Pride and Prejudice in Music

 

Pride and Prejudice in Music

thumbnail.aspxRecently, I watched someone’s YouTube creation – a scene from Pride and Prejudice set to contemporary music – and it got me thinking. When I read scenes from the story, do I hear contemporary music in my head? The answer is “yes.” I do! So, just for fun, I started writing down the songs that came to mind. Most of the songs I’ve chosen are folk music, oldies, musicals, or American Songbook because that reflects my own taste in music. If you’re interested, you can listen to a clip of any of these songs on iTunes and see if you agree with me. In some cases, not all the words in the song are a perfect fit for the scene, but I’ve included it if the spirit of the song mostly fits.

Darcy really sees Elizabeth for the first time: The Moment I Saw Your Eyes (a barbershop standard)

Elizabeth thinks about Darcy after Meryton Assembly: You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)

Darcy While Elizabeth and Jane are at Netherfield: Something (Beatles); The More I See You (Nat King Cole)

Darcy thinking about Elizabeth after she leaves: Fever (Peggy Lee); You Made Me Love You (Judy Garland); I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra)

thumbnail.aspxDarcy at the Netherfield Ball: The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra); Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific)

Darcy after the Netherfield Ball: (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life (Bill Medley from Dirty Dancing); Every Breath You Take (Police); Let’s Spend the Night Together (Rolling Stones)

At Rosings, Darcy thinking about Elizabeth: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic (Police); Your Smiling Face (James Taylor); Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)

Darcy after his failed proposal: Yesterday (The Beatles); Trying to Live My Life Without You (Bob Seager); You Really Got a Hold on Me (Beatles)

Lydia at Brighton: Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Cyndy Lauper); Hot Stuff (Donna Summer); It’s Raining Men (The Weather Girls)

thDarcy and Elizabeth Meet at Pemberley: Make You Feel My Love (Adele)

Elizabeth finds out that Lydia has eloped: Help (The Beatles)

After Lambton, Elizabeth thinks Darcy is lost to her forever: I Say a Little Prayer (Aretha Franklin)

Elizabeth wonders what Darcy’s thinking when he returns to Longbourn but doesn’t declare himself: I Only Have Eyes for You (Carly Simon)

thDarcy finally declares himself: At Last (Etta James)

I could have made my list longer, but I thought it would be more fun if you, the fans, added your own. So I’d like to invite you to share what comes to your mind when you think of different scenes in Pride and Prejudice.

39 comments on “Pride and Prejudice in Music”

    1. dianna a.
      I think it would be safe to say that is a very good list. I may suggest to add “The First time ever I saw your face” for darcy’s initial acknowledgement of his regard for Lizzy and maybe “In your eyes” for some of their shared glances of ms Bingley’s ridiculousness. :razz:

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          Thank you! I thought of that one but forgot to write it down and then completely forgot about it! Good addition!

    1. Lisa S
      Excellent list. You and I must be on the same page music-wise as I was nodding my head all the way through. :) I always thought Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” was a perfect fit for Darcy’s feelings leading up to the first proposal. :)

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          I’m not familiar with Wicked Game so I listened to a snippet on iTunes and I’d agree – good choice! Thank you!

        1. ann weiler
          oh, that is good!!! :smile:

    1. Shannon Winslow
      What fun! Thanks, Susan. You’ve compiled such a great list that now I have your songs running through my head, and I can’t think of any others to add.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          It was fun to come up with the songs! Thanks for commenting!

    1. Jane Odiwe
      I love your selection, Susan! I agree with Dianna that I might add ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ but it’s a great list.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          I thought of that one, too, Jane! What a wonderful song!

    1. Lisa Lynn
      I love that Adele is on this list. Such a perfect choice for that moment.Always,Mostly Lisa

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          I really like Adele although I really like her music. I knew I wanted one for my list, so I looked her up on iTunes and found out I wanted to add. I’m so hooked now I’m going to have to buy one of her albums.

            1. Lisa Lynn
              You must buy her second album! Such an amazing piece blend of songs. My favorite song of hers is ‘Hometown Glory’, you should check it out. :D

    1. Monica P
      That is a great list. I LOVE these types of posts and I really wish I wasn’t braindead from work and could come up with some good ones.“Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” by Blake Shelton always reminds me of Darcy when I hear it; staring at Lizzy at Netherfield trying to soak up everything he can about her without actually talking to her. The lyrics are more for a modern guy but I guess the premise is the same.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          I was hoping someone would add the country and western element. I’m not familiar with that style, but I know there are so many great songs that fit these characters. Thank you!

