Analysis of the Soundtrack for Eye in the Blue Box

Last month, I dropped the official pretend soundtrack for my book, Eye in the Blue Box (here’s the link if the player below isn’t showing). I promised ya’ll an analysis to go with it too. So, here it is today! 

Before reading the analysis, though, try listening to the soundtrack one more time and guessing what song goes with which scene, just for fun!

And now for the spoiler-filled analysis! 

The following analysis contains spoilers from Eye in the Blue Box!

If you do not want spoilers for the book, do NOT read the following!

You have been warned…

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1. Wake by Linkin Park

The first song in our pretend soundtrack is “Wake,” and it’s from Linkin Park’s album, Minutes to Midnight. Sleep, waking up literally and metaphorically, and midnight all play important roles in the book, making this song a perfect opening track for Eye in the Blue Box. 

The song starts in what feels like a sleepy world that’s dark, comfortable, and dotted with stars. It almost sounds like sleep to me, a mind floating somewhere in space. Then scratchy noises interrupt, and there’s a crescendoing transition, almost like traveling into another world. The explosion of music that follows feels like you’ve entered a new dimension full of colors, dreams, and wondrous possibilities. Pretty good fit for James’s entry into the Flowering, right? Plus, if you’ve read my previous post, “How to Write Part 2: Inspiration,” you’ll know how an explosion of color proved to be crucial in the creation of my books. Also, the sound of a record player needle landing on a vinyl, which opens “Wake,” is quite relevant in Book 2, so this song also provides a wink and a nod to crucial moments in Eye in the Blue Box’s sequel.

2. Forgotten by Linkin Park

This song doesn’t correspond to a particular part of the book, but I included it at the beginning of the soundtrack because I have, for a very long time now, considered “Forgotten” to be the theme song of my Eyes of Awakening saga as a whole. Ever since I first listened to this song in high school, I always imagined the singer to be going through some kind of nightmare then falling backward through darkness and landing on his bed to wake up to a bright morning. I couldn’t help but associate the song with my books as a result. 

I also love how the song jump-starts, totally in your face, high-octane, and full of energy. It reminds me of how James suddenly falls into the action-packed Flowering. The high energy of the song encapsulates the overarching feel of the saga, which features epic battles, full-throttle car chases, and heart-racing scenes in which all the characters are running for their lives. I also like the bits of playfulness in the song, like the cowboy-ish “Whoo-ha!” at the beginning. I know most readers consider my books to be incredibly dark and strange and full of nail-biting thrill, but I always thought my literary babies had a good sense of humor and a whimsical nature too!

And let’s not forget the lyrics of the chorus: “In the the memory you’ll find me, eyes burning up. The darkness holding me tightly, until the sun rises up.” I think Book 2 will further convince you that this song is a perfect theme song, not only because eyes and darkness are obviously central to the saga but also because memories, forgotten, buried, and relived, as well as a rising sun are more important than you might initially think.

3. Given Up by Linkin Park

Yes, there are a lot of Linkin Park songs in this soundtrack. I am a millennial and so are my characters! Rock music is fitting for my books because they, like rock, are hard-core, fast-paced and intense, and since Linkin Park was my gateway into the genre of rock, you’ll be getting a lot of LP in my books’ soundtracks (and yes, I already have the soundtrack for Book 2 lined up!). 

Also, I consider my books to be more on the speculative side. (“Speculative” is just a fancy publishing industry term for “weird books that don’t have a specific genre but are still really cool and combine a bunch of different genres into one unique thingamabob.”) Linkin Park, if they were literary and not musical, would, I think, also be more speculative despite now being mainstream as nu metal was not that popular or well-known back when they released their first albums. It was original and ballsy of them to combine the genres that they did and as a result, create something familiar and relatable but also very unique and innovative - all qualities that I think and hope apply to my work as well.  

