Novel Soundtrack: Track 1

Their Eyes Were Watching God: The Soundtrack

Compiled by Jennifer Barber

1) I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman by Britney Spears

Event: Not all of the lyrics in this song directly relate to the novel, but the general idea of the song does. In the beginning of the novel, Janie’s grandmother catches her kissing Johnny Taylor and gets very upset about it. When Nanny is talking to Janie, Janie says, “Naw, Nanny, naw Ah ain’t no real ‘oman yet.” At this point Janie is still figuring out what she wants in the love department and her grandmother is arranging her marriage. The lyrics in the song relate to Janie feeling a little lost about love.

Lyrics:

I used to think

I had the answers to everything,

But now I know

Life doesn't always go my way, yeah...

Feels like I'm caught in the middle

That's when I realize...

[Chorus:]

I'm not a girl,

Not yet a woman.

All I need is time,

A moment that is mine,

While I'm in between.

I'm not a girl,

There is no need to protect me.

It's time that I

Learn to face up to this on my own.

I've seen so much more than you know now,

So don't tell me to shut my eyes.

[Chorus]

I'm not a girl,

But if you look at me closely,

You will see it my eyes.

This girl will always find her way.

I'm not a girl

(I'm not a girl don't tell me what to believe).

Not Yet a woman

(I'm just trying to find the woman in me, yeah).

All I need is time (All I need),

A moment that is mine (That is mine),

While I'm in between.

I'm not a girl

Not yet a woman

All I need is time (All I need),

A moment that is mine,

While I'm in between.

I'm not a girl,

Not yet a woman.

Novel Soundtrack: Track 2

2) Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Katherine McPhee

Event: This is the point in the story when Janie has married Logan Killicks and they are living together. She is unhappy with her life and wishes for a love that is greater than what she has with Logan. This song can relate to Janie’s feelings at this point because she is still wishing that something, or someone, better will come along.

Lyrics:

When all the clouds darken up the skyway

There's a rainbow highway to be found

Leading from your window pain

To a place behind the sun

Just a step beyond the rain

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Someday I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where troubles melt lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then oh why can't I

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh, why can't I

Novel Soundtrack: Track 3

3) Change Partners by Fred Astaire

Event: I related this song to Joe coming into Janie’s life and asking her to leave Logan for him. Although this song is about a dance, you could interpret it metaphorically about a marriage. If you interpret it this way, you can see that it relates to Joe asking Janie to leave her marriage for him. The last line in the song is like Joe telling Janie that he will provide for her and be a “big voice” in Eatonville.

Lyrics:

Must you dance every dance with the same fortunate man?

You have danced with him since the music began.

Won't you change partners and dance with me?

Must you dance quite so close with your lips touching his face?

Can't you see

I'm longing to be in his place?

Won't you change partners and dance with me?

Ask him to sit this one out.

While you're alone,

I'll tell the waiter to tell

him he's wanted on the telephone.

You've been locked in his arms ever since heaven-knows-when.

Won't you change partners and then,

you may never want to change partners again.

Novel Soundtrack: Track 4

4) The Jeffersons (Movin’ On Up) by Stay Tuned

Event: This song represents Janie and Joe’s move to Eatonville. Joe says that he wants to have a big voice in Eatonville and he can give Janie anything she wants. The whole premise of this song is about making a move to become rich and powerful. This is what Joe wanted, and in essence, he got it.

Lyrics:

Well we're movin on up,

To the east side.

To a deluxe apartment in the sky.

Movin on up,

To the east side.

We finally got a piece of the pie.

Fish don't fry in the kitchen;

Beans don't burn on the grill.

Took a whole lotta tryin',

Just to get up that hill.

Now we're up in the big leagues,

Gettin' our turn at bat.

As long as we live, it's you and me baby,

There ain't nothin wrong with that.

Well we're movin on up,

To the east side.

To a deluxe apartment in the sky.

Movin on up,

To the east side.

We finally got a piece of the pie.

Novel Soundtrack: Track 5

5) Does Anybody Hear Her by The Casting Crowns

Event: This song represents much of Janie’s life. Throughout her entire life, she lives by what others want for her and is repressed by others (specifically Joe in their marriage). This song deals with the heartache of a girl that is searching for love and acceptance. Janie’s feelings of being unseen and unheard and her constantly trying to figure herself out can be related to the lyrics in this song.

