In Rock Star Romance, we finally reach the point in the series where Cassandra meets the rock star. Hey, no spoilers there. The series is called The Rock Star’s Wife after all. This time around, Cassie’s music selections are a bit more on the sentimental and romantic, if not sexual, side. Here are nine bands mentioned in Rock Star Romance.
Nelly
Nelly Promotes Apple Bottom fragrance at | at North Riverside Mall, North Riverside, IL, USA, on June 5, 2010. Photo by Adam Bielawski This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
I turn on the radio, and the station plays a song that’s been everywhere lately – Nelly’s “Hot in Herre.” It’s on the part about the characters in the song taking their clothes off. – Chapter 1
Nelly is a rapper who started his career in the late 1990s. He’s not the typical artist Cassie would listen to, but in 2002, the year most of the novel takes place in, the single “Hot in Herre” received heavy radio play.
The single, off the album, Nellyville, released that spring and features the lines:
“It’s gettin’ hot in here (So hot)
So take off all your clothes (Ayy)
I am gettin’ so hot (Uh, uh, uh, uh)
I wanna take my clothes off (Oh)”
Certainly a song that will heighten the sexual tension that can be cut with a knife.
Staind
Staind live at the LEC in Laredo, Texas. 2009. Photographer: Justin Hundsnurscher. Public domain.
He envelops me in his arms, and I rest my head on his shoulder, swaying gently to the pace of a slower song – Staind’s “It’s Been Awhile” ‒ my nostrils tingling from the scent of his cologne. I wonder when I’ll find out how he tastes, and I don’t mean the taste of lips. – Chapter 3
Staind formed in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1995. Current members are Aaron Lewis (frontman and rhythm guitar), Mike Mushok (lead guitar), Johnny April (bass and background vocals), and Jon Wysocki (drums). The band has released seven albums with another scheduled for 2023.
“It’s Been Awhile” was a single off their third album Break the Cycle. The song reached the top spot on Billboard’s U.S. Mainstream Rock and U.S. Alternative Airplay charts.
No Doubt
No Doubt at Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day in Washington D.C. Photographer: Lorie Shaull. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Singing No Doubt’s “Hella Good” under my breath, I leave my office to make photocopies. – Chapter 5
No Doubt formed in Anaheim, California, in 1986, and have broke up and reunited twice. Current members are Gwen Stefani (frontwoman), Tom Dumont (guitar), Tony Kanal (bass), and Adrian Young (drums). The band has released six albums.
“Hella Good” was a single off the fifth album, Rock Steady. The song reached number three on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40.
Hella, by the way, is ’90s slang and is a synonym for “a lot,” “very” or “extremely.” To learn more 1990s slang, visit The Rock Star’s Wife Reader’s Guide.
Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls performing in Norfolk, Nebraska in September 2013. Photographer: Fr. Jeff Lorig. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
He almost quoted verbatim a line from Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” although I doubt he listens to romantic songs even if I do on occasion when I’m feeling sentimental. – Chapter 5
The Goo Goo Dolls formed in Buffalo, New York, 1986. Current members are John Rzeznik (frontman and guitar), Robby Takac (bassist), and George Tutuska (drummer). The band has released 14 albums.
“Iris” was written for the City of Angels soundtrack. It was released as a single in 1998 and included on the album, Dizzy Up the Girl. The song reached the top spot on the Billboard Adult Top 40 and the Alternative Airplay charts.
Dirty Vegas
The cover of the self-titled Dirty Vegas album.
I managed to hide my tears until Yