Character Theme Song's

Imagine your book gets made into a movie, what commercial songs would you like to be the leitmotif of your protagonist or other character? What's the first song that plays over the main credits, the one that is accompanied by stylized visuals and main cast names.

The protagonist of my current novel Digital Divinity: Kali is a teen-aged Indian girl named Sumisha Rathore. A child soldier who was forced to become a cyborg which in turn made her go rogue and act as a mercenary for who ever pays the most.

This would be her theme: My Vietnam by Pink

The only issue is the small bit of Jimi Hendrix's Star Spangled banner that plays at the very end since my character is not American even though the rest of the song pretty much describes her life story. Lawful Good Dad and Chaotic Neutral mother.

Nothing with lyrics for any of my characters, as far as I care.

There are some pieces which I deem as fitting for the characters in particular scenes, but your guess is as good as mine whether that's because of the characters or because of the scenes or maybe due to the combination of both of those. For that reason, I'm not sure if linking anything is a good idea for me, since I haven't the foggiest if the stuff actually counts as theme songs.

Maybe, if I had perceived myself as in any way talented in writing songs, I would have tried to write theme songs with lyrics for my characters. But I don't, and so I haven't. And lyrics in anything commercial (read: written by others, sung by others, and not written for the explicit purpose of being matched to whatever character) just feel off to me, be it due to the voice not matching my vision of the character or due to whatever other reason.

Well, that and if any story of mine ever gets adapted into a movie (they won't), I'm more partial to instrumental stuff rather than anything with lyrics. Because seriously, for building up the situation emotionally, I think instrumental tracks are much better than anything with vocals (with possible exceptions, I admit, but exceptions not common enough to invalidate my opinion). A custom-made song sung by the character that can be heard while the ending credits roll, yes, that I very much like; but then again, "custom-made" so I've nothing to link there.


Also, and I am well aware that I probably sound like an arse now but I see this sort of mistake so often nowadays that I just had to voice it, it's "theme songs"; you do not put an apostrophe before the "s" when it's not a possessive form, and a mere plural form is most definitely not a possessive one.

I'd say Envy Revealed would work best for the villains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ezKLiN7jw

I'd have to go with purely instrumental tracks for my characters.

For one of the villains who happens to be an Enthralling Siren (of sorts), I'd have to go with "Higanbana" from the Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori Soundtrack. It's eerie, sad, and beautiful.

For the other villain, the one who can build magical robots, "Penitus" from Final Fantasy XIV would fit nicely. The perfect mix of epic yet ominous.

For the protagonist, I think "Dream of a Shore Near Another World" from Chrono Cross fits him. There's something about that track that makes me say "Yes, this describes perfectly [insert name here]'s story".

edited 2nd Aug '15 2:00:44 PM by Cid

The extent of my writing has been a Civilization short story about the time I got murdered by Byzantium as the Maya, but I think a good theme for the story (and Pacal) would be Dream, by Rabpit. Very hopeful and optimistic (rather the reverse of Pacal ingame, going by his quotes).

The process is reversed for me: at least two of my characters, in two different projects, were inspired by songs that'd gotten stuck in my head.

Jadwiga's forever going to be a horse soldier, timeless, through and through.

Jeannette's DJ Snake/Major Lazer - Lean On. I can tell you exactly why, but the thing is it really doesn't fit her character at the point which I am actually writing right now. It does for her character in the future.

For the most part, though, I associate music with particular scenes (possibly because it's what that scene was written to). I can tell you what each particular dogfight in Wings to Fly was written to, for example. Noin vs. the malfunctioning Epyon in Unstick was Usher's More; On Burner's big fight against the Gundam clones was the Subsource Remix of the Main Theme from Strike Suit Zero; Noin vs. Zechs in Jink Low was Prodigy's Spitfire.

For Teri, the African-Cockney lass, it would be Young Gifted and Black - the reggae version by Bob and Marcia.

For Wolfe, the Kiwi Bushman, it would be the Kiwi classic (voted #1 Kiwi song of all time) Nature by The Fourmyula.

For James, the ex British Grenadier, it would be The British Grenadiers with the older, and somewhat less "PC", lyrics "we throw them from the glacis about the Frenchmen's ears..." as was sung in his era...

