Musical Inspiration

by

Today I’m giving you an insight on how music occasionally influences my writing. But it’s not how you might expect. I don’t write with music on because if I like a song, then I start singing along. Then my train of thought is shattered. Like now. I’m sitting in Starbucks writing and “Defy Gravity” from the musical Wicked has come on. Excuse me while I sing under my breath…

Okay, I’m back. However, occasionally songs play a big part in my stories. In To Marry A Texas Cowboy, George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” became my hero’s theme song. Despite knowing Zane’s backstory and him almost taking over a couple books in the series, when I started his story, I couldn’t grasp him. He put up a good front, even from me. But when I heard “Here For A Good Time” Zane’s personality and fears fell into place.

Zane had a rough past. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read To Marry A Texas Cowboy, but Zane’s dad was a piece of work and his mom wasn’t a winner either. To cope or survive really, he lived in the moment. Everything was about having a good time. That drove his actions and his life.

Here For A Good Time

Source: Musixmatch  Songwriters: Bubba Straight / Dillon Dean / George H Strait

I’m not gonna lay around
And whine and moan for somebody that done me wrong
Don’t think for a minute
That I’m gonna sit around and sing some old sad song
I believe it’s half-full not a half-empty glass
Every day I wake up knowing it could be my last

I ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine
When I’m gone, put it in stone “He left nothing behind”
I ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time

Folks are always dreaming about what they like to do
But I like to do just what I like
I’ll take the chance, dance the dance
It might be wrong but then again it might be right
There’s no way of knowing what tomorrow brings
Life’s too short to waste it, I say bring on anything

I ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine
When I’m gone, put it in stone “He left nothing behind”
I ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time
I ain’t here for a long time
I’m here for a good time

 

And speaking of Wicked, when attending that musical, the solution to the same problem with my heroine, Maggie in Bet On A Cowboy hit me. When Elphaba sang “I’m Not That Girl” I instantly knew everything about Maggie. I even whispered, “she’s Elphaba” right there in my Broadway seat.

Maggie believed love wasn’t in her future. She was just too plain, too average in every way to attract a man’s notice. As the director of a Bachelor type reality show, she’s surrounded by beautiful, outgoing, extraordinary women and is constantly reminded she doesn’t measure up. The mindset Elphaba shows in “I’m Not That Girl” guided Maggie’s actions and interactions in life.

 

I’m Not That Girl

Source: Musixmatch  Songwriters: Schwartz Stephen Laurence / Sandford Steve

Hands touch, eyes meet
Sudden silence, sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
But I’m not that girl

Don’t dream too far
Don’t lose sight of who you are
Don’t remember that rush of joy
He could be that boy
I’m not that girl

Every so often we long to steal
To the land of what-might-have-been
But that doesn’t soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb
She who’s winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with a gentle curl
That’s the girl he chose
And Heaven knows
I’m not that girl

Don’t wish, don’t start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn’t born for the rose and the pearl
There’s a girl I know
He loves her so
I’m not that girl

I shouldn’t be surprised songs have helped me grasp my characters and their relationships. Songs have always spoken to me and helped me make sense out of life. Why shouldn’t they do the same with my writing?

To be entered in today’s random giveaway for the car coasters, air freshener, and signed copy of Family Ties leave a comment on what song has or could serve as a theme for you?

Website |  + posts

Julie Benson has written five novels for Harlequin American, and her Wishing, Texas series is available from Tule Publishing. Now that her three sons have left the nest in Dallas, when she isn't writing, Julie spends her time working on home improvement projects, rescuing dogs, and visiting Texas wineries with her husband. Visit her at www.juliebenson.net.

44 thoughts on “Musical Inspiration”

    • Debbie, you can’t go wrong with Amazing Grace. If only all of us could say that song sums us up. Thanks for being here today. Have a great week.

