Not the sound of silence…

I am one of those authors who needs music while writing. My general mood music is a personalized online station with an eclectic mix of alternative. Some songs have linked themselves in my head to specific projects, which I’ve shared below. The entire set of lyrics is not a literal interpretation of a story. Sometimes it’s just a phrase or two, or even just the theme and tone of the song.

Note: Song titles link to the official music videos on YouTube.

Books

Steel Victory (Steel Empires #1): “Pompeii” by Bastille

Steel Magic (Steel Empires #2): “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance

Steel Blood (Steel Empires #3): “2 Heads” by Coleman Hell

Steel Time (Steel Empires #4): “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy

Steel Shadows (Steel Empires #5): “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Steel Justice (Steel Empires #6): “Take It From Me” by KONGOS

Steel Legacy (Steel Empires #7): “The World We Made” by Ruelle

Earth and Water (Steel Bonds #1): “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots

Short Stories

“The Reluctant Master” (Steel Victory prequel): “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon

“The Job” (Limani snippet): “I’m Only Joking” by KONGOS

“Thicker Than Blood” (Steel Magic prequel): “Uprising” by Muse

“Children at Play” (Steel Magic prequel): “Hey Brother” by Avicii

[untitled] (Limani snippet): “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic

Characters

Victory: “Born Alone Die Alone” by Madalen Duke

Mikelos Connor: “Walk” by Foo Fighters

Torialanthas (Toria) Connor: “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons

Kane Nalamas: “Alright” by Judah & the Lion

Archer Sophin: “Deep Water” by American Authors

Syrisinia (Syri): “I’m Born to Run” by American Authors

Asaron: “A Good Song Never Dies” by Saint Motel

Liamacorin (Liam): “Doom Days” by Bastille

Jarimis: “Honey (B)” by Levi Matthan

Gray: “Remains” by Bastille vs. Rag’N’Bone Man vs. Skunk Anansie

Mehrnaz Azar: “Going Down Fighting” by Phlotilla

Serena/Natalia Della Zanna: “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey

Relationships

Victory + Mikelos: “Cruel World” by Active Child

Toria + Liam: “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

Kane + Archer: “Fire and the Flood” by Vance Joy

Mikelos & Connor: “Happier” by Marshmellow ft. Bastille