Bookish Mixtapes: Six Of Crows

What do you do when you want to reflect on a really good book but don't have the time for a reread? My solution is to make book inspired playlists right after finishing such a book.

This post is the first in a small series about how music can be related to literature. Specifically I will be sharing my playlist for Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, along with the reasoning for the selected songs.

I want to give a note right now that this post will be FULL OF SPOILERS! Really, its best if you read this post after having read Six Of Crows. Now that you know though, lets dive in.

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Click here for the playlist on Spotify

SONG (Artist): Explanation

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC): This song serves as a sort of preface to the book. Leigh Bardugo has mentioned before that listening to this song is what drove her to actually sit down and write the story of Six Of Crows.

Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival): This song relates directly to the first chapter when Joost is thinking about how he has a problem with the moon and his mustache. It sets the mood for bad hings to happen despite the cheerful tune.

Back In Black(AC/DC): This song would be for when Inej is stalking towards where the gang is supposed to meet outside the exchange. It can stir up the sense that something full of tension and violence is to come.

Broken Bones (KALEO): There are certainly more than a few bones broken at this encounter between the Dregs and the Black Tips.

Crow (Sasha Siem): While an easiness dances through Kaz he is caught off guard and easily snatched away from his fellow Crows. He is taken to meet Van Eck who offers him a deal. A heist that will need a team of insanely smart criminals, or the scum of the Barrel to pull off.

Money (Pink Floyd): Not being able to resist the riches offered to him, Kaz accepts Van Eck's dangerous deal. He agrees to capture Bo Yul-Bayer who is currently imprissoned at the Fjerdan Ice Court. Believing all the while that he is one step ahead of Van Eck.

Walking The Wire (Imagine Dragons): Inej, a former acrobat, comes to Kaz when he returns to their hideaway, the Slat. This song represents who she is and how she dances the line of membership to the Dregs, being Kaz's property, and being free.

The Joker (Steve Miller Band): This song is a representation of Jesper, who we meet when Inej goes to fetch him from the gambling den. He is the best sharpshooter they have, but can be carefree at times as well.

Bottom Of The River (Delta Rae): This song shows how the city changes from gambling dens to brothels as Kaz takes a walk to meet with another member of his team.

Season Of The Witch (Donovan): This song represents Nina and her witch-like Grisha powers to manipulate the living body. She works as a sort of psychological healer in a high-end pleasure house.

Scarecrow (Counting Crows): This song is to show that Kaz is, in fact, vulnerable. He starts to chip away and worry about thinks that the readers don't fully understand. Who is Jordie? What happened to him? To Kaz? Apparently the Bastard Of The Barrel isn't all hard edges.

Hells Bells (Ac/DC): I don't know about you, but to me this song screams Hellgate. I can just imagine the crew rowing up to the shores as the bells of this song begin to ominously toll in the background.

New Blood (Zayde Wolf): This song represents the introduction of Matthias as a new member of the team, both in his prison cell and back at the Slat.

Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival): And now that Matthias is among the Dregs, we meet our sixth "crow". Wylan Van Eck who was disowned by his father for having difficulty with reading. This boy, youngest of them all, joined the Dregs under what he thought was a cover, only to learn that Kaz has always been aware of his true identity.

The Devil You Know (X Ambassadors): Matthias calls Kaz a Demjin, Demon, Devil. So I guess he is the devil that everyone knows.

Bad To The Bone (George Thorogood): Cue musical montage of the Dregs preparing to sail to Fjerda.

Love Is Blindness (Jack White): On the way to their ship, the Dregs are ambushed and Inej severely hurt. Kaz panics and rushes to her rescue. This is when readers start to really ship them, though Kaz is blind to this sort of affection. Giving or receiving.

Bury Me Face Down (grandson): After the assault, the Dregs realize that there are others who desire to capture Bo Yul-Bayer. Stakes are heightened. Kaz becomes angry and thinks that someone spilled the beans.

Blackbird (The Beatles): In this situation, Inej has broken wings. She is being healed in the sick bay by Nina who also sings to her gently. Together they sings and their moods are lifted after the near death experience. It is also a bonding moment.

Winter Winds (Mumford and Sons): This song covers the icy terrain of Fjerda. It refers to the team of Dregs crossing is at present day in the story, while also reflecting on how Nina and Matthias survived the land together after a ship wreck in the past.

Watch Me (The Phantoms): Cue musical montage of sneaking into the Ice Court and kicking butt.

Come A Little Bit Closer (Jay And The Americans): Nina attempts to seduce a Fjerdan guard so that he may lead her to Yul-Bayer. The man not only catches on to her trick, but recognizes her from as a previous prisoner. Nina, along with the whole team are now in danger.

Take The Money And Run (Steve Miller Band): But all stories have to have a happy ending right? With a big explosion, some tricky maneuvering, and a dangerous dose of Jurda, the Dregs escape. This is the song for their escape montage.

Stay With Me (Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox): Kaz asks Inej, that she continues to stay with him as a Dreg, even though she will soon be able to pay for her freedom. She wants to say yes, but knows that even if she stays Kaz will remain closed off. This song shows that painful yearning and struggle to move on from a bad past.

Sinister Kid (The Black Keys): Time for an anxious song as Van Eck turns his back on the Dregs and even his own son. All a part of his master plan. The Dregs, suspecting this, pull a switch-er-ro, keeping Yul-Bayer's son. In the fighting though, Inej is swooped up and kidnapped by Van Eck's Grisha slaves.

Sinnerman (Nina Simone): At this point when all looked like it was going up, it was actually going down. Kaz has lost what is virtually everything to him. And now there is no where to run.