From Notes To Novels: The Powerful Influence Of Music On Literature

The Influence of Music on Literature

Can you imagine a world without music? Me neither. How about one without literature? As a writer, musician, and singer, I can’t fathom a world where both of these art forms don’t exist. They evoke strong emotions and connect people across time and culture. What’s even more fascinating is how these two art forms influence each other, with themes from literature inspiring musicians and musical imagery sparking the imagination of writers. In this post, we’ll dive into the connection between music and literature, exploring the artists who embody these connections in their work.

Historical Overview

Ancient Beginnings

Music and literature have been intertwined since ancient times. Civilizations like the Greeks and Egyptians used music to enhance storytelling. For instance, epic poems like Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey were often performed with musical accompaniment. This fusion of music and storytelling laid the foundation for the close relationship between the two art forms. Similarly, in Ancient Greek drama, music was incorporated into plays, such as the dithyramb, a hymn sung to honor Dionysus, highlighting how music amplified the literary experience.

Medieval Times

During the medieval period, troubadours — musicians who performed across Europe — brought stories like Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Dante’s Divine Comedy to life with music long before they were written down. One of the earliest known English literary works, Beowulf, was most likely recited with musical accompaniment, demonstrating that even foundational pieces of literature were deeply connected to music.

Renaissance and Baroque

The Renaissance saw classical music flourish alongside literary works. William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights in history, often referenced music in his plays. In Twelfth Night, for example, he writes, "If music be the food of love, play on." Shakespeare also incorporated songs like “Come Away, Come Away Death,” further blending music and literature. Meanwhile, composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sergei Prokofiev found inspiration in Shakespeare’s works, particularly Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, and Hamlet.

During the Baroque period, opera emerged as an art form combining music, literature, and poetry. Many operas, such as Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen, drew from literary texts and mythology. Wagner’s work, influenced by Norse mythology and the writings of poets like Friedrich von Schlegel, is a prime example of how composers engaged with literary narratives through music.

Romanticism and the 19th Century

The Romantic period saw an increased emphasis on emotion and nature, particularly in the works of poets like William Wordsworth. His poetry used rhythm and musical themes to evoke deep feelings. During this time, novels were also influenced by music. For example, Victor Hugo was reportedly inspired by Beethoven’s emotional compositions when writing Les Misérables.

Jazz and Modernism

The 20th century gave birth to jazz and blues, which in turn shaped the literature of the era. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby depicted the roaring ’20s and the vibrant jazz culture that characterized the time. Similarly, during the Harlem Renaissance, poets like Langston Hughes used jazz imagery in their work, notably in poems like "The Weary Blues."

Jazz's influence on literature continues today. Bebop jazz notably influenced Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, while Toni Morrison’s Jazz is structured with the same spontaneity and improvisation found in the musical genre. Additionally, J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings has been an inspiration for many musicians. Tolkien’s imaginative worlds have sparked the creativity of heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath, whose song “The Wizard” is rooted in Tolkien's mythology.

Contemporary Connections

Literature continues to inspire modern musicians across genres. Outkast’s Ms. Jackson was inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, while David Bowie’s Big Brother drew from George Orwell’s 1984. Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights took direct inspiration from Emily Brontë’s novel, while bands like Cream and Alt-J have referenced works like The Odyssey and The Picture of Dorian Gray in their music.

Conclusion

Music and literature have been linked since the dawn of civilization, and that connection shows no sign of fading. From classical to modern genres, literature has inspired musical composition, while music has offered writers emotional depth and vivid imagery for their work. This relationship has produced timeless masterpieces that continue to resonate with audiences. What’s your favorite song inspired by literature? How about your favorite piece of literature influenced by music?

More Songs Inspired by Literature:

- Ms. Jackson by Outkast — inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

- Big Brother by David Bowie — inspired by George Orwell’s 1984

- Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush — inspired by Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights

- Soma by The Strokes — inspired by Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World

- Tales of Brave Ulysses by Cream — inspired by Homer’s The Odyssey

Sources:

Kore Studios - Influence of Literature in Popular Music

[Kore Studios - Influence of Literature in Popular Music](https://www.kore-studios.com/from-books-to-song-sheets-the-influence-of-literature-in-popular-music/)

Serenade Magazine - Relationships Between Literature and Classical Music

[Serenade Magazine - Relationships Between Literature and Classical Music](https://serenademagazine.com/exploring-the-relationships-between-literature-and-classical-music/)

. Britannica - Program Music

[Britannica - Program Music](https://www.britannica.com/art/program-music)

Musical Mum - Baroque Era and the Birth of Opera . [Musical Mum - Baroque Era and the Birth of Opera](https://www.musicalmum.com/baroque-era-and-the-birth-of-opera/)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Ancient Greek Music

- Source: [Ancient Greek Music](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grmu/hd_grmu.htm)

British Library - Troubadours and Medieval Oral Traditions

[Medieval Literature and Music](https://www.bl.uk/medieval-literature/articles/music-and-performance-in-medieval-literature)

PBS - Jazz and the Harlem Renaissance

[Jazz and Literature](https://www.pbs.org/jazz/explore/explore_literature.htm)

The Washington Post - Jazz and "The Great Gatsby"

[Jazz and The Great Gatsby](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/how-f-scott-fitzgerald-channeled-the-jazz-age/2013/04/10/f99dd61c-a1a6-11e2-82bc-511538ae90a4_story.html)

The Guardian - J.R.R. Tolkien’s Influence on Heavy Metal

- Source: [Tolkien and Metal](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/24/tolkien-metal-heavy-legacy-lord-of-the-rings)

The Conversation - Hip-Hop and Literature

[Hip-Hop and Literature](https://theconversation.com/how-literature-has-inspired-rap-music-and-why-it-matters-76834)

Classic FM - Programmatic Music [Programmatic Music](https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/latest/programmatic-music/)

British Library - Beethoven’s Letters and Program Music [Beethoven’s Music and Letters](https://www.bl.uk/people/ludwig-van-beethoven)