Characters And Music - A Playlist Challenge

[SpunSugar]

So, got to thinking this morning, and thought it might be a fun exercise for those who use music to help them focus in on their characters!

Challenge: Create a Five-Song Playlist on YouTube that you think is a reflection of your character, or helps you get into character! Feel free to explain the songs! Create the playlist, and make sure to have MassiveCraft in the playlist description!

I'll try and collect all the playlists into one giant masterpost somewhere!





Playlist

Found on YouTube Here


Song 1. Live - Lakini's Juice

"it was an evening I shared with the sun
to find out where we belong
from the earliest days
we were dancing in the shadows"

Song 2. Beyonce - Freedom

"Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?
Cause I need freedom too!
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I'ma keep running
Cause a winner don't quit on themselves"

Song 3. Fall Out Boy - Centuries

"And I can't stop till the whole word knows my name
'Cause I was only born inside my dreams
Until you die for me, as long as there is a light
My shadow is over you 'cause I am the opposite of amnesia"

Song 4. Hamilton - Wait for It

"Life doesn't discriminate
Between the sinners and the saints
It takes and it takes and it takes
And we keep living anyway
We rise and we fall and we break
And we make our mistakes"

Song 5. Rufus Wainwright - Sonnet 29

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.



The first song, to me, is pretty indicative of Sigurna's home in Girobalda. Forests that hold dark secrets, paired with the general licentiousness of the people, and her own family's culture trying to hold out. The second is representative of her own internal cheerleader, I guess. When she needs to summon up courage or strength. The third is, I think, her wildest dreams. Moreso closer to a year ago, as lately she's been shedding them for more mature goals. The fourth is probably the closest to her actual personality. And the fifth is of her marriage and how she views love.


Does anyone else use music to get into character? To help them focus? Or maybe give you motivation? Do you tend to use environmental music to help you get into a scene? I'd love to hear your feedback regarding music and character building, even if you don't have a playlist.


​

 

[Mooffins]

I have very lengthy Spotify playlists for my characters, usually. For both Percy and Xavier Ravenstad, they can be found here and here.

Though as for this, I took 5 of my favourites for each character.

Percival Ravenstad

Spoiler: Sympathy for the Devil

I picked this song out of the notion of Percy's internal struggles between right and wrong, balancing ambition and what would be morally correct. This song tends to follow the trendline of the "Devil" listing off what he has done, and feels little remorse for it. That connects to Percy in that, while he was a conflicted person, scarcely felt guilt for what he'd do.

Spoiler: Simple Man

Not as deep as the first, but relatively as the song implies, simple. Percy was always a very simplistic person in what he liked and how he would live his ideal life, and I think the beat and general ethos of this song hits home nicely.

Spoiler: Beast of Burden

A beast of burden is typically an animal like an ox or hose that drags or carries stuff. In this for Percy, he was a layabout for a lot of his life, and when he his brother's titles were thrust upon him, he never wanted to feel dragged about by his family anymore. It was a lot of inspiration for his eventual dive into ambition, this want to avoid being the dead weight.

Spoiler: La Grange

This song simply just feels "Percy" to me. The meaning of song has little to do with the purpose, but reminds me of Percy.

Spoiler: Send me an Angel

This song simply just emulates Percival's feelings on Cedric. For a long portion of his life, Percy had little guidance and lacked people who cared for him. In the "Send me an Angel", Percy was always looking for someone who could truly mesh with him and be that other half, and eventually that was Cedric. Sappy, but I think true enough.

Xavier Ravenstad

Spoiler: God's Gonna Cut You Down

Xavier thinks that his leprosy is a divine intervention and punishment for how he acted previously in life: As a general layabout and non-religiously minded person. In this respect, he believe that the more he accepts his illness and strives to make the most of his life, the more the Spirit has his back. That being said, "God's gonna cut you down", emulates to him feeling as if people always get their dues from the Spirit.

