What else would Princess Isabella like?

 If Princess Izzy wasn’t listening to Bruce Springsteen, what would she listen too? Of course, as the novel states, Glassidy Castle rules require that most songs played there be the national music of Bisbania. But in the quiet of her own quarters, with her headphones, I suspect that Princess Izzy would fill the Springsteen void by enjoying other American songs with sophisticated lyrics and catchy tunes. If she weren’t listening to Springsteen, she’s probably listen to:

The Rainmakers - Officially formed in 1983 and a cult hit of the 1980s – Newsday dubbed them “America’s Great Next Band” – The Rainmakers offer witty, sophisticated social commentary that you can dance too. What lyric would most apply to the life of a much-watched European princess? There are lots of candidates, but I’ll go with this one from Mystery Road. Like most of their songs it was written by lead singer Bob Walkenhorst.

“there’s two stories of life, that contain all the facts, one’s told to your face, one’s told to your back. Which one to believe? Well, that’s all up to you. Also to decide, which one will come true?”

 You might also want to listen to the song “The One that Got Away” and see what the implications of that song would be to her relationship with Geoffrey. Unfortunately, most of the Rainmakers albums are out of print now, but you can find them on eBay and Half.com and through sellers on Amazon. You can also learn more – and hear more – about The Rainmakers at their official website. 

Dar Williams – Dar Williams has made a career writing and recording songs that offer social commentary from a feminist perspective. Princess Izzy would get a lot out of these, including this fashion advice for any time she needs to look sad and dramatic. Picture those pictures of Princess Diana, looking forlornly out of her limousine. Or this:

“With my long black coat hanging down in the dirt, And my hair clinging to my face in the rain, Like a goddess from the cult of beautiful pain”

To purchase her albums go here: Dar Williams.

Gavin Degraw – Ok, I’ll grant that he’s not in league with the others and his lyrics are not really social commentary – certainly not at the Springsteen, Rainmakers, Williams level. But there is something about his Chariot Stripped album that I think Isabella would respond to. There is a haunting, melancholy flavor and when he sings that “your favorite fruit is chocolate covered cherries and seedless watermelon, nothing from the ground is good enough,” he clearly understands princesses. To purchase his albums go here: Gavin Degraw

Patti Scialfa - This is a bit of cheat, as she works closely with Springsteen. Very closely. They're married. But she's clearly an accomplished artist in her own right and she, not surprisingly, brings a more feminine perspective and more feminine images to her work. In the song, Spanish Dancer, on her Rumble Doll album, for example, she writes about 'the red dress of temptation, over a long black slip of fear.' To purchase Rumble Doll, click here: Patti Scialfa's Rumble Doll.

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