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Catcher in the Rye Soundtrack

by Jacob Rhyne, Jan 30, 2008

Songs that would make a great soundtrack to the novel the Catcher in the Rye. The songs match motifs, symbols and themes that are reoccurring in the book.

F*ck the Law: Dead Prez
This song exhorts the listener to engage in various acts of rebellion against authority. These acts include burning down prisons, robbing corner stores and killing snitches. The song also mentions leaving school, just as Holden does early in the story. This song ties in with a theme of rebellion against authority. This theme can be seen throughout the book when Holden takes such actions as running away from school, breaking laws (drinking and soliciting a prostitute) and generally going against the grain of societal norms.
Got Ya Hooked: Three-6 Mafia
This song says to the listener that they are controlled by a lust for women. It describes in detail how a man, no matter how tough, can be mesmerized by an attractive woman. I think Holden would agree with this song when he says things such as “women drive me crazy. They really do.” This song relates to the novel's theme of sexual confusion and frustration. Holden demonstrates he has a great degree of sexual interest (as in the aforementioned song) but is confused by the difference between intimacy and physical lust.
What's My Age Again: Blink 182
In this song, the narrator is on a date with a girl and proceeds to act with a great deal of immaturity. The speaker makes prank phone calls and acts “like a freshman.” This song relates to the coming of age theme in the novel. Holden is still young and immature but faces many adult situations such as violence and sexuality. Both the singer and Holden appear to be between childhood and mature adulthood. Both encounter adult situations and handle them in childish manners, such as when Holden runs away from school or solicits a prostitute simply to talk to her.
Hip-Hop: Dead Prez
This song attacks other rap artists that are fake, or as Holden would say “phony.” The song admonishes rappers who surrender to mainstream ideals for money and other temptations. It also criticizes those who take advantage of the situation by pretending to be gangster and thus reaping profits. This song would fit the theme of widespread shallowness/phoniness. Throughout the book Holden criticizes anything he sees as phony, shallow or fake, such as people's personalities or common activities like going to the movies. I think Holden feels people should try more to be more honest and frank with others, and try to be more themselves, not pretending to be something they aren't. This song by Dead Prez advocates those same ideas.
My Drinking Song: Lil Wyte
This song encourages the listener to drink as much as possible. It tells them to drink “til they hit the flo', then get up and drink a couple mo.'” It also includes references to underage drinking and acquiring alcohol illegally. Such lyrics can be linked to the theme of challenging authority. Several times in the story Holden drinks alcohol even though he is under age. By drinking under age he is rebelling against authority. Not only does Holden drink, he drinks heavily to the point he passes out momentarily. Such heavy or irresponsible drinking is likewise encouraged in Lil Wyte's drinking song.
Lonely: Akon
In this song the singer's girlfriend has run away and left him. He is now companionless and very lonely. He is longing for his girlfriend to come back. This song ties in to the story's theme of Holden's loneliness. Holden is constantly seeking companionship throughout the story. Holden even solicits a prostitute simply so he can talk to her and hopefully form some type of meaningful relationship. Other than his sister Phoebe, there is nobody in the story with whom Holden is close. He is constantly trying to fill other people with whom he can have a close relationship, similar to how the singer of Lonely is trying to find his girlfriend.
Freebird: Lynrd Skynrd
In this song the singer is advocating distancing himself from the controls of society. He likens himself to a bird flying free. He also tells his girlfriend he will leave even her to seek what he looking for. This song would go along with the theme of non-conformity. Holden wishes to be a free from what society wants him to be and wants him to do. The ducks, which go from place to place at their whim, are an important symbol of this. Holden wishes he could do as he pleases without being controlled, much like the ducks.
Youth Of The Nation: POD
This song is about seemingly normal teenagers leading normal lives that encounter tragedy. One boy goes to school like any other day and is shot. The song is generally about teenagers facing tragedies they are not (but are forced to be) prepared for. This relates to the theme of loss of innocence in the book. On several occasions Holden recounts tragedies, which, in his immaturity he was not prepared to cope with. This includes witnessing James Castle die and coping with the death of his brother Allie. Inevitably as Holden moves closer to adulthood he encounters situations that cause him to loose his innocence.
F*ck the Police: NWA
This song expresses the singers' dislike and distrust of law enforcement. The singers point out that cops are racist and prefer to arrest younger people. The singers go on to threaten violence against police officers. This goes along with the theme of rebellion against authority. Holden doesn't threaten violence against police officers, but he does show disrespect and scorn for them by breaking laws such as drinking underage and soliciting a prostitute. The song overall promotes rebelliousness and anarchy, which I feel Holden would empathize with.
Express Yourself: NWA
In this song the singers encourage their listeners to express themselves in various manners. Throughout the song they say that people should be themselves and act like themselves. They admonish and scorn people who are fake or phony. They also encourage individualism and self-expression. This fits into the theme of non-conformity. A good example and excellent symbol of this would be Holden's red hunting hat. It is completely unstylish and out of place, but Holden wants to wear it anyway to express himself and be different.