On Itunes there are so many negative reviews for the soundtrack. I don't get it. Were you reading the same book as me? How the heck do you say they don't fit the book? You can shut up and get outta here! People don't like that they used folky types of music but hello, thats the vibe I got from Panem. It's not like you could throw a bunch of crappy rap in to fit the books. C'mon people.
***There will probably be spoilers in this so don't read any more if you haven't read the book or seen the movie!
#1. Arcade Fire, "Abraham's Daughter"- This songs shows the uneasiness felt in the story. It's actually quite a creepy song. The lyrics "and when he saw her, raised for the slaughter, Abraham’s daughter raised her bow" totally make me think of Katniss and how she was brave enough to risk her life for her little sister. In regards to the song Arcade Fire said ”There’s something in the story of Abraham and Isaac that I think resonates with the themes in the film, like sacrificing children. So we made a weird, alternate-universe version of that, where it’s as if Abraham had a daughter — kind of a metaphor for Katniss.”
#2 The Secret Sisters, "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder"- "I know the present will not last and tomorrow will be kinder" I'm sure all the tributes were thinking that same lyric in the arena. As well as their families back in the districts. It also kind of makes me think of Rue's character.
#3 Neko Case, "Nothing to Remember"- The opening lyrics are "I spend my life becoming invisible" what a very Katniss thing to say! "Strides I spend to the finish line, I'll give you those. Just don't make me go home, give me something to remember." This makes me think of what Peeta is feeling. He will try and live for Katniss but, he would rather have her survive and remember loving her as his last memory.
#4 Taylor Swift (feat. The Civil Wars), "Safe & Sound"- CAVE SCENE! DUH! There is so much I love about this song. I think it goes better with the book than the movie because in the movie they don't show Katniss giving Peeta the sleep syrup so she can leave and fight to get his medicine. "Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I will be safe and sound." Peeta is safe in the cave where nobody will find him and despite his requests for Katniss to stay with him and not go get his life saving medicine, she leaves, but she knows she will be back in his arms again. I've heard a lot on how this fits with Rue dying, which it does, there are also parts I think about Prim and some more Peeta parts. I could probably have a whole post about this song!
#5 Kid Cudi, "The Ruler & The Killer"- This song is SO perfect for President Snow (and The Capitol) as well as the careers in the arena (mainly Cato). "When I talk you should listen, all of you belong to me" those lyrics are so President Snow! President Snow basically owns all the people of Panem and they have to do what he says, hence why they participate in the games. President Snow is the ruler & the killer of Panem. "You don't talk, you don't say nothing, okay? To the ruler and the killer." When I first heard this song I thought of Cato right away. He is the arrogant career that thinks he's better than everyone and believes he will survive the games. He believes he's the ruler and the killer of the arena.
#6 The Punch Brothers, "Dark Days"- I think this song represents Katniss' relationship between her mother and Prim. "Sister hide our love away, from the evil we both know." "Our love will see us through these dark, dark days, sister, til it lights the way back home." Katniss' love for Prim gets her through the arena (obviously we know how much she loved her to volunteer as tribute). This song pretty much explains itself, once again I love this song too!
#7 The Decemberists, "One Engine"- I really like the upbeat and energetic feel of this song. I can't think of one certain part where it goes the book though. I still like it though! There are some energetic scenes in the story, it's not all just sad, gloomy things so I'm glad they added something fun.
#8 The Carolina Chocolate Drops, "Daughter's Lament"- This is a really different song but I like it! It's all about Katniss, so how does it not fit in?! She even sings about mockingjays, Katniss' dad in the mines and hunting!
#9 The Civil Wars, "Kingdom Come"- This song makes me think about Gale and Katniss. About how they talked about running away from District 12 and living in the woods. "Run, run, run and hide somewhere no one else can find. Tall trees bend their leaves pointing where to go where you will still be all alone." Love The Civil Wars, love this song.
#10 Glen Hansard, "Take the Heartland"- Okay, so this is my least favorite song on the album. It's a really upbeat song but I don't think I would of chosen it for the soundtrack. Probably more of song that describes the careers in the arena or when the tributes are being dropped into the games.
#11 Maroon 5 (feat. Rozzi Crane), "Come Away to the Water"- I was worried that Maroon 5 could not pull off a folk song but they surprised me! I really like it! It's a haunting and erie song that works with the book.
#12 Miranda Lambert (feat. Pistol Annies) "Run Daddy Run"- This song is all about Katniss' dad and I think it's spot on! It talks about the songs he used to sing to Katniss and about his death in the mines. "Mama's been cryin in the kitchen, sister's been afraid of the dark." Perfect. I believe the song represents all the things Katniss wants to say to her dad. Love this song!
#13 Jayme Dee, "Rules"- I really love this song. I don't have much to say about it other than just listen to it!
#14 Taylor Swift, "Eyes Open"- This. Song. Is. Perfect. Taylor Swift proved she could sing more than just about her broken heart. I want to post every lyric on here because it tells the story perfectly. "The tricky thing is yesterday we were just children. Playing soldiers, just pretending, dreaming dreams with happy endings. In backyards, winning battles with our wooden swords, but now we've stepped into a cruel world where everybody stands and keeps score." Perfection. "Everybody's waiting for you to breakdown. Everybody's watching to see the fallout." This is another song that pretty much describes itself.
#15 Low Anthem, "Lover is Childlike"- I haven't listened to this song much and it doesn't fit as well as the other songs but it's still a pretty good song.
#16 Birdy, "Just a Game"- I absolutely LOVE this song. It's another one where I just want to quote the whole song. Birdy wrote this song perfectly for The Hunger Games. Every line is perfect. "There comes you to keep me safe from harm. There comes you to take me in your arms." Katniss could sing this whole song to Peeta. "Is it just a game? I don't know" Katniss is trying to decide if her feelings for Peeta are real or not real and if its just part of the games. "We're all just pieces in their games." This song could not get any better.
