Ms. Smith’s Soundtrack for The Great Gatsby Music Mayhem

Chapter 1 – Awkward Kin Reunion In chapter one, Nick visits Daisy (his cousin) and Tom Buchanan (her husband). During dinner Tom receives a phone call. We discover it is his mistress calling, but we do not learn the identity of the woman “whose bed [his] boots [have] been under.” In Shaina Twain’s song, she is questioning her “baby” about the women he appears to be fooling around with, but she isn’t exactly certain. Tom’s polo boots could be the boots in this song because Daisy, Jordan, and (now) Nick all know that his boots have been around town with “some woman in New York.” “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” ~Shaina Twain

Chapter 2 – Nick is a Pansy The Wilsons are introduced in this chapter. They are polar opposites of each other; George is a passive man, and Myrtle is a domineering woman. She fights with her lover Tom Buchanan … … … “Mama Said Knock You Out” ~LL Cool J

Chapter 3 – A Gatsby Gala Nick is invited by his neighbor Jay Gatsby to one of the huge parties that he has noticed from afar since moving next door to the millionaire. Gatsby, mainly absent from his own party, has a cast of seedy characters, “friends in low places,” … … … “Friends in Low Places” ~Garth Brooks

Chapter 4 – Gatsby is a Pansy With all of the wicked, scandalous rumors being told about Jay Gatsby, one would think he would be better equipped to reunite with his long lost love … … … “Check Yes or No” ~George Strait

Chapter 5 – Daisy and Gatsby Sitting in a Tree “Reunited” ~Peaches and Herb After much frenzy, Gatsby prepares Nick’s bungalow for the long-awaited reunion with his love … … …

Chapter 6 – Son of a Farmer, Errand Boy to the Rich “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” ~Tears for Fears We learn about Gatsby’s past, his real past, in this chapter. Jay Gatsby is actually a nobody named James Gatz … … …

Chapter 7 – Dirty Daisy Don’t Care No More In this chapter, Daisy is the most brazen we have ever seen her. She seems reinvented by Gatsby’s return as if to sing the words of this song … … … “My Boyfriend’s Back” ~The Angels

Chapter 8 – Better Than the Whole Bunch Nick goes next door to check on Gatsby; they talk about the events from the night before. On his way out, … … … “ Remember When” ~Alan Jackson

Chapter 9 – No Harm, No Foul “Smoke and Ashes” ~ Tracy Chapman While this song is not entirely about the circumstances of this chapter, I think some of the lyrics are appropriate. While Nick … … …

Dedication I dedicate this mixed CD to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Thank you for writing such an interesting novel to discuss with high school students. Well done, sir.