Even though “Given Up” isn’t so much a song about complaints as it is about catharsis, it still fits James’s crappy attitude for the first 100-ish pages of the book. He whines, complains, and actually does give up time and time again before metaphorically waking up and trying to get his act together. The lyrics sound like James’s anger and frustration to me, while the intensity of the song goes particularly well with the boar chase scene during his second night. The shaking of the car keys, in particular, makes me think “car chase,” which is, again, a good fit for the boar chase. 

4. Victimized by (you guessed it) Linkin Park (I swear there are non Linkin Park songs in the soundtrack too!)

I’m sure some people will assume that this is another song that represents James as he’s always mistaking himself as a victim at the beginning of the book. But this is actually a song that captures E’s essence during the chapter, “Ruthless.” I won’t go into it too much because you have to read Book 2 in order to really understand why, but I invite you to reread “Ruthless” after you’ve read Book 2 then listen to this song again. I think it’ll take on a different meaning. 

5. Brothers in Arms by Junkie XL from the Mad Max: Fury Road soundtrack

I love Fury Road, so is it a surprise that I think the soundtrack is absolute genius too? Each song tells a story even without its visual counterpart, and combined, they’re absolute magic. 

I have no doubt that this film influenced the creation of my books. The first time I watched Fury Road, I felt like sand would fall from my windswept hair and grime-covered clothes if I stood up from my seat. I always chased after Fury Road while writing, striving with all my might to create visceral scenes that would rival the adrenaline-pumping experience that that movie still is for me, even after my 50th-ish watch.

The intensity and desperation along with the soaring, hopeful melodies make “Brothers in Arms” the perfect track for Crew Blue’s battle with the snake woman. Also, the track’s title encapsulates the teamwork and loyalty that Crew Blue finally establishes during the chaos of that battle.

I’m a fan of the cellos that constantly weave in and out of this song (or perhaps they’re actually basses?). The deepness of a cello (and other big, stringed instruments) in any song always paints a dark color in my mind and consequently matches the dark tonal color of my own book. I’ve always felt that cellos/big strings also hold a unique ability to create the feel of an epic adventure, especially a seafaring adventure. Maybe it’s the deep, rolling quality that often conjures up images of the ocean for me. Though my book has nothing to do with seafaring, I did choose the word “crew” to denote the groups of humans traveling throughout the Flowering because I imagined these groups to be like the crew of a ship or even adventuring pirates lost at sea, clinging to one another and working together within the stormy and unpredictable chaos that the Flowering often throws humans into. 

As such, I imagine the cello/big strings would often play throughout the book’s soundtrack if it ever did become a real show or movie. Electric guitar is definitely another instrument that would have to be included regularly. After all, what other instrument is as skilled at making your adrenaline spike? Big, heavy drums, which always remind me of epic wars and impending doom, is another instrument that would pervade a real soundtrack. I also imagine piano to be included frequently too because I associate it with … well, you’ll find out more in Book 2’s soundtrack.

6. Opening by Linkin Park

This song sounds like it’s gently floating toward me from somewhere far away, across a vastness that separates me from others. I feel a bit lonely but even more hopeful when listening, as if I’m standing by the sea on a cold day, filled with emotion. A perfect fit for the chapter, “Waves.”

7. Escape by Junkie XL from the Mad Max: Fury Road soundtrack

I love the strange, metallic, creature-like sound this song abruptly starts with. The tone of the song is so dark and feels like something is twitching and growing in the shadows. That’s why I chose this song for James encountering the Red Calf in the tunnels. The anxiety-inducing violins that follow perfectly create the sound of a frantic escape, which goes well with Crew Blue running for their lives through the rocky tunnels as the darkness nips at their heels. 

8. Red Moon by Kard

You gotta have at least one K-pop song on this soundtrack. 

For those of you who wonder what I imagine Kit to look like, he looks a bit like BM from Kard, the K-pop group who sings this song. 

