George R.R. Martin explains why the word “song” appears in the title of his books

George R.R. Martin, the famous author of the A Song of Ice & Fire series, is honoring the memory of singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, who recently died. George R.R. Martin talks about how songs can affect us profoundly and shares how Kristofferson’s music helped him during tough times as a writer.

The Power of Songs

George R.R. Martin explains why many of his stories are named after songs. He confesses that he’s a word guy who loves audible, beautiful, and moving lyrics. He called some books and stories after songs, like A Song of Ice & Fire. He thinks Kris Kristofferson is a great songwriter who writes songs people can relate to. He also believes writing songs is difficult, even for someone as talented as Kristofferson. George R.R. Martin, in a blog Not A Blog, mentioned,

“I am no musician myself; that’s a gift I never had. But that doesn’t mean I do not love music… or rather, songs.  Instrumental music, classical music, operas, those are all great, no doubt, but they are not for me.   I am a word guy. I want them to be beautiful, I want them to touch me, to move me, to make me think, become a part of me.

Some of you may have noticed that the word “song” keeps appearing in the titles of my books and stories.  A SONG FOR LYA, SONGS OF STARS AND SHADOWS, SONGS THE DEAD MEN SING, DREAMSONGS, A SONG OF ICE & FIRE, SONGS OF THE DYING EARTH.  There’s a would-be songwriter buried inside me, no doubt.”

Credit: George R.R. Martin

A Personal Tribute by George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin remembers how Kris Kristofferson’s music helped him when he was struggling as a writer. Kristofferson’s songs, like “Me and Bobby McGee,” inspired Martin and his fellow writers trying to make a name for themselves in the science fiction and fantasy genre. Martin was so touched by the song that he even referenced it in one of his stories, showing how much Kristofferson’s music meant to him.

“I don’t know how Kris Kristofferson did it. But he did it better than anyone else. He has been my favorite singer/ songwriter ever since I first heard “Me and Bobby McGee,” back when I was in college. Kristofferson was a songwriter then, but not yet established as a singer himself.   The song was a huge huge hit, the biggest Joplin ever had.   Sadly, it was a posthumous hit, since Janis had died shortly before it was released. I liked almost all of them, but the one I loved best was Kristofferson’s own version, when it was finally recorded and released.”

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