    • I think I’d pick a song that says something about being stronger too. Elton John’s I’m Still Standing just popped into my head. For years I never thought of myself as strong. I focused on how tough situations had rattled or hurt me instead of concentrating on how I’d survived them. Thanks for being here today. Have a great week.

    • Connie, somehow I missed replying, but I did enter you in my giveaway. Goodness! I love this Kelly Clarkson song, too! I think it’s a great anthem for everyone who has thought about giving up when times have been tough, but has put on her big girl (or boy) panties and pushed through as you have.

    • Denise, this song tells me not only do you have great taste in music (Not seeing Tom Petty in concert is one of my regrets in life), but you’re a little bit of a rebel and adventurer. That and you love and are proud to be American. How did I do on my guess?

      Thanks for being here today. Take care and have a fantastic week.

      • This is actually Trisha Yearwood’s song.

        I almost put Tom Petty’s song, but some people misinterpret the one line as suicide–which it’s not–and I didn’t want a misunderstanding. I wish I had seen him, too.

        denise

    • Denise, for some reason I’ve lost the button to reply to a second comment. (Got to figure out where it went!) Anyway, I didn’t know Trisha Yearwood had a song with that title. I’m definitely going to check it out!

      • Early 90s. I’m sure once you hear it, you’ll remember it. I can’t find the official video–it’s not on her official youtube page. There are other ones on youtube.

  5. When I was young I’d have said it would be “How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria” from The Sound of Music, but now “He is My Everything “.

    • Lana, I like that you shared what would’ve said a lot about you when you were younger and one for now. Looking at what music spoke to us at one point in our lives and what reflects us now can show how we’ve grown and changed. The first song tells me when you were young you were a free spirit. You stopped along the way to savor whatever joy you discovered. And you were a bit of a tomboy. (I’m guessing that from the climbing trees and the tear in the dress lines.) The second song tells me you’ve gone through struggles since growing up. You’ve learned to rely on God to get them through them and He guides you on your path.

      Thanks for sharing a part of yourself with me today. Take care and have a great rest of the week.

  6. “Running Scared” by Roy Orbison was the theme in the novel “Unexpected” and became its motif. For my theme, it would be something like “How Great Thou Art.”

    • Janice, songs have always spoken to me. I remember in high school sitting in my room listening to my music with those huge headphones that ruined our hairstyle back in the day. In my newspaper class I had to keep a journal. Often I’d write about how a certain song spoke to me. One song I remember writing about was the Eagles’ Wasted Time. The lost love part didn’t speak to me, but the idea of wondering if what we’ve done matters or is wasted time did. I still wonder about that today. Though I have come to realize we don’t have to find a cure for cancer or be president to make a difference. Making a difference in someone’s day is important too.

      You’ve got me intrigued. I need to listen to Running Scared and then read Unexpected to see how they connect. As to the song that defines your life right now, you can’t go wrong with How Great Thou Art. I wish more people would let a song like that define their lives. We’d be more able to compromise, put others first, and step in someone else’s shoes if we did that. There is way to much hate and us versus them in the world right now.

      Thanks for being here today and sharing. Take care.

    • Debra, what a lovely choice. I think it’s true. For everyone that’s out in the world doing great things, there is someone there supporting them and making it all possible. Earlier in my marriage my husband was always noticed for what he’d done and was pegged as a leader. For example, twice he was president of our church. He got all the notice and compliments for doing a great job. What people didn’t know was I was at home listening to his concerns and helping him reason out possible solutions. A lot of what he did were my suggestions. He shared an article he read once. A mountain climber talked about all the recognition and praise he’d received. He said he was only able to do that because someone stayed behind at base camp and didn’t get the spotlight. My husband said that was me. I stayed behind at base camp handling all the details. So, are you the one who’s always been at base camp, too?

      Thank you for being here today and sharing. Have a terrific rest of the week.

    • Connie, this song immediately tells me a lot about you. Home, family, your heritage and where you grew up mean a lot to you. Those factors have shaped who you are and still guide you, no matter where you are, wherever you go, you take home with you and long to get back. How did I do with my guesses based on the song?

