« Garagepunx » Hideout: Bibliodiscoteque #39

Hideout: Bibliodiscoteque #39

Stephen King’s Joyland

For this episode I am forgoing an original cover and instead reposting the beautiful Glen Orbik and Robert McGinnis covers.

After the positive reception of the Batman 1972 podcast I’ve tried a similar experiment (keeping the tracks specific to the year and text) . I’ll get back to garagepunk, rockabilly, and punk soon enough, I promise, I just wanted to break from genre and play some classics.

Wanna speak like a carney for fun and profit?

Rage Well,

1. Can’t You Hear Me Calling - Johnny Otis
2. Can’t Read, Can’t Write Blues – Big Joe Turner
3. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
4. Crocodile Rock – Elton John
5. Good Vibrations – Beach Boys
6. Stay With Me – The Faces
7. Baby Please Don’t Go – Billy Lee Riley
8. I Remember You – The Ramones
9. Right Place Wrong Time – Dr. John
10. Brain Damage -Pink Floyd
11. Cars Hiss By My Window – The Doors
12. Run For Your Life – The Beatles
13. Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) – The Hollies
14. Walking The Dog – The Rolling Stones
15. Love Is All Around – The Troggs
16. (Wish I Could) Hideaway – Creedence Clearwater Revival
17. The Door Into Summer – The Monkees
18. Show Notes After the Jump
19. Can’t You Hear Me Calling - Johnny Otis
20. Can’t Read, Can’t Write Blues – Big Joe Turner

Early in the novel someone tells protagonist Devon Jones about the musical greats who have played at Joyland and, if King mentions it, its important. I don’t think for a minute I got the right tracks, but I got the ones that are right for this episode. I meant to showcases Devon’s depression: Tracks that he gravitate towards after his break-up.

Hound Dog – Elvis Presley

The park’s mascot is a lovable dog named Howie and if you only have one licensed character – you use him. Turns out Devon is one heck of a hound. “I Can’t Help Falling in Love, ” does appear in this book, but I thought that “Hound Dog” spoke to the park itself. I was tempted to split hairs and use the Big Mama Thorton version but it just didn’t seem to fit correctly in the flow.

Crocodile Rock – Elton John

Released as a single in 1972, this track ate up the charts in 1973.

Good Vibrations – Beach Boys

Now turn to page 22 in your copy of Joyland. Read the bottom of the page and continue to the top of 23. See?

Stay With Me – The Faces

A track for Devon who spends just as much time pining for lost love a most of us do. I suppose that is why the book never gets monotonous. King always manages to focus on the common threads of humanity and Devon’s pain is all to real .

Baby Please Don’t Go – Billy Lee Riley

I figured this was a solid bookend for the Elvis track. It’s rock ‘n’ roll and it’s plot is simple and familiar.

I Remember You – The Ramones

Yeah, this track came out several years after the events of the book – I know this. This was one of my melo-dramatic anthems as a kid and thought it fit the narrative. If you worry about the massive anachronism, put this book in the Colorado Kid/Dark Tower series and move on.

Right Place Wrong Time – Dr. John/Brain Damage - Pink Floyd

Devon spends a ton of time plugged into Floyd’s Darkside of the Moon. Although he doesn’t spend any time with Dr. John’s 1973 funk track it does have th line, “My head was in a bad place” Dr. John’s insight into looping emotions connects beautifully to Floyd’s line, “There’s someone in my head but it’s not me.” Add the lines about lunatics and slashing and, well, we’d have spoilers.

Cars Hiss By My Window – The Doors

I promise that this track is referenced in the novel, but I can’t find any trace of it in my notes. Spooky? No. Just poor marginalia.

Run For Your Life – The Beatles

This is the creepiest John Lennon has ever sounded and I’m not sure I ever really payed attention to his obscene threat of violence. I did think about playing the Nancy Sinatra cover, but figured this would be an interesting first The Beatles track for the show. Also, check page 44.

Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) – The Hollies

After you spend time on pg. 44 turn to pg. 69.

Walking The Dog – The Rolling Stones

Brian Jones and Jagger share the vocals on this cover of Rufus Thomas song.

Love Is All Around – The Troggs

Skip back to page 30.

(Wish I Could) Hideaway – Creedence Clearwater Revival

I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone so after you read the book come back this point.

The Door Into Summer – The Monkees

Off of Pisces, Aquarious, Capricorn, and Jones, this is one of the most reflective and beautiful songs about summer and the price of youth. A fitting end to a beautiful narrative.

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