By Loud Atlas
A library isn't just a building full of books, it's a place like no other: a place where the vast majority of its contents can be borrowed for free, a place of learning and study, a place of quiet reflection, a safe refuge for the community and a place where truth is preserved for humanity to enjoy.
From the recent round of nominations, musically and lyrically we'll hear that libraries can also be a place of: wonder, fellow enthusiasts, romantic encounters, spectral spookiness, childhood joy, adult debate, recommendations, musing, heavy metaphors and heavy petting.
Entering a library – albeit a fictional planet-sized one from the 51st century – is a wonderful event. Combined with Silence In The Library, intrigue awaits around every perfectly stacked column. Browsing row upon row of alphabetised paraphernalia can be blissful. Murray Gold provides the orchestration for the 2005 Doctor Who episode of the same name.
When perusing the shelves, look around and amble past fellow reading enthusiasts. I Am A Bookworm, and if you're in here too, odds are that you are too. Sparks might even fly between the bookworms.
Squeeze have spotted the girl of their dreams. She may also dress up in a suit and sometimes frequent the discotheque, but to them she'll always be the Library Girl, a semi-mythical creature with deep, deep eyes.
Long before the days of the name's association with serial complainers, Karen, to The Go-Betweens is the ideal woman – a classy lady who happens to work as a librarian. And she knows her Hemingway from her Joyce, to help them make the right choice.
Another love story, but this time one about a book lover who has a penchant for Books About UFOs. Hüsker Dü describes the character’s attraction to the girl's intellect and her weirdness. One day he might even name a planet after her to get her to notice him.
Along with making political commentary about Trump, tuition fees and a clever angle on oyster cards, Gecko is one of The Library's biggest advocates. If there are any left to enjoy, of course.
The older public libraries, such as Bristol Central Library, may harbour a ghost or two, and Ange Hardy has a tale of her own to tell. Look out for The Young Librarian! The red-haired figure is known to lock people within the pages of the books. Eerie.
Giving children an introduction to the library is an important step in their life and encourages a life-long love of reading. From his Moonboat album, aimed at young children, Tom Chapin delivers the engaging and absurdly catchy Library Song. One for any kids out there.
Of course, those children grow into adults and expand their literary horizons – they might even join a book club. During a discussion of adaptations, presumably, The Axis of Awesome become slightly disgruntled (to put it lightly) that someone may have seen the TV show before reading the book in Rage of Thrones. Can one be a fan of something without reading the source material? Not one for any kids out there.
Libraries are also places of seemingly unlimited possibility – colouring, jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, new releases and an endless string of authors to wrap your eyes around. Kimya Dawson and Aesop Rock provide the boundless positive energy in The Library.
The study area, which provides the ultra quiet atmosphere in most libraries, is the focus of Loudon Wainwright III's Muse Blues. The library provides the perfect atmosphere to get his thoughts down on paper.
Yellow Ostrich have Libraries which are burning, which poses questions. When they burn away, are the memories and accomplishments of mankind lost with them? Are the libraries here a metaphor instead for the archaic? A metaphor for a broken relationship? A song to unpick.
Libraries, as defined by a collection of books, can also be found in bookshops (or A Shop with Books In, as known here). Like librarians, booksellers are knowledgable folk and have the same raison d'etre: to encourage the love of the written word. And the smell of those books – mmm, scrumptious. The Bookshop Band are the lucky bunch curled up with a good book.
Finally, libraries can also be a place of steamy desire – an interesting juxtaposition of the stillness of the books and the action of the lovers. Lyrically and thematically playful, things get frisky in the library for The Pains of Being Pure At Heart in Young Adult Friction. Don't check them out!
The A is for Apple A-List Playlist:
Murray Gold - Silence In The Library (severin)
Sparks - I Am A Bookworm (OliveButler)
Squeeze - Library Girl (severin)
The Go-Betweens - Karen (DiscoMonster)
Hüsker Dü - Books About UFOs (happyclapper)
Gecko - The Library (ToffeeBoy)
Ange Hardy - The Young Librarian (Suzi)
Tom Chapin - Library Song (BanazirGalbasi)
The Axis of Awesome - Rage of Thrones (Nicko)
Kimya Dawson ft. Aesop Rock - The Library (OliverButler)
Loudon Wainwright III - Muse Blues (Nicko)
Yellow Ostrich - Libraries (Fred Erickson)
The Bookshop Band - A Shop With Books In (severin)
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction (Fred Erickson)
The B is for Ball B-List Playlist:
Arctic Monkeys - Library Pictures (magicman)
My Morning Jacket - Librarian (SweetHomeAlabama)
Saint Etienne - Lost In The Library (OliveButler)
The Trashmen - Comic Book Collector (Uncleben)
The Elites - Library Of Love (OliveButler)
Broadcast - The Book Lovers (Shoegazer)
Animals That Swim - Bed Island (barbryn)
Hefner - The Librarian (barbryn)
Jimmy Buffett - Love In The Library (Fred Erickson)
Gang Of Four - Not Great Men (Fred Erickson)
Of Montreal - In The Army Kid (Fred Erickson)
Monty Python - Bookshop (George Boyland)
The Herbaliser - Horny Librarian (TatankaYotanka)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - There She Goes My Beautiful World (Dean Nardi)
Guru's Wildcard Picks:
Kenny Young and the Eggplants - Attack of the Maniac Librarian
We've heard of sexy, well-read, intelligent, sophisticated and helpful librarians - but murderous?
Monnone Alone - My Overdue Library Fines
A common issue for many bibliophiles - too many books, not enough time nor money to pay the fines.
One Man and His Beard – We Need Libraries
We do, so please don't shut them down, Powers That Be.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Lend this your ears: songs about libraries. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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