The Official In the Lives of Puppets Playlist from TJ Klune

Last year, TJ Klune provided us with a fantastic official playlist and write-up for his new novel, In the Lives of Puppets. Now that Puppets is releasing in paperback, we’re bringing his tunes and commentary back 😎

As of the day I’m writing this—April 12, 2023—I have over five hundred songs in my In the Lives of Puppets playlist. Below, I’ve selected fifteen songs from that list to tell the musical story of the novel. These songs are in narrative order to take you on the journey with Vic, Hap, Nurse Ratched and Rambo to save one of their own. There’s a mix of jazz, contemporary and some different versions of songs you’ll recognize.

Each of the major characters—from Vic to Giovanni—are based upon a particular type of music and/or musical performance. For example, the Coachman is partially based on Gerard Way’s performance as part of My Chemical Romance for Welcome to the Black Parade. The Blue Fairy is pure Annie Lennox in Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).

Enjoy the playlist for In the Lives of Puppets!

TJ Klune

A Puppets Vibe

The Irrepressibles — “In This Shirt”

There’s a thorn in my side
It’s the shame, it’s the pride
Of you and me
Ever changing

PART 1

Weather Report — “Volcano for Hire”

Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald — “Cheek to Cheek”

Heaven, I’m in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together dancing cheek to cheek

Rihanna — “Disturbia”

It’s a thief in the night to come and grab you
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind, it can control you
I feel like a monster

Ethan Bortnick — “engravings”

All the pain is underneath, I’m listenin’
To everything, please tell me everything
I’ll put my hand up on your chest
So you forget your engravings

BT — “Simply Being Loved (Electronic Opus Mix)”

Some little joy some little joy, it’s complicated
Some little time some little time, my heart’s been faded
Some little hope some little hope, and I pray again for love

(original substituted for remix on the linked Spotify playlist)

PART II

Cosmo Sheldrake — “Come Along” (Reverb Edition by Kouyou)

Run along now don’t be glum
Get you gone now have some fun
Don’t be long for the end is nigh

(original substituted for remix on the linked Spotify playlist)

My Chemical Romance — “Welcome to the Black Parade”

We’ll carry on, we’ll carry on
And though you’re dead and gone, believe me
Your memory will carry on

Loveless — “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”

You don’t wanna hurt me
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware I’m tearing you asunder
Oh, there is thunder in our hearts

PART III

New Beat Order & Arc North & Aaron Richards — “Numb”

I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there
I’ve become so tired, so much more aware
I’m becoming this
All I want to do is be more like me
And be less like you

TALK — “Run Away To Mars”

I can’t tell which way is home
I’ve been gone for so long
It’s an empty world pp here
I skip stones and wonder
How long ’til I’m discovered?
It’s a quiet life up here

The Eurythmics & Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart — “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”

Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

Phlotilla & Andrea Wasse & Topher Mohr — “Going Down Fighting”

If the city’s on fire
I’ll stand in the ashes
There’s no turning back
It’s ready or not

This Mortal Coil — “Song to the Siren”

Long afloat on shipless oceans
I did all my best to smile
‘Til your singing eyes and fingers
Drew me loving to your isle
And you sang
Sail to me
Sail to me, let me enfold you
Here I am, here I am
Waiting to hold you