Your Personal DH Soundtrack

[Credo Buffa]

The piece of music I felt most desperate to listen to after finishing DH was Eric Whitacre's "Sleep". Twice, JKR compares death to sleep:

Originally Posted by Deathly Hallows, p. 661 US edition

As Ginny and Hermione moved closer to the rest of the family, Harry had a clear view of the bodies lying next to Fred: Remus and Tonks, pale and still and peaceful-looking, apparently asleep beneath the dark, enchanted ceiling.

Originally Posted by Deathly Hallows, p. 699 US edition

"Does it hurt?"

The childish question had fallen from Harry's lips before he could stop it.

"Dying? Not at all," said Sirius. "Quicker and easier than falling asleep."

Not only is the music gorgeous, but the lyrics are poignant. Even the motivation behind the piece seems to fit: it was written for a woman who "wanted to commission the piece in memory of her parents, who had died within weeks of each other after more fifty years of marriage. . ."

If you've never heard or performed it yourself (the SATB choir version is particularly popular right now), you can go to Eric Whitacre's website and find excerpts of it on the left side of his main page. He has arranged it for both choir and winds separately, but the version I think of most is the one my college band performed, which we both sang and played.

The evening hangs beneath the moon
A silver thread on darkened dune
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon
Upon my pillow, safe in bed
A thousand pictures fill my head
I cannot sleep my mind's a flight
And yet my limbs seem made of lead
If there are noises in the night
A frighting shadow, flickering light
Then I surrender unto sleep
Where clouds of dream give second sight
What dreams may come both dark and deep
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep
As I surrender unto sleep

[all4music]

Thank you for sharing the link Credo Buffa that is a really beautiful and touching piece.

[HP4evr1807]

I am sure I will think of more as time goes on, but here are a few I have so far.

The first one reminds me of the Prince's Tale, especially when Snape is crying after finding Lily's letter.

Rebirthing by Skillet

I lie here paralytic inside this soul
Screaming for you till my throat is numb
I wanna break out
I need a way out
I don’t believe that it’s gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this womb I’m suffocating

Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I’ve died

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Right now
Right now

I lie here lifeless in this cocoon
Shedding my skin cause I’m ready to
I wanna break out
I found a way out
I don’t believe that it’s gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this womb I’m suffocating

Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I’ve died

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Tell me when I’m gonna live again
Tell me when I’m gonna breathe you in
Tell me when I’m gonna feel inside
Tell me when I’m gonna feel alive

Tell me when I’m gonna live again
Tell me when this fear will end
Tell me when I’m gonna feel inside
Tell me when I’ll feel alive

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Right now
I come alive somehow
Right now
I come alive somehow


This song reminds me when Harry was upset with Dumbledore when he found out all of the rumors about him, and his family and when he felt that Dumbledore led him to a task that he could not complete

"Everybody's Fool" by Evanescence

perfect by nature
icons of self indulgence
just what we all need
more lies about a world that

never was and never will be
have you no shame don't you see me
you know you've got everybody fooled

look here she comes now
bow down and stare in wonder
oh how we love you
no flaws when you're pretending
but now i know she

never was and never will be
you don't know how you've betrayed me
and somehow you've got everybody fooled

without the mask where will you hide
can't find yourself lost in your lie

i know the truth now
i know who you are
and i don't love you anymore

it never was and never will be
you don't know how you've betrayed me
and somehow you've got everybody fooled

it never was and never will be
you're not real and you can't save me
somehow now you're everybody's fool

This reminds me of Voldemort's and Harry's final duel both at the Forest and at Hogwarts

Dance With the Devil-Breaking Benjamin

Here I stand, helpless and left for dead.

Close your eyes, so many days go by.
Easy to find what's wrong, harder to find what's right.

I believe in you, I can show you that I can see right through all your empty lies.

I won't stay long, in this world so wrong.

[Chorus:]
Say goodbye, as we dance with the devil tonight.
Don't you dare look at him in the eye, as we dance with the devil tonight?

