"Now, the making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many do's and don'ts. First of all, you're using someone else's poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing," wrote Nick Hornby in his 1996 novel, "High Fidelity." In his latest release, "Songbook," Hornby takes the art of creating a good compilation tape and turns it into a 31-chapter celebration of music.
In "Songbook," Hornby shares his 31 favorite songs with the reader, creating the blueprint for what would be his ultimate mix tape. The delight of "Songbook" is that while Hornby could have released a CD collection of his favorite songs, he instead delivers the music the best way he knows how: through writing.
Unlike his popular previous works, "About a Boy" and "High Fidelity," "Songbook" is a non-fiction work, written in Hornby's first-person voice, speaking directly to the reader. Using the same writing style that he used for the characters of his fictional books, Hornby describes why each songs is on his list of favorites. He gives each song its own chapter, explaining how they each have significant meaning in his life.
Though "Songbook" is a very personal work, it is not an autobiography. Hornby writes about the songs themselves, rather than writing about his specific experiences with them.
To explain his relationship with music, Hornby writes, "If you love a song, love it enough for it to accompany you throughout the different stages of your life, then any specific memory is rubbed away by use. I wanted mostly to write about what it was in these songs that made me love them, not what I brought to the songs."
Hornby's musical tastes are wide enough to find impressive qualities in today's most overplayed pop songs, as well as 30-year old rock classics. One chapter focuses on Nelly Furtado's "I'm like a Bird," while another features Hornby's thoughts on Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker."
"I have stood in many lines in my lifetime, and I would be lying to myself if I ignored the fact that in probably about 70 percent of those lines, the opening riff to 'Heartbreaker' didn't pop into my head: Think about it; DA DA DA DA, DA DA DA DAN. It's timeless. It Rocks," he writes.
The book is clearly related to Hornby's bestselling novel, "High Fidelity," which was made into a movie starring John Cusack in 2000. "High Fidelity" focused on Rob Gordon, the owner of a record store, who was not able to function without a daily contemplation of his favorite songs. Hornby gives off the same vibe in "Songbook," as he describes how each song has shaped his life. Like the fictional Rob Gordon, Hornby makes it clear that songs represent the truest expression of his being.
In addition to his top 31 songs, Hornby also gives brief descriptions of his 15 favorite albums. The hardcover edition also comes with an 11-track mixed CD that features some of the songs discussed in the book.
"Songbook" reads like the perfect companion piece to "High Fidelity." For readers who are interested in discovering new songs, or reading intelligent pieces about established songs, "Songbook" is a must-read.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
