Tuesday, January 3, 2017

What song describes Gatsby's death in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald?

The 1920s is known as the Jazz Age because that musical genre gained a prominent position in popular music. F. Scott Fitzgerald mentions some specific songs in the novel, and the overall impression is that music is constantly playing at Jay Gatsby’s parties. Jazz tends to be upbeat and fast, so another genre would be more likely to fit the somber atmosphere of Gatsby’s body in the pool. Blues would suit the period and the mood, such as the Saint Louis Blues (probably without the lyrics).
One song from the 1920s that became a standard, familiar today as recorded by Willie Nelson, is “Stardust” by Hoagie Carmichael and Mitchell Parrish. The wistful tune and the lyrics match the tone.

Sometimes I wonder why I spend
The lonely nights dreaming of a song
The melody haunts my reverie
And I am once again with you….
Though I dream in vain
In my heart it will remain
My stardust melody
The memory of love's refrain.

In terms of choices others have made, Nelson Riddle’s score for the 1974 film used period and original music. The score of the Baz Luhrmann 2013 film features period, contemporary (including hip hop), and original music; one selection is called “Gatsby’s Death and Portico.”
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/great-gatsby-music-from-baz-luhrmanns-film-deluxe-edition/1440832062

https://www.discogs.com/Nelson-Riddle-The-Great-Gatsby-Original-Soundtrack-Recording/release/4589001

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/916192/Hoagy+Carmichael/Stardust


The Don McLean song "American Pie" might be a fitting song to describe Gatsby's death. For example, at the beginning of the song, the lyrics are as follows: "And I knew if I had my chance / That I could make those people dance / And maybe they'd be happy for a while." Gatsby tries to make party-goers at his house happy for a little while, so this line fits him. 
In addition, another part of the song is as follows: "Well, I know that you're in love with him." This could be a reference to Gatsby's awareness that Daisy will always still love Tom and stay with him, which is apparent to Gatsby by the time of his death. Finally, though there is still some debate about the meaning of McLean's lyrics "bye, bye, Miss American Pie," they could be interpreted as saying goodbye to the American Dream that Gatsby tried to pursue. Gatsby tried to live the dream of rising from humble origins to achieve wealth and status. When Gatsby died, his dream died with him. 

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