Mockingjay 13 District Blog Tour: District 10!

Welcome to District 10!  Even though Katniss didn't think much of our tributes dressed up as cows with flaming belts (she called them pathetic), we're still 100% behind Katniss, our symbol of hope.

Now if you know livestock farmers at all, you know that we all really enjoy putting together playlists. We love the Hunger Games Survival Mix Forever Young Adult put together for Katniss to prepare for the games. Yep, Another One Bites the Dust by Queen never fails to get us pumped up.  It makes a nice change to the cacophony of cowbells and rooster crowing.

In any case, I wanted to take it one step further and make individual playlists for each of the Hunger Games triology main characters.  These are songs that I either thought of when reading particular scenes featuring the character or that I think describes the character well.

As the symbol of the revolution, it is fitting that Katniss get some 'protest' songs.

1. Tori Amos "Iieee" 
We scream in cathedrals, why can't that be beautiful? Why does there gotta be a sacrifice?
This is a line that always goes through my head when I think of Katniss taking Prim's place.

2. Bat for Lashes "Glass"
Sew a cape of red and gold, Stifle up the beam, With the perfect armor, With the perfect dream, When two suns are shining, The battle becomes blinding.
Makes me think of Cinna dressing Katniss for the games.

3. Rage Against the Machine "Darkness"
We’ll strike a match and it’ll catch, And spread the insight we need, A tiny fire burning bright, Shedding light on the darkness of greed.
This is what Katniss is to our revolution - a tiny fire burning bright.

4. Muse "Unnatural Selection"
They'll laugh as they watch us fall, The lucky don't care at all, I'm hungry for some unrest, I want to push this beyond a peaceful protest, I wanna speak in a language that they'll understand.
Self explanatory, I think!

5. Hard-Fi "Stronger"
You dish it out, I'll take it in, I can only grow from the lies you spin, If you're not scared then you should be, Nothin' in the world will keep you from me.
All I can say is that President Snow better watch his back.

6. Placebo "Every You, Every Me"
Pucker up for heaven’s sake. There's never been so much at stake.
This is what I imagine Haymitch yelling at Katniss before the broth/cave scene in book 1.
 
Listen to Katniss' playlist

So Peeta, he's a particular favorite of mine, and a lot of how we know him is in his relationship with Katniss. And of course we know he's a great painter and bakes beautiful, tasty cakes.
 
1. Tori Amos "Baker, Baker"
Baker Baker baking a cake, Make me a day, Make me whole again, And I wonder what's in a day, What's in your cake this time?
This is probably something Katniss sings to Peeta often.

2. The Rentals "Sweetness & Tenderness"
I need to figure this out, And find where my place is, I don't mean to threaten anyone, No need to get so defensive, You say you're with me, I know you don't care.
Something Peeta probably sings to Katniss often.

3. Stars "Take Me to the Riot"
Let's do that, just feed me, I hate when I have to get to sleep, You despise me and I love you, It's not much but it's just enough to keep.
Yes, the broth/cave scene again, this time from Peeta's point of view.

4. Coldplay "Spies"
I awake to see that no one is free. We're all fugitives - look at the way we live. Down here, I cannot sleep from fear. no.
Peeta and his nightmares.  Yes, The Capitol is indeed spying on you.

5. Placebo "The Bitter End"
Reminds me that it's killing time, On this fateful day. See you at the bitter end.
Something Peeta might say to Katniss before going into the arena.

6. No Doubt "Running"
Running, running as fast as we can. I really hope we make it. Do you think we’ll make it? We’re running, keep holding my hand, so we don’t get separated.
Towards the end of the first games, this one was going through my head.
 
Listen to Peeta's playlist!

And then we've got Gale, Katniss' best friend, and the one she might have married had Prim not been chosen at the reaping. You'll probably notice by my song choice that I am not #teamgale.
 
1. Tori Amos "Toast"
Lately you've been on my mind,You showed me the ropes, Ropes to climb, Over mountains, And to pull myself, Out of a landslide.
Something Katniss might sing to Gale. After all, he's her rock - the one who helped teach her how to survive.

2. Bjork "Hunter"
I'm going hunting, I'm the hunter, I'm the hunter, I'm going hunting.
Couldn't resist!
 
3. Rilo Kiley "Dreamworld"
See, I'm a man with a plan to use my hands. I'm touching yours, you're the girl who wanted more.
Probably what Gale was thinking before *that kiss* and going off to his job at the coal mine.

4. The Cure "Letter for Elise"
It doesn't matter what you say, I just can't stay here every yesterday, like keep on acting out the same, the way we act out, every way to smile, forget, and make-believe we never needed, any more than this.
Gale's letter to Katniss.