Spoiler: Heaven knows I'm Miserable now

Simply put, Xavier isn't as happy a person as he used to be. His bout with leprosy, and the subsequent death of his father, have left in sour of mood. Not to say he's depressed, though miserable has a nice ring to it.

Spoiler: Halo

I just enjoy this song for Xavier. I feel like the cover artist's ethos and voice reflects his personality a lot.

Spoiler: I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight

Just feels like Xavier to me. Or perhaps maybe he feels Percy "died in his arms", because he could have possibly stopped it from happening, from his point of view.

Spoiler: Everybody Wants to Rule the World

What can I say. Ambitious guy.

 

[Moribundity]

Katrina C'Aelrith

Spoiler: The night

Spoiler: Back in Black

Spoiler: Stone cold

Spoiler: Femme Fatale

Spoiler: Toxic

 

[AtticCat]

Yeeesss this is fun
Playlist
Found here for Juliette

Spoiler

Song 1. Ruelle - Up in Flames

"City made of thin glass
Smoldering in pitch black
Sin so thick you can't see the stars
Can't tell good and evil apart"

Song 2. The Lumineers - Scotland

"May your dreams come to reality
If all else fails

Spoiler

Give up, we need the company
Let's drink to your health"

Song 3. Broods - Mother & Father

"The nights are getting shorter
I don't know where to go
I am getting older
And it's starting to show
And ever since I left my mother
It's much harder to know
How to make my own life here
How to make my own home"

Song 4. Vance Joy - Mess is Mine

"Hold on, darling
This body is yours,
This body is yours and mine
Well hold on, my darling
This mess was yours,
Now your mess is mine"

Song 5. Kelly Sweet - Je T'aime

"Sweet dreams, sweet dreams mon cher
You're always in my prayer"

Spoiler

For the first song, I was originally going to put 'Live like Legends' (also by Ruelle), but decided against it as, honestly to me, 'Up in Flames' sounds like a much more powerful song; it conveys (or should convey, at least to me) that Juliette is a rather faithful person surrounded by those that aren't and while they might be getting away with what they're doing now- in the end, her beliefs will win. For the second, I personally just really like the instruments as well as the fact that while the lyrics are few it shows that who ever is being sung about is wanted, whether they succeed or don't- which is how Juliette would wish to be seen. For the third song, 'Mother & Father', it speaks of a woman that is trying to survive on her own but realizes she can't, which is often how Juliette feels as she left her parents at a young age and never truly returned to them- making her feel rather lost at points. As for the last two songs, 'Je T'aime' and 'Mess is Mine', they both speak of how she thinks of love- though 'Mess is Mine' is more so directed towards her love for her husband while 'Je T'aime' is more like something she'd sing or express towards her daughter.

Found here for Merina

Spoiler

Song 1. Marina and the Diamonds - Are you Satisfied?

Spoiler

"'Cause it's my problem
If I want to pack up and run away
It's my business if I feel the need to
Smoke and drink and swear
It's my problem, it's my problem
If I feel the need to hide"

Song 2. Lorde - Glory and Gore

"But in all chaos, there is calculation
Dropping glasses just to hear them break
You've been drinking like the world was gonna end (it didn't)
Took a shiner from the fist of your best friend (go figure)"

Song 3. Hozier - Someone New

"So I fall in love just a little bit, oh little bit
Everyday with someone new"

Song 4. Fear of the Water (Piano Version)

Song 5. Kesha - Praying

"I'm proud of who I am
No more monsters, I can breathe again
And you said that I was done
Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come
'Cause I can make it on my own"

Spoiler

For the first song, it would relate to the fact that Merina is a rather stubborn person despite not appearing it- she'll do what she wishes to do and only recently has she ever considered the consequences. The second song more so seems to talk about things that have actually happened to her- she's an extremely heavy drinker and (ironically enough) was fit in the face by her best friend- who was also her lover of the time- that caused the end of their relationship and friendship. The fifth song actually goes back to this relationship, as Merina (more recently) has begun to forgive her ex for all the things he put her for despite the fact that he told her she would die without him. The third song also touches on the topic of love for Merina, and more so about how after she broke it off with her first lover, she drifted between them- never getting serious but just trying to find the one that would complete her. (Fear of the Water is just an instrumental song that I believe is one that fits her very well.)