    1. Regina Jeffers
      “The Impossible Dream” (from Man of La Mancha)“Sleeping Single in a Double Bed” (Barbara Mandrell)“If Loving You is Wrong, I Don’t Want to Be Right” (Barbara Mandrell)“Never, Never Gonna Give You Up” (Barry White)“If He Really New Me” (from They’re Playing Our Song)

      “My Eyes Adores You” (Frankie Valli)

      “Two Divided by Love” (The Grass Roots)

      “Right Place, Wrong Time” (Dr. John)

      “Never My Love” (the Addrisi Brothers)

      “Baby, It’s You” (Smith)

      “With Pen in Hand” (Bobby Goldsboro)

      “Send in the Clowns” (from A Little Night Music)

      “Happily Ever After” (from Company)

      “You’re Eyes are Beautiful” (from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum)

      “So Nice While It Lasted” (Sam & Dave)

      “Pushin’ Too Hard” (Seeds)

      “When a Man Loves a Woman” (Percy Sledge)

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          Great list, Regina! Thank you for sharing!

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          Thanks for the link. I love the words to this song – it sounded so much like Darcy.

    1. cdarcy
      Marc Broussard’s …Hope for me yet…. and….. Save Me …..both make me think of Mr. D. and Josh Groban’s ” My Confession ” is perfection for both of them

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          Anything Josh Groban sings is good for me!

    1. Andrea ML
      I love the whole concept of putting music and books together like this. I have a ton of songs that make me think of various stories and characters.When it comes to P&P I think of Darcy pre-Rosing’s proposal –”I’ve Got You Under My Skin”

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          So glad you liked the idea. I love “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – so appropriate for Darcy!

    1. Lieder Madchen
      I love it!“I Won’t Dance” by Frank Sinatra, for obvious reasons“I’m a Believer!” by the Monkees, ‘and then I saw her face…’“Arms” by Christina Perri, for the reluctance of both Lizzy and Darcy to fall in love“Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, for Darcy’s letter

      “Not Over You” by Gavin Degraw, for Darcy’s failed attempts to forget Lizzy

      “One and Only” by Adele, which works from either Darcy or Lizzy’s point of view

      “Winter Winds” by Mumford & Sons, for when Darcy’s head and heart are arguing

      “Sigh no More” by Mumford & Sons, I’m not sure if this one works exactly, but it makes me think of things that might have been going through Darcy’s mind after the terrible proposal.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          You’ve named a few I’m not familiar with so I’ll have to check them out. Thank you for adding your favorites.

    1. AngieK
      Darcy: ‘I don’t like you…but I love you…seems that I’m always thinking of you…though you treat me badly…I love you madly…you really got a hold on me…’ :wink:

    1. ann weiler
      ok, so i thought about this and hands down, when i think of Darcy, I hear Kiss you all over by Exile.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          I’m going to have to check that one out. The title certainly fits!

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Susan,This list is inspired!! I love it…and laughed aloud when I saw Lydia/”Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” :razz: . So perfect for her!

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          I completely forgot about “Bad Girls” by Donna Summer.

    1. BeckyC
      I love these lists! What fun! I will go check out a few I am not familiar with.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

    1. Boston Sheryl
      Thanks so much for a terrific idea and a great list! This is enough to keep me busy on iTunes for a while! Some additional thoughts: I think the entire soundtrack from “Becoming Jane” is wonderful. Also, Mary Simonsen referred to a song in her book “Becoming Elizabeth Darcy” – it is Alison Krauss’s “When You Say Nothing at All” – perfect song to describe Fitzwilliam Darcy.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          The soundtrack for Becoming Jane is wonderful – as is the soundtrack for the 2005 P&P. I’ll have to check out the song Mary used in her book – I loved Becoming Elizabeth Darcy!

    1. Grace
      this pairing of scene and song is perfect: , I snickered when I saw that!

        1. Grace
          oops, I meant to quote:“Elizabeth thinks about Darcy after Meryton Assembly: You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)”

            1. Susan Mason-Milks
              I love that one! I see flashes of Darcy staring at Elizabeth, looking disdainful, etc. while that song plays through my head.

    1. Lúthien84
      I’m not really a song lover but I love listening to film and tv score. Sorry cos I can’t add on to your list.

        1. Susan Mason-Milks
          That’s ok! Thanks for stopping by to read.

13 comments

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  1. LOL at ‘Help’!!!

    I too love the Adele choice for Pemberley – some lovely connections, Susan. This isn’t something I’d ever given much thought to, but I really enjoyed reading this. Okay, off to iTunes now to listen to some of them!!!

    • Jane Odiwe on February 16, 2014 at 7:37 am
    • Reply

    I love your suggestions, Susan, so many different genres and eras-perfect!

    • Beth on February 16, 2014 at 9:56 am
    • Reply

    I loved this. I think we need Diana Krall’s cover of “Besame mucho” somewhere. Has anyone mentioned Sting (Symphonicities) “I burn for you”? That’s an absolute necessity for FD.

