My Babys Coming Back: A soundtrack for the woman on the verge

I think my favorite topic, subject, theme, trope—whatever—is women seeking revenge, villainous women, women in a predicament. Specifically, in that eye-of-the-storm, quietly unsettling way. I don’t even have to explain why. I make art to express myself in ways I can’t otherwise, and there are certainly times I’ve wanted nothing more than a seething, emotionally turbulent rampage of some sort. However, I live in a society, and I’m also exhausted a lot, so this will have to do.

Some of these songs are lyrically expressive, some are haunting in tone, and some are dedicated to the femme fatale. “Flower of Carnage” by Meiko Kaji, the backdrop to O-Ren’s snowy death in Kill Bill; “Fleur De Lune” by Françoise Hardy, where she sings, “Ma cage est grande ouverte, et ma prison t’attend” (my cage is wide open and my prison awaits you) — HELLO!? I love complicated women, and I love being one.

I’ve been adding to this for years and will for years to come. If you feel like you’re about to lose it, you deserve this soundtrack. Or maybe this will inspire you to make your own, instead of lighting a car on fire or whatever. Bless.