Link to Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhRucEVzH8

Lyrics:

She is running

A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction

She is trying

But the canyon's ever widening

In the depths of her cold heart

So she sets out on another misadventure just to find

She's another two years older

And she's three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

Or does anybody even know she's going down today

Under the shadow of our steeple

With all the lost and lonely people

Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning

For shelter and affection

That she never found at home

She is searching

For a hero to ride in

To ride in and save the day

And in walks her prince charming

And he knows just what to say

Momentary lapse of reason

And she gives herself away

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

Or does anybody even know she's going down today

Under the shadow of our steeple

With all the lost and lonely people

Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

If judgment looms under every steeple

If lofty glances from lofty people

Can't see past her scarlet letter

And we've never even met her

If judgment looms under every steeple

If lofty glances from lofty people

Can't see past her scarlet letter

And we've never even met her

If Judgement looms under every steeple

If lofty glances from lofty people

Can't see past her scarlet letter

And we've never even met her

Never even met her

Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?

Or does anybody even know she's going down today

Under the shadow of our steeple

With all the lost and lonely people

Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?

Does anybody even know she's going down today?

Under the shadow of our steeple (shadow of her steeple)

With all the lost and lonely people (Lost and Lonely people)

Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her? Does anybody see?

He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction

Novel Soundtrack: Track 6

6) Fighter by Christina Aguilera

Event: The premise of this song is that the things in the past make you who you are. The person in the song has been cheated on, stolen from and betrayed. All of these things has made her the person that she is now. Though the plot doesn’t fully follow Janie’s story, the idea does. Janie is stronger and knows more about what she wants after her poor relationship with Joe. Once he dies, she is free and realizes that she can be who she wants. She fought through the marriage and now she is free.

Link to Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB7pQpNx-F4

Lyrics:

When I, thought I knew you

Thinking, that you were true

I guess I, I couldn't trust

'Cause your bluff time is up

'Cause I've had enough

You were, there by my side

Always, down for the ride

But your, joy ride just came down in flames

'Cause your greed sold me out of shame

After all of the stealing and cheating

You probably think that I hold resentment for you

But, uh uh, oh no, you're wrong

'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do

I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through

So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

Makes me work a little bit harder

It makes me that much wiser

So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster

Made my skin a little bit thicker

Makes me that much smarter

So thanks for making me a fighter

Never, saw it coming

All of, your backstabbing

Just so, you could cash in

On a good thing before I realized your game

I heard, you're going around

Playing, the victim now

But don't, even begin

Feeling I'm the one to blame

'Cause you dug your own grave, uh huh

After all of the fights and the lies

Yes you wanted to harm me but that won't work anymore

Uh, no more, oh no, it's over

'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture

I wouldn't know how to be this way now, and never back down

So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

Makes me work a little bit harder

Makes me that much wiser

So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster

Made my skin a little bit thicker

It makes me that much smarter

So thanks for making me a fighter

Novel Soundtrack: Track 7

7) Would You Like to Take a Walk? By Annette Hanshaw

Event: The event that this song represents is when Tea Cake comes into Janie’s life. He comes into the store one day and the two have an instant connection. Soon after, Tea Cake begins walking Janie home and staying at her house for dinner. This song reminded me of their courtship before they were married as many times Tea Cake would walk Janie home and that would result in him coming inside.

Link to Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltLFqU1AnX4

Lyrics:

I saw you strolling by your solitary,

Am I nosy, very, very.

I'd like to be a juicy huckleberry,

What you're after is a gal;

We're both in luck for introductions are not necessary;

Mm-mm-mm, would you like to take walk?

Mm-mm-mm, do you think it's gonna rain?

Mm-mm-mm, how about a sasparilla?

Gee, the moon is yeller,

Sump'n good'll come from that.

Mm-mm-mm, have you heard the latest song?

Mm-mm-mm, it's a very pretty strain.

Mm-mm-mm, don't you feel a little thrilly?

Gee, it's getting chilly,

Sump'n good'll come from that.

When you're strolling though the wherezis,

You need a whozis

To lean upon;

But when you have no whozis,

To hug and whatzis, gosh darn.

Mm-mm-mm, would you like to take walk?

Mm-mm-mm, do you think it's gonna rain?

Mm-mm-mm, ain't you tired of the talkies?

I prefer the walkies,

Sump'n good'll come from that.

My little heart is full of palpitation,

What I need is consolation.

I'd like to stage a little celebration

In the moonlight, right away;

I'll feel all pep't if you'll accept my friendly invitation;

Novel Soundtrack: Track 8

8) Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls

Event: This song represents Tea Cake and Janie’s relationship and marriage. Tea Cake and Janie are so in love and after having been married for a while, they see each others true selves. Even through this, they still are madly in love. This song talks about a love so strong and a couple that just wants each other to be true to themselves, and they love each other for that. This is similar to the relationship that Janie and Tea Cake had.

