Then Came the Thunder Playlist
It’s finally ready! Since the revision stages of Then Came the Thunder, I’ve been working on compiling a playlist to accompany the book and its characters. I’ve talked before about the way music can influence my thinking, and vice versa, and it feels so good to be able to share it! The playlist is now available on Spotify. I thought I’d take a moment here to go into more detail regarding the songs and who and why they fit.
SPOILER WARNING!! Reading on from here will 100% spoil the plot of Then Came the Thunder for you. BEWARE! (You could grab a copy here, if you wanted!)
Jessalyn Joy
Jesse - Joan Baez: Replace “Jesse” with “Amos” and this song is almost an exact description of Jessalyn’s feelings at the beginning of the book. Every place she goes, everything she touches, all day, every day, reminds her of him. She’s been waiting for Amos to come home since he left for the war, and it’s hard to face that he never will.
I Could Write a Book - Rex Fowler: Grief has a horrible way of tainting your whole world. Despite the blue skies and signs of something better, you just can’t see it. For Jessalyn, everywhere she looks is raining.
Lest We Forget - The Brothers Bright: The only person Jessalyn blames for her loneliness is herself. She believes it’s the judgement she earned. She doesn’t seek help, because she doesn’t believe anyone would offer it.
Sad and Deep As You - Dave Mason: Jessalyn is a very reserved person, and the death of her husband has made her even more so. The majority of the town can see that she’s suffering a deep sadness, and to her dismay, she doesn’t hold herself together as well as she thinks she does. It’s one of the first things about her Sam is able to unearth.
Steel Eyes - Shawn Phillips: “And we talk of the things that we wish to know, But she’s really not around” was a line that perfectly encapsulates Jessalyn’s demeanor in Chapter 11 when Jessalyn shares a bit more about herself with Sam. She’s there, but her memories and intrusive thoughts get so consuming when her stress rises, that she’s only there physically, her mind is elsewhere.
It’s Never Too Late - National Parks Radio: By the end of the book, Jessalyn has broken through so much of the grief and doubt that was keeping her trapped inside herself. By allowing Samuel in, she was able to realize that it’s not too late for her, and that she can choose to move forward.
Sam Brooks
No Glory in the West - Orville Peck: Sam has been making his own way in the world since he was 19, and those years haven’t been the easiest. As good tempered as he is, there were certainly times when life wore him down. He stopped looking for glory and just looked for ways to get by.
Another Friday Night - David Ackles: The traveling wears on you after a while. Sam would often make a point of not getting attached to people of places, preferring to wait until something “felt right.” Despite the monotony, he’s dreaming of a good life for himself somewhere. Someday.
Shadow of a Man - Neulore: I like imagining this as a point-counterpoint song between Sam and Amos on the night they part ways. (If this were a musical, of course, haha) Sam watched Amos lose his innocence, and Amos watched Sam lose his potential. Were things different, both of them would probably love to rewind to that moment and make a different choice, burn the boats. But time doesn’t work that way.
If You See Me Getting Smaller - Jimmy Webb: A more upbeat approach to Sam’s departure from the army. Out of fear, Sam finds it all too easy to revert to his old ways of fading away when things get tense. He’s convinced himself it’s his right.
Angry Eyes - Loggins & Messina: Again, if the book were a musical, this would be the song for Chapter 6. Sam finds Jessalyn’s anger towards him upon their first meeting incredibly amusing, and isn’t hesitant about poking fun at her.
Mademoiselle (Voulez-vous danser) - Lennie Gallant: Little bit of a hint at things to come. Just as much as Sam helped Jessalyn, she helped him, too. Past the charm and sarcasm, he’s a gentle and caring man. She’s what convinced him to stay, after all.
Lilah Templeton
Nothin’ Up - The Robber Bridegroom: Lilah’s life in Three Willows is best described as “a regular run of nothin’ up.” School, chores, school, chores, school. It’s part of why she loves reading so much, each book brings her something different.
Wasn’t Born to Follow - The Byrds: When Lilah thinks about her future, she dreams of something much, much bigger than Three Willows, and she’s almost desperate to escape her mother’s clutches and see what else is out there in the world. It has to be better, if not more beautiful, than her imagination.
I Won’t Let Go - The Brothers Bright: Lilah has incredible amounts of determination, whether she’s pursuing academics, fighting for her family, or solving a mystery, she doesn’t give up. Not to mention, she has a hot temper, so screaming, shouting, and treading until she bleeds are often perfectly sensible solutions for her.
Hamar Promenade - Jorma Kaukonen: “The world keeps spinning, and I can’t wait.” Lilah feels as though she’s ready to take on the world and find the adventure that’s waiting for her beyond the territory. Much of her inner fire is fueled by impatience. She clings to the encouragement she gets from Jessalyn, because she sees it as a way out.
Traction in the Rain - Crosby & Nash: As the book’s events progress, Lilah feels caught between wanting to leave Three Willows and the strong connection she has to her family, particularly her siblings. As soon as he momentum gets going, the road gets slick, and she finds herself back home. Even at 16, the cycle is wearing on her. For Lilah, it feels as though things are approaching now or never.
Roger Shaw
Hazel’s House - Richard Shindell: For reasons that will be revealed later in the series, Roger has no ties with his family. The majority of his fantasies are simple, domestic ones. Coming home to someone. Being looked after, and being able to care for someone else the same way. Connection. Love. There have been several times when he’s wondered if Miss Joy could be that person. His visits to her house have been a kind of heaven, after all.
Yesterday’s Rain - Spanky & Our Gang: On a good day, Roger could be described as nervous. His thoughts are always running on overdrive, and when they turn darker, his paranoia and anxiety can really ramp up.
We Are Not Helpless - Stephen Stills: Roger’s religious studies were a large part of what helped him conquer a lot of his fears and start to see more of the people and world around him. That spark of humanity that makes us all different, and yet the same, is an inspiration to him, and something he strives to teach to his congregation.
Nature’s Way - Spirit: In addition to his religious beliefs, Roger finds great joy in researching folklore and spirituality and respects the beliefs of other cultures. He’d never say no to a good myth. He’s a big believer in signs, from nature, from the universe, from God, it’s all the same in the end. If the world tells him to watch out, Roger will listen.
God Is God - Joan Baez: For Roger, religion is all about inclusivity. As mentioned above, connection is what he desires the most, so it’s also what he offers to those who listen to him, whether he’s preaching God’s word, or his own mind. As anxious a person as he is, his own beliefs are something that never shakes, even during his darkest doubts.
