National Theatre of Scotland

Cathy Forde's playlist

for Empty

Ever wonder where writers get their inspiration from?

Writer Cathy Forde is a huge music fan and the songs she listens to have a big influence on her work.

Check out Cathy's playlist below, then log on to Spotify and listen to the music that inspired the writing of her first play, Empty.

“I have to write in total silence," says Cathy. "So I never, ever listen to music when I’m working because I would just listen to it and not work."

"Saying that, everything I have ever written has a soundtrack so here are some tracks. The first group, I associate with Empty. The other group I listen to constantly.”

Group one – songs for Empty

Beautiful Tomorrow by Mahalia Jackson
“I spent ages finding a song to start the play and this one still feels right. This song represents the characters as the children they still are to a certain extent.”

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
“The lyrics of this song just repeat and repeat. They remind me of how I want my characters to feel when they look back on Col’s empty years later.”

Jump Around by House of Pain
“Feels like a party song.”

I Wanna Holler, Weak Spot and Hot Dog by The Detroit Cobras

Get the Party Started by Pink
Log on to Spotify to hear Cathy's playlist

Group two – songs on constant shuffle

It Makes No Difference, Jericho, Twilight, The Weight and Don’t Do It by The Band

Only a Fool Would Let Go, Growing Trade, When I Move Away and The Mountain by Levon Helm

A Song for You and Stranger in a Strange Land by Leon Russell

Stay With Me by Rod Stewart and The Faces

And the Healing has Begun by Van Morrison
"This is the song I want played at my funeral"

Red Morning Light and Trani by Kings of Leon

Don’t Change on Me by Ray Charles

Oh, Mary Don’t You Weep by Bruce Springsteen
“. . . and just about every other track on his Seeger Sessions album.”

This Life by Bruce Springsteen
“There are about a thousand more songs vying to get into this category. Honourable mentions to Kate Bush, Mavis Staples, early Elton, Al Green, Tom Waits, Pulp, Beatles, Bowie... But I will have to stop.”
Hear Cathy's inspiration mix on Spotify.