Using music to move the narrative along - linking or playlists?

[ChloeTzang]

Ah, I guess that kills that idea then. I wont be able to link to the playlist in the notes either I guess. Grumble.

I have done it like this inside a story - no external link - just what to search for

(Note to readers: If you want to listen to the actual song while you read this, search for "The Heart Sutra (心经) by Faye Wong (王菲) with English Subtitles (High Quality Audio)" on YouTube)

 

[Britva415]

Note to readers: If you want to

Yeah - this is the right treatment. It's unobtrusive, it's unpretentious, it signals that the story doesn't depend on the listening in any way.

I mean, that shouldn't even have to be signaled at all. But if alternatively the pretense were that "I want you to listen while you read," that would be heavy handed and would signal that the story is incomplete.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Ever the devils advocate...

Might I suggest, and remember, I'm no expert...
If the story is strong, and writing provocative... The reader might feel compelled to search out themselves, the songs and music...
By attaching, or linking a playlist, you are coercing the readers...
In my mind, make the story so compelling they feel driven to find it...
Don't spoon feed it to them...
As a reader first, and having read a lot of stories based on musical content... If the story reached me emotionally, then I invariably have a listen to the songs... First off...
I need to be sucked into the story to make me feel the need to go further... The passion has to come from the story....

Just my thoughts
Cagivagurl

 

[alohadave]

I have done it like this inside a story - no external link - just what to search for

(Note to readers: If you want to listen to the actual song while you read this, search for "The Heart Sutra (心经) by Faye Wong (王菲) with English Subtitles (High Quality Audio)" on YouTube)

I've seen this in webcomics. I've played some songs a few times, but I don't know if it really improved the experience for me, but I'm sure some appreciate it.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Yeah - this is the right treatment. It's unobtrusive, it's unpretentious, it signals that the story doesn't depend on the listening in any way.

I get a sense that many writers think everyone's taste in the music is the same as their own. That's a false premise.

I've seen some of the playlists folk talk about, and wouldn't have a clue who the artists are. Just as, if I published a playlist from my decades of listening to music, most younger readers wouldn't have a clue, either.

The writing should do the heavy lifting in a story, not the soundtrack.