I'm currently at a loss for a leitmotif song for Kris, Sir Archibald (Wolfe would make has frequently made the tongue-in-cheek suggestion of Gilbert and Sullivan's Major General from Pirates of Penzance) and Karl

edited 2nd Aug '15 9:42:12 PM by Wolf1066

"The Ballad of Beelzebub" by Graveyard Train is Heron's theme. At this point, he would rather be in hell than still alive, because Who Wants to Live Forever?? It goes along with his occult motif too. Bluegrass feels right as a general Leitmotif, given Heron's actual age (137 years old), and his melancholic disposition.

I don't have a song for Charlie yet.

I have quite a few characters, so it depends on which one, though not necessarily om the work that they are from. Only two characters to start and both from a Skyrim fanfic.

Dives-Deep-Waters, an Argonian paladin, would probably have Swamp Thing by Pegboard Nerds as their theme. It's really quite a perfect fit, considering it that Dives grew up in Black Marsh and really wants to represent the province as they explore Skyrim/Tamriel in general. Well, that or Dragonborn

Kizara, in quite a sharp conquest to Dives, would best be represented by Top Drawer by Man Man, only because I think it best represents her as a thief who's after the money and pursuit of luxury.

I've been waiting for this thread...is what I would like to say. I mean, I've got a couple of scattered Word files here and there that have multiple theme songs for multiple characters. And now that there's a chance to show them off, I think to myself, "Wow! This song doesn't fit this character AT ALL!"

In my defense, I chose those songs before pretty much everyone underwent massive rewrites, but now the old stuff makes me cringe. So now it's time to find new theme songs, even though I know as much about music as I do quantum mechanics.

Eh, it's fine. I'll just bank on video games.

It'll be a while before I find a suitable new theme for my main guy, Arc — something with good lyrics and a proper style — but for now? I've gotten a lot of mileage out of this remix from Tekken Tag Tournament, so I guess this is as "official" as it gets.

The others are a little easier, though; his partner Kaylee's a good candidate for Cammy's Street Fighter 4 theme, while "tough guy" Coil's a shoo-in for "Give Me a Break" from Guilty Gear Xrd.

Well, theoretically every character from that story has a corresponding Xrd theme, but for the sake of showing off I'll trade consistency for variety.

All my characters have Guile's Theme for some reason...

Otherwise, I like old Toku themes.

Spade Ace Wakaki Shishi is what plays in my mind, anytime there's a Dynamic Entry or Big Damn Heroes moment.

The real difficulty is avoiding cheap and easy regional associations, since I tend to make my characters international.

So the challenge is not associating the Australian-Polish cavalry officer with Waltzing Matilda or Dabrowski's Mazurka; not associating the Scot with Scotland the Brave (particularly the version of cold steel and bloody murder); not associating the many Polish characters with Janek Wisniewski Padl, et cetera. (Well, except for one of them, but for him the rage and despair of Janek Wisniewski fits.) That's just laziness.

Tempting, tempting laziness.

Gotta be honest — I read that as "Space Ace". But yeah, that's a good song; hard to give the cold shoulder to the classics, yeah?

But...honestly? Don't even get me started on Toku songs. There are so many lyrics to Kamen Rider songs that fit my characters (and stories at large) that it's not even funny. I'm talking the perfect tone, perfect sound, everything. And then I heard one of the latest songs (and read the translation), and it somehow manages to fit stuff I haven't even written yet. It's too perfect to be a coincidence, which makes me fear for my life.

Not that I'm complaining, though. Kamen Rider's the sickest.

edited 15th Aug '15 9:39:22 PM by Voltech44

Lewis, a secret agent and Church Militiant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1x3wmbsZDU

Daniel Marino and Friendly Neighborhood Gangster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsnXeQDqOOg

Samson, a gladiator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0laYOI8TmWI

Mr. Price, an industrialist gentleman: His theme would be something similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51GEJQNHgwc

Vera, Robot Sorceress, romantic interest to Lewis:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AMc7KPOkbY

edited 19th Aug '15 9:26:33 PM by Protagonist506

[Sorry, new accounts cannot post external links.]

Main Character: A normally pacifistic guy with a split personality being a yandere bloodknight. Has trouble keeping that voice in check and succumbing to his more violent (as in tear out your spine violent) nature.

When the main character have made peace with himself, this will be his theme(I wish) : Extreme Dream

edited 6th Apr '16 12:05:02 PM by Wasdxz

Okay, so a lot has changed since the last time I posted on this thread. Most notably, Heron isn't a whiny little bitch anymore. So here is an updated list of character themes for Argyros. Not exhaustive. Not every character has theme yet.

