ptahrrific: Mountain at night icon (Default)
Erin Ptah ([personal profile] ptahrrific) wrote2010-05-04 02:01 am

Mix: Fake News - The Thing With Feathers soundtrack

Title The Thing With Feathers - Soundtrack
Series: TDS/TCR
Rating: PG? Some swearing in the lyrics.
Disclaimer: Same as on the chapters of the story. In short, not mine.

The compilation, a .zip file, contains the cover art, the entire lyrics booklet (sixteen pages; you could literally print yourself a copy), full text lyrics with annotations, and of course the music itself. There are as many songs as there are chapters (although they don't exactly correspond to each other), plus a bonus track for the epilogue.

The bonus track is one of those songs that was written to be religious, but never actually mentions a deity. As for the rest of them -- I was pleasantly surprised to find just how many songs refer to "this world", "our world", or even "two worlds". (Not to mention "hope".)

Some of these are general enough that I may end up vidding them anyway. Others are delightfully specific to the events of the story. But I love 'em all.

Clean versions of the background illustrations are over here.

The Thing With Feathers
Soundtrack



Front cover


Inside front cover


Back art

The booklet contains all the lyrics (and there's a text file with all of them in the compilation), but I've copied out especially poignant ones here.


1. Apples in Stereo - "Stephen, Stephen" (General)
Before all this started, many people didn't consider the differences between Jon and "Jon". But they also didn't always keep Stephen and "Stephen" separate. Which is this song really about? Or is it about both?

Stephen, Stephen
He's a handsome man, his name is Stephen
Woah-oh
Number one TV show
Oh, Stephen, Stephen
He's a dashing man, his name is Stephen
Woah-oh
He's taking on the status quo

Don't stop believin', Stephen, Stephen
Don't stop transceivin', Stephen, Stephen




2. Milk Inc. - "The Sun Always Shines On TV" ("Stephen", to his audience)
"Stephen" pretends for the camera that everything is okay, while secretly he's insecure and needy. He doesn't have the internal strength or confidence to deal with this, so he demands it from outsiders, mostly his audience.

I reached inside myself and found
Nothing there to ease the pressure of my ever worrying mind
Oh
All my powers waste away
I fear the crazed and lonely looks the mirror's sending me these days

Touch me
How can it be
Believe me
The sun always shines on TV
Hold me
Close to your heart
Touch me
And give all your love to me






3. Billy Joel - "The Entertainer" (Stephen, to his audience)
Stephen isn't a warrior or an ideologue; he's an entertainer, plain and simple. He's playing his role for the sake of comedy, and he has a realistic view of his position.

I am the entertainer, the idol of my age
I make all kinds of money when I go on the stage
You see me in the papers, I've been in the magazines
But if I go cold, I won't get sold
I'll get put in the back in the discount rack
Like another can of beans

I am the entertainer and I know just where I stand
Another serenader and another long haired band
Today I am your champion, I may have won your hearts,
But I know the game, you'll forget my name,
I won't be here in another year
If I don't stay on the charts






4. Morrissey - "I Like You" ("Jon", thinking about "Stephen")
"Stephen" is an obnoxious jerk to "Jon", but somehow "Jon" never objects.

Something in you caused me to take a new tact with you
You were going through something I had just about scraped through
Why do you think I let you get away with the things you say to me?
Could it be - I like you
It's so shameful of me, I like you

No one I ever knew or have spoken to resembles you
This is good or bad, all depending on my general mood
Why do you think I let you get away with all the things you say to me?
Could it be - I like you
It's so shameful of me, I like you






5. Alannah Myles - "Just One Kiss" ("Stephen", to Jon, thinking it's "Jon")
"Stephen" gives in to temptation and makes his move. Unfortunately, this is not long after he switched places with Stephen, so he moves on the wrong Jon.

My conscience aches, but it's gonna lose the fight
I don't care, I'd give it all away tonight
For just one kiss
For just one kiss
For just one kiss
For just one
Of these fantasies I've kept inside 'til now
Lead me on; I will follow gladly
Please, don't be mad at me because I let it show
Is it so wrong to want you to this badly?




