10 Songs That Belong on the Soundtrack to My Books

Some books read like scenes. Others feel like music. When I write, I don’t just think in terms of plot—I think in tone. Mood. Movement. Sound. If my books were movies, these are the songs I’d fight to get on the soundtrack.

Whether you're already deep into the stories or discovering them for the first time, these tracks capture the energy, heartbreak, and tension that fuel both Romero and Ave Maria.

🎵 For Romero

1. “Lose Control” – Teddy Swims

This song is Romero. It’s the sound of a man unraveling beneath the weight of his own desire for power, order, and perfection. There’s a deep ache in Teddy Swims’ voice that mirrors Romero’s own struggle with control—especially when things begin to slip. The lyrics, the desperation, the tension—it sets the emotional tone for the entire book.

2. “Power” – Isak Danielson

A haunting anthem about obsession and dominance. It captures the duality in Romero: the hunger for control and the fear of losing himself in it. This would play during a key turning point when power starts to corrupt everything.

3. “Black Sheep” – Gin Wigmore

An anthem for the outsider. For Romero, it's not about being liked—it’s about being respected, even feared. This track would underscore the sharp, unapologetic rise of a character refusing to fit in.

4. “The Archer” – Taylor Swift

Yes, Taylor. Because beneath the power and posturing, Romero is emotionally wounded and dangerously introspective. This track explores self-doubt, isolation, and the vulnerability we often bury under control.

5. “Paint It Black” – The Rolling Stones

Classic, chaotic, and aggressively inward. This song lives in Romero’s headspace when control turns to obsession and obsession turns to consequence.

🎵 For Ave Maria

6. “Take Me to Church” – Hozier

Nothing captures Ave Maria’s atmosphere like this song. It’s spiritual, seductive, and full of tension between purity and sin—just like the town itself. It’s the perfect sonic backdrop for a story where faith and fear walk hand in hand.

7. “Youth” – Daughter

Cold, distant, aching. This track feels like the inner world of a character trapped between trauma and memory. In Ave Maria, the past is not just a backdrop—it’s a weight every character carries.

8. “Control” – Halsey

This song belongs to the story’s antagonist—or maybe its protagonist, depending on your view. It's sharp, erratic, and powerful, just like the buried emotional volatility that makes the town of Ave Maria feel so unsettling.

9. “bury a friend” – Billie Eilish

Dark and unnerving, this track underscores the story’s more psychological and surreal moments. Perfect for late-night scenes, secrets revealed, and trust unraveling.

10. “Strange” – Celeste

Melancholy and beautiful. This would play over the credits—when the dust has settled, the truth is out, and nothing feels quite real anymore. A reminder that even when the story ends, the emotional impact lingers.

💬 Final Thoughts

Music has a way of unlocking emotion the way words sometimes can’t. These songs helped shape the emotional language of both Romero and Ave Maria. If you’ve read them, I hope these tracks bring a new layer to your experience. And if you haven’t… maybe this playlist is the perfect way to start.

Want the full playlist? Let me know, and I’ll drop the Spotify link soon.