• Overall Theme: Metamorphosis 1 - Philip Glass. Dunno why. I just feel like this is what I'd want to play in the background of the trailer if it ever got a film adaptation

• Heron Argyros: Heathen Song - The Kill Devil Hills. Americana just seems to suit Heron as a genre for some reason, and what song would work btter for an immortal, alcoholic Anti-Hero than a roots rock song about a man who's almost certainly going to hell.

• Charlie Reid: I Want The World To Stop - Belle And Sebastian Just like a heathen needs a heathen song, Melbourne's "King of the Hipsters" needs a bonafide hipster anthem. Think of him as a soy latte sipping Arthur Dent in plaid, really. He doesn't really want to go on adventures, he just wants the world (specifically Heron) to stop, so he can sit back and listen to B&S on vinyl.

• Zehra Tiryaki: Don't have one for her yet. Watch this space.

• Declan Wallis: Shangri-La - The Kinks Declan and his daughter Abby don't have it all that bad, but that doesn't mean he's not a little disillusioned with his lot in life. He can't help but think that his own Shangri-La, a tiny, inner-suburban brick box, a 9-5 desk job and a '97 Toyota Corolla, isn't really worth it, and that for all the hell he and Abby have been through, he deserves more. And he's probably right.

• Abby Wallis: Whiskey in the Jar - Thin Lizzy I could have a long-winded explanation for this, but truth it just seems to fit a wayward 15 year old punk who's more Irish than her Irish born father. No more explanation is needed.

• Max Milson: She's in a similar situation to Zehra. No theme as of yet.

EDIT: Apparently I was thinking of the Metallica version of "Whiskey in the Jar" for Abby's theme, not the Thin Lizzy version. Declan likes neither, preferring the Dubliners version

edited 11th Apr '16 6:29:35 AM by trashconverters

My reaction when I see someone list Extreme Dream as an ideal theme song. Admittedly I'm partial to Power to Tearer as a sort of climactic theme song — the lyrics, context, and general sound fit WAY too well — but Extreme Dream? That's a good one, too.

Those are some pretty chill songs you've got lined up. Well, in a sense; if you don't pay attention to the lyrics, it's a lot easier to listen and relax. But since you chose these songs — and since I'm guessing you're going to use words to construct your story, as one would — I get the feeling just from your mini-soundtrack that there's some heavy stuff incoming. Not that I'm complaining; I just find it interesting. And it's a stark reminder that I need to broaden my musical horizons.

In the meantime, I'll just go ahead and stick to my guns — "guns" in this case being anything with sick guitar riffs. I'm still searching for the perfect songs to capture each character, but these are as good a start as any. So once more, I'll list the first 3 characters of my main story. Oh, and also:

• Main Theme: "Own Little World" by Celldweller — Been using this one for ages, and despite massive revisions, I see no reason to switch things up for now. It has an aggressive feel to it, but also a sense of mystery. Also, lyrics that proclaim "I will never die" will either become very true or very ironic, depending on how you interpret the context.
• Arc Siegel: "Edge and Pearl" by Machinae Supremacy — It has a really hard feel to it (with the occasional quiet bits) that help capture Arc's essence. Direct, focused, and resolute, it's a solid reflection of what he stands for.
• Kaylee Hazlett: "See Who I Am" by Within Temptation — It's not exactly the first song you'd think of when it comes to capturing the pep and cheer of a 14-year-old girl, BUT it is a song that means more and more to Kaylee as the story progresses. She's pretty in pink, but she's the #2 character for a reason.
• Kristoph "Coil" Gauss: "Doesn't Matter" by AION-6 — Starts off mean, but it doesn't take much to move past that and into something bold yet touching...and in a way, kind of sad. It's a solid fit for Coil, AKA the guy most people see as nothing more than a punk. (Rightfully so, arguably, but he's got his good points.)

That's all I've got for now; I need to find songs for the other 5 members of the main cast, and who knows how long that could take? Hopefully not, like, 1000 years. Call it a hunch, but I might not live that long.

Ezaniel Rivans: my demons by starset it makes sense since his curse is slowly killing him and he's now one the many pawns of the black and white gods. with the one and same thing, he's referring to grandelle, the commander of the white order, who's also a pawn.

edited 8th Sep '16 7:39:33 AM by ewolf2015

There are too many songs I associate with my characters to list, so instead I will share some songs that fit my entire Princes of Tevirre story or large parts of it. My story is a confusing mess and there is more outlining than writing for now, but I noticed that almost all of my plotlines follow the pattern below:

• The Making of A Prince: Caleb, by Sonata Arctica, and maybe Damien, by Iced Earth if you stretch things a bit or ignore the part after "monotony of their lives".
  • Although the lyrics of either music don't fit any single character of mine if taken too literally, the idea of silent, defenseless people being subject to the lies of others and turned into something more dangerous due to the hatred they are exposed to fits the beginning of many of my plotlines, and I also have many characters who are potential successors to an ancient Dark Messiah, even if none reaches anti-Christ levels of darkness.