The other K-pop star who fits the bill is Jay Park, and I actually did reference his stage persona from time to time when I needed a bit more inspiration for Kit. Jay’s aura, which screams “super hot Korean American playboy,” was especially useful when I needed extra inspiration. I feel that Jay is known for his “men want to be like him, women want to be with him” reputation in the K-pop industry, which, again, fits Kit perfectly. Kit’s facial features are a bit more like Bobby’s from iKon, though, due to his strong jawline and signature smile, which oozes charisma. Johnny Chang and Kit also share similar facial features. Basically, Kit is a pretty big, tough-looking dude with a face that’s much more handsome than it is pretty.

I thought the fun and fast vibe of the song, combined with the track’s title, which brings to mind a giant moon that’s tinted with the color of blood, went well with the group’s action-packed Run through No Man’s Land toward the full moon, especially as the monster chases them. I’m a fan of how there’s English, Spanish, and Korean in the song too, just as there would be in Crew Blue.

9. Sway with Me by Saweetie, Galxara from the Birds of Prey soundtrack

I get big casino vibes from this song. Every time I listen to it, I imagine people cheering in front of slot machines as glittering coins fall from the sky. So, I chose this song to represent the Market, and in particular, Lucky Lane. I think the Third would want all his casinos to have the fun and exciting energy that this song emanates. “Go out there, have some fun, and be a little crazy,” is a slogan I imagine pervades the Market as a whole and is a message that I think this song as well as Harley Quinn would agree with. 

In case you’re not familiar with Birds of Prey, the movie this song is from, it is a Harley Quinn movie. Harley is a fictional character who is very close to my heart for reasons I’ll go into after Book 2 is released. For now, let’s just say that using a Harley Quinn song to represent the Market is also a great fit due to another character, apart from the Third, who once had an elongated stay in one of the Market’s claims…. 

And I apologize for putting so many teasers about Book 2 into this soundtrack analysis! But as you may already know, I originally wrote both books as one giant book before splitting it into the two books you see now. As such, both books are inextricably tied together, and it’s genuinely difficult to go into the details of one without exploring the other. (Plus, I do want you to check out Book 2 when it comes out haha)

10. Nancy’s Kiss of Death by Robert Rodriguez and George Oldziey from the Sin City 2 soundtrack

First of all, I’m super disappointed that the first Sin City’s soundtrack isn’t anywhere on Spotify. Like, how? That movie defined the high school movie experience for so many people! Well, at least we have the original “Kiss of Death” melody incorporated into this track, “Nancy’s Kiss of Death,” which is from the second Sin City movie that was, unfortunately, nowhere near as good as the first. I’m glad to say, though, that while the track isn’t exactly what I was looking for, it still sounds a lot like the sinful, dark, and grunge-y parts of the Market, especially Lavender. 

11. Fever Dream by Tyler Bates from the 300 soundtrack

300, like Fury Road, had a strong creative influence on me. Now, don’t get me wrong. I can’t really say I “like” 300, simply because of all of the ways in which it can be such a messed up story. I mean, really? Every single one of the bad guys is a person of color? Every single one? Leonidas, a Spartan king, is played by a Scotsman, and he even has a Scottish accent in the movie. He’s supposed to be Greek! If we’re going to be that inaccurate, why do we absolutely have to make all the good guys all white and all the bad guys all people of color? This movie is basically two hours of watching white people slaughter every kind of colored person within geographical reach! But even all the colored people of the world are no match for the evil, disabled guy who dares to live and breathe because his parents chose to love him despite his disabilities. He turns out to be a turncoat, of course, as well as the Spartans’ downfall. And don’t get me started on the way rape is dealt with in this movie. It’s just awful and disrespectful. 

That all being said, 300 contains some pretty epic action sequences (which really are the only interesting parts of this movie, by the way. If I have to watch some half-naked girl flail around for no reason whatsoever for another second longer, I’m going to go insane. Slow-mo only works well with violence, not for the stuff that’s already boring even at normal speed). In fact, I’d say that the type of action this movie brought to the table was a landmark achievement for action movies in general. It definitely brought on a whole new era of slow-mo and helped build the tidal wave of comic book movies that would soon follow. 

