Music Monday – You Don’t Own Me – Lesley Gore

Welcome to Music Monday! As many of you know, music contributes a great deal to my writing process. Whether it’s a song’s lyrics, beat, rhythm, or tone, I find myself constantly inspired by it.

writing-to-musicLast week, I was completely obsessed with one of my favorite Malt Shop artists, Lesley Gore. It seemed no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop listening to her music, not even the awesome “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows”…Don’t worry, today’s Music Monday feature isn’t that yippity-dippity hit. It’s Gore’s much more dramatic and empowering “You Don’t Own Me”.

I fell in love with this song years and years ago, all the way back to when I was a kid and my aunt used to babysat me and my siblings. Whenever we’d go over to her house, she’d throw on Lesley Gore’s record, grab a spatula, and “serenade” us while we ate dinner. Usually her performance would end with all of us dancing around to “It’s My Party”.

However, it was my aunt’s theatrical rendition of “You Don’t Own Me” that stuck with me throughout the years. And lately, as I’ve been working on the edits for my manuscript, it’s become one of my obsessions.

“You Don’t Own Me” is one of those songs that inspires me purely on its attitude, empowerment, and drama. And Gore’s performance in the music video below is the cherry on top. So much spirit and spunk! Just watching her makes me feel strong, rebellious, and all “Don’t tell me what to do!” And I need to feel those types of emotions while working on my novel.

You+Dont+Own+Me+LiveSo, if you’re looking for a wonderful song that’s full of power, drama, and attitude, listen to Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me”.

What song(s) are you in love with right now? Which one(s) offer you inspiration? Let me know! I’m always searching for songs that motivate my writing.

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Photo credits: 

http://michaelgalvis.com/

http://rebloggy.com/post/gif-black-and-white-vintage-singing-singer-gif-set-1960s-b-amp-w-60s-lesley-gore/40830810486

http://rebloggy.com/post/my-gif-gif-funny-glamour-party-humor-new-years-retro-nostalgia-1920s-classic-fil/71786318384

http://www.last.fm/music/Lesley+Gore/You+Don’t+Own+Me+(Live)

Music Monday – Downtown – Petula Clark

Welcome to Music Monday! As many of you know, music contributes a great deal to my writing process. Whether it’s a song’s lyrics, beat, rhythm, or tone, I find myself constantly inspired by it.

001603-black-paint-splatter-icon-media-music-eighth-notesMy Dad loves music, particularly Oldies. When I was a kid, he’d often quiz me and my two siblings. A song would come on the radio and he’d ask, “Who sings it?” Of course, I’d never know, so I’d always guess The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, and finally, out of sheer desperation, Buddy Holly…Yeah, I kinda stunk at remembering the smaller bands/artists.

image.phpDespite my poor performance during my Dad’s impromptu quizzes, I grew to love his music. I especially fell for the Malt Shop classics. Not only do they make me think of summer BBQ’s and crazy family road trips, but they offer a surprising amount of writing inspiration.

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with “Downtown” by Petula Clark.

petula365I’m not sure what it is about this song, but it just makes me want to write. It’s upbeat, cheery, and fun. Yet, at the same time, it’s dark and eerie…Yeah, totally weird and random, I know. And I’m positive I’m the only one who thinks this way. But I can’t help it. Whenever I hear this song, I sense a dark, menacing undertone. A creepy, chilling whisper that would play as perfect background music to a scene that’s anything but upbeat, cheery, and fun.

It’s sort of like this opening scene in the TV show Flash Forward.

I suppose it’s one of those yin-yang things? Happy, lighthearted tunes can make a devastating, suspenseful, frightening scene even more devastating, suspenseful, and frightening.

Anyways, if you’d like to listen to “Downtown” by Petula Clark, here you go! It’s definitely one of my “Oldies but Goodies” favorites.

What song(s) are you in love with right now? Which one(s) offer you inspiration? Let me know! I’m always searching for songs that motivate my writing.

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