Monday, November 10, 2014

Act Two Chapter Title Explanation

Well, the last two chapters of Act Two went up today. Time to give you the run down on what the chapter titles mean and what songs they draw from...

Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John

This one should be really self-explanatory.

"The jungle" of the song is a wild, decadent, and dangerous city, which fits very well with Michael's first nights in Philadelphia.

Drive by The Cars

This is one of those wonderful slow dance songs from the 1980s. It just works for a chapter with a Halloween party where our heroes are all looking to "drive someone home," sometimes with rather dire consequences.

Criminal by Fiona Apple

It was pretty much a universal opinion among my college friends that this was one of the hottest music videos ever filmed. The lyrics fit nicely with Mitch's predicament.

The Perfect Drug by NIN

A few ways you could go with this one. One is Noble's perversity now coming back to destroy him. Two is the return of the temptation for Michael to derive sexual pleasure in murder and death. Three is his surrender to Sarah's demands for their relationship (making her his "perfect drug.")

My Own Prison by Creed

I hate the music to this song, but the lyrics work too well for this chapter. A song of contrition and regret, which fits Michael's mood and the new circumstances of his relationship with Sarah.

Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover by Sophie B. Hawkins

And speaking of hot songs, there probably isn't a single human being out there who hasn't felt like this. It also fits the theme of this chapter, with a number of budding relationships emerging here. Janice wanting Kyle, Boar wanting Natasha, Mitch wanting Trisha, Paul wanting Kathleen, and Kathleen (thanks to Ernie) wanting Michael. You can pretty much imagine any of those characters singing this track.

Disappointed by Electronic

How can you go wrong with a band made up of Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and Bernard Sumner (New Order) with singing on this track by Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys)?

Given this is the chapter where Michael receives his first real setbacks in Philadelphia, the idea of being "disappointed" fits nicely. But much like the song (which is about NOT being disappointed), there is a lot happening here that is working to Michael's favor.

The Chemicals Between Us by Bush

I was first introduced to this song via an anime music video I saw at one of the cons I staffed in the late 90s (don't remember precisely which one.) In the video, the "chemicals" are the bond within family. I liked that interpretation. I was quite delighted to find that exact same anime music video on YouTube which is where this link goes.

For me, the "chemicals" are anything that bind us together, sometimes painfully. This chapter was one of connections, Zao to the Brotherhood, Walsh to the Malleus, and related to the music video, Paul to Janice.

Blue Monday by Orgy/New Order

The Orgy cover of this New Order classic would be contemporary with the time of the story, so it's the one on the link.

I've always seen this song being about second-guessing, which is happening a lot in the chapter. Trisha and Mitch fall apart rather spectacularly, Martin pulls a very underhanded trick on Anna, and Michael struggles against Kathleen's obsession and Sarah's schizophrenia.

Yesterday When I was Mad by the Pet Shop Boys

Another somewhat self-explanatory choice. Take your pick as to who this is about: Kathleen, Sarah, or Ernie.

With or Without You by U2

We all know this song and it fits Michael's dilemma nicely. Rebecca or Sarah? He can't live with both and he can't live without them either.

Home by Depeche Mode

Second track from Ultra (out of four) that appears as a chapter title in PbN. As Michael, Sarah, and Rebecca try to forge their "trinity," they all find a certain degree of peace with one another.

The Kids Aren't Alright by The Offspring

As we get a glimpse of Thomas Monroe and his thralls, this could not be a more fitting song. These are some seriously fucked up people.

New York City Boy by the Pet Shop Boys

This is a song about finding a new start in the big city, which is fitting for the closing chapter of Act Two (even if the city in question is Philadelphia and not NYC). It's also something of a gay anthem (the music video couldn't be more gay if it tried), which also fits the aftermath of Michael's encounter with Angela and Rebecca's sexual preferences.

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