I've created two soundtracks to I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE. I did this out of necessity because I wanted to have a soundtrack that you could hear online, so I had to use the songs available from Project Playlist. You can scroll down to find that player. You'll also find some of my thoughts on those songs below. But I also want you to know what is on my iTunes playlist for IWBYJR. This is the soundtrack I envisioned for the book and have given out to some lucky winners in contests in the past. Lastly at the very bottom of the page, you will find more playlists created by readers of IWBYJR in a fan art contest I ran. They are all awesome too, so enjoy!
My personal playlist for IWBYJR:
My Project Playlist, IWBYJR soundtrack:
The book is named for Sleater-Kinney's "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone," but it wasn't the song that originally inspired the book. The book actually went through a couple titles including "The Black Notebooks" and "All Roads Lead to Rock 'n Roll," but when I was looking for a new, catchier title, I looked towards songs and lyrics and if there is any song that perfectly sums up Emily Black, it's that one. I was more than thrilled when the publisher liked the title idea, too.
"Don't Take Me For Granted" is actually the song I listened to over and over again while writing this book. "Gimme Danger" and "She's Lost Control" are both referenced in the book. "Ask the Angels" is another song that would be one of Emily's theme songs because of the line "Rock 'n Roll is what I'm born to be." Of course I looked for the Patti Smith version as Patti is a big influence for both Louisa and Emily, but I was only able to find the Distillers version. Not a big deal, it's an awesome rendition and I think Emily would totally hang out with the singer Brody Dalle. Another cover version I put on the mix is "The Man Who Sold The World." That Bowie album was the one that changed Louisa's life and Emily and She Laughs were totally inspired by Nirvana, another band that made it huge from a small town (and of course one of my biggest influences).
There were also a few bands that I couldn't find my preferred song for so I put a substitute. Like I wanted "Rock 'n Roll Girl" by the Muffs. And I wanted Babes in Toyland "Mother" for Emily's angry at Louisa song. And then even though I prefer early Hole to Courtney Love's America's Sweetheart album, I think that "Mono" by her is a great song about women saving rock 'n roll. Then, I would have preferred "Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth because A. Kim Gordon sings and B. it's another women in rock 'n roll song. So be sure to check out all of those songs too.
Let's see what else to say about this mix. The Pixies are Regan's favorite band. Then, we've got some other inspirational punk rock on there. And Pink. Yeah, Pink. She's a pop star, but she's bad ass and totally an inspiration of mine for Emily.
Justine's Soundtrack:
Lucile's Soundtrack:
Kay's Soundtrack: Click on the link to see a YouTube video of the song if you are not familiar with it.
Civet - All I Want This song reminds me of Emily and Regan's friendship.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - Bad Reputation Another Emily and Regan song; if there's ever an IWBYJR movie, they should TOTALLY do a montage of Emily and Regan strolling around Carlisle, with this song as a background.
The Runaways - Hollywood Dream Yet again, Emily and Regan. Maybe not Hollywood dreams as much as rockstar dreams, but the lyrics kind of relate to that: "Daddy says I'm much too good for the neighbourhood."
New Found Glory - Truth of My Youth Kind of how I think Emily, Regan and Tom (and maybe every kid that ever went to River's Edge) felt about Carlisle.
HorrorPops - Freaks in Uniform "A zombified closed community, a brainwashed breed of hypocrisy!" - another tribute to the town stuck in the past, lol.
Rancid - Unwritten Rules To me, this song sums up the passion and NEED to play music, for She Laughs.
HorrorPops - Trapped Kind of what I imagine Emily was thinking when she first met Johnny.
Rancid - Injury And an Emily/Johnny break up song.
HorrorPops - Undefeated "My band, my friends, my life, my pride, what keeps me undefeated" - Emily's rehab song after the travelling year.
Civet - You Don't Know Me Emily and She Laughs vs. Johnny and My Gorgeous Letdown.
Garbage - Cherry Lips A song for Michael and Louisa: "This life can turn a good girl bad - she was the sweetest thing you ever had."
Alkaline Trio - Maybe I'll Catch Fire This song makes me think of some of the things Louisa thought in her years of solitude: "And maybe I'll catch fire, something warm to hold me - something pure to burn away the darkness that hides inside my mind; all that evil shit's not hard to find."
Blondie - The Dream's Lost on Me A survivor song for Emily.
