Novel Soundtrack

~By Leon Richter

“What a Wonderful World”

I see trees of green, red roses too,

I see them bloom, for me and you.

And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.

And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky,

Also the faces of people going by.

I see friends shaking hands, say how do you do?

They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow,

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know.

And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.

Janie is beginning mature and wonders about love. She observes the pear tree and the bumble bee’s "marriage" and for the rest of her story she strives for a similar union. Nature is an important part in Janie’s education about life. This song reflects the significance of nature.


“I Want to Know What Love Is”
gotta take a little time

A little time to think things over

I better read between the lines

In case I need it when I'm older

Aaaah woah-ah-aah

Now this mountain I must climb

Feels like a world upon my shoulders

And through the clouds I see love shine

It keeps me warm as life grows colder

In my life there's been heartache and pain

I don't know if I can face it again

Can't stop now, I've traveled so far

To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is

I want you to show me

I wanna feel what love is

I know you can show me

Aaaah woah-oh-ooh

I'm gonna take a little time

A little time to look around me, oooh ooh-ooh ooh-ooh oooh

I've got nowhere left to hide

It looks like love has finally found me

In my life there's been heartache and pain

I don't know if I can face it again

I can't stop now, I've traveled so far

To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is

I want you to show me

I wanna feel what love is

I know you can show me

I wanna know what love is

I want you to show me

And I wanna feel, I want to feel what love is

And I know, I know you can show me

Let's talk about love(I wanna know what love is)

the love that you feel inside(I want you to show me)

I'm feeling so much love(I wanna feel what love is)

no, you just cannot hide(I know you can show me)

yeah, woah-oh-ooh...

Janie begins a quest to find love. At first she believes love come after marriage and when people get married they discover love. She gets married to Logan Killicks, she believes love will come.


“What’s Love Got to do with it?”
You must understand

That the touch of your hand

Makes my pulse react

That it's only the thrill

Of boy meeting girl

Opposites attract

It's physical

Only logical

You must try to ignore

That it means more than that

Oh what’s love got to do, got to do with it

What's love but a second hand emotion

What's love got to do, got to do with it

Who needs a heart

When a heart can be broken

It may seem to you

That I'm acting confused

When you're close to me

If I tend to look dazed

I've read it someplace

I've got cause to be

There's a name for it

There's a phrase that fits

But whatever the reason

You do it for me

I've been taking on a new direction

But I have to say

I've been thinking about my own protection

It scares me to feel this way

What's love got to do, got to do with it

What's love but a sweet old fashioned notion

What's love got to do, got to do with it

Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken

Janie’s nanny wants Janie to marry a man that will protect here, but the chemisty is not part of their marriage. Janie still desires more from a husband and leaves Logan for what she believes to be a better choice, Joe Starkes.


“I Know Where I’ve Been”
There's a light

In the darkness

Though the night

Is black as my skin

There's a light

Burning bright

Showing me the way

But I know where I've been

There's a cry

In the distance

It's a voice

That comes from deep within

There's a cry

Asking why

I pray the answer's up ahead

'Cause I know where I've been

There's a road

We've been travelin'

Lost so many on the way

But the riches

Will be plenty

Worth the price we

Had to pay

There's a dream

In the future

There's a struggle

We have yet to win

And there's pride

In my heart

'Cause I know

Where I'm going

And I know where I've been

There's a road

We must travel

There's a promise

We must make

'Cause the riches

Will be plenty

Worth the risk

And chances that we take

There's a dream

In the future

There's a struggle

We have yet to win

Use that pride

In our hearts

To lift us up

To tomorrow

'Cause just to sit still

Would be a sin

I know it, I know it

I know where I'm going

And lord knows I know..

Where I've been

Oh! When we win,

I'll give thanks to my god

'Cause I know where I've been

Janie marries Joe Starks and has high hopes. Joe is a prominent member of the community and he only really has Janie around to complete his social picture. Janie feels very alone as Joe keeps her away from the activities of everyday community life.

“The Thrill is Gone”
The thrill is gone

The thrill is gone away

The thrill is gone baby

The thrill is gone away

You know you done me wrong baby

And you'll be sorry someday

The thrill is gone

It's gone away from me

The thrill is gone baby

The thrill is gone away from me

Although I'll still live on

But so lonely I'll be

The thrill is gone

Oh, the thrill is gone baby

Baby its gone away for good

Someday I know I'll be over it all baby

Just like I know a man should

You know I'm free, free now baby

I'm free from your spell

I'm free, free now

I'm free from your spell

And now that it's over

All I can do is wish you well

Janie and Joe have lost any bond they once held dear. Janie no longer loves Joe, and she is getting angrier with him for treating her as an object instead of a loving wife.

‘RESPECT’

(oo) What you want

(oo) Baby, I got

(oo) What you need

(oo) Do you know I got it?

(oo) All I'm askin'

(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)

Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home

(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone

Ain't gonna do you wrong (oo) 'cause I don't wanna (oo)

All I'm askin' (oo)

Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)

Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)

Yeah (just a little bit)...

Janie yells at Joe in front of the entire town. As a result of her blow up, he moves to another room and Janie is left feeling disrespected. Janie would probably been very happy with even just a little bit of respect from Joe.

“Safe in the Arms of Jesus”
Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His gentle breast;

There by His love o’ershaded,

Sweetly my soul shall rest.