Trembling, crawling across my skin.
Feeling your cold dead eyes, stealing the life of mine.

I believe in you, I can show you that I can see right through all your empty lies.

I won't last long, in this world so wrong.

[Chorus]

Hold on. Hold on.

[Chorus]

Hold on. Hold on.

Goodbye.

I heard this song on the radio so many times, and I made a connection to it with the rommances in DH, especially Ron and Hermione and Harry and Ginny

Umbrella-Rihanna

[VERSE 1]
You had my heart
and we'll never be world apart
Maybe in magazines
but you'll still be my star
Baby cause in the Dark
You can see shiny Cars
And that's when you need me there
With you I'll always share
Because

[CHORUS]
When the sun shines
We’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath
I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)

[VERSE 2]
These fancy things,
will never come in between
You're part of my entity
Here for Infinity
When the war has took it's part
When the world has dealt it's cards
If the hand is hard

Together we'll mend your heart
Because ...

[CHORUS]
When the sun shines
We'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath
I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)

[BRIDGE]
You can run into my Arms
It's okay don't be alarmed
(Come into Me)
(There's no distance in between our love)
So Gonna let the rain pour
I'll be all you need and more
Because ...

[CHORUS]
When the sun shines
We'll shine Together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath
I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)

And this last song reminds me of the trio's journey, and especially Harry.

Home by Daughtry

'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.

Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.

Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.

[cheesecake]

Green Day - "Holiday." For the trio going "on holiday," as Harry joked, from school, full of anger at Voldemort, while the wizarding world crumbles around them with the Ministry as a malevolent force.

Hear the sound of the pouring rain
Coming down like an Armageddon flame
The shame
The ones who died without a name
Hear the dogs howling out of key
To a hymn called "faith and misery"
And bleed
The company lost the war today

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
On holiday

Hear the drum pounding out of time
Another protestor has crossed the line
To find
The money's on the other side
Can I get another "Amen"? (Amen!)
There's a flag wrapped around a score of men
A gag
A plastic bag on a monument

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
On holiday

Seig Heil to the president gasman
Bombs away is your punishment
Pulverize the Eiffel Towers
That criticize your government
Bang! Bang! goes the broken glass
And kill all the fags who don't agree
Trial by fire, setting fires
It's not a way that meant for me
Just 'cause....
Just 'cause, because we're outlaws, yeah!

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
This is our lives on holiday!



Chess soundtrack - "Nobody's Side." For Draco and his family.

What's going on around me
Is barely making sense
I need some explanations fast
I see my present partner
In the imperfect tense
And I don't see how we can last
I feel I need a change of cast!

Maybe I'm on nobody's side

And when he gives me reasons
To justify each move
They're getting harder to believe
I know this can't continue
I've still a lot to prove
There must be more I could achieve

But I don't have the nerve to leave

Everybody's playing the game
But nobody's rules are the same
Nobody's on nobody's side

Better learn to go it alone
Recognize you're out on your own
Nobody's on nobody's side

The one I should not think of
Keeps rolling through my mind
And I don't want to let that go
No lover's ever faithful
No contract truly signed
There's nothing certain left to know

And how the cracks begin to show!

Never make a promise or plan
Take a little love where you can
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never stay too long in your bed
Never lose your heart, use your head
Nobody's on nobody's side....

Never take a stranger's advice
Never let a friend fool you twice
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never be the first to believe
Never be the last to deceive
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never leave a moment too soon
Never waste a hot afternoon
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never stay a minute too long
Don't forget the best will go wrong
Nobody's on nobody's side

Better learn to go it alone
Recognize you're out on your own
Nobody's on nobody's side

[Skooma714]

Skulking about in the forest: Jimi Hendrix- Machine Gun.

