Mind Games

Mind Games

 

In what ways can words and music interact? Words have an incredible power for detail; they can convey a narrative more clearly and precisely than any other medium, relying as they do on the imaginative powers of the reader. Music, on the other hand, has tremendous emotional power. As a melody courses through the veins, it can evoke the saddest tears or the happiest euphoria. In considering these phenomena, I thought, why not experiment in putting the two together?

The following is a clipped version of Steve Almond’s short story “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” (which can be found in Best American Short Stories 2010) accompanied by a mash-up of various songs which serve as a sort of soundtrack to that story (see below for the full set list). I encourage you to experience these two media—words and music—in whichever way feels most natural to you, whether that means reading and listening simultaneously, or perhaps reading for the general narrative and then listening afterwards in reflection. Take it as you will. Just read and see, listen and feel, and as always, learn. This is “Mind Games.”

Playlist (click for audio)

  1. “Sympathy for the Devil,” The Rolling Stones
  2. “Casey Jones,” The Grateful Dead
  3. “Bad Habit,” The Kooks
  4. “Ikea,” Mychael Danna and Rob Simonsen
  5. “War,” Edwin Starr
  6. “42,” Coldplay
  7. “Coleen (feat. The Dap-Kings Horns,)” The Heavy
  8.  “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” Ennio Morricone
  9. “The Baddest Man Alive,” The Black Keys
  10. “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” Johnny Cash

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

from “Donkey Greedy, Donkey Gets Punched,” by Steve Almomnd (Best American Short Stories 2010) 

 
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