What’s a book about music without an actual playlist?! ❤

Per my usual whenever I release a book, today I’m sharing my Spotify playlist of songs that remind me of The Fall (The Ballad of Emery Brooks, #2).

Disclaimer: If you have not read The Crush, this playlist may contain spoilers. I am trying to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, but some song explanations may allude to spoilers. I will try to mark any as Spoilers throughout this post. Please also know that, while I tried to keep most of the songs within the story’s time period for The Crush‘s playlist, the playlist for The Fall may not have songs that are accurate for its time period, and I’m just going to hope everyone is okay with that. XD

If you haven’t yet listened to my Spotify playlist for book one in The Ballad of Emery Brooks trilogy, The Crush, you can do so here: The Crush: Spotify Playlist

Please note that the songs do not necessarily have to be played in this order. Though I tried to arrange them chronologically according to the scenes I associate them with, some may be applicable throughout the book, so it is recommended to listen to them in the order you prefer based on my descriptions!

Track 1: “Why” by Rascal Flatts

The background of this song is about a teenage boy who (from what I can tell) commits suicide. Though this isn’t the reason Emery is grieving someone she loved from The Crush, the lyrics of this song remind me SO MUCH of you-know-who and what this person went through in book one, and after writing The Crush, I couldn’t listen to this song without crying. *sobs*

Track 2: “You’re Gone” by Diamond Rio

It’s no secret that Emery’s favorite band is Diamond Rio, so you know I had to include at least one of their songs. 😉 Honestly, I had never heard of this song until it was recommended to me by Spotify when I was creating the playlist. When I listened to it, I knew it was a God-nudge, because the lyrics fit Emery’s situation SO PERFECTLY, and y’all, I can’t. *sobs again*

Specific lyrics that shattered me:

“And the good news is I’m better for the time we spent together.
And the bad news is… you’re gone.”

“You’re gone” by diamond rio

*Drowns in a puddle of tears*

Track 3: “The One About Indifference” by He Is We

He Is We is an indie pop band who sings mostly songs about love (some of which are featured on The Crush‘s playlist), but they’ve also released some Christian songs. BUT THIS ONE, y’all. If there was one song to explain Emery’s shaky faith in God at the beginning of The Fall, it’s this song. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Track 4: “Legends” by Kelsea Ballerini

By now, this playlist needs a more upbeat song, so “Legends” is a nostalgic look back at what happened in The Crush. Not gonna lie, though… this one makes me want to cry too. 😦

Track 5: “Need You Now (How Many Times)” by Plumb

Another Christian song that heavily relates to Emery’s faith journey throughout The Fall, this one relates to a point in the story where Emery’s anger at God is relenting a bit. I personally LOVE this song, and am so glad I got to include it in the playlist.

Track 6: “With You, Without You” by Brad Paisley

*SPOILER*

The Fall references Emery covering this song, and it relates heavily to her feelings about moving on from what happened in The Crush, so if you want all the feels, give this one a listen. It even references songwriting. It’s like it was written just for Em, and… *sobs again*

*END SPOILER*

Track 7: “The River (Garth Brooks)” by Nashville Tribute Collection

As some of you may know, Garth Brooks doesn’t have his songs on Spotify by personal preference, so I’m including a cover version by the Nashville Tribute Collection. Before I tell you why I chose this song, let me just say that my husband and I got to see the co-writer for “The River”, Victoria Shaw, perform it live at the Grand Ole Opry on our honeymoon last year, and Y’ALL!!!!! I still get chills thinking about it. It was *chef’s kiss* 😀

Now, back to our playlist discussion. 🙂

Though so far The Fall may seem like it’s just an incredibly sad book about grief and being mad at God, Emery also begins the journey of chasing her music dreams in this book, and “The River” is the PERFECT FIT for her journey. Especially since it’s originally performed by a fellow Brooks. 🙂

Track 8: “Starts With Goodbye” by Carrie Underwood

I just caught this randomly on my iPod on the way to work one day recently (yeah I said IPOD, don’t judge me, youngins born in the 2000s and 2010s. XD) and thought it was absolutely perfect for Emery’s journey of learning to move on despite all she’s been through. ❤

Track 9: “When the Sand Runs Out” by Rascal Flatts

Just these lyrics, y’all. That’s all you need to know about why I picked this one:

I’m gonna stop looking back, and start moving on
And learn how to face my fears
Love with all of my heart, make my mark
I wanna leave something here.

“when the sand runs out” by rascal flatts

Track 10: “Everything Has Changed” by Taylor Swift

*SPOILER*

Emery meets someone. And cuteness ensues. 😉 This is perfect to use during the hilarious scene in McKiver’s. If you know, you know. 🙂 P.S. THAT’S MY FAVE SCENE IN THE BOOK.

*END SPOILER*

Track 11: “Lord I’m Ready Now” by Plumb

Pretty sure this song was a God-nudge too. I came across it one day in my Recommended list on Spotify, having never heard of it before, despite listening to some of Plumb’s music on the app. I immediately added it to The Fall‘s track list, as I think it wholeheartedly describes Emery’s faith journey by the end of the book.

Track 12: “My Heart is Open” by Keith Urban

A deep, dark secret of mine is that I went into a total obsession over Australian Country singer, Keith Urban, during my freshman and sophomore years of high school. XD Goodness gracious. But, hey, it led me to finding this song which is PERFECT for the second to last chapter in The Fall. Y’all gonna freak out on a couple of lines, just sayin’. XD ❤

Track 13: “The Dance (Garth Brooks) by Nashville Tribute Collection

*SPOILER*

If you’ve read The Crush, you’ll remember a scene where Emery and Sawyer went to a restaurant at the beach and danced together for the first time, after not dancing together at the church’s Valentine’s Day dance prior to that. I included this one, since there’s a scene in the last chapter of The Fall where Emery is looking back on all she’s been through with a similar thought process as this song’s chorus. *SOBS INCONSOLABLY*

*END SPOILER*

BONUS TRACK: “When We Fall Apart” by Ryan Stevenson

This track was recommended to me by my friend, and fellow Christian author, Kaytlin Phillips. Though I think this one is more geared toward losing a loved one from cancer (maybe? I’m not sure?), but I think this line is a good summary of the entirety of The Fall:

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart.

“when we fall apart” by ryan stevenson

Honestly, the song itself is an amazing summary of The Fall. Props to Ryan Stevenson for making both Kaytlin and me cry. XD

Have you enjoyed this playlist? Read the books that inspired it!

The Crush is currently on sale for $0.99 at all eBook retailers throughout November 2022! Paperbacks are also available for $12.99 on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books-a-Million!

The Fall released at all eBook retailers on November 4th for $3.99! Paperbacks are also available for $12.99 on Amazon, and should be available at more retailers soon!

Talk to Me, Arrowheads!

Which song from this playlist is your favorite? Do you have any songs in mind that you think fit The Fall? Drop your recommendations in the comments!

Aim high, stay strong, and always hit your mark.

-Allyson 😀