We Call Upon the Author: A Literary Playlist

As a lifelong reader and writer, I’ve always had a special interest in songs that talk about reading, writing, writers, or books. I’ve compiled 20 of my favorite songs about these topics for your listening enjoyment. I’m also linking to other blogs and articles that compile their own lists. There are A LOT of songs out there about these subjects. My musical taste leans heavily toward all things punk, alt, and indie (as you probably know by now), and my list here reflects that. Do you have favorite songs about writing and reading? Share them with us in the comments or tag us on Twitter (I’m @CiteSomething). 

We Call Upon the Author: A Literary Playlist

“When I Write my Master’s Thesis” by John K. Samson

“Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?” by Green Day

“High School Poetry” by 764-HERO

“I Typed for Miles” by Jets to Brazil

“Impossible Things” by Looper

“Wrapped up in Books” by Belle and Sebastian

“Read it in Books” by Echo and the Bunnymen

“Open Book” by Cake

“We Call Upon the Author” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

“I Should Be Allowed to Think” by They Might Be Giants

“Everyday I Write the Book” by Elvis Costello

“Oxford Comma” by Vampire Weekend

“The Engine Driver” by The Decemberists

“Party for the Fight to Write” by Atmosphere

“Romeo and Juliet” by the Indigo Girls

“Cemetery Gates” by The Smiths

“You Speak My Language” by Morphine

“Words” by Low

“All My Little Words” by The Magnetic Fields

“The Book of Love” by The Magnetic Fields

 Other literary playlists:

“25 Songs That Reference Books” at ShortList.com 

“Songs Inspired by Books” at Songfacts

 “11 Songs Inspired by Literature” at Mental Floss

 “25 Very Literary Songs” at Entropy Mag

“The 11 Best Metal Songs About Literature” at Electric Lit 

“10 of Music’s Most Literature-Obsessed Songwriters” at Flavorwire 

“22 Rock Songs Inspired by Batman, Spidey, and Other Comics Heroes” at Blastr 

Filed under: Music