6. The Pretenders - "Don't Get Me Wrong" ("Jon", to Stephen)
When Stephen arrives in his world, "Jon" things it's "Stephen" at first. The result completely disarms him; even when he learns the difference, it's still very distracting.

Don't get me wrong
If I'm looking kind of dazzled:
I see neon lights
Whenever you walk by

[...]

Don't get me wrong
If I'm acting so distracted:
I'm thinking about the fireworks
That go off when you smile






7. Ben Folds - "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You" (Ensemble, to "Stephen")
Now that they know of his existence, Stephen and Jon start forming opinions of "Stephen". Along with "Jon", they all have things they'd like to say to him. In particular, Stephen has things he would like to tell "Stephen" about "Jon".

STEPHEN
Smile
Like you've got nothing to prove
No matter what you might do
There's always someone out there cooler than you

I know that's hard to believe
But there are people you meet
They're into something that is too big to be
Expressed
Through their clothes
And they'll put up with all the poses you throw
And you won't
Even know

[...]

But they'll still look in your eyes
To find the human inside
You know there's always something in there to see

Beneath
The veneer


[...]

"JON"
Now that I've got the disease
In a way I'm relieved
'Cause I don't have to stress about it like you do
I might just get up and dance
Or buy some acid washed pants
When you don't care then you've got nothing to lose

And I won't
Hesitate
'Cause every moment life is slipping away
It's okay


JON
Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall
But there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, you're the shit, but you won't be here for long
Oh, there's always someone cooler than you
Yeah, there's always someone cooler than you
Oh, there's always someone cooler than


STEPHEN, "JON", JON
Life is wonderful
Life is beautiful
We're all children of
One big universe
So you don't have to be a chump






8. Kansas - "Play The Game Tonight" (Stephen, to himself)
Stephen has to psych himself up to host the show. After all, it's exactly the same game he plays four nights a week. The only difference is that nobody else knows he's just playing.

Play, play the game tonight
Can you tell me if it's wrong or right?
Is it worth the time, is it worth the price?
Do you see yourself in the white spotlight?
Then play the game tonight

And when the curtains open
To the roaring of the crowd
You will feel it all around you
Then it finally happens
And it's all come true for you




9. Default - "It Only Hurts" ("Stephen", to himself, about "Jon")
"Stephen" learns that he's in the wrong world, so at least when he crossed the line with Jon, it wasn't his "Jon". Still, he wonders if "Jon" would have the same reaction, and "Jon" is not around to tell him otherwise.

Miles away
Promise from a burning bed
Two worlds should never collide

One wørd
Would end it if you ever heard
Tear the page out that reminds me

When I swore that I'd be strong
Now the next time has come and gone
Well maybe I'm wrong
I know

It only hurts when your eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets open
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken

I know what you're feeling
It's hard to believe in
Someone, someone who's not there

I know that you're waiting
'Cause love is worth saving
But only for so long, so long, so long






10. The Calling - "Wherever You Will Go" ("Jon", to "Stephen", and Stephen, to Jon)
Stephen misses Jon, and wants desperately to get back home to him. "Jon" not only misses "Stephen", but knows that "Stephen" needs him. This song becomes a duet, with neither singer addressing the other.

"JON"
So, lately,
Been wondering
Who will be there to take my place
When I'm gone
You'll need love
To light the shadows on your face


[...]

STEPHEN
And maybe
I'll find out
The way to make it back someday

[...]

If a great wave shall fall
It would fall upon us all
Well then I hope there's someone out there
Who can bring me back to you


"JON", STEPHEN
If I could
Then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high
Or down low
I'll go wherever you will go


"JON"
Run away with my heart

STEPHEN
Run away with my hope

"JON"
Run away with my love





11. Sting - "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" (Jon, to Stephen)
Jon is a cynic, skeptical about both sides of any question, mistrustful of authority, without any very strong faith (religious or otherwise) to lean on. But he believes in Stephen, and won't give up on getting him back.

Some would say I was a lost man in a lost world
You could say I lost my faith in the people on TV
You could say I lost my belief in our politicians
They all seem like game show hosts to me

[...]

