Songs harmed in the making of SNAPPER

With 11 months until publication, we have a lot of blog space to fill here. Fortunately SNAPPER scholar Ian Berlin has gotten in touch to suggest periodic updates on his research into what he calls the “densely allusive texture of the work, ranging from Milton to Shakespeare to ZZ Top.” In what is either an example of outstanding critical acumen or inspired guesswork he has compiled a playlist of popular songs referred to either directly or obliquely in the text. He has promised to “unearth and elucidate the meanings and messages of the less obvious examples” at a later date, and to cover the more literary plagiarisms allusions as well. In the meantime, here are the results of his intensive research.

1. LOLA, The Kinks
2. MEET ME IN THE MORNING, Bob Dylan [note: Mr. Berlin draws your attention to the line “you know I’ve even outrun the hound dogs / honey, I’ve earned your love…” –Ed.]
3. I’M BAD, I’M NATIONWIDE, ZZ Top
4. BANG BANG, by Cher, covered by Nancy Sinatra and later by Paul Weller
5. APEMAN, The Kinks [note: presumably this is a Tarzan / Jane joke which Mr. Berlin will illuminate at a later date. –Ed.]
6. PAINT IT BLACK, Rolling Stones
7. BACK IN THE USSR, The Beatles
8. MAMA TRIED, Merle Haggard
9. MAMAS, DON’T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS, written by Ed & Patsy Bruce, performed by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings [Within the SNAPPER text the first word of the title is dropped; Mr. Berlin does not comment on whether this is authorial sloppiness or what. — Ed.]
10. MY SON CALLS ANOTHER MAN DADDY, Hank Williams
11. I FOUGHT THE LAW (AND THE LAW WON), by Sonny Curtis, covered by The Clash
12. I DON’T WANNA PLAY HOUSE, Tammy Wynette
13. AIM HIGH, Paul Weller