 

[ylmadness]

Gerold Ravenstad

Spoiler: Arsonist's Lullabye

I used this when writing his life story, particularly as I thought it best represented the turmoil he faced as a child. Whilst it's a little more dramatic lyrically that his actual story, it does a good job of embodying his inability to connect with those around him at a young age. Having been bullied, teased and left to rot at Machellon when his cousins all went on to do great things, he was a pretty awkward kid but there was a low fire in there somewhere.

Spoiler: No Good

Gerold's coming of age song when he was first exposed to wrestling and Lecgaen by his father. Definitely when his confidence sky rocketed and his ridiculously unhealthy work-out regimes started to kick in. If you could put a finger on where he became an a**h***, this would be it.

Spoiler: André

André embodies the post Lecgaen period for Gerold when he was in his early twenties and only starting to go through his youth period many years too late. Having grown out of his awkward ways, he became uber-extrovert, socially disruptive rather than awkward, and went on a rebellious streak. The song's rolling beat works well with his youthful arrogance and the lyrics offer an insight into his rejection of rules despite the constant reminder that mentally, he's pretty damaged.

Spoiler: Mouvement

SKIP TO 4.25!
This piece, musically, does not really have anything to do with Gerold, however the difficulty of it and what it represents does. It is notably one of the most difficult and strange orchestral ensembles that I can think of and it perfectly represents how something so usually beautiful and elegant can become sharp, painful and awkward. Listening to it literally hurts haha, so it's hardly a playlist worthy song but it does help picture Gez.

Spoiler: Trouble On My Mind

Title of the song. Energy of the song. Tyler, The Creator. - It just works.

 

[TyrolleanEagle]

Ulric Typhonus:

Spoiler: Kaleo - Way Down We Go

Spoiler: Shinedown - How Did You Love

Spoiler: Zac Brown Band - Heavy Is The Head

Spoiler: Foo Fighters - Everlong

Spoiler: Alice in Chains - Rooster

 

[Posidem]

Olivia Ombre

Satisfied
He will never be satisfied
I will never be satisfied

Bossy
You don't have to love me
You don't even have to like me
But you will respect me

Run the World (Girls)
My persuasion can build a nation
Endless power, with our love we can devour
You'll do anything for me

You Already Know
Come get some, you little bums
Dudes want the cake, but they can't get a crumb

Tyrant
Wanna seize the throne
But what would you do if I have control

 

[StarkFromAway]

Nathaniel Bigge

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
"If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me"

Fleetwood Mac - I Know I'm Not Wrong
"Here comes the nightime
Lookin' for a little more
Waitin' on the right time
Somebody outside the door
Don't blame me
Please be strong I know I'm not wrong."

Radiohead - Burn The Witch
"Loose talk around tables
Abandon all reason
Avoid all eye contact
Do not react
Shoot the messengers"

Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
"I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space"

Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)
"Don't you try and pretend
It's my feeling we'll win in the end
I won't harm you or touch your defenses
Vanity and security
Don't you forget about me"

 

[Reaganism]

Adrienne d'Ortonnaise

Rainbow - Catch The Rainbow

We believed we'd catch the rainbow
Ride the wind to the sun
Sail away on ships of wonder

But life's not a wheel
With chains made of steel
So bless me
Come the dawn...

@Scribbe

Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb

Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing

You get a shiver in the dark
It's raining in the park but meantime
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
You feel alright when you hear that music ring

Joe Walsh - Life's Been Good

I go to parties sometimes until four
It's hard to leave when you can't find the door
It's tough to handle this fortune and fame
Everybody's so different, I haven't changed

#Ithania

Harry Chapin - Cats in The Cradle

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

 

[seoulmate]

Amelina Peirgarten:

Spoiler: You Don't Own Me

"I'm young and I love to be young
I'm free and I love to be free to live
my life the way I want to say and do whatever I please."

