Music to Write by: Five Songs that Fueled My Debut Novel.

I’m constantly asked, “Is there any particular musician or pieces of music that inspire you to write?” Actually, no one has ever asked me that, but it makes for a convenient device to begin this piece. And, yes, in writing The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus, I relied on the following set of songs to help motivate or focus me before I sat down to write.

Nirvana, Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam (unplugged). Because after writing The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus, I’m guessing He won’t want me for a sunbeam either. I’m not a huge Nirvana fan (Love Buzz is my favorite of their songs), and with apologies to hard-core Nirvana fans, it isn’t the guitar playing or Cobain’s voice that draws me to this version of Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam, it’s the accordion.  

Nick Cave,  There She Goes My Beautiful World. I’ll start by saying that I’m never entirely certain I understand the songwriters intended meaning, and it is true for this song, but for me it is a song about the incredible difficulty of the creative process, and the singer (Nick Cave) imploring creative giants like Nabokov, Dylan Thomas, etc. to “send that stuff on down to me.” This is how I feel every time I sit down to write.

Father John Misty, I’m Writing a Novel. The song combines clever, playful, ever-so-slightly cynical lyrics (“because it’s never been done before…”) with a very catchy tune. This is my all-time favorite piece of music by Father John, plus, when you’re writing a religious satire like the Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus, it is good to have Father John (who is not really a Father, and whose first name isn’t John, and last name is not Misty) in your ear.

Sergio Mendes, Magalenha. At the 45th second of this song, the percussion instruments kick into high gear and if that doesn’t get your adrenalin flowing and your feet on the dance floor, go  immediately to the hospital, because you may not have a pulse. This song transports me to Brazil. If I need an energy boost or just want to feel good about the day, this is my go-to song even though I don’t understand a single word of the lyrics.  

Elton John, Writing. This song, buried in the middle of side two of Captain Fantastic and Brown Dirt Cowboys, didn't receive any radio play when the album was released in 1975, as far as I can remember. But it’s a joyous ode, if slightly sappy, to the process of writing. There is a certain wide-eyed innocence in this song that I really like. I thought I might be the only one to like this song, but was pleasantly surprised to see that Vulture (part of NY Magazine) ranked it as the 13th (out of 378) best Elton John song.

Runners-up: David Byrne, Something Ain't Right  for reasons similar to my Nirvana choice // Us3 Tukka Yoot’s Riddem, for reasons similar to my Sergio Mendes choice