Tracking Down Tunes: Soundtrack Songs

We're back for Tracking Down Tunes! Lindsey of Bring My Books & I are teaming up on this collaboration, inspired by our mutual desire to broaden our musical horizons. Basically, we both listen to music the same way: we find a favorite artist or album or track and listen to it nonstop. In an effort to diversify the music we listen to, we decided it would be fun to go out of our way to listen to new songs - and that it would be even better if we could recommend stuff to each other. So, every month, we'll be sharing our monthly playlists (for the previous month) with all of you!

Confession: apart from anything Disney or Harry Potter, I wasn't much for soundtracks until I hit college. For some reason, that was the time of my life when I started paying attention to the scores and songs that music directors and composers used to enhance the viewer's experience of a particular moment. I often found myself awed by how moved I could become, how perfectly something could complement a scene and I appreciate melody and lyrics in a way I never had before. It became a part of my own writing routine eventually, and until now, I like to collect pieces of music whenever it inspires a scene or a feeling in my mind. I'm really excited to be sharing some of my favorite songs off soundtracks - television, musical or film. 

Suddenly I See / KT Tunstall - The very instant I hear the opening strains of this song, I'm transported right back to the moment in "The Devil Wears Prada" where Anne Hathaway faithfully goes to her job attending her crazy boss in fabulously fashionable outfits. Not only do I remember that particular moment, but I also happen to gain a confidence in my strut when it comes on.

The Distance / Evan and Jaron - "Serendipity" is a movie that I watch every single year during the holiday season, for no other reason than the fact that it's steeped in nostalgia and my best friend & I made it a ritual. I love that the film is set in New York City, I love that it's about serendipity and I also like that this song reminds me of my own previous experience with long distance.

I'll Be / Edwin McCain - To be fair, I first and foremost associate this song with my younger sister. But it also brings me to that particular moment in the teen film "A Cinderella Story" where Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray dance for the first time together in the gazebo. It's just so lovely (and that particular rendition is wonderful), and will forever be imprinted on my mind.

Defying Gravity / Wicked the Musical - One of the first musicals that I ever fell head over heels in love with was Wicked, and this song in particular represented a lot of things to me - challenge, inspiration, encouragement. While I can't always nail those high notes (seriously, so high), I do love listening to it (and singing along) when I need a boost in morale.

Danses des Petits Cygnes / Swan Lake - As a former ballerina, I was obsessed with this show. I got to perform in it when I was very little, and it will always be magical to me for that very reason. I'm pretty obsessed with the soundtrack (and it's inspired a WIP of mine that is still unfinished), but this is my favorite of all the tracks to listen to over and over.

Doctor Who Opening Credits - I'm a relatively new Whovian (I only completely caught up on the current series for this show early this year), but this theme song is everything. It perfectly represents the tone of the whole show - it's science, it's magic, it's adventure, it's romance, it's humor and it's heart and it's absolutely the best things ever to come into my life.

Game of Thrones Opening Credits - This show has definitely had its ups and downs in terms of plot, execution and character development. But, without fail, every single time I hear the opening theme, I can't help myself from listening attentively. It just sounds epic, and it perfectly complements this medieval age drama of power plays, cunning twists, epic battles, romance, friendship and family. (P.S. How excellent was the series finale last month? I am SO ready for girls to rule the world.)

Across the Stars / Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Even though I'm not necessarily a fan of all the prequel trilogy films, I do love this particular theme. It's just so incredibly moving and poignant to listen to. I feel the melancholy, but I also feel the hope and the love and it is enough to make all my emotions come to life in an instant when it starts playing.

Theme / Jurassic Park OST - To be fair, I never truly noticed the theme of Jurassic Park until Macky pointed it out to me a couple of years ago. But I don't know how I ever lived without it on my playlists! It just screams epic adventure to me, and I can immediately think of the perfect hero/heroine to go on it. (Plus, dinosaurs. You can't go wrong with dinosaurs.)

Prologue / Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone OST - There was no way that I was going to complete my selections for this month's playlist without including a track from the Harry Potter films. I decided to pick the opening theme, because every single time I hear it play, it makes me feel the most pleasant of shivers. It really is the perfect melody to capture the magic, mystery and mayhem of the world of Harry Potter.

Also, we have a special bonus for you this month! Since we're both major Disney kids, we decided to create an entirely separate playlist for Disney songs so we could put more of our favorites. No explain needed for these, I think, as I'm sure many of you will recognize them!