Spoiler: Greek Tragedy

"My character's strong
but my head is loose."

Spoiler: Don't Wanna Cry

"When half of me is gone
how can I live as one?"

Spoiler: Love Me Dead

"She moves through moon beams slowly
she knows just how to hold me, and when
her edges soften, her body is my coffin."

Spoiler: One Day I'll Fly Away

"Why live life from dream to dream
and dread the day dreaming ends."

 

[Chalapas]

Velencia Malvosin

Spoiler: Lie - BTS

(its a fanmade video, because the real one didn't include the full song) (plus Jimin ^-^)

Ahh, the very embodiment of the thing Velencia despises the most, a lie. A little lie never hurt anyone, now did it?...

"Caught in a lie~"

Spoiler: Boy Meets Evil - BTS

(actual music starts at :37 seconds, unless you enjoy Namjoon's intellectual words of wisdom ^-^)(WARNING: hot & spicy dancing ahead ;>)

"Sometimes its impossible to escape the fears we hold in the dark of our souls."

"The music box of tragedy echoes
But in order to be free from this crime
It's impossible to forget and give up"

Spoiler: All The King's Horses - Karmina

I believe the song fits with Velencia's personality as she's lost the ability to trust others, often feeling as if there is not one place she can be where this sense of distrust isn't.

"All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put me back together again
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put me back together again

Run with my hands on my eyes
Blind, but I'm still alive
Free to go back on my own
But is it still a home
When you're all alone?

Is it still a home
When you're all alone?"

Spoiler: Dynasty - MIIA

Another example of how Velencia feels as she trudges through life with a hardened heart of stone and scars from broken trust.

"Some days it's hard to see
If I was a fool, or you, a thief
Made it through the maze to find my one in a million
Now you're just a page torn from the story I'm living

And all I gave you is gone
Tumbled like it was stone
Thought we built a dynasty that heaven couldn't shake
Thought we built a dynasty like nothing ever made
Thought we built a dynasty forever couldn't break up

The scar I can't reverse
When the more it heals the worse it hurts
Gave you every piece of me, no wonder it's missing
Don't know how to be so close to someone so distant"

Spoiler: Madness - Ruelle

The song fits toward Velencia's dark side that has been slowly taking over her, in her veins and heart as it sinks it sinful claws deep into her flesh and refuse to let go without leaving its dark mark.

"Feel the fury closing in
All resistance wearing thin
Nowhere to run from all of this havoc
Nowhere to hide from all of this madness"

Spoiler: City of the Dead - Eurielle

Yet another example of Velencia's growing sin, always on her heels tempting her. Bringing her closer to her end.

"I feel like I'm drowning, I'm sinking deeper
White light fades to red"

 

[FeyWitches]

Playlist
(Because my characters are similar one way or another they all share similar songs that I play to "get in the mood".)

1.

Spoiler: Herr Manelig

2.

Spoiler: Devil's Dance Floor

3.

Spoiler: Alias

4.

Spoiler: Imaginaerum

5.

Spoiler: Never Ending Story

So most of these are very instrumental, of course with some lyrics but have these jolly tunes. All of these set this perfect mood to invest in a character with the different settings.
Number one, Herr Manelig is heavily based on instrumental and an opera-esque male and female singer, this being a perfect setting if I wanted to draw/write about something with some sort of ominous shadow, yet elegant.
Number two is an Irish tune that sings about a disturbed woman, but this dude just wants to dance on "The Devil's Dance Floor", one I just love Irish tunes, but secondly it encourages me to have a little fun.
Three is purely because it has an awesome guitar riff, nothing like listening to impressive guitar riffs that gives this boost.
Four is a song dubbed Imaginaerum. This is all instrument, not even a single vocal. To me this shows a lot of symbolism with encouragement and turmoil.
Five is just amusing because it's just meta. "We're all part of a story, part of a tale", which does occur on the Massivecraft server. Imagine some bard singing this song and people tell him to shut up even though he basically solved the meaning of their existence.​

