Putting together The Ultimate New Jersey Playlist was a
pretty daunting project. There are so
many incredible performers from the Garden State I didn’t know where to begin –
but tying their music in with some of the themes and situations in The Promise
of Amazing narrowed it down quite a bit.
The following is just a sampling of the amazing musical offerings from
my home state! It’s a mix of classic and
modern, punk and soul and everything in between. Enjoy!!
It’s My Life – Bon
Jovi (Sayreville, NJ)
“It’s My Life” is an anthem for when you feel like no one
understands you - which is exactly how Wren feels as the book opens. It’s about
listening to your inner voice, standing up for who you are and what you believe
in. It’s also a great song to sing at
the top of your lungs. Seriously, try it.
Celebration – Kool
& the Gang (Jersey City, NJ)
This song reminds me of my job as a catering waitress. It
was the first song the band played after cocktail hour and wedding guests always
crowded the dance floor. The Camelot band
would definitely have this on their set list!
Teenagers – My
Chemical Romance (New Brunswick, NJ)
I imagine “Teenagers” to be the kind of song Grayson loses
himself in when he’s down in his basement pounding out his frustration on the
drums. Especially after Wren walks home
from the park instead of taking a ride from him.
Maybe Tonight –
Nicole Atkins (Neptune, NJ)
“Maybe Tonight” is an upbeat, wistful song about yearning to
meet a mysterious someone again. This is the perfect mood music as Wren pages
through her brother’s yearbook to stalk…um…piece together information…on
Grayson. Wren knows Grayson might not be
the best person to get involved with, but she can’t help but be fascinated by him.
Close to You - The
Early November (Hammonton, NJ)
Grayson’s attempts to charm Wren keep failing to bring them
together yet he’s determined to keep trying. This song captures Grayson’s struggle to get
beyond his past so he and Wren can be together.
One Way or Another –
Blondie (Hawthorne, NJ)
The perfect song for Andy’s party - where everyone seems to
have a hidden agenda. Bonus: Blondie drummer Clem Burke is from Bayonne, NJ!
Summer Wind – Frank
Sinatra (Hoboken, NJ)
A classic. This is
the song that’s playing when Grayson tucks a flower behind Wren’s ear and she
decides to take matters into her own hands.
Because The Night –
Patti Smith (Woodbury, NJ)
Sexiest. Song. Ever.
Wren and Gray in Guinevere’s cottage. Need I say more?
Can’t Take My Eyes
Off Of You – Frankie Valli (South Orange, NJ)
Ah, young love. You
know when you can’t get enough of each other?
And you know how it can’t be that intense for that long, but it’s so
great while it lasts? Yes, that.
Only a Memory – The
Smithereens (Carteret/Scotch Plains, NJ)
Grayson’s past finally catches up to him. That hopeless feeling
when you know it’s your fault and all you can do is watch as everything slips
through your fingers. Author confession:
The Smithereens are one of my favorite Jersey bands.
Born To Run – Bruce
Springsteen (Freehold, NJ)
How could I have a NJ list and not include this song? This song epitomizes the restlessness of
being stuck in a small town that “…rips the bones from your back…” It’s Luke going
to Princeton, and what he means when he tells Grayson he’s “getting outta here
for good”.
Having a Party –
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (Ocean Grove, NJ)
I loved the role Wren’s family and her friends, Jazz and
Maddie played in the book, and this song conveys the joyfulness at the end of
the novel, when Wren is together with all the people she loves most in the
world and everything is fine – even if it’s just for a night. That feeling when
you don’t want the night to end!!
Bonus Song:
Sherry Darlin’ –
Bruce Springsteen (Freehold, NJ)
Because one dose of Springsteen is never enough in NJ! Little bit of TPofA trivia: I named Wren’s school Sacred Heart because of
a line in this song - “To all the girls down at Sacred Heart.” Yep, really.
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