All Things Solo

Some muses knocked on my door tonight and they want to buy everyone a round! Here's a partial list of my thematic listening goodies to bring you into the mood you want for your campaigns. Successor to the Muses Series, the first entry is for action themes that you can use for your quests. I'm aware that the quote from previous article doesn't tell you HOW to get inspiration from these lyrics or music Consciously. Let me expand on the method;

Think of these OR your favorite songs, books, with the context of your story element in mind. When you find a song that clicks, check its lyrics' meaning for inspiration. OR start by reading / listening to your media and whatever sticks, take it and play with it. ~Muses for the Solo Player

Aside from Freeform Association, one way of getting inspiration is to take the story at hand as someone else's BUT focus on one emotion or idea (aka content) that piques your attention to play with it in your own way. I call this process "the inheritance" 'cause in Solo Play art should be free.

• Thinkers would probably like to use their analytical skills to shape the content at hand into different forms with logical thoughts and questioning. Focusing on ideas rather than characters and their feelings may be more suitable for this type.
• While feelers might just open their hearts to the content and shape it according to their current mood. Some songs below are in character's point of view. Focusing on the feelings and thoughts of main protagonist may be more suitable for this type.
• Sensing people, on the other hand, would prefer reading in between the lines and pull the content that is stuck in there by using their 6th sense. *sends the advice telepathically*
• And gamblers would likely make some tables and roll for it. Note that dividing the content into smaller pieces and combining /contrasting it with other content is a good start for experimentation.

Whatever is your way, the most important rule to remember is: The content must be something that speaks to you.

What you consume is someone else's story. You're here to make it your own, and express it in your own style. Don't worry if you don't know how. None of the artists knew about it at first. They just kept doing it until they have their own distinct style.

Assassination Assassin by Iron Maiden >Like an arrow released from a bow, the assassin starts the chase until the contract is completed. Undead Mascot Warning! Where the Wild Roses Grow by Kylie Minogue & Nick Cave >Elisa Day could be a princess, guildmaster's daughter, spymaster, who then turn into an avenging ghost or return with the help of a secret "lover" who happens to be a necromancer...	Attack Fighter by Charlie & The Church >Unrelenting, the fighter initiates the attack until someone falls. He may fall but he is not a quitter. Broadsword by Jethro Tull >Yes, offense is best defense but not without clear understanding. Though, I'm not talking about tactical assessment. ...
Cargo / Transport Life Is A Highway by Rascal Flatts >A catchy road song to sing for making those boring fetch quests more bearable. ...	Competition Anything You Can Do by Ethel Merman & Ray Middleton >Sometimes it's hard to find compassion in this world of competition. But any kind of race can be as serious or as funny as it needs to be. Not that Mr. Middleton had any chance to begin with. :>
Conspiracy Conspiracy by Paramore >From a victim's point of view, conspiracy conveyed as the inner thoughts of a hindered soul. There are many more songs that describe the theme generally but they are not suitable in here.	Defense Defender by Manowar >This can be a good story by itself. The son could later find his father's journals or listen to the tales of his legendary deeds from bards, hopefully without spelling errors.
Escape Fly For Your Life by GUNSHIP >More of a metaphorical escape than a physical one... The danger is averted. Two protagonists finally meet in front of a car. One last look back, and they fly into a new life that awaits them. Public Enemy #1 by Megadeth >A funny clip for Joker type chaotic characters, or evil villains in heist themed plots. The feeling of being immortal caused by sheer luck can fuel the danger addiction in these types. High Volume Warning!	Espionage Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers >Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow. But he always does. His name may be Bond, Bourne, Archer, Smiley or "smoking man". They always fall on their feet. You Know My Name by Chris Cornell >End Credits of Casino Royal. Arm yourself because no one else here will save you, The odds will betray you. And they will replace you! ...
Heist Two Timing Bank Robber's Lament by Danny Schmidt >Let me tell you friends about the recipe for pain. It’s a splash of fresh magnificence with a hint of old disdain.	Hunt Hide And Seek by Lizz Robinett >I knew the "beauty & the beast" concept, but in this song, Beauty IS the Beast! Black Fox by Heather Dale >Born hunters not the hunted, they weren't careful of what they wished for.
Infiltration The Castle on the Hill by Jarred Venti >Change the king with any other character type, add some McGuffins in his "castle" and there you have your reason to infiltrate.	Problem Solvers Leverage Intro >Spiritual successor to shows such as McGyver and A-Team. It shouldn't be hard to turn these character types into medieval equivalents.
Protection Emerald Sword by Rhapsody >Rich in fantastic imagery, in these lyrics, you'll find many ways to protect what's important to serve right ideals. Maybe except for the Red Dragons... I heard they are not very friendly. No Good Deed from Wicked Musical >Sometimes protecting someone fails or a character falsely believes so. This song reminds us how exactly such a good deed can go wrong both in physicality and in the minds of people.	Pursuit Baby Driver Opening Scene >Imagine you do this with horses and carriages, or magical transporters. In Solo Games, the dreams chase you. ... Deja Vu by Initial D >As a man of culture, I couldn't left this one out. Italian singer, English lyrics, French title, Japanese series... Mr. Wordwide. ...
Rescue Blindness by Metric >Oh, these lyrics are written in such a way that can fire up creativity with endless juice. Reminds me "Lost."	Sabotage Sabotage by Wizzy Noise >A trance tune to set the mood so you can find creative ways to break things up.
Smuggling Smugglers Song by Steve Watkins?, based on Rudyard Kipling's poem >If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet, don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street.	Time Only Time by Enya >I know this one is "duh" but it is still so strong that I believe Enya has passed the test of time. No more comments needed... Back In Time by Huey Lewis >Can't think about the concept of time without mixing the desire to travel in it. Maybe not literally, but still...
Treasure Hunt Of Treasure by Alestorm >On the sea they sailed to find the X that marks the spot. On the land they searched and they searched for the forbidden treasure of old. Barrett's Privateers by Stan Rogers >But you're a broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barrett's Privateers. Sometimes it's better to keep what you have rather than to have more.	War & Peace War Pigs by Black Sabbath (Warhammered) >War... War never changes. The original song tells more about the theme but I'm sure you got the point. Hallelujah by Deep Purple >Peace side of the medallion. A Roman proverb says "if you want peace, prepare for war." I guess that's why Deep Purple wasn't enough to teach people about love in the '70s.

UPCOMING: Songs for Story Themes in the Thematic Word Table.

Enjoy!
See ya'll in Story Themes.