Goodbye to Beekman Place
Music Playlist
“Music inspires my imagination.
When I hear a good song on the radio, it triggers a video in my head, a story of my own creation set to the playing music. Sometimes it follows the lyrics, but more often than not, the song is just a jumping point. Whenever I hear Gary Numan’s “Cars” for example, I’m back in 1980, at the Landmark Theater in Peoria.”
Goodbye to Beekman Place got its start as a music playlist – first, as a series of Walkman cassettes, and later as an iPod file. In the years that it took to finish the project, I would ease SPD anxiety by taking long walks at night with my headphones, calming my thoughts with the music of my past. I’d play my favorite songs as I explored the historic neighborhoods of Peoria, Joliet, and Aurora, Illinois – and each song triggered a video in my head, like a movie scene’s background soundtrack.
Rather than a written outline, the plot of Goodbye to Beekman Place was created by taking those scenes and their music, and then arranging them into a coherent story. I had no idea how the novel should end, but I always knew which song had to come next and what the characters had to do while the music was playing. To me, the book’s soundtrack was as important as the plot, and I chose to reference specific published works as a way to show the reader how music translates into schizotypal visual metaphors.
More importantly, I wanted to thank the many different artists whose music helped me find a voice within the silence of depression.
Here is that playlist:
1. Numan, Gary. “Cars.” The Pleasure Principle, Beggars Banquet, 1979.
2. Blondie. “One Way or Another.” Parallel Lines, Chrysalis, 1978.
3. Moby. “Signs of Love.” 18, Mute, V2, BMG, 2002.
4. Newton-John, Olivia. “Magic.” Xanadu soundtrack, MCA Records, 1980.
5. Carpenter, Karen. “Ticket to Ride.” Ticket to Ride, A&M, 1969.
6. Sniff ‘n’ the Tears. “Driver’s Seat.” Fickle Heart, Atlantic, 1978.
7. Bee Gees. “Tragedy.” Spirits Having Flown, RSO/Warner Bros, 1979.
8. Eve 6. “Inside Out.” Eve 6, RCA, 1998.
9. Taco. “Puttin on the Ritz.” After Eight, RCA, 1982.
10. Manilow, Barry. “Copacabana.” Even Now, Arista, 1978.
11. The Eagles. “Hotel California.” Hotel California, Asylum, 1976.
12. Electric Light Orchestra. “All Over the World.” Xanadu soundtrack, MCA Records, 1980.
13. Fitzgerald, Ella. “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook, Verve, 1958.
14. Bedingfield, Natasha. “Unwritten.” Live in New York City, Sony/BMG, 2006.
15. Mills, Frank. “Music Box Dancer.” Music Box Dancer, Polydor, 1978.
16. Dead or Alive. “My Heart Goes Bang.” Rip it Up, Epic, 1987.
17. Iris, Donnie. “Ah! Leah!” Back on the Streets, Midwest National, 1980.
18. Connel, Jane. “St. Bridget.” Mame, Original Cast Recording, Columbia, 1966.
19. Alan Parsons Project. “Eye in the Sky.” Eye in the Sky, Arista, 1982.
20. Tango-Music of Passion. “Hernando’s Hideaway.” Various artists/labels.
21. Styx. “Mr. Robato.” Kilroy Was Here, A&M, 1983.
22. Jones, Howard. “Things Can Only Get Better.” Dream into Action, WEA/Elektra, 1985.
23. Crash Test Dummies. “Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm.” God Shuffled His Feet, BMG, 1993.
24. Queen. “I Want to Break Free.” The Works, EMI/Parlophone, Capitol, Hollywood Records, 1984.
25. Ryan, Irene. “No Time at All.” Pippin, Original Cast Recording, 1972.
26. Five For Fighting. “100 Years.” The Battle for Everything, Aware/Columbia, 2004.
27. Dada. “Dizz Knee Land.” Puzzle, IRS, 1992.
28. Fun. “Some Nights.” Some Nights, Fueled by Ramen, 2012.
When I hear a good song on the radio, it triggers a video in my head, a story of my own creation set to the playing music. Sometimes it follows the lyrics, but more often than not, the song is just a jumping point. Whenever I hear Gary Numan’s “Cars” for example, I’m back in 1980, at the Landmark Theater in Peoria.”
