Sunday, March 22, 2020

J.D. Salinger: 'Catcher In The Rye' Inspired Songs

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One of my favourite books, Catcher In The Rye, written by J.D. Salinger in 1951, has long been inspirational for songwriters. 

Salinger, (previous blog posting January, 28th, 2010) who died on January 27th, 2010 aged 91, has his book as reference when these 10 songs were written:


1) Catcher In The Rye - Guns n Roses
2) Six Minutes - Jonas Brothers
3) Get It Right - The Offspring

4) Roller Shake Skinny - Old 97's

5) Shadrach - Beastie Boys
6) Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie - Belle n Sebastian

7) Who Wrote Holden Caulfield - Green Day

8) We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel (image)
9) Warning Shots - Rick Springfield
10) Good Year - The Refreshments

Holden Caulfield was an anti-hero who spoke like a real teenager and rebelled against conformity. With his conclusion that successful people were phonies, Caulfield was punk rock long before punk rock existed (Spinner Staff).
'We Didn't Start The Fire': Billy Joel. VEVO from YouTube Grammy Nominated 'Storm Front' Album

Summary:

The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield recounts the days following his expulsion from Pencey Prep, a private school. After a fight with his roommate, Stradlater, Holden leaves school two days early to explore New York before returning home, interacting with teachers, prostitutes, nuns, an old girlfriend, and his sister along the way. 

Salinger's classic illustrates a teenager's dramatic struggle against death and growing up: pitting the innocence against the authenticity of childhood.

I am not familiar with most of the songs but some singers are familiar:

Billy Joel - Piano Man - 1973 

Rick Springfield - Beginnings - 1972; Jessie's Girl - 1981. 
Rick Springfield: '3 Warning Shots'. About Mark David Chapman who shot John Lennon. 

Many songs and pieces of music are inspired by William Shakespeare's plays. Are you familiar with any song inspired by a book that you have read? It could be in Chinese, Malay or any other language. Possibly a 60's song or novel?

Images: Google. 1) Book cover 2) Rick Springfield 3) Billy Joel.
Information: Cliff Notes.
Image result for rick springfield

5 comments:

  1. Hello, anyone read this book. O Level text and it inspired many songs like, WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE, PIANO MAN by Billy Joel and 3 WARNING SHOTS by Rick Springfield. Or if you know the songs? Comments?

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  2. STEPHEN HAN23.3.20

    Catcher In The Rye was among the possessions of David Chapman who shot and killed John Lennon.

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  3. Wow Stephen you know your pop stars and their lives very well. Thank you sir. That was marvellous. Yes, Chapman read the book. He was a rebel like the protagonist in the book and the backdrop was in New York. The song '3 Warning Shots' mentioned Holden Caulfield. Thanks to Sui Pang and other early birds who LIKE the post. Try to read the book. It's a powerful story.

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  4. KOH SUI PANG (K.L. MALAYSIA)23.3.20

    I got lost ...luckily able come back here ...pssssssst

    ReplyDelete
  5. facebook chats23.3.20


    Thanks to the following for liking this post
    Freda Hanum
    Stephen Han
    Ericbronson Wong
    Ann Rowena Lim
    Tan Andrew
    Koh Sui Pang

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