How Soon is Now - The Smiths
I chose this song because it was featured in the book and explains the characters nicely. It shows how different Eleanor and Park are but it also shows their similarities. It shows their differences by the way the interpret the words. The first line is "I am the son and the heir" and Park, being of a family with a little money who can look up the real words knows this and thinks of it as such. This shows how Park likes to know and fit in with the norm. The real meaning is important to him. Eleanor on the other hand doesn't know the real words and isn't able to get them but she interprets it as "I am the sun and the air." This shows how she looks at things from her own point of view. She doesn't care if she is right or wrong, she doesn't even try to find out. It shows their similarities because they both like the song and other songs like it.
Those Nights - Skillet
I chose this song because it represents how Eleanors life wasn't perfect (or even good) but Park was the light there. He kept her company and he kept her sane. He was there at school when she was bullied and she could go to his house instead of to hers with her stepdad. The song is about finding solace in someone and that's what Park was for Eleanor. Solace, a savior. This song shows not only their love but their friendship. He is there for her and she needs that.
You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins & Mark Mancina
This song is short and sweet and I chose it because it represents Eleanor and Park's love. Their love short-lived and sweet. Not only that, the words really resonate with the romance in my book. The song is about how someones love can protect the one they love which is what Park does for Eleanor in a more literal sense. He stands up for her and protects her not only from the bullies at school and on the bus but also her stepdad. When they leave they still love each other and stay in each others hearts.
For Good - Cast of Wicked
This song shows how Eleanor and Park change each other. Eleanor changes Park for the better by showing him that other people's opinions of you don't matter. She teaches him to be himself and change himself if he wants to change himself and stay how he is if that's what he wants. Park teaches Eleanor that there are good people and people that care about her. He shows her that love is real and can last. They both, as the song says, change for the better for having known each other. Like the song portrays with "like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind of the sea", it was inevitable and strong. There were mistakes made but it doesn't matter because they have been "changed for the better."
I'm Not That Girl - Cast of Wicked
I chose this song because it shows a lot of how both Eleanor and Park feel (though more Eleanor.) They feel as if the other one is so great and perfect and special that they themselves don't deserve them. Park doesn't understand why Eleanor, a beautiful, quirky, unique, smart, wonderful girl, wants him. Eleanor especially doesn't think she is good enough for this popular, beautiful, smart, rich (by their standards) boy. She doesn't understand why he likes her and even worries that he will break up with her often. There is a part when Park admits to going steady and kissing one of Eleanor's bullies and she wonders, much like the song worries, that Park should and will chose that other girl.