I'm looking for some advice on a song selection as I have had an unnatural amount of trouble finding one that is suitable.
Music plays a pretty strong part at our table, it helps to reinforce tone and setting, make sad scenes sadder and battles more epic!... not to mention cover up awkward silences.
I'd like to have the party I GM for travel to the First World and encounter some fey akin to the Seelie Court. To reinforce their 'seelyness' (pun intended) I would like to present a fun, party-like song that wouldn't be TOO out of place for the game, even if it means a pop song, or an oldie from the sixties.
I started on youtube with the numerous "Celtic Women - Fairies" videos and found nothing I thought would work. Too much Celtic and not enough Fairies. I would be happy with something wistful and alien like the Pan's Labyrinth theme... but that song itself won't work, we use it already in regular play. Same with Nox Arcana's Grimm Tales (although those are a little too dark anyways).
I then moved to more pop stuff. Lollipop by Mika was almost there, but I understand not all the players would appreciate the artist and might consider it too much.
Salty Dog by Dropkick Murphy was close, too, but while playful and fun, its a bit too piratey.
I hope some of the board members might have suggestions. I have not used fey as a strong part of any campaign and really want a killer song to make a good impression!
It's probably too modern for your tastes, but I used "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence as the theme song for a messed up psycho Sidhe-lady in a game once.
"My Immortal" is also a good choice, but less Sidhe-ly, I think, and certainly not fun or party-like.
There's always the David Bowie song from Labyrinth...
This might work. It should at least give you a good starting point.
Part of the problem might be most people have the good sense to not sing about the faerie folk -- generally the best you can hope for from attracting such attention is, "not harmed" and it devolves rapidly from there.
Not necessarily out of maliciousness but simply from being inhuman in the extreme.
Anything by Blackmoore's Night or Dead Can Dance. Both bands are main staples of our games for years. Niahm Parsons (do yourself a favor and listen to "Clohinne Winds" one of my wife and my favorite tunes) some of Zeppelin's acoustic stuff (Battle of Evermore comes to mind). Stonecircle, Renaissance (Ocean Gypsy is a great tune, also redone by Blackmore's Night), Loreena Mckennitt, Clannad.
There was a collection of instrumentals called Scottish Moors by Lifescapes that we still put on for sleeping and other activities ;)
Just a few suggestions. When it comes to music I could literally go on all night.
Part of the problem might be most people have the good sense to not sing about the faerie folk -- generally the best you can hope for from attracting such attention is, "not harmed" and it devolves rapidly from there.
Not necessarily out of maliciousness but simply from being inhuman in the extreme.
If we're on the same page (in-game people making music about fairies?) I would certainly agree. Although I'm looking for a a fun and playful song, that is only the surface of the fey, in my humble opinion. I take a lot of inspiration from Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell by Susanna Clark, where even a well meaning fairie can torture and haunt the subjects of its affection. Or if you are unfamiliar with the book, I also think Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka is pretty fitting... from singing Pure Imagination to an LSD induced nightmare in mere minutes!
@Antimony & Ganny these are excellent suggestions and both have made it to my "First World" playlist :)
& my thanks to Netromancer, Cloghinne Winds is very fitting, and lest I find a song that will fit better, I think this will be the one! I have yet to check your other recommendations, but again, thank you for the helpful suggestions!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I think Bjork is one of the Seelie.