Muggle-born purges: Slayer-Angel of Death
Ministry-NWO

Umbridge's office: Dead Kennedys-California uber alles

Luna kidnapped: Pig Destroyer- Downpour Girl (Any one by them would basically sum up my mental state when this happened. Angry and rambled screaming)

Final battle: Metallica-Disposable heroes
Ministry-Grace
Ministry- Hero

It's all over- Swervedriver-Duel
Nick Drake-Road

I'd post lyrics but most of them would probably violate the ToS

[Credo Buffa]

Addition to my previous post:

Eric Whitacre's Myspace page has a recording of the complete piece.

[ladyblack23]

"Remember" by Josh Groban

It is a heartbreaking and beautiful song. I don't know why it was in my head, but it just seems to fit so well to the end of the book for me. (It the song that plays in the credits of Troy.)

and also
"Luminous Times (Hold on to love)" by U2

Its of the most beautiful songs I've ever head and I kind of picture it when Harry is marching into the forest to die, surrounded by James, Lily etc. Its beautiful.

and finally,
"Requiem for a Tower" by Corner Stone Cues

is just too awesome for the Battle of Hogwarts. (its the song from the Two Towers trailer)

[PeterWiggin]

Rufus Wainwright's poses album in its entirety really fits with Deathly Hallows and I've been listening to it lots since it finished, as well as Damien Rice's 9.

I definitely can see (hear?) Stone Sour in the fight scene, and "Ghost of You Lingers" by Spoon fitting the Ron/Hermione angst.

[Querida_jesse]

"The Ends Not Near(It's here)" and " Our Swords" by Band of Horses
"Green eyes" by Coldplay
"Hallelujah" by Imogen Heap
"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd
"Soul Meets Body" by Death Cab
"This is The Last Time" by Keane
"Time is Running Out" by Muse
"Wonderwall" by Oasis or Ryan Adams

this list could go on

[Kevin]

In no real order:
Eternal life by Jeff Buckley
True love waits by Radiohead
Lift by Radiohead
24 Hour Charleston by Jonny Greenwood
It's over by Lisa Loeb
Goodbye tonight by Lost Prophets
A design for life by Manic street preachers
Snakes by Papa Roach
Weak and powerless by A Perfect Circle
The Lost art of a keeping a secret by Queens of the Stone age
Sad Professor by REM
Pyramid Song by Radiohead
Stand inside your love by Smashing Pumpkins
The Grudge by Tool
Escape Artists never die by Funeral for a friend
(no title) by Boxfive
Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies by Biffy Clyro

[YellowRose]

Ginny, Luna and Neville to Snape and the Carrows

'Another Brick In The Wall' Pink Floyd.

A song for the whole book

'Hallowed Be Thy Name' Iron Maiden

A song for Bellatrix

'HighWay To Hell' ACDC

[unconvinced]

For quite a lot of it I kept thinking of Arcade Fire's Intervention, it is a really good song and some of the lines seem pretty comparable with parts of DH

[PapiK]

Aerosmith - I don't want to miss a thing - sad, so sad.

Rainbow-Since You've Been Gone - dunno why... just like it.

Mad World- Gary Jules - a sad song again.

Queen - The Show Must Go On - mustn't it?

More to come.

[GreenLady]

Mad World is very fitting - I hadn't thought of that one, but the wizarding world does go mad in DH for a time.

[ringbearer44]

Unknown Soldier by Breaking Benjamin really fits the forest scene for me, as Harry walks towards his own death.

Borderline, dead inside.
I don't mind, falling to pieces.
Coming in, violin, let's begin.
Feeding the sickness.
How do I simplify, dislocate, the enemy is on the way.

[Chorus]
Show me what it's like to dream in black and white,
so I can leave this world tonight.

Full of fear, everclear. I'll be here, fighting forever.
Curious, venemous, you'll find me climbing to heaven.
Nevermind, turn back time. You'll be fine,
I will get left behind.

[Chorus]
Show me what it's like to dream in black and white,
so I can leave this world tonight.
Holding on too tight, Breathe the breath of life,
so I can leave this world behind.

It only hurts just once. They're only broken bones.
Hide the hate inside.

