Hunting for music to inspire writing

[Penta]

Yup. I am not a music person - I just don't listen to music much, maybe because my ears are nearly-useless, or at least one is "profoundly deaf". I can't say I really have much in the way of "tastes" in music, though I don't generally listen to hip hop or country.

With all that said, I find that music comes in handy to have on in the background when I'm writing. Almost a requirement. Doesn't matter whether I'm writing fiction, writing for classes, or what.

Writing for fiction especially. There, I need music. I tend to write my fiction very "cinematically", and it always helps to have a playlist ready that fits each scene. Background music, if you will. I have personal favorites for certain scene types (romantic sorts of scenes often get Louis Armstrong's "Kiss to Build a Dream On" in the background, for example - I associate it deeply with my first girlfriend), but in many cases I go by what I have available - which isn't much, and I'm constantly trawling the internet with no idea what to look for.

So I'm going to ask for suggestions for my modern police writing. I'm going to throw out situations, and I'll let you have the fun of suggesting music that should be playing in the background, as long or as short a piece as you want. Feel free to comment on each other's choices and generally try to put music to the scenes of a modern cop's existence, that's half the fun.

1. Getting ready for the day, getting ready for a shift. I don't *often* write these sorts of scenes, but hey, they do happen.
   
2. Briefing/Roll call.
   
3. Foot patrol in the city.
   
4. Interacting with kids.
   
5. Automobile patrol in the city.
   
6. Stops (either a pedestrian stop or a traffic stop).
   
7. Getting a call.
   
8. En route.
   
9. Executing a search warrant or arrest warrant.
   
10. Shootouts/use of force.
    
11. Making an arrest.
    
12. The Miranda Warning.
    
13. Finding a murder scene (patrol officer).
    
14. End of shift
    
15. Coming home after a shift
    
16. Officer down (injured)
    
17. Officer down (death)
    
18. Investigations
    
19. Domestic violence
    
20. End of day
    
21. And if you have any other suggested scenes, feel free to add em.

[Trip]

Yup. I am not a music person - I just don't listen to music much, maybe because my ears are nearly-useless, or at least one is "profoundly deaf". I can't say I really have much in the way of "tastes" in music, though I don't generally listen to hip hop or country.

With all that said, I find that music comes in handy to have on in the background when I'm writing. Almost a requirement. Doesn't matter whether I'm writing fiction, writing for classes, or what.

Writing for fiction especially. There, I need music. I tend to write my fiction very "cinematically", and it always helps to have a playlist ready that fits each scene. Background music, if you will. I have personal favorites for certain scene types (romantic sorts of scenes often get Louis Armstrong's "Kiss to Build a Dream On" in the background, for example - I associate it deeply with my first girlfriend), but in many cases I go by what I have available - which isn't much, and I'm constantly trawling the internet with no idea what to look for.

So I'm going to ask for suggestions for my modern police writing. I'm going to throw out situations, and I'll let you have the fun of suggesting music that should be playing in the background, as long or as short a piece as you want. Feel free to comment on each other's choices and generally try to put music to the scenes of a modern cop's existence, that's half the fun.

1. Getting ready for the day, getting ready for a shift. I don't *often* write these sorts of scenes, but hey, they do happen.
   
2. Briefing/Roll call.
   
3. Foot patrol in the city.
   
4. Interacting with kids.
   
5. Automobile patrol in the city.
   
6. Stops (either a pedestrian stop or a traffic stop).
   
7. Getting a call.
   
8. En route.
   
9. Executing a search warrant or arrest warrant.
   
10. Shootouts/use of force.
    
11. Making an arrest.
    
12. The Miranda Warning.
    
13. Finding a murder scene (patrol officer).
    
14. End of shift
    
15. Coming home after a shift
    
16. Officer down (injured)
    
17. Officer down (death)
    
18. Investigations
    
19. Domestic violence
    
20. End of day
    
21. And if you have any other suggested scenes, feel free to add em.

Jimmi Hendrix motivates me. Interestingly enough, I just figured out my favorite, "All Along the WatchTower" is about prison (law enforcement). I still love it though

[GoDirectly2Jail]

[Penta]

Video link snipped

I like your style...

[Trip]

LMAO. That was good. You looked good in that suit there, 2Jail~

[Trip]

Ok, Penta, I happen to LOVE all music so here's another suggestion. By the way, I have nothing to do with law enforcement and know nothing about it, but I do like almost all kinds of music.

Ok, so here's another of my fav's: Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride." You ever watch "Cops?" You know when they throw 'em in the back seat and drive off.....the "ride" downtown???

One that offers a lot of potential - Santana. "Black Magic Woman" is my favorite Santana - especially watching a Drum and Bugle Corps play it with the precision of Drum Lines. How about that one for #18, Investigations. Or "Evil Ways." Or "Smooth" for the perp walk.

Or how about anything off the Best of Gipsy Kings. Some of the most beautiful music ever. "Trista Pena" for a murder scene or domestic violence or making an arrest. How about "Quiero Saber" or "Viento Del Arena" for en route. Builds up the anticipation. I use those two for belly dancing actually. "Camino" for shootouts or use of force. GK is such versatile music I'm surprised it's not used more on tv or movies. Camino can also (sadly) be used for officer down...it evokes the right emotion, It means "path." Or "Trista Pena" which means sad pain. I say get your hands on the Gipsy Kings.

[retdetsgt]

Paperback Writer, by the Beatles, 1965.

You Tube

[Trip]

Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO, RDS~ That's a good one for harmonica as well, lol....

[Penta]

I let this thread go for a few days and you guys come up with some gems. Thanks muchly. Now to find them on the usual sources.

Oh, oh, oh. Also - need background music for when main character doesn't call at the end of his shift and his GF (in a long-distance relationship) gets worried. Y'know, music for getting yelled at by the girlfriend/wife/SO.

[Trip]

You don't need music for that, pal. The sound of our lovely, seething, annoyed, sarcastic....I mean melanic voices should be enough, right?

j/k penta let me look tomorrow...

[Trip]

Sorry, Penta, I meant melodic in my last post, lol. Ok, how about the soundtrack from Mission Impossible for that one?

[Citicop]

How about the "24" soundtrack?

Also, "The Rock" soundtrack is good, as is "The Gladiator" soundtrack, any of the "Bourne" soundtracks.

I prefer those while writing...

-Citicop.

[Penta]

Sorry, Penta, I meant melodic in my last post, lol. Ok, how about the soundtrack from Mission Impossible for that one?

*dies laughing* Next time I'm getting yelled at by anyone now, I'll hear the M:I soundtrack....

[Trip]

How about the "24" soundtrack?

Also, "The Rock" soundtrack is good, as is "The Gladiator" soundtrack, any of the "Bourne" soundtracks.

I prefer those while writing...

-Citicop.

Love all of those! Citicop, did we hear hints of you being a writer?

[Citicop]

Love all of those! Citicop, did we hear hints of you being a writer?

Infer what you will.

But calling me a "writer" is like calling the guy who paints the stripes on the highway a "painter." Technically it's true, but the end product isn't exactly "art."

-Citicop.