 

[Lizmun]

Orlaith I'rath (Oakley Pratt)
The golden-eyed freak​

Eat the Rich - Motörhead
"Come on baby, eat the rich, take a bite out that son of a b*tch"

Kickstart my Heart - Mötley Crüe
"Kickstart my heart, hope it never stops"

Fly by Night - Rush
"Why try? I know why, this feeling inside me says it's time I was gone"

People are strange - The Doors
"When you're strange, no one remembers your name... When you're strange..."

Stand up and Shout - Dio
"You've got desire, so let it out! You've got the power, stand up and shout! Shout!"​

Spoiler: Reasonings

I picked the first song, Eat the Rich, because of Oakley's political views. She's avidly an anarchist, and wishes to see the eventual destruction of all governmental and class system. She particularly despises the rich folk, partially due to the envy of a lavish lifestyle she could never have, and wants to see the destruction of the privledged nobles and aristocrats. I feel like this song reflects these views, so I picked it to be the first on the list.

Kickstart my Heart reminds me of Oakley because she actively seeks out thrill and danger. She's not one to take a potentially life threatening situation all that seriously, and views them as something to entertain her. This is the essence of this song, on how daredevils seek cheap thrills, and even how it could eventually be costly.

Oakley, through out all her life, has been constantly moving. She rarely stays in one spot for too long; she's always been gripped by a particularly strong wanderlust. I chose Fly by Night for this reason, as the song is about an individual just suddenly packing up and moving on with little warnings and few goodbyes. This feeling and process is something Oakley has expierenced countless times as she moved from town to town around Aloria.

Due to being a silven, very few people enjoy Oakley's extended company. She's an outcast, ostracized by society. The song People are Strange talks about how being strange feels like, something Oakley is well acquainted with.

Stand up and Shout ties into Oakley's need for personal freedom and desire of self expression. She simply wants to be a free woman, and wants to be free of any chains that tie her down.

Abigail Langlais-Tucker
The drunken mage

Longneck Bottle - Garth Brooks
"Longneck bottle, let go of my hand"

Honky Cat - Elton John
"You better get back, honky cat; livin' in the city ain't where it's at"

Happy - Pharrell Williams
"'Cause I'm happy"

Shine - Collective Soul
"Heaven let your light shine down"

Distant Early Warning - Rush
"You sometimes drive me crazy, but I worry about you"
​

Spoiler: Reasonings

Abigail suffers from a strongly addictive personality, which is by no means a good thing. She is, without much doubt, addicted to alcohol. Abigail often struggles with her addiction, as most of her money is wasted on it, and her alcoholism has cost her a few relationships with friends and family alike. The song Longneck bottle reflects her struggle nearly perfectly - it describes an alcoholic who is desperate to stop, but simply can't.

Honky Cat is about when a man who previously lived a rural, 'hick' lifestyle moves into the city, and is then absoloutely overwhelmed by it. The same thing happened to Abigail - she came from rural Ithania, and moved to regalia nearly on a whim. She struggled for a long time before she adapted. Even today, she still misses the countryside, and yearns to one day return.

The song Happy simply describes Abigail's almost constant outward positive attitude. Even if this preppiness is only a facade at times, Abigail tends to almost appear outwardly happy.

Abigail is a very religious woman, even if she's not always very outspoken about her religious choices. She prays nearly twice daily, and offers many paintings, carvings, and fruits to her god, Mershell. She often looks to religion for guidance when all else fails her. This is why I chose Shine, because the song sports a similar theme of piety.

Lastly, I chose Distant Early Warning, but it's a double edged sword in this situation. Many have expressed worry and concern to Abigail over her alcoholism, even though she's already tried to go sober a few times and has failed each. Abigail will also worry excessively for any of those close to her - which is what this song is about. Catching early warning signs of trouble, and expressing concern.