      Thanks for being here today. Take care and have a wonderful rest of the week.

  9. For this season of my life, I think Good God Almighty by David Crowder is my theme song!! I relate songs to a lot of things in my life, though, so there’s a song for quite a few different things!

    • Trudy, you’re like me. I’ve had different songs speak to what’s going on in my life. I love the lyrics to the song that fits you now. How wonderful to realize no matter what, even if we get amnesia, God will be there for us when we call to him, and even when we don’t.

      Thanks for being here today. Take care and have a great week.

    • How wonderful that you have such a connection to a home base. It can really anchor us, especially if we take those lessons and love with us wherever we go. Thanks for being here today to chat. Have a terrific week.

  11. Songs do hit differently and some do feel like they are me! I’d say now my theme song would be “Where I belong” by Building 429. The chorus is my mantra in today’s world. A great reminder!

    • I love that song too. It really spoke to me when I was in Austin dealing with my mom’s major health problems years ago. It does remind us God is our anchor and our constant no matter what rages in the world around us. You’re right. It’s a great mantra to keep things in perspective with all the craziness right now.

      Thanks for stopping by today.

    • Anne, that is an incredibly beautiful and poignant song. It never fails to speak to me. Thank you for reminding me of it. Take care, have a great week, and thanks for being here today.

    • Laini, that song is such an anthem for teenage angst, or rather angst at any age. It reminds us that there’s always hope and that once the storm passes, things will get better. Thank you for being here today.

    • Colleen, what a great song to have as your theme. I’m taking it you’re like my bff Lori. Nothing gets her down. She’s always optimistic and sees the good in everyone. That kind of an attitude comes naturally to her. Me, I have to work at staying positive. Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you have a great rest of the week.

    • Ellie, that is an emotional song. It’s also so beautiful. Some traumas and lost loves are tough to get over. I personally don’t think we ever stop grieving for those closest to us. I think we simply learn to live without them, but the ache never goes completely away. Thanks for being here today. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.

  16. You’re Gonna Miss this – Trace Adkins! Even before becoming an empty nester – so many people let their lives pass by without knowing what they are missing!

    • Teresa, you are so right! My mother was never happy and was so worried about money that she missed out on what was really important about life. Thankfully I’ve learned from her. I cherish every moment with my family and unless I’m sick, I never say no when they ask me to join them for an event. Thanks for being here and reminding me about that.

    • Alicia, what a wonderful song and congratulations on being married 45 years. Not many people can say that anymore. What’s your secret to maintaining a happy marriage?

  18. Do It Again by Elevation Worship was my fight song in defeating breast cancer. Asking God to move mountains is a bold idea. But I did it through prayer and believed He would. AND, as you already know, He did!

    • What a great song to use as your fight song. You are one strong prayer warrior, girl! So good to hear from you today. Take care, Kathy and have a great rest of the week.

    • Abby, now those are two fabulous songs. This tells me you don’t give up, you work for what you want, but you balance that with having fun. Not a bad way to live. Thanks for being here. Take care and have a super rest of the week.

  21. How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria —> Water Tower Town/Endless Night —-> Stronger

    I was a difficult kid for adults to place. I was highly intelligent and not very social. I slipped grades and wanted to skip more, but was told it wouldn’t be good for my social life…. which wasn’t great anyway, so I didn’t really get it. I spent very little time on homework and instead read a lot of books and make PowerPoint for teachers on how to use PowerPoint (new then) and on the Revolutionary War. I was sent to other classrooms to tutor kids and felt like everyone’s problem to pass on while my education and needs felt like no one’s concern but my mother’s. I’ve always lived in small towns, love Lion King, and have spent a lot of time praying and looking for the light of morning. I’m a strong, independent woman and a little crazy. Sometimes I really do feel like a lighthouse standing in the path of a mad hurricane. Every once in a while a window or two breaks, but it’s patched back together.

Comments are closed.