Arthur Phillips

A chat with novelist Arthur Phillips and review of his iPod-centric new book The Song Is You. This is next on my reading list. (HuffPo)

CZ: You say that we tolerate songs without redemption. Will the one I love be coming back to me? Can you give me some examples of your favorite songs that express this longing and loss?

AP: Well, that one ("I Cover the Waterfront") is a pretty good example. It ends with a question: the singer is still standing on the dock waiting to see if her lover is coming or not -- no resolution, and possibly no happy ending... I also like songs about despair that still manage to have a sense of humor about them. Morrissey and the Smiths are unequaled at this: "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", "King Leer", "You're the One for Me, Fatty."