There’s also a good amount of storytelling in the action sequences themselves that make them quite special. I’ve said it a hundred times, and I’ll say it two hundred times more. Great action utilizes every detail possible to progress the plot and build the story’s characters. Every slice, bullet, and punch must tell some kind of story that adds to the overall picture. And I hate to admit it, but 300 does this type of action quite well and does it all in spectacularly entertaining, slow-mo style.

There’s no other way to put it: the action in 300 is pure bad-assery, and this song, “Fever Dream,” captures that bad-assery perfectly, what with its slower tempo and hard, electric-guitar-filled rocking out. Thus, I chose this song to represent Kit and E’s fight against the Merchants at the Doors as I consider that battle to be one of the most badass fights in Eye in the Blue Box. The song, which does such a great job at capturing the testosterone-fueled battle thirst of true warriors, their hunger for vengeance, that inexorable advance for glory, also captures Kit’s aura as well as E’s own toughness and masculine energy. Doesn’t hurt that Kit’s pretty ripped like all the Spartans too. 

12. With You by Linkin Park

Last but not least, yet another high-energy, intense, and emotional Linkin Park song that also represents the book’s concluding battle quite well. The title of the song, “With You,” also points to the teamwork E and Kit put on full, glorious display. 

The last chapter of the book, titled, “The Jackal,” which includes E and Kit’s battle, was actually a big turning point in the creative process. Firstly, it was one of the easiest chapters to write up until that point. Everything came so naturally, flowing out of my brain and into my work, which also made this chapter one of the funnest to write. The battle at the Doors, in particular, was an adrenaline rush to create, and again, the ease with which I pulled it out of my imagination made the experience of writing it very fun indeed. I think the natural flow and my utter excitement come through clearly because E and Kit’s battle has consistently been a favorite action sequence for many readers. 

However, it was also a very difficult chapter to write for several reasons.

For one, both the battle and the chapter as a whole turned out very, very differently from what I’d originally intended. Namely, a few of the characters behaved in ways that I hadn’t at all anticipated. I remember literally thinking, “Uh-oh….” when writing the chapter because I knew without a doubt I’d written it the way it needed to be written, but at the same time, it wasn’t at all what I had envisioned and, therefore, I could no longer progress the story in the manner I’d been planning for years. In other words, I knew I was in the right place but also recognized that I was utterly lost. The rest of the book, which ultimately became Book 2, was consequently a greater challenge to write than Book 1.

But as with all greater challenges, a greater award awaited me by the end of Book 2.

Again, it’s only after Book 2’s release that I’ll be able to spill all the beans and elaborate on all the mysterious allusions I’ve sown throughout this analysis. For now, I’ll conclude by saying that I also chose “With You” as the last song on Book 1’s soundtrack because all of my characters “woke up in a dream today” and one character in particular is “trapped in this memory / And [they’re] left in the wake of the mistake, slow to react / So even though you're close to me / You're still so distant and I can't bring you back.”

Also, as you may have seen on my social media, Eye in the Blue Box will be available in ebook format starting this Saturday, October 18th! If you’d like to support my writing journey, I hope you’ll consider preordering the ebook as it helps my book’s rankings significantly. It’s only $1.99! And, of course, the paperback is already available for immediate purchase.

Lastly, I wanted to share the exciting news on this post in addition to my social media: I did my very first author interview! You can read the interview here.

In the interview, you’ll discover that the publication dates of all the versions of my books were very purposeful. The publication date of the paperback of Eye in the Blue Box, August 30th, is the same date that James was born into the Flowering, and I decided to release the ebook on October 18th because I was hoping that ebook readers would start the story around now and hit Halloween and Thanksgiving roughly in real time as they follow James and as he goes through critical plot points on Halloween and Thanksgiving. (The interview also goes into other fun behind-the-scenes material that I haven’t gone into on my blog, including the story of a very bad blind date, which became a vengeful source of inspiration for James. So, again, I hope you give the interview a read!)

Whenever you decide to read the book and in whatever format, though, you’ll be sure to have a blast when you do read it. The timing is just some extra fun thrown in for my very first readers, you!