The Radio City Music Hall always seemed like a sophisticated place to me. I felt I needed to find a song or two that
fit that image. I think these two cover songs did a pretty good job, but overall this chapter was not about the
concert as much as it was about the end of summer and looking toward the future.
I had never heard this song before it was suggested to me as a cover. But upon hearing it I knew that it fit with
the concert that I wanted to have for this chapter.
Downtown
Petula Clark
The Ultimate Petula Clark
I loved this song when it came out. I still really enjoy it. I used to fall asleep listening to this album, but I
hope that it had the opposite effect during the story.
This was meant to be a fun, carefree concert. The songs that are included aren't more than a bit of fluff, but they
are kind of fun to listen to. The encore was suggested by my editor, and I'm really happy with how it turned out.
Everything Sarah doesn't want to be is encapsulated in 'Pop Princess'. Miley's song seems to capture the whiny,
stuck up socialite idea I was envisioning.
The Good Life
Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana: The Movie
This song, in a way, started Sarah's career when she performed it at the start of her first concert. It also was the
theme of the first book, and as such has a place in my heart.
Rock Star
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus
Meet Miley Cyrus
There's not much you can say about this song. It says everything I wanted to convey to you guys.
This is one of the chapters of the concert series I was looking forward to the most. The songs that Sarah sings
during this concert are among my favorites. The inspirations that can help give you an idea of what I was
envisioning aren't too bad either. These are three of the most powerful stories that I have put behind Sarah's
songs to date, and I'm happy to be able to share them with you.
I also get to debut one of my "inspiration" artists this week too. When I started writing this story
Miley Cyrus was a heavy inspiration on my words (which is probably why there are so many "inspiration" songs from
her). But as she continues to tarnish her image I have constantly turned to two other artists for the inspiration I
need and who have a reputation for being "good" girls like Sarah is. If I want to get an inside look at the life of
a teenage pop star I now turn to them instead of Miley, and I think the story is better for it. Selena Gomez is one
of those artists (though not the primary). Any guesses who the other artist is? (Hint: she got a nice mention this week
too).
I love the concept that I came up with for this song. I also think that it has a powerful story behind it. While
this song doesn't fully capture what I envision 'Open Your Eyes' to be, it comes close.
7 Things
Miley Cyrus
Breakout
Before writing this chapter 'Turn Around' was only a vague concept. But what made it to paper truly surprised me
and I couldn't be happier with the story that came out of the concept. I'd love to hear Sarah sing the real thing,
but Selena is a good representative anyway.
Falling Down
Selena Gomez & The Scene
Kiss & Tell
Much like the other songs in this chapter, 'Together' has a really powerful concept behind it that I really enjoyed
putting down on paper. I've played a possible music video around in my head over and over for this song, and I
wonder if it will ever make it into the story. Either way, I like this song.
I couldn't find a good video of 'Two More Lonely People'. I've used the Myspace music before and it always sounds
better than the videos on YouTube anyway. Which made me wonder which you guys would prefer. If you have an opinion
let me know in the comments below.
There came a point when I was trying to figure out when and where each of Sarah's songs would be highlighted in the
chapters that I realized there were a lot of love songs. That was inevitable since I believe the majority of songs
revolve around love to one extent or another. However, it led me to the idea to play through a love story using the
songs to indicate what happens. I think it worked out well, but unfortunately you won't get to hear all of the story
this week. In the meantime here are the two songs that comprise the start of this love story.
When I came up with the concept of having a love song about Josh Holliday I knew that I wanted it to be meaningful
and slow. It had to be filled with emotion because that is what Megan/Sarah was feeling at the time. When I found
this song to go with my idea for the story it was a perfect fit.
Obsessed
Miley Cyrus
The Time of Our Lives
I hadn't ever heard this song before it was suggested to me as a cover that Sarah could sing. But I like the song
quite a bit and the thought and message that it conveys certainly fits with what I needed for the love story I've
already talked about. Enjoy.
If We Try
Don McLean
Don McLean: Favorites and Rarities
There are a few concerts in Sarah's tour that I put a lot of thought into because of the story that surrounds them.
This was one of those concerts. With many of Sarah's family and friends at the concert, I really wanted it to be
special. As I was trying to figure out what songs to include for this chapter I wanted them to be fun and
meaningful. What I ended up with were three songs that told her family and friends just how exciting and amazing
her new life is. She got to share "the secret" with them in a way that they would never even understand.
To start off the set, I wanted a song that told her family and friends how happy she was to have them in the
audience. 'Super Trouper' from ABBA or Mamma Mia! was a perfect song to do this with. I personally love the
Mamma Mia! movie (probably because I've never had the opportunity to see the Broadway show), and felt that the movie
version was perfect for this part of the story.
Super Trouper
Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski
Mamma Mia! (The Movie Soundtrack)
After she had told all of her friends and family how excited she was that they were at the concert, I wanted her
to be able to tell them how much her new career meant to her. 'My Life' was a no brainer choice for this song, as
it was written by Sarah after her first big concert, and it was meant to capture those feelings. I put a sound to
the song all the way back when I was writing about it at the beginning of Book 2. I fell back into the roots of
where this story started and used a Miley Cyrus song that more or less captures what I had envisioned.
The Time of Our Lives
Miley Cyrus
The Time of Our Lives
The next song was specifically for Paul. Just as Sarah was amazed at the growth that Paul had gone through over the
summer, she also reflected on her own growth when writing 'Fearless'. I had to kick myself when I realized that I
named the song after listening to a number of song's on Taylor Swift's album of the same name, though at least I
didn't use Taylor's song with the same title.
This song was one of the few songs where I started the idea by finding the track first. I fell in love with this
song the first time I heard it, and wanted to use it in the story. Adapting it to the story was interesting, and
while the story in the song is different from the one that Sarah tells, I do think the beat and "feel" is perfect.
I'm Still Good
Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana Forever
Behind the Scenes
