When I listen to music, I often get plot ideas, or I relate certain lyrics to situations my characters have been in.  So I started to wonder, which songs could make up the story for Beneath an Irish Sky - if I could produce a BAIS soundtrack, what would be on it?  This is what I came up with. Some of these are actually mentioned in the book, others could well be. If you're not familiar with the songs but have read the book, click on the YT links and listen to the words...

1.   Yesterday - The Beatles.   The lyrics are so apt for poor Jack whose wife just upped and left him all those years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WQAl5nJWHs

2.   Curragh of Kildare - The Johnstons Luke has a flashback to happier times https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIPWvAmVY2o

3.   You Raise me Up - Brian Kennedy.  In the novel, during the funeral scene  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCe0mSCfyjE

4.   Ave Maria - Josh Groban  Also in the novel and also during the funeral  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgyy8u3zcf8

5   I'll See You Again - Westlife.  Real tearjerker, and ideal song for Luke as he watches his mother being buried. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl2sqdfD2Q0

6   Fields of Athenry - Paddy Reilly. Luke sings along with this whilst driving through the Cheshire countryside, feeling guilty for being even slightly happy  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9InnXP64To

7   Someone to Love - Shayne Ward.  Lovely words about a young man finally finding love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvFvjXfW_wQ

8   We Are One - Westlife.  A song about how two people from different backgrounds can have a successful relationship.  The first words are 'Two very different people..'  Luke and Kate for sure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tFlgmAv4UE

9   Us Against the World - Westlife. More of the above! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R9NgrcO83w

10. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - Matt decides to be a better big brother https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkqOnFOZ7W0

11  I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor.  No karaoke night is complete without this!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjNjplL6ayI

12  Never Gonna Give you Up - Still karaoke night, and Luke has a rival  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE-8yO3fnJ4

13  You Light Up My Life - Westlife. Luke sings to Kate on karaoke night  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_hApvRtFcc

14    Uptown Girl - Westlife. Ditto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9GmLqH0ypI

15   The Rocky Road to Dublin - The Dubliners feat. Luke Kelly. A lonely Luke listens to this song in a Limerick pub. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxBKgOyMzSc  (I don't think the 'scruffy band' in the novel could compare to Luke Kelly).

16.   Hi Ho Silver Lining - Jeff Beck.  Happy times at the Stewart family BBQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNY8P2UILs

17.   Halo - Beyonce.  This is really where fantasy takes over. For some reason, I've always had this in my head as being played over the closing scenes of 'BAIS The Movie',ending with a stilled close-up of Luke and Kate. It's just the director in me... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyR7yoDBQSg

The beauty of the digital age is that I can make myself this CD, and call it Beneath an Irish Sky soundtrack.  Any ideas for other appropriate songs that I might put on it?