What with the prior week on Woods, and this week’s visual post, it feels like a good Monday to talk about themes and lessons with music. I listen to lyrics, and sometimes they sound like elevator pitches of the larger story, which is why Red Letters is so intertwined. If you are curious, I do write other books without so much as a mention of music. But because Woods character is a man with music in his blood and Tweety is a woman who lives in sound, the songs feel like structure and core. Background hidden backstage.

So with that in mind? Our first lesson is of course going to say one thing and advise another in harmony. It sounds like a carry over, a Woods song he’s sing or have in his playlist. But the title is a lesson Tweety learns over and over in the series. And honestly? There is something in this song for every character that chooses to walk into the Red Letters bar spots. Do you agree?

Red Flags And Long Nights – She Wants Revenge

Another one that sounds like it’s a Woods life lesson, but feels like core Tweety is this next one. In a way, you can see how these two characters found common ground, connection, and why they overlap in so many ways. It also takes a hard resolve to find a dream and chase it, even with risks, dangers, and roadblocks meant to keep you down. Sometimes having a desire for more than a career ends up getting you someone to have your back, to help you stop the negatives and shield you long enough to keep striving for gold. Just like you do for them.

Desire Into Gold – New Medicine

Though, there are lessons Tweety learns because of Woods. From the moment they met, it might have been quiet and slow, but it was chaos in motion. And when he jumped on stage, teasing her while entertaining the crowd? Tweety learned chaos can be an amazing distraction. After all, when she retells these stories, the facts that sound like fiction get more pauses than the impacts. So she tailored her storytelling. It’s her story, and she tells it her way, relying on the chaotic elements to take the spotlight off herself. This song title feels like it’s a lesson warning about some of our summer fiction Fridays (jello in a pool is pretty insane…) but these lyrics? This is more core Tweety. The one we meet in book one, telling you the story about her career. The one we meet in book four, trying to survive silently again. Controlled chaos can be a brand identity and a character flaw all in one.

Chaotic – Tate McRae

She learns the need for controlling every situation to get the best outcomes. No one wants to ruin the fun mood with fights about things Tweety won’t answer. She learns how to smooth everything over, especially when it happens a few times a day. Tweety doesn’t control you. She controls herself and her surroundings, and her ways demand the same respect back. Cross the line? That warm welcoming smile that engages you? Grows colder, gets shorter, and you find yourself being served your drinks by someone else. What Tweety needs to keep her peace isn’t easy to say out loud, but she sure shows her lines in the sand.

She Loves Control – Camila Cabello

Because of this, Soulful is a found family of good people who have dark sides. Secrets while being open, chaotic but fiercely protective, wacky but warm, quietly caring, advice from experience people. (Bonus points if you can guess the characters these word pairings suggest.) Someone will always find a way to be there, maybe not in the way you think you need, but even patrons walk away learning something. Expectations can be left for other places. In this world? Dark horses are just following a different path to a similar pack, more familiar with underdogs than most.

Dark Horse – Devin Dawson