What music inspires your writing? Are there lyrics or music that bring imagery to your mind, invoke emotions that fit your characters, provide insights into your genre, or just encourage your words? Plato states it so well…
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
I thought I would provide some glimpses into my creative mind, sharing the music that inspires me as I work on my science fiction stories. The more obvious choices would be soundtracks that set an ambiance, my favorites being Blade Runner and Interstellar. Just listening to those scores brings imagery from the movies and the general concepts to mind so quickly. Interstellar especially, when I close my eyes and listen deeply, brings images of the vastness of space.
Growing up on 70s and 80s rock and roll, influenced by my step-dads album collection, much of the music that inspires me comes from that era and genre. My favorites include
Time by ELO
Approaching Light Speed by Barnabas
I Robot by Alan Parsons Project
2112 by Rush
Space Oddity by David Bowie (and this version by Chris Hadfield from the the International Space Station is epic!)
I also want to share odd, but honorable mentions. I love each of these and they really encourage my passion for science fiction, but don’t really help me write, as they distract me. I get drawn into them and want to pay attention to them more than what I am writing! First up is Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds which is a rock opera rendition of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds. I have the original double CD and stream in on Prime as well. So much fun to listen to. Second, is the opening credits to the anime Cowboy Bebop, one of my all-time favorite anime. Soon as I hear the opening rift of this jazz soundtrack, I am back watching the series in my mind and thinking of space cowboys, gateways, planets, and more!
What music inspires your writing? Do you find certain music helps you write in your genre? Do you prefer silence or other sounds for inspiration?