5. The Decemberists "Crane Wife 1+2"
I am a poor man, I haven't wealth nor fame, I have my two hands, And a house to my name, And the winter's so, And the winter's so long.
Describes Gale well, I think.

6. Sea Wolf "Orion & Dog"
Orion said I’m just a humble hunter, the dog the only company I keep.
How I picture Gale's future. ;)

Listen to Gale's playlist

When I think of Haymitch, I can't help but think of a lot of drinking songs...Margaritaville, Whisky in the Jar, Red, Red Wine, and I'm sure a ton of country songs (but I don't listen to country when I can help it). But he's also quite sly...

1. Tori Amos "Concertina"
I know the truth lies in between the 1st and the 40th drink.
We're never quite sure what Haymitch is really up to.

2. The Doors "Whisky Bar"
Show me the way to the next whisky bar. Oh, don’t ask why. Oh, don’t ask why.
Anyone else think Haymitch is drinking to forget?

3. Weezer "Say It Ain't So"
Say it ain’t so, Your drug is a heart-breaker, Say it aint so, My love is a life-taker.
The classic alcoholic regret.

4. Bush "Machinehead"
Blood is like wine, Unconscious all the time, If I had it all again, I'd change it all.
Feeling a bit guilty about what happened to Maysilee at the 50th Hunger Games?

5. Morrisey "Our Frank"
The world may be ending, But look, I'm only human, So, give us a drink, And make it quick.
Ever the practical one, that Haymitch.

6. The Police "Wrapped Around Your Finger"
I will turn your face to alabaster, When you will find your servant is your master.
You tell 'em Haymitch!  This is such a song for the end of Catching Fire.

Listen to Haymitch's playlist

Yes, The Capitol gets a playlist too.  And by The Capitol, I mean more the general population of The Capitol.

1. Tori Amos "Yes, Anastasia"
We’ll see how brave you are, We’ll see how fast you’ll be running.
I always picture the people singing this to the tributes as they enter the arena every year. (And why yes, it does look like I found a way to work a Tori Amos song onto every playlist!)

2. The Killers "Human"
Are we human? Or are we dancer?
Seriously! How can you all sit back and enjoy watching kids battle to the death?!


3. Iggy Pop "TV Screen"
No one wants to give a damn, Or even hear a thought, They rush from one fad to the next, You talk and it has no effect.
Sounds like a good description of those frivolous capitol citizens.

4. Aqua "Barbie Girl"
I'm a barbie girl, in the barbie world, Life in plastic, it's fantastic! You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere, Imagination, life is your creation. Come on Barbie, let's go party!
Which brings me to the most frivolous, bubblehead song I can think of, for people whose biggest regret is having feathered costumes at their birthday party.

5. Bow Wow Wow "I Want Candy"
I want candy. I want candy.
This is the song that's running through my head during the banquet scenes, mainly because of the scene in the movie Marie Antoinette.

6. Company of Thieves "Oscar Wilde"
Porcelain teacups decorate, Tables and the conversation, Beauty pageants, all the time, Is running out, the time is running out.
I think the frivolous times of the capitol are about to come to an end.  What about you?

Listen to The Capitol's playlist

We're going to find out soon, y'all, because tomorrow is Mockingjay release day (FINALLY!)

I know a lot of you are going to release parties tonight (envious!), but please remember, DO NOT post spoilers until we all have a chance to read it. Since I'm in Germany at the moment, I don't know when I'll be able to get my hands on a copy. But, oh, if you happen to be in Berlin, Germany on the 28th, there's a special Mockingjay party from 12-2 pm at Storytime Books.

But now on to my epic giveaway.  You do need a place to play all these playlists I've prepared for you, and that's where this 8 GB iPod touch engraved with a Mockingjay logo comes in. That will be one lucky winner!

To enter to win this amazing prize (US only - provided by a publicity company on behalf of Scholastic), you must fill out this HUNGER GAMES iPOD TOUCH GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM.


And if you want to read more things Hunger Games, be sure to check out the official Facebook page, and head over to the District 11 stop at Mundie Moms on Wednesday.  Also, if you love dystopian fiction, I am currently smack in the middle of a whole theme month celebrating dystopias. Check it out and join in the fun!

Special thanks go to Daniel Jennewein (for designing my graphics),  Steph Su (who will have more playlists on her blog this week), Kristen M, and Michelle F. for song suggestions, and Michelle Erin for the playlist links.


 Go ahead! Tell me in the comments which character specific songs you'd put on your Hunger Games playlist.  Got a song for President Snow? Or for Cinna? How about Rue?