Goodbye to Beekman Place got its start as a music playlist – first, as a series of Walkman cassettes, and later as an iPod file. In the years that it took to finish the project, I would ease SPD anxiety by taking long walks at night with my headphones, calming my thoughts with the music of my past. I’d play my favorite songs as I explored the historic neighborhoods of Peoria, Joliet, and Aurora, Illinois – and each song triggered a video in my head, like a movie scene’s background soundtrack.
Rather than a written outline, the plot of Goodbye to Beekman Place was created by taking those scenes and their music, and then arranging them into a coherent story. I had no idea how the novel should end, but I always knew which song had to come next and what the characters had to do while the music was playing. To me, the book’s soundtrack was as important as the plot, and I chose to reference specific published works as a way to show the reader how music translates into schizotypal visual metaphors.
More importantly, I wanted to thank the many different artists whose music helped me find a voice within the silence of depression.
Here is that playlist:
1. Numan, Gary. “Cars.” The Pleasure Principle, Beggars Banquet, 1979.
2. Blondie. “One Way or Another.” Parallel Lines, Chrysalis, 1978.
3. Moby. “Signs of Love.” 18, Mute, V2, BMG, 2002.
4. Newton-John, Olivia. “Magic.” Xanadu soundtrack, MCA Records, 1980.
5. Carpenter, Karen. “Ticket to Ride.” Ticket to Ride, A&M, 1969.
6. Sniff ‘n’ the Tears. “Driver’s Seat.” Fickle Heart, Atlantic, 1978.
7. Bee Gees. “Tragedy.” Spirits Having Flown, RSO/Warner Bros, 1979.
8. Eve 6. “Inside Out.” Eve 6, RCA, 1998.
9. Taco. “Puttin on the Ritz.” After Eight, RCA, 1982.
10. Manilow, Barry. “Copacabana.” Even Now, Arista, 1978.
11. The Eagles. “Hotel California.” Hotel California, Asylum, 1976.
12. Electric Light Orchestra. “All Over the World.” Xanadu soundtrack, MCA Records, 1980.
13. Fitzgerald, Ella. “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook, Verve, 1958.
14. Bedingfield, Natasha. “Unwritten.” Live in New York City, Sony/BMG, 2006.
15. Mills, Frank. “Music Box Dancer.” Music Box Dancer, Polydor, 1978.
16. Dead or Alive. “My Heart Goes Bang.” Rip it Up, Epic, 1987.
17. Iris, Donnie. “Ah! Leah!” Back on the Streets, Midwest National, 1980.
18. Connel, Jane. “St. Bridget.” Mame, Original Cast Recording, Columbia, 1966.
19. Alan Parsons Project. “Eye in the Sky.” Eye in the Sky, Arista, 1982.
20. Tango-Music of Passion. “Hernando’s Hideaway.” Various artists/labels.
21. Styx. “Mr. Robato.” Kilroy Was Here, A&M, 1983.
22. Jones, Howard. “Things Can Only Get Better.” Dream into Action, WEA/Elektra, 1985.
23. Crash Test Dummies. “Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm.” God Shuffled His Feet, BMG, 1993.
24. Queen. “I Want to Break Free.” The Works, EMI/Parlophone, Capitol, Hollywood Records, 1984.
25. Ryan, Irene. “No Time at All.” Pippin, Original Cast Recording, 1972.
26. Five For Fighting. “100 Years.” The Battle for Everything, Aware/Columbia, 2004.
27. Dada. “Dizz Knee Land.” Puzzle, IRS, 1992.
28. Fun. “Some Nights.” Some Nights, Fueled by Ramen, 2012.