• Spinning Webs And Burning Veils: Peacemaker, by Green Day and maybe Slaying The Dreamer, by Nightwish
  • Well, this is where things get faster and more risky, which generally means everyone is taking someone hostage, Dueling Messiahs get to meet and try to Break Them by Talking while their followers are actually fighting, assassins pay surprise visits to important people and allegiances become fluid.

• A Requiem To End The War: Into The Nothing, by Breaking Benjamin and 21 Guns, by Green Day.
  • This is when the survivors look back, ask themselves "Was It Really Worth It?", and even if they believe the answer is yes they promise themselves to never do it again. Dreams were broken and friends became enemies, but enemies forgot their hatred and threw down their weapons, each man or woman taking a different path and trying to rebuild what was lost instead of avenging sins of the past. It may sound like a Bittersweet Ending, but maybe, just maybe, it is actually a chance to improve things. It helps that most of my characters, despite being very flawed people, have mercy among their virtues.

Wow, that is a lot of depressing music, isn't it?

edited 10th Sep '16 10:43:25 AM by EternaMemoria

Funny enough, I actually did just that, since I plan on releasing songs as well as stories. In addition to a few lyric-containing songs, I plan to compose several themes for various parts of Tales of Mystrica, my virtual-world story, so it's essentially video game music in something that is not (yet) a video game. I have three finished examples thus far:

The Black Cat Bandits are a gang of gentleman thieves appearing in a couple of my stories, clandestinely infiltrating the aforementioned virtual world's mafia in one, and just pulling off random somewhat-petty theft in another. Their theme would be Ride into the Night by Suminda... a.k.a. me. It's maybe a little techno-y and general for their purposes, but could still serve as a fitting theme anyway.

The Wicked Roses are another group of mine, this time a group of vampires of various types, mostly female, who like to randomly cause mischief around the town to add some fun to seeking out prey. Especially since they still have personalities due to either keeping Soul Jars on their person at all times or being a ghost. Thus I wrote the song "Every Day Is Halloween" for them, giving it an upbeat tone and some gratuitous Ominous Pipe Organ to match.

And then there's the only aforementioned video game tune I made so far, which is meant as a theme for Yamiko and Lupin, two characters at the focal point of a romance subplot. It would play at the "height" of their relationship when they both know deep inside (even if they Cannot Spit It Out) that they really love each other. So of course it's a relaxing piano piece - and called "Romance Under a Full Moon" because A) their first such moment actually occurs on the night of a full moon, and B) one of the characters is named Lupin, so there's the association between wolves and the moon on top of that.

But of course, I am still guilty of attributing other people's songs to my characters. One fitting song I thought of for my geeky Japanese teen from said virtual world story is "Dragonfly" by Smile.dk. After all, he has Mons, one of which is a dragonfly, which also is his favourite animal. And then there's the obvious fact that Smile.dk is a duo of Japanophiles (if their songs are any indication), so since Gon is Japanese, that's even more fitting.

edited 11th Sep '16 3:01:12 PM by ladytanuki

As I typically produce shorter things I often have highly indulgent fantasies where I imagine the trailer for the televised 'series' (as it were) featuring masterfully put together clips all set to Carpenter Brut's Le Perv. Specifically from about 3:30 where it all starts sound a bit frantic and mad.

There was also a rather longer weird 'we put our citizens into a bloodsport hah' nonsense story that I did while thinking almost beat-for-beat of The Shape by Dance With The Dead. The whole thing. Especially when the survivor breaks down at the end to Watching You. Good times. I guess?

edited 19th Sep '16 3:32:27 PM by JJMarmite

This question gonna come off as kinda weird, but since OP specified commercial music, would it count if I made custom leitmotifs for my own characters?

My story is about my 13-year-old protagonist getting super speed powers from an illegal experiment. After that, superhero stuff happens, but well...frankly, some of the consequences turn his life into a living Hell. For the occasion I chose All American Rejects' Move Along, especially since it's a long time favorite.