Observant readers of WE BLEED FOR EACH OTHER will notice music plays a significant role in the book. Often, music indicates Jenny’s mood or helps regulate it. Worship music becomes a way for her to learn about and connect with the villagers of Sango. Her playlist is a last connection to her old life, yet also serves as an introduction to the new life she begins.
There is a story behind this. While writing WE BLEED FOR EACH OTHER, I had a playlist I used to put me in the mood, a specific set of songs that matched the tone and vibe of the story I was trying to tell. As I wrote, the songs from the playlist started to find their way into the narrative. At first, I left them in because I felt they served as emotional indicators for the reader. But in later drafts, I removed them all (except for the worship songs) because I felt they were a bit kitschy, and because I wasn’t sure of what the copyright rules were. Ultimately, I think it helped the novel because it forced me to evoke the proper emotions through my writing instead of relying on someone else’s songs.
Though it was the right decision, a little part of me has always regretted removing the song titles and wished I could put them back. So, I’ve decided to give a brief glimpse into my writing process by posting Jenny’s playlist now. It’s mostly 80s bops and early 2000s youth group standards, stuff I thought a Christian millennial would like. But each song is meaningful, if you listen closely. Take a look, and give me any suggestions you think might fit in.
Jenny’s Playlist
1. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – U2
2. “Lamu” – Michael W. Smith
3. “Send Me on My Way” – Rusted Root
4. “Love of Another Kind” – Amy Grant
5. “Love Alone Is Worth the Fight” – Switchfoot
6. “Shaken” – Hawk Nelson
7. “You’ll Be in My Heart” – Phil Collins
8. “Love Is the Compass” – Delirious?
9. “He Reigns” – Newsboys
10. “How Great Is Our God (World Edition)” – Chris Tomlin
11. “God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion)” – Newsboys
12. “Giants Fall” – Francesca Battistelli
13. “Old Man’s Rubble” – Amy Grant
14. “The God’s of Men” – Randy Stonehill
15. “Lead Me to the Cross” – Hillsong UNITED
16. “Hosanna” – Hillsong UNITED
17. “Something in the Water” – Carrie Underwood
18. “Gone” – Switchfoot
19. “I Am Free (Who the Son Sets Free)” – Newsboys
20. “Beautiful Day” – U2
21. “Africa” – Toto
22. “Dela” – Johnny Clegg & Savuka
23. “Reality” – Newsboys
24. “One Tree Hill” – U2
25. “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong UNITED
26. “Those Crazy Christians” – Brad Paisley
27. “Call on Jesus” – Nicole C. Mullen
28. “Go” – Hillsong UNITED
29. “Breakaway” – Kelly Clarkson
30. “Change the World” – Derek Minor, feat. Hollyn
31. “We Can’t Wait Any Longer” – Michael W. Smith
32. “Find a Way” – Amy Grant
33. “Beyond Belief” – Petra
34. “So Bright (Stand Up)” – Superchick
35. “Set the World on Fire” – Britt Nicole
36. “Take Me Home” – Phil Collins
37. “Dare You to Move” – Switchfoot
38. “Step Out” – José González
39. “Where the Streets Have No Name” – U2
40. “Lead Me On” – Amy Grant
Here’s a Spotify link too: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Dm2HH9mSg800w93OPloqE?si=7aaa9224c3a547d0
And, of course, this list is missing the titular song “He Bled for Us (We Bleed for Each Other).” But there is no recording of that, at least not yet. Maybe in the future…
Bonus Content: Really eagle-eyed readers may notice that some chapter titles in WE BLEED FOR EACH OTHER evoke certain song lyrics. Those readers are right: every chapter is a reference to a song on this list. Can you figure out them all?
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