[Chorus]
Show me what it's like to dream in black and white,
so I can leave this world tonight.
Holding on too tight, Breathe the breath of life,
so I can leave this world behind.

I've noticed that alot of the songs from their album Phobia seem to fit the book really well, another good one is Had Enough

Milk it for all it's worth.
Make sure you get there first.
The apple of your eye.
The rotten core inside.
We are the prisoners.
Things couldn't get much worse.
I've had it up to here, you know your end is near.

[Chorus]
You had to have it all,
well have you had enough?
You greedy little *******,
you'll get what you deserve.
When all is said and done,
I will be the one to leave you in the misery and hate what you've become.

Intoxicated eyes, the love and myth, that life. You should have learned by now,
I'll burn this whole
world down. I need some piece of mind, no fear of what's behind.
You think you've won this fight, you've
only lost your mind.

[Chorus]
You had to have it all,
well have you had enough?
You greedy little *******,
you'll get what you deserve.
When all is said and done,
I will be the one to leave you in the misery and hate what you've become.

Hold me down.

[Chorus]
You had to have it all,
well have you had enough?
You greedy little *******,
you'll get what you deserve.
When all is said and done,
I will be the one to leave you in the misery and hate what you've become.

Heaven help you.

[Ibelieveinmagic]

Not sure if other people have said this but 'Welcome to the Black Parade' by My Chemical Romance. It's supposed to be about a man who is suffering from a terminal illness but I think it sound war like.



When I was a young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said,
"Son when you grow up, will you be the saviour of the broken,
The beaten and the damned?"
He said
"Will you defeat them, your demons, and all the non believers, the plans that they have made?"
Because one day I leave you,
A phantom to lead you in the summer,
To join the black parade."

When I was a young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said,
"Son when you grow up, will you be the saviour of the broken,
The beaten and the damned?"

Sometimes I get the feeling she's watching over me.
And other times I feel like I should go. Through it all, the rise and fall, the bodies in the streets.
When you're gone we want you all to know We'll Carry on,
We'll Carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me Your memory will carry on
Carry on
We'll carry on
And in my heart I cant contain it
The anthem wont explain it.

And we will send you reeling from decimated dreams
Your misery and hate will kill us all
So paint it black and take it back
Lets shout it loud and clear
Do you fight it to the end
We hear the call to
To carry on
We'll carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated You're weary widow marches on

And on we carry through the fears
Ooh oh ohhhh
Disappointed faces of your peers Ooh oh ohhhh
Take a look at me cause
I could not care at all Do or die
You'll never make me
Cause the world, will never take my heart
You can try, you'll never break me
Want it all,
I'm gonna play this part
Wont explain or say i'm sorry
I'm not ashamed,
I'm gonna show my scar
You're the chair, for all the broken Listen here, because it's only..
I'm just a man,
I'm not a hero
Just a boy, who's meant to sing this song
Just a man,
I'm not a hero
I -- don't -- care
Carry on
We'll carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated You're weary widow marches on
We'll carry on
We'll carry on
We'll carry on
We'll carry
We'll carry on

[IMissPadfoot]

Originally Posted by PapiK

Aerosmith - I don't want to miss a thing - sad, so sad.

Rainbow-Since You've Been Gone - dunno why... just like it.

Mad World- Gary Jules - a sad song again.

Queen - The Show Must Go On - mustn't it?

More to come.

Great choices! I agree with all of those. Particularly the Aerosmith song, and Mad World.

*goes off to think of more*

[Snapes_Girl]

Well, for the chapter that unveils Snape's memories, I can't help but think of Bon Jovi's "Always" or Avril Lavigne's "Slipped Away." So sad.

[chocolate_queen]

Wow! Those are amazing lyrics...

[_fairy_dust_]

Well... I didn't hear anything while I was reading but a day later I found my old Kelly Clarkson CD and there's a song called 'I hate myself for losing you' It immediately made me think of the Prince's Tale...