 

[gnomery]

Maggie Perkins
Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman
'Cause while the sinners sin, the children play
Oh lord, how they play and play
For that happy day, for that happy day

Beck- Dear Life
You sang your swan song to the dogs
'Cause they made mincemeat of the dreams you hung your hopes on
So you counted out what your sins cost
While money talks to your conscience, looking like a fool for love

Outkast - Unhappy
I never thought that alcohol could ease the notion of the sadness
Now what used to be a happy home done turned into some bad shit
Graphic, language, mild violence and the silence of the the fams
No members to remember but I know just who I am

Alex G - Sarah
Every day
I'll make promises that play
On Sarah's heart
So I can watch her fall apart
'Cause I know
When I break her down
We'll spit on all the happy clowns
That live around this sunny town
She loves me like a dog
And when we mess around
I'll let her know the truth I found
In my own hopeless hate
And every time I wake
I second guess the game I played
Did I make a mistake?

Noname - Diddy Bop
This sound like growing out my clothes
With stars in my pocket, dreaming 'bout making my hood glow
This sound like every place I would go, if I could fly
This feel like every summertime
Fall asleep dreaming bout all the places I could go
And every one of them feels so close, still chasing time

Adelita Fuentes
Flying Lotus - Post Requisite
(video not for the faint of heart)

Elysian Fields - Dream Within a Dream
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand —
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep

Radiohead - Videotape
When I'm at the pearly gates
This'll be on my videotape, my videotape
When Mephistopheles is just beneath
And he's reaching up to grab me
This is one for the good days
And I have it all here in red, blue, green, in red, blue, green
You are my center when I spin away
Out of control on videotape

Common - Testify

Mister Scoops - Devil's Business

​

 

[ElderShrub]

Asterion Fellmirr
Song 1: Revolution by Phil Gardiner

Spoiler: Video and Justification

Starting strong, I would almost consider this Asterion's main theme. An instrumental piece with a simple melody, it's not overly complex, or flashy. It's a soothing tune, but it doesn't have the slowness associated with other calm music. It's lighthearted, but not whimsical. Hopeful, but not joyous. And overall a great piece for Asterion.

Song 2: Forbidden Friendship from How to Train Your Dragon

Spoiler: Video and Justification

If you don't like orchestral film scores, this is probably not the playlist for you. Forbidden Friendship barely edged out Through Heavens Eyes. This song is great for the more intense or dramatic moments of Asterion's existence. I use a ton of Dreamworks songs for these moments, when I need something more powerful. However despite that it still contains the same childlike lightheartedness, and it's almost certain to bring a smile.

Song 3: Morning has Broken by Cat Stevens

Spoiler: Video and Justification

Cat Stevens is awesome. His heartfelt music keeps the same calm and light themes of prior entries on this list. However Steven's music is filled with a soul that almost seems faithful. This fits well with Asterion's value in faith, without taking it away from his roots. Other songs that lost to Morning has Broken include Father and Son, and Oh Very Young.

Song 4: Chevaliers de Sangreal by Hans Zimmer

Spoiler: Video and Justification

"More orchestral film scores Shrub?" I hear you asking. Well, yes! You can't tell me what to do! Chevaliers de Sangreal occupies a weird spot for Asterion. It has been described as having a cathedral feel, that fits well with Asterion's faithfulness. It's also got an air of mystery and discovery to it, that in some cases fits. In all, a powerful, moving score that fills a similar spot to Forbidden Friendship above. It's far far too grandiose, but I'm allowed to indulge.

Song 5: Gymnopédie No.1 by Erik Satie

Spoiler: Video and Justification

Finally lets end with something really oldschool. The Gymnopédies are considered to be one of the most relaxing pieces of piano ever written. They're really nothing more than atmospheric pieces. No soaring melodies or powerful beat. Does it fit Asterion perfectly? No. Will it get you to take a deep breath, relax, and take the time to smell the roses? For sure!

​