A Mixtape for Eleanor & Park

A “Mix-Tape” for Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

“How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths

How Soon Is Now

Park gives this song to Eleanor. Eleanor listens to this song over and over again. The lyrics in this song obviously speak to Eleanor and Park: “I am human and I need to be loved just like everyone else does.” Morrissey, the singer/lyricist, speaks plainly and truly about love and boils love down to a simple need comparable to food, water or air.

“Boys Don’t Cry” by The Cure

Boys Don't Cry

There is a simple message in this song: boy’s cry. They don’t want to because I guess they shouldn’t, said someone somewhere. Park cries. It’s what love does to you. And it’s okay. It’s okay for anyone to cry regardless of gender. And you too can cry while reading this book, especially if you’ve met that someone special and that someone…well, read the book first.

“Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuuObGsB0No

Spoiler alert. Kind of. Love doesn’t tear anyone apart in this book. Kind of. Park loves Joy Division. This isn’t the happiest music. Read about them on Wikipedia or something. But this song, by the title alone, elicits a certain mood, a Park which seems to suit Park until Eleanor comes along.

“All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles

All You Really Need Is Love

Eleanor has a rough life. Her step-dad Richie is an abusive drunk. She shares her room with all four of her siblings. But she finds Park. And with Park comes love. Afterwords, all that Eleanor needs is Park. And Park is love. Plus, this is the one band that Eleanor introduces Park to.

“Out of Step” by Minor Threat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUaEPQ_hvUw

Park loves punk rock when he’s angry. He says playing it loud quiets his thoughts. I agree (sometimes). This song is about being an outsider, different than the rest of the “normal” people. Park and Eleanor fit this profile exactly, but finding each other puts them “in step.”

“I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raNGeq3_DtM

If Eleanor and Park make it to prom, this will be there song. Surprisingly Eleanor hates the song, but Park likes it. It’s a classic 80’s song. It’s cheesy. It’s grandiose. Maybe those two traits mimic the book. Yes, the book is cheesy, the love between the two characters seems a bit grandiose, but love, after all, is never perfect (and may not be seen as the best choice when you are older).

“Over the Ocean” by Low

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWUQpvfRkVM

Though this song was written after the time period in which Eleanor and Park takes place in, Low does have a connection to the book. Low is from Minnesota. They sound like they come from a cold, quiet place, a place with long winters spent indoors with someone you love. “Over the Ocean” is a simple song with a simple message: listen to the last two lines. I hope Eleanor & Park’s line is “And if I belong, then I’ll be longer than I expected.” Minnesota is far away from anywhere when you’re in love.