Cocoa Café Chronicles Anthologies Playlist
Some beats in honor of all the Cocoa Café Chronicles contestants!
As you may know, we have announced the winners of the Cocoa Café Chronicles Contest (say that three times fast), who will be published in the anthology! I am very excited for you all to be able to hold the book in your hands, but before that, I wanted to acknowledge ALL of the contestants, each and every evocative story that I got to read. In honor of them, I’ve compiled a playlist—one song for each contestant.
With one caveat: if the author had a song in mind and contacted me, I included that one too! Keep in mind, the playlist is editable, so if you are an author and have a song in mine, drop it in the comments, and I’ll add it!
“DESSERT” by Hyo for “Cheshire the Gourmet” by Trey McIntosh
I was marveling at all those delicious desserts described and, though, Huh, there’s a song with equally many desserts. And also the colorful whimsy. They’re the perfect pair, like marshmallows and chocolate (or mint and chocolate, or whatever strikes your fancy.)
“My Own Drum” by Ynairaly Simo (ft. Missy Elliot) (from the Vivo OST) for “One Small Truffle of a Matter in Regards to Drowning in a Minor Ocean of Debt” by Connor McGwire
A perky, spunky, madcap song to go with a perky, spunky, madcap story. And the brothers certainly bounce to their own beat and their own drum and their own zany schemes, no one else’s!
“A Sky Full of Stars” by Taron Egerton (from the Sing 2 OST) for “The Healer” by Paula Luther
The song and this story are both out among the stars and deeply emotional—with a hooking change of tone at the end to keep you leaning forward in your seat.
“You Belong” by Becky G (from the Spirit, Untamed OST) for “Salty and Sweet Don’t Mix” by Zephyr Thomas
This leafy-creature world struck me as a bit of a frontier town, a tad of wild west, but so much wholesome friendship, cheer, and victory—the same way this heartwarming song from Spirit, Untamed makes me feel.
“Enchantment” by Yanni for “Anacin and Emily” by Carl Olson
This story made me think of mysterious, benevolent, old, gray magic lurking in a beautiful mist—which happens to be the same image I get when I listen to this song.
“My Jolly Sailor Bold” by Ashley Serena (editor’s pick) and “Different Beast” by Jorge Rivera-Herrans (author’s pick) for “The Moon and Her Ocean” by Isabella Miller
They’re sirens.
‘Nuff said.
“The Wellerman” by Caleb Hyles, et al., for “Gold Dust” by Grace Schroepfer
The quintessential, down-to-earth, fun-as-daylight pirate song to go with this endearing pirate romp.
“Blunt the Knives” from The Hobbit OST for “A Tale of Two Elves, a Sorcerer Named Phil, and a Horde of Hot Chocoholic Fairies” by Maria Pasquale.
I’m sure the tipsy fairies were singing something similar to this as they trashed the shop.
“Only Happy When It Rains” by Garbage for “New Key West, Inner Oort Cloud” by Daniel Staudt
This sounds like a biker song to me. (Please tell me it’s not just me.) Also, it’s now been irreversibly lent an outer-space-y feel since I heard it in the Captain Marvel soundtrack. Biker outer space chocolate. It works.
“The Hanging Tree” by James Newton Howard and Jennifer Lawrence (and Suzanne Collins!) for “Dark Chocolate” by Isabelle Wood
Jason winds up singing this song to spark a revolution and getting all the persecuted Catholics to join in, unite, and prevail. Convince me otherwise.
“Dos Oruguitas” by Sebastian Yatras (from the Encanto OST) for “The Enchanted Cocoa Cafe” by Joshua Hardin
Love and loss, regret and healing—I’m not crying, YOU are when you read this story and listen to this song (at the same time—recommended if you’re in the mood to weep.)
“How It All Works Out” by Faouzia for “Cocoa Hearts” by Katelyn Gardens
If you start to read the words of both of these, they are both devastating; but if you keep going, absorb their wholes unfold, you’ll see how absolutely hopeful, bold, and beautiful they are.
“Misty Mountains” by Richard Armitage (from The Hobbit OST) for “A Hearth in Winterbane” by Kathryn Zurmehly
Kathryn really looked at The Hobbit movie and thought, But what if I flip it on its head and add chocolate?
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen for “Chocolate-Covered Chords” by Ellie Sullenberger
This song popped right up as perfect for this adorable, feet-kicking, summery, musical romance.
“Hips Don’t Lie” medieval cover by Stantough for “The Lunacy of Isembart” by Emma Adams
Someone has to be a little unhinged to take “Hips Don’t Lie” and make it medieval and also make it sound good. Also, I pictured Isembart listening to Shakira on the CD and could resist seeing him sing and dance to it for the concert.
Yes, I’ve forever ruined that song and medieval music for you, because you will never be able to hear one without the other anymore. You’re welcome.
“Thunder” by Imagine Dragons for “Coco’s Shop” by Gamble See
An awesome, adventurous fairytale with some young blood to spice it up—I think this song gets the the vibe.
“The Godfather Waltz (Main Title)” by Nino Rota and Carlo Savina (from The Godfather OST) for “The Cocoa King of Saltbyrne” by Dominic de Souza.
Look, this was low hanging fruit. Don’t tell me Rink doesn’t wake up one day with a chocolate horse head in his bed. Just a little warning from his capo uncle.
“Memories” by Maroon 5 for “Bittersweet Dark” by Gabriella Batel
The hot cocoa is bringing back memories, happy and sad. Bittersweet.