Lyrics:

And I'd give up forever to touch you

Cause I know that you feel me somehow

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment

And all I can breathe is your life

Cause sooner or later it's over

I just don't want to miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me

Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming

Or the moment of truth in your lies

When everything seems like the movies

Yeah you bleed just to know your alive

And I don't want the world to see me

Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

I don't want the world to see me

Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

Novel Soundtrack: Track 9

9) It Don’t Mean a Thing if You Ain’t Got That Swing by Duke Ellington

Event: The lyrics to this song don’t have much relation to the book. However, this is a song from the 1930’s, the era that the novel takes place in. In the novel, it states that while Janie and Tea Cake were on the muck, their shack was the center for entertainment and social activities. People would talk and sing and play games. This could have been a song that they sang. In essence, this song represents the fun times that Janie and Tea Cake had after they moved out to the Everglades.

Link to Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg/

Lyrics:

What good is melody?

What good is music?

If it ain't possessin' something sweet

It ain't the melody, it ain't the music

There's something else that makes the tune complete

It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing

It don't mean a thing all you got to do is sing

It makes no difference

If it's sweet or hot

Just give that rhythm

Everything you've got

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

Novel Soundtrack: Track 10

10) River Stay ‘Way from My Door by Paul Robeson

Event: The event that this song relates to is the hurricane towards the end of the novel. Janie and Tea Cake don’t think that the hurricane is going to reach their house so they don’t leave with the Indians and the animals. Instead, they stay at home. Once they see the waters rising, they realize that they have made a mistake and that they must leave or they will die.

Lyrics:

You're just a lonely little river,

But I have heard somebody say

That someday you may

Squeeze my home away.

So roll along you lonely river

And find your way to the sea,

I don't bother you,

Don't you bother me!

You keep goin' your way,

I'll keep goin' my way,

River, stay 'way from my door!

I just got a cabin,

You don't need a cabin,

River, stay 'way from my door!

Don't come up any higher,

I'm so all alone.

Leave my bed and my fire,

That's all I'll ever own!

I ain't breakin' your heart,

Don't start breakin' my heart,

River, stay 'way from my door!

Novel Soundtrack: Track 11

11) Seasons of Love by the RENT Cast

Event: The event that this story represents is the reuniting of friends after the hurricane. Tea Cake and Janie go back to the Everglades and find many of their friends. Having thought that they were dead, this is surprising, and exciting news to the couple. This song is all about appreciating life and spending life in a way that means something. At the end of the song it says, “Let’s celebrate, and remember a year in the life of friends.” I think when the friends in the novel reunited they were all recounting what happened to them during the hurricane.

Link to Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8iTeDl_Wug

Lyrics:

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes.

Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes.

How do you measure- measure a year.

In daylights, in sunsets,

In midnights, in cups of coffee.

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure a year in the life?

How about love?

How about love?

How about love?

Measure in love.

Seasons of love.

Seasons of love.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes.

Five hundred twenty five thousand journeys to plan.

five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes.

How do you measure the life of a woman or a man.

In truth that she learned

or in times that he cried

In the bridges he burned

or the way that she died

Its time now to sing out

though the story never ends

lets celebrate, remember a year

in the life of friends

Novel Soundtrack: Track 12

12) I’ll Be Seeing You by Billie Holiday

Event: At the end of the novel, Tea Cake dies leaving Janie all alone. She is mourning Tea Cakes death but is finally at peace with herself. This song could represent Janie’s mourning of Tea Cake’s death. The song talks about how “I’ll be seeing you in everything that’s light and gay. I’ll always think of you that way.” This models the way that I see Janie reacting to Tea Cake’s death. Although she is saddened by the loss, she will remember him for all the joy he brought to her life.

Link to Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXLB32n6lq8

Lyrics:

I'll be seeing you

In all the old familiar places

That this heart of mine embraces

All day through.

In that small cafe;

The park across the way;

The children's carousel;

The chestnut trees;

The wishin' well.

I'll be seeing you

In every lovely summer's day;

In every thing that's light and gay.

I'll always think of you that way.

I'll find you

In the morning sun

And when the night is new.

I'll be looking at the moon,

But I'll be seeing you.

I'll be seeing you

In every lovely summer's day;

In every thing that's light and gay.

I'll always think of you that way.

I'll find you

In the morning sun

And when the night is new.

I'll be looking at the moon,

But I'll be seeing you.