I love making soundtracks to books! The right music can immerse me in a whole other world. Whether I’m reading an epic fantasy, a historical novel, or a gritty thriller, a playlist can add to the escapism. And when I’m writing, it keeps me focused and inspires me. Have you tried this? You might like it!
I mentioned before that my new writing project has elements of medieval England, so I’ve been doing some reading in that vein as well–books by Tamara Leigh and Hannah Howell. So the playlist below is my current jam. It might also be appropriate if you’re reading or writing a sword-and-sorcery type fantasy that takes inspiration from medieval Britain, in the tradition of Patricia McKillip, Katharine Kerr, Robin Hobb, and Marion Zimmer Bradley.
Of course, the Middle Ages didn’t only happen in the British Isles, and this song collection isn’t meant to suggest that. And most of the songs here are not actually medieval! I just think the mood is right.
Here’s the playlist! The darker titles are links to either soundcloud or youtube–click on them if you want to listen.
Dramatic.
Magical and mysterious.
“Heart of Courage,” Two Steps From Hell
Sounds like a pre-battle song. Note that on Spotify, songs from the group Two Steps from Hell are under the name of Thomas Bergersen, who is half of the group.
“Protectors of the Earth,” Two Steps From Hell
Also sounds like a pre-battle song.
“Strength of a Thousand Men,” Two Steps From Hell
This sounds more like the middle of the battle.
“Black Blade,” Two Steps From Hell
You lost the battle. You are a prisoner of war now. Sorry.
“La Messe de Nostre Dame: I. Kyrie,” Lege Arts Chamber Choir
Church music!
“The Dragon’s Breath,” David Arkenstone
Celtic mysticism.
“The Fairies Dance,” David Arkenstone
W.B. Yeats would approve.
“The Girl With The Midnight Hair,” David Arkenstone
Dreamy harps.
“Ecci Mundi Gaudium,” Mediaeval Baebes
Could this group have any more vowels in their name? I think they are great. This song, weirdly enough, is an earworm for me.
“Love Me Broughte,” Mediaeval Baebes
More magic harp action here, if you’re into that kind of thing. (I am into that kind of thing.) This one is also a bit creepy.
“Songs From the Wood,” Jethro Tull
I know this because of my dad. 🙂
“Tower Prayers,” James Newton Howard
Ominous! This one and the next two are from the Snow White and The Huntsman soundtrack.
“Sanctuary,” James Newton Howard
“Coronation,” James Newton Howard
“Helas tant vi de male eure,” Anonymous 4
Pretty sure this song is about a mule.
“J’ai vu le loup, le renard et la belette,” Malicorne
And this one is about a wolf, a fox, and a weasel. Anyway, it’s instrumental.
“Crusaders,” Harry Gregson-Williams
This one and the next two are from the soundtrack of Kingdom of Heaven, a movie I really liked.
“Ibelin,” Harry Gregson-Williams
“Swordplay,” Harry Gregson-Williams
“Arthur and Knight Valiant,” Rob Lane
This one and the next two are from Merlin, a show that starts out very cute and then destroys you.
“Breaking the Spell,” Rob Lane
~
That’s it! Hope you find some songs here to take you to another time and place! I’d love to hear other suggestions, too.
Cool! Music is so important to my writing, too. Love that you have a whole list here. I’ll have to look some of these up–never heard of most of these, besides the Mediaeval Baebes.
Ah, Two Steps From Hell :3
God, the first time I found that music it’s like my imagination had a heart attack. So much awesome!!!
“my imagination had a heart attack” HAHAHA! I love that! Yes, it’s so epic and awesome!
Awesome list! I found this on Pinterest….pinned for sure! Also, I love Pandora for writing music. I actually have a station called Two Steps from Hell that I use both to write AND workout- helps with imagining scenes and understanding what my characters are feeling when I have them running around and climbing mountains and all that. 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it! Man, that is a good idea about using a writing playlist to work out! I’ll have to try that! (Um, assuming I work out again sometime… 😀 )
Reblogged this on Tome and Tomb.
Love this. You’ve given me a few artists to check out, especially the first two. I have many of David Arkenstone’s CDs as his music is so visual and imaginative. And if you ever want dark, edgy, mythic and witchy, check out Wendy Rule.
Hi Paula! I am looking into making another fantasy playlist as well as a horror/Halloween playlist, so I will check out Wendy Rule. I really appreciate the recommendation!
Imagine what we could achieve if we shared knowledge.
One of my favorite quotes.
Great article.
I love that quote, Luna! Thanks so much for reading, and for commenting!
Here’s some songs that I think would go well with the style of music you have, here. 🙂
Enjoy the remainder of your day and have a Merry Christmas!
City of the Dead- Eurielle
O Magnum Mysterium- Tomas Luis
Battle of Destiny- Kokia
Sing- Blutengel
Battlefield- Svrcina
Aqua Vitae- New World Music
Star Sky- Two Steps from Hell
Leanan Sidhe- Maggie Reilly
Twilight and Shadow- Howard Shore
Angels Main Theme- Darling Violetta
The Execution- Paul Cantelon (Possibly a song used for the death of a protagonist)
Battle for Camelot- Tartalo Music
A Star Shall Come Forth- Mychael Danna
Last Night of the Kings (Orchestral Version)- Van Canto (Very Cathedral-y)
Compassion- Patrick Doyle
Diem ex Dei- Globus
Veil of Elysium (Acoustic Version)- Kamelot
Annabel! These are some great ideas!! I am in the middle of working on a new playlist for 2017… do you mind if I include some of these? I’ll give you credit! (I actually already had a Patrick Doyle one on there… we think alike!)
Either way, thanks for the good wishes, and hope your New Year is off to a great start!
Thanks so much for the intro in new musical selections. I sue music for writing and editing all the time. Elysium was a homerun for me. It’s the kind of music I use for writing sci-fi. Also, I don’t know if you intended this, but somehow while searching through your list I stumbled on music by Audiomusic. It’s really powerful full-orchestra music with various degrees of medievalism. There are three albums available for free Prime streaming, and I downloaded all three for the continuation of my post-apocalyptic sequel “Capitolium” (second in a trilogy). It’s incredibly inspiring.
Thanks again. I will definitely follow your blog.
Hi Eugene! Sorry for the delayed reply — I was on vacation and I am catching up 🙂 I’m so glad you liked this! And no, I didn’t know about Audiomusic. That sounds really perfect!
Thanks for following the blog — I hope you like it!
I have Two Steps on my playlist. The Hobbit and LOTR soundtracks are also great for imagery.