inspired by amy winehouse's chill-out tape
prompts
In 2015, I saw “Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait” at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. The photographs, clothing, and mementos were divine to see in person, but what struck me most was Winehouse’s handwritten “Chill-Out Tape” from her teenage years. It was a peek at the artists and songs that not only shaped a young Winehouse, but relaxed her. Photos weren’t allowed at the exhibition, so I remember jotting this mix down in my Moleskine. I’m not sure where that journal has gone, but I recently found the handwritten mix again, in addition to a Spotify playlist.
This week, I invite you to participate in a two-step prompt inspired by Winehouse’s mixtape.
Create your own mix of 25 songs. This can be a chill-out mix, or a summer mix, or a reminds-me-of-childhood mix — whatever you feel most drawn to.
Commit to write either one line, paragraph, or page per song, which will form an entire piece.
I encourage you to take this prompt in any direction you want, but if you need more guidance, here are some ways to engage with the music.
Conjure a fictional scene or vignette that channels the spirit of each song.
Explore a memory related to each song.
What does each song smell like, feel like, look like?
Pair each song with a piece of art — how do they communicate?
Try to find connections in a pair of songs or all of the songs, exploring the lyrics or instruments used.
How does the song make you feel? Why?
How does the song make one of your characters feel? Why?
Lean into the theme of the playlist — list out commonalities or differences between songs, and explore how these songs embody a larger concept (love, longing, loss, summer, etc.).
What year was each song written? Use this to guide flashbacks and/or flash-forwards in a narrative.
Skip part one of the prompt, and use someone else’s playlist to explore characters, sensory details, and emotions.
I’m doing it! At least the Playlist. Can’t guarantee the rest in a timely manner. That will be a challenge.