“Tell Her This” by Del Amitri

Such a beautiful, sad (and yet hopeful) song. I listened to this one a lot while I was writing this book, and it always put me in the right mood.

“SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake

Okay, I know this song wasn’t remotely out while I was writing this book, but When He Was Wicked is unquestionably my sexiest book, and I LOVE this song.

“Cut Me Down” by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

“I’ve been bought and sold
and I’ve been hung upside down
so you can hear me breathing.
Do you think it’s easy?”

I honestly can’t pick which lyrics most feel like Michael to me. It could be the above, or it could be:

“I’ve been aching all through summer. I’ve been waiting just to fall. Cut me down.”

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions are such an under-appreciated band. I discovered them during my gap year in England (1987-88; yes, I’m that old), and I’ve loved them ever since.

“Don’t Tell Me” by Madonna

If “Cut Me Down” is Michael, then “Don’t Tell Me” is Francesca, especially:

“Tell me love isn’t true. It’s just something that we do.”