When you’re reading a classic work of literature, do you find yourself thinking things like, “Would I like this character in real life?" You know there is supposed to be a deeper meaning in the book, but you would rather ponder, "What kind of music would ____ listen to?”
That last question is essential—music says a lot about who you are and what your concerns are in life. So in an effort to, umm, better understand the great characters of literature, these are our best guesses for what would be the favorite songs of everyone from Hamlet to Jay Gatsby. If they had a computer. And were real.
-Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye): "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel. Holden would be obsessed with dark folk-rock, particularly “The Sounds of Silence.” He loves that smart, poetic dissatisfaction with our superficial world.
-Hamlet (Hamlet): “The End” by the Doors. The most famous and disturbing part of this angsty, existential anthem fits Hamlet and his Oedipus complex perfectly: “Father/Yes son/I want to kill you/Mother I want to…. MMYEAHHH!” Sure, he wanted to kill his uncle, not father, but there was definitely something fishy with his emotions toward his mommy……
-Odysseus (The Odyssey): “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It seems odd to connect an ancient Greek to Skynyrd, but The Odyssey is all about the value of home. Odysseus spent years trying to get back to his, and he totally would have jammed to this tune while clipping along the ocean.
-Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird): "Imagine" by John Lennon. Gentle, noble, open-minded… Atticus would have loved the peace-loving nature of John Lennon’s dream for harmony in our world.
-Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby): “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Fred Astaire. Because this classic showtune is fancy, ostentatious, fun and superficial. This song would be the soundtrack to Gatsby’s life.
-Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men): Anything by Echo and the Bunnymen. Not because of their music or anything. Lenny just loves rabbits!!
-Catherine Earnshaw (Wuthering Heights): "You Know I'm No Good" by Amy Winehouse. Okay, there is a great song called “Wuthering Heights,” but that’s just too easy. Cathy would probably feel a strong connection to Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” with its theme of love you can’t say no to even though you know it’s a BAD idea for both of you. And if Heathcliff lived right now, he would definitely have rolled up sleeves and a skull t-shirt.
-Juliet Capulet (Romeo and Juliet): “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler. “Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I’m only falling apart….”
Harry Potter (duh): Anything by Weezer. His iPod would probably be nothing but Rivers and company. Harry is all about that dorky-but-cute outsider vibe.
Winston Smith (1984): Anything by Rage Against the Machine. Winston would totally freak out to their wild, revolutionary jams when he was resisting Big Brother. But when he was brainwashed into mind-numbing conformity, he would probably enjoy something boring and lightweight like Jack Johnson.
What other songs do you think famous literary characters would listen to? And what would Snape rock out to?
By: Joe_Lynch
Topics: Music
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