    1. Love Diana Krall but I’m not familiar with that particular song. I’ll have to check it out. thanks!

    • Carol hoyt on February 16, 2014 at 11:47 am
    • Reply

    I can’t add any but, boy , I have certainly enjoyed all those that did.

    Wonderful blog. I smile and sang a few lines as I read!!

    1. This was just for fun. Glad you enjoyed it.

    • Beth G on February 16, 2014 at 12:23 pm
    • Reply

    Handel’s “Lascia ch’io pianga” when Lizzy thinks she has seen Darcy for the last time (at the inn at Lambton).

  2. What a great choice! I love that!

  3. I never thought about putting modern music with Pride and Prejudice, but I like the idea. It opens up so many possibilities! If I can deviate a little, I think “So Close” (Jon McLaughlin) is perfect for the relationship between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth.

    • Chanpreet on February 16, 2014 at 7:11 pm
    • Reply

    I’ve never really thought about this before. I’ve always been so caught up in the story that modern music has never popped into my head while reading or watching P&P. It’s happened for contemporary reads but not any classic. I think it’s really cool though.

    • Deborah on February 16, 2014 at 9:57 pm
    • Reply

    OK. Here are some…hopefully I put them in the right scenes…a few gave me angst …but fit at some point….

    Darcy Sees E for the first time
    I Only Have Eyes For You The Lettermen

    Darcy While Elizabeth & Jane are at Netherfield
    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Gordon Lightfoot

    Darcy Thinking of Elizabeth After He Leaves
    All I Have to Do Is Dream The Lettermen/Roger Wittaker

    Darcy @ Netherfield Ball
    Going Out of My Head/ Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You The Lettermen
    Lady in Red Chris de Burgh (most of the lyrics & no pun intended)

    Darcy thinking of Elizabeth at Rosings
    It Must Be Love Don Williams
    Unchained Melody The Lettermen

    Darcy after His Failed Proposal
    Raining on My Heart Buddy Holly
    Blue Days, Black Nights Buddy Holly
    Only You and You Alone The Lettermen

    When Darcy Has the Lavender Pots put Back
    All I Have to Do Is Dream Roger Wittaker/The Lettermen

    Darcy & Elizabeth at Pemberley
    It Must Be Love Don Williams

    Elizabeth finds Out Lydia had eloped
    Total Eclipse of the Heart Bonnie Tyler (most of the lyrics)
    Crying The Lettermen

    Darcy Finally declares himself to Elizabeth
    Say It Again Don Williams
    When I Fall In Love The Lettermen
    Let It Be Me The Lettermen

    I couldn’t find better or equal than

    The Moment I Saw Your Eyes for the first time Darcy really noticed Elizabeth

    Your So Vain for what Elizabeth thinks about Darcy at the first assembly

    Yesterday for Darcy’s failed proposal

    Girls Just Want to Have Fun for Lydia at Brighton

    Help when Elizabeth finds out Lydia has Eloped

    I Say a Little Prayer when Elizabeth finds out Darcy Returned to Netherfield

    • Sarah on February 18, 2014 at 6:08 am
    • Reply

    I love this and yes I do have soundtracks that play in my head.

    Here are some of the contemporary songs I’d suggest for a P& P soundtrack:

    Falling Slowly (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) is quite a good description of much of Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship development

    With or Without You (U2) could be Darcy at a couple of points in the story

    A Little Less Conversation (Elvis Presley v JXL) for Darcy, especially at the Netherfield Ball

    Accidentally in Love (Counting Crows) for when Darcy realises he has fallen for Elizabeth – it could also work for Elizabeth later on, and for Bingley and Jane really

    Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell) for Darcy when he’s feeling disillusioned about Elizabeth post-Hunsford

    How Far We’ve Come (Matchbox Twenty) could work for Elizabeth post-Hunsford when she realises what she thought was wrong

    I Will Wait (Mumford and Sons) for Darcy once he sees Elizabeth again at Pemberley

    You and Me (Lifehouse) for Darcy and Elizabeth at Pemberley

    Someone to Watch Over Me (many versions) for Elizabeth when she knows Darcy helped find Lydia

    Need You Now (Lady Antebellum) for both Elizabeth and Darcy, particularly late in the story (post-Lydia’s escapades) when they are uncertain if they will see each other again

    Everything (Michael Buble) for Darcy when he proposes the second time, and it works just as well for Elizabeth at the same point

    Songbird (Eva Cassidy) for Elizabeth and Darcy

    • Debbie J on August 27, 2022 at 12:04 pm
    • Reply

    Wow! Loved reading this page and its comments. ..

    I’d like to add if i may, the following: –

    ~ “Dont Laugh at me” by Norman Wisdom – this could be used for Mr. Collins’ proposal rejection

    ~ “Scars to your beautiful” – Alessia Cara – possible Charlotte’s Theme?

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