The Music of Lethal White

In an interview with the New York Times, J.K. Rowling gave us a list of the songs in Lethal White, plus some extra ones that she also recommends for a playlist.

She wrote: “There are eight songs or pieces of music mentioned in the novel that should be on the playlist:”

 “Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling, – Robin and Matthew’s wedding dance song in the Prologue.

“Cutt Off” by Kasabian – a song Matthew had on his playlist for their party in Chapter 7.

‘Princess of China’ by Coldplay ft Rihanna – another song on Matthew’s playlist in Chapter 7.

“No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley, – a busker sings this on Denmark Street while Strike and Robin are in the office in Chapter 8.

Rihanna’s “Where Have you Been,” – sung by a group of young women on Denmark Street in Chapter 48. (This was not on her playlist, but it is in the book).

  Ni**as In Paris” by Kanye West and Jay-Z – played at Flick’s party in Chapter 51.

 “Oliver Twist” by D’Banj – another song played at Flick’s party in Chapter 51.

 Brahms’s Symphony No. 1, C Minor – a track Della is playing in her house in Chapter 54.

 “Black Trombone” by Serge Gainsbourg – a song playing in the Cheyne Walk Brasserie in the Epilogue.

These are the additional ones she added, that aren’t in the novel but relate to the story:

“So Long Marianne” by Leonard Cohen “for Strike and Charlotte”.

 “Heroes,” by David Bowie “for the Olympic backdrop”.

 “White Horses” by Andrea Ross, “not only for the book’s leitmotif, but for Robin, and a romantic, innocent girl’s idea of adventure and freedom.”

You can find all the Blue Oyster Cult songs that are in the third Strike novel, Career of Evil, here.