Music to Date your Dragon By

This is kind of an experiment, not just in terms of the level of interest it generates, but also in terms of just how practical a ‘soundtrack’ is.  Ideally, I wanted to have a playlist set up so these pieces could be played directly from the blog.  I don’t know if it’s even possible, but I couldn’t find a way to do it.   

Like a lot of writers, I listen to a lot of music while I work.  Sometimes as background noise, sometimes as inspiration, and sometimes as mood setting for a specific scene.  Some of the writers I admire have listed the artists they listen to while working; that was how I got introduced to Steeleye Span, Clannad, and Silly Wizard.  I thought about a list of inspirational music, but the idea of an actual soundtrack was much more fun.

Two albums deserve special mention: Conan the Barbarian and How to Train Your Dragon.  Both are excellent additions to any library, but for writers, game masters, and game designers, they’re both must-haves.  Power, adventure, tragedy, romance, triumph – these two have music for all those occasions.  Money well spent.

Some of these can be tricky to find, so I've added links for those. 

Book 1

Rose appears                                       ‘Open Arms’, Journey

The Dragon With the Girl Tattoo       ‘Test Drive’, How to Train Your Dragon

Family Dinner                                     ‘Information’, The Rainmakers

For Sharon                                          ‘Bright Eyes’, Watership Down, Art Garfunkle

                                                            ‘Banzai March’, Buckaroo Banzai

Driving with Randall                          ‘Baseball Furies Chase’, The Warriors OST  

Welcome Aparna                                ‘The Rolling World’, Ruth Barrett            

Book 2

Chasing Mavis                                   ‘Yakety Sax’, Boots Randolph (Benny Hill Show)

Dealing with the HOA                       ‘Mars, Bringer of War’, Gustav Holst

The Real Rose                                    ‘Coming Back Around’, How to Train Your Dragon

Little Blue Hatchie Romp                  ‘He Mele No Lilo’, Lilo and Stitch OST

Bardic                                                 ‘River’s Dance’, Firefly OST 

Unicorn                                              ‘Into the West’, Return of the King OST

This Means War                                 ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’, Dixie Chicks

The Dragon Angel                             ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’, Aaron Copeland

Breakfast at the Diner                        ‘Safety Dance’, Men Without Hats               

Book 3

Hero’s Funeral                                    ‘Hail the Hero (Mo Ghile Mear)’, Celtic Thunder

Smith                                                   ‘Terminator Main Theme’, The Terminator OST

Dressing for War                                 ‘Follow Me up to Carlow’, An Cat Dubh

Tianisa                                                 ‘Theology and Civilization’, Conan the Barbarian

Dungeon, With Dragons                     ‘Ride of the Valkyries’, Richard Wagner

Bandits and Boss                                “Thunderstruck”, AC/DC

Big Damn Heroes (back to town)       ‘The Magnificent Seven Theme’, Elmer Bernstein    

Blood for Blood                                 ‘Orphans of Doom’, Conan the Barbarian OST

The Hall of Undying Names               ‘Mountain of Power’, Conan the Barbarian OST

Rose Carries On                                  ‘Love’ and ‘End Credits’, Serenity OST

David’s Theme                                    ‘Holding Out For a Hero’, Bonnie Tyler

Rose’s Theme                                      ‘Parade of Charioteers’, Ben Hur OST