I had to make a playlist for the book I chose for my independent novel study, which happened to be The Princess Bride. I figured I’d share the playlist here in case that was something you guys would like! I’m also including my explanations for the songs below the cut:

My first song, “The Call” by Regina Spektor, represents Buttercup’s growing feelings for Westley. The first lyrics of the song are “it started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope, which then turned into a quiet thought, which then turned into a quiet word.” I think this accurately describes the way Buttercup fell for Westley.

Next, “Hole in My Heart” by Gavin James represents Buttercup’s emptiness when Westley leaves, and how she didn’t want him to go. The lyrics of the song that best represent this are “if I ask you to stay just for a little while, just for a little while longer, would you push me away? Or would you stay a while.”

“What’s Love Got to Do With It” by Tina Turner of course represents not only how Buttercup has vowed to never love again, but also how Prince Humperdinck expects no love from their marriage. This song best coincides with one of my personal favourite quotes in the book, when Humperdinck proposes to Buttercup, “”I’ll never love you.” “I wouldn’t want it if I had it.” “Then by all means let us marry” (Goldman 90).

“Song for Sienna” is an instrumental song that coincides with the passing of time in which Buttercup learns to be a princess, and though it isn’t revealed until later, Westley is sailing with pirates. In the book, Goldman comments that in ‘the original’ The Princess Bride, there was a long, boring section detailing everything that went on in Buttercup’s training, but he cut it out in this version. I think a slow, instrumental song best represents this.

“Remember Me (Recuerdame)” is the song for Inigo’s backstory, then “You Can’t Take Me” is the duel between him and the man in black (Westley).

Buttercup and Westley reunite in “Love Song,” and Westley asks her to sail away with him in “Steal Away.”

“Believer” by Imagine Dragons is Westley’s torture song. While in the Machine designed to take away years of his life, and during other various forms of torture, Westley would close off his mind so he felt no pain. No matter the torture, Count Rugen couldn’t get to Westley. That is, until the end, when Westley ultimately died from the Machine.

“If I didn’t Have You” is simply Fezzik and Inigo’s buddy song. Their relationship was so crucial to the story, it had to have its own song.

“Salvation” by Gabrielle Aplin represents Buttercup waiting for Westley to come save her. When he does, “Finale B” from RENT represents them riding off into the sunset (before everything goes downhill).

The Princess Bride, a playlist by cellabella14 on Spotify