Hark! ’Tis the voice of angels

Borne in a song to me,

Over the fields of glory,

Over the jasper sea.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His gentle breast;

There by His love o’ershaded,

Sweetly my soul shall rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe from corroding care,

Safe from the world’s temptations;

Sin cannot harm me there.

Free from the blight of sorrow,

Free from my doubts and fears;

Only a few more trials,

Only a few more tears!

Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge,

Jesus has died for me;

Firm on the Rock of Ages

Ever my trust shall be.

Here let me wait with patience,

Wait till the night is o’er;

Wait till I see the morning

Break on the golden shore.
Joe dies and it is a bitter sweet end to Janie’s marriage. She does not mourn him, but the death of a what she longs for. Janie’s mouning is short lived, and she goes on to try to follow her dreams. “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” was the actual song sung at Joe’s funeral.


“Try it on My Own”
I'm wiser now

I’m not the foolish girl you used to know

So long ago I'm stronger now

I've learned from my mistakes which way to go

And I should know I put myself aside to do it in your way

But now I need to do it all alone

And I am not afraid to try it on my own

I don't care if I'm right or wrong

I'll live my life the way I feel no matter what I'll keep it real

You know Time for me to do it on my own

It's over now

I can't go back to living through your eyes

To many lies

And if you don’t know by now

I can’t go back to being someone else

not anymore

I never had the chance to do things my way

So now it's time for me to take control...

Janie has two marriages in her past, two marriages that seemed practical. She now wants to marry for love, and not for protection or social status. She finds Tea Cake, a gambler and a hustler. He does not seem to be the faithful husband type, but Janie finds his enticing. She is going to take a chance and try it on her own, without her Nanny’s help, or her common sense. She needs to find out if she can follow her dreams and be happy.

“LOVE”
[L] is for the way you look at me

[O] is for the only one I see

[V] is very, very extraordinary

[E] is even more than anyone that you adore

Love is all

That I can give to you

Love is more

Than just a game for two

Two in love can make it

Take my heart

And please don't break it

Love was made

For me and you...

Janie and Tea Cake are in love and she thinks that they can make it because they simply have each other and they don’t need anything else but love. She feels a chemistry with him that she never felt with her former husbands.

“Bare Necessities”
Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature's recipes
That brings the bare necessities of life

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam
I couldn't be fonder of my big home
The bees are buzzin' in the tree
To make some honey just for me
When you look under the rocks and plants
And take a glance at the fancy ants
Then maybe try a few

The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That's why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life

Now when you pick a pawpaw
Or a prickly pear
And you prick a raw paw
Next time beware
Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw
When you pick a pear
Try to use the claw
But you don't need to use the claw
When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw
Have I given you a clue?

The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

So just try and relax, yeah cool it
Fall apart in my backyard
'Cause let me tell you something little britches
If you act like that bee acts, uh uh
You're working too hard

And don't spend your time lookin' around
For something you want that can't be found
When you find out you can live without it
And go along not thinkin' about it
I'll tell you something true

The bare necessities of life will come to you

Janie sells Joe’s store and she and Tea Cake move to the Everglades to work as migrant farmers. They have just the bare necessities, but she is happy with Tea Cake and the life they have in their black community. Janie has always loved nature and enjoys working outdoors with Tea Cakes and her simple life with him because she loves him and he loves her.

“I’ll Be There”
You and I must make a pact

We must bring salvation back

Where there is loveI'll be there

I'll reach out my hand to you

I'll have faith in all you do

Just call my name

And I'll be there

I'll be there to comfort you

Build my world of dreams around you

I'm so glad I found you yeah

I'll be there with a love so strong

I'll be your strength

You know I'll keep holding on

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter

Togetherness, well it's all I'm after

Just call my name and I'll be there

I'll be there to protect you

With an unselfish love that respects you

Just call my name

And I'll be there

I'll be there to comfort you

Build my world of dreams around you

You know I'm so glad that I found you

I'll be there with a love so strong

I'll be your strength

You know I'll keep holding on

See, if you should ever find someone new

I know she better be good to you

'Cause if she doesn't then

I'll be there

Don't you know baby yeah yeah

I'll be there

I'll be there

Just call my name and I'll be there

I'll be there, baby

You know I'll be there

Just call my name and

I'll be there

Just look over your shoulder

Just call my name and

I'll be there

Janie and Tea Cakes have some typical marriage trials, but grow stronger through them. One trial is a hurricane where they almost perish. Their love for one another grows stronger as it is tested. They commit to love each other all the more. Sadly, Tea Cakes dies and Janie is left to mourn.


“My Heart Will Go On”
Every night in my dreams

I see you. I feel you.

That is how I know you go on.

Far across the distance

And spaces between us

You have come to show you go on.

Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more you open the door

And you're here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time

And last for a lifetime

And never go till we're one

Love was when I loved you

One true time I hold to

In my life we'll always go on

Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more you open the door

And you're here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

There is some love that will not go away

You're here, there's nothing I fear,

And I know that my heart will go on

We'll stay forever this way

You are safe in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

Janie has buried her beloved Tea Cake and returns to her previous hometown. She feels like Tea Cake is still close to her, in her heart, and she feels she can go on because she knows what love is and what is feels like to be loved. Tea Cake’s love for her continues on in her heart and in her dreams.