On: An Author's Playlist...
"One good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain." - Bob Marley
Hi,
My name is Mifa Adejumo, and I am an author. Yeah, I always love doing that: introducing myself as an “author”. There’s something surreal about it, I reckon. I authored a book. Little old me from one village in Nigeria called “Ososo". I wrote a story that a few people across the world deemed worth reading (not including friends and family, though). I went through the harrowing ordeal of working with editors to make one of my daydreaming stories worth the read and then I published it —ISBN and all!
Nevertheless, as much as I would love to go on and on about being an author, this piece is not about that —or maybe it slightly is. Notwithstanding, if you’re reading this and are among the lucky few that have already bought and read my debut novel “Heartbeat”, then you’d know that it had a couple of song lyrics referenced in a handful of the chapters. Most of the songs are not named directly but their lyrics gracing the pages are as profound as the story itself. If appearing at the start of a chapter, the lyrics are intended to ease readers into the emotion they are to look forward to and if appearing at the end, they provided some semblance of closure —or more so, acted as a foreboding narrative crutch for the next chapter.
Basically, music has always been essential to my writing —as it is to my writing process. An example is this blog/Newsletter you’re reading at the moment. I use songs (or in the book’s case, the lyrics) as a way to create a sort of sonic ambiance for my readers. And since the lyrics were central to the story being told, I have decided to collate a playlist that contains all the original songs from whence they were culled —with a few worthy additions for your listening pleasure; all tied to the central themes of the story: love, loss, redemption and the silly machinations of fate.
This playlist is divided into two parts (in principle, at least): A & B. Part A contains all the songs whose lyrics are directly referenced inside the book. Part B contains, what I would like to believe are, worthy additions that would inspire the mind in some way. Beneath the list is a direct link to the Spotify playlist. I hope these songs inspire you as they did me in the creation of this literary work —well, Part A, that is.
Part A:
Sarah McLachlan - Angel
Michael W Smith - Grace
Asá - Fire on the Mountain
The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
Annie Lennox - Lost
Tracy Chapman - The Promise
James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover
One Direction - Little Things
Zola Jesus - Skin
Part B:
José Gonzàlez - Heartbeats
Katie Herzig - Holding Us Back
Passenger - Two Hands (acoustic)
Hozier - Like Real People Do
Dan Romer - Doctor Eleven
Guy Clark - If I Needed You
Justin Timberlake - Mirrors
Tracy Chapman - Sing For You
Mimi Webb - Little Bit Louder
Jessie Reyez - LOVE IN THE DARK
Sleeping At Last - Sun
McKenna Hampton - If I May Die (Reissue)
Billy Joe Shaver - Live Forever
Enjoy!
P.S.
Lest I forget, I have a book reading on the 26th of August 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria and I’d love to use this opportunity to officially invite you to be there! It is an event hosted by Book Peddler. During this event, I’d get to read a little, talk about my book, sign some copies, shake, hug and share a sip or two with you. Therefore, I beseech you to come armed with your smiles, hearts, and questions, and let’s have a blast!
So, save the date and Save A Seat by clicking on this link. The event is completely FREE!
See you there…I hope!
Cheers!