I never saw no miracle of science
That didn't go from a blessing to a curse
I never saw no military solution
That didn't always end up as something worse but
Let me say this first

If I ever lose my faith in you
There'd be nothing left for me to do




12. Laura Branigan - "Find Me" ("Stephen", to "Jon")
"Stephen" is self-destructing. The mental, emotional, and physical stress has wiped out his defenses. At home, when he was in trouble, he could always lean on "Jon". "Jon" always understood the things he didn't say. He wants "Jon" to find him. He loves "Jon". He needs "Jon".

If you hear me
Crying in my sleep
Kiss me gently
Hold me while I weep
Find me
Touch me
Never let me go
Find me
Reach me
Feel what I can't show
Darling, I'm so cold
Hold me






13. Poets Of The Fall - "All The Way / 4U" ("Jon", to "Stephen")
"Jon" wants "Stephen" to have the kind of life Stephen has: solid, secure, not based on lies, with a stable and loving relationship. He wants to ease the doubts and insecurities that "Stephen" has. He wants to find "Stephen". He loves "Stephen". He'll do anything for "Stephen".

Seems to matter what I do
So I'm saving this for you
Cos it seems to be the last piece there is
And you haven't had a chance yet to taste this
Fragments of a life you shouldn't miss

Seems to matter what I say
So I'll hold my tongue at bay
And rather use my lips to kiss your frown away
So your doubts no longer darken your day
So you can hold your head up high come what may

So please remember that I'm gonna follow through
All the way
All the way

'Cause it seems to matter where I go
I will always let you know
That the place where I am is never far
You know, you're not alone, don't be alarmed
I'll find you no matter where you are

So please remember that I'm gonna follow through
All the way
All the way

Oh my love, if it's all I can do
I'll take the fall for you
'Cause I will soar when I lay down with you
And give my all for you




14. D:Ream - "Things Can Only Get Better" (Stephen and "Stephen", to each other)
Having spent half a day in each other's shoes, Stephen and "Stephen" have learned, grown, changed, and had a really bad time. The good news: now that they've found each other, they can get back to their proper lives. Stephen, now more sympathetic to "Stephen", comforts him.

STEPHEN
You can walk my path
You can wear my shoes
Learn to talk like me
And be an angel too

But maybe
You ain't never gonna feel this way
You ain't never gonna know me
But I know you
I'm singing it now:

Things can only get better
Can only get better
If we see it through
That means me
And I mean you too
So teach me now that things
Can only get better,
They can only get, can only get, take it on from here
You know


"STEPHEN"
I know that
Things can only get better

I sometimes lose myself in me,
I lose track of time
And I can't see the wood for the trees


STEPHEN
You set them alight
Burn the bridges as you go


"STEPHEN"
I'm too weak to fight you
I've got my personal hell to deal with






15. Queen - "You're My Best Friend" (Stephen, to Jon)
To his immense relief, Stephen is reunited with Jon: not just his best friend, but one of the best things about his own world.

Oooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me,
It's you, you're all I see
Oooh, you make me live now honey,
Oooh, you make me live

Oh you're the best friend
That I ever had,
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true,
I really love you

Oh, you're my best friend

Oooh, you make me live
Oh, I've been wandering round,
But I still come back to you






16. Goo Goo Dolls - "Better Days" ("Stephen", to "Jon")
"Stephen" has had his walls torn down and his long-despised inner self laid bare; but "Jon" forgives his weaknesses, loves his flaws, and can bring him peace. "Stephen" has always feared change, but "Jon" gives him hope that it can be for the better.

And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive

[...]

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
'Cause everyone
Is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again






[Bonus Track] Point of Grace - "Faith, Hope & Love" (Ensemble)
Our little quartet is bound together -- and sustained -- by faith in each other, hope for each other, and love of each other. It gets them through.

There's a lot of things we face
That seem to pull us down
There's a lot of tears and pain
That turn our world around
Seems the hammer always falls against us
At our weakest times

But I know a power that can heal
The wounds it leaves behind
It's a stone's throw away
From anything we may face

Faith, hope and love
Is more than enough when times get tough
Faith, hope and love
Will tunnel through what's in front of you
If you just trust in faith, hope and love






Inside back cover


Back cover of the booklet


( Fanfic Soundtrack Downloads )
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[identity profile] gaudy-night.livejournal.com 2010-06-21 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
This story is EPIC indeed. Thank you.