check each Tuesday for a new musical prompt – a link to the post will appear at the top right hand of the blog to help you navigate.
2. Write between 1000-2000 words of short fiction in any genre.
3. Editing is welcome and encouraged.
4. On Monday, post your story to your blog.
5. Return here to link your post and leave a comment.
6. Visit other’s posts and leave constructive comments.

#4 California Dreaming

Musical Musings #4

This week's prompt
Is California Dreamin' made famous by the Mammas and the Pappas (but has been covered innumerable times - just check out Wiki). It was released in 1965, but it took until 1966 for it to reach #4 in the US and stayed in the charts for 17 weeks. It was voted #89 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Use the song in any way you see fit to inspire your writing this week.





How to be part of the writing adventure:

1. Check each Tuesday for a new musical prompt – a link to the post will appear at the top right hand of the blog to help you navigate.
2. Write between 1000-2000 words of short fiction in any genre.
3. Editing is welcome and encouraged.
4. On Monday, post your story to your blog.
5. Return here to link your post and leave a comment.
6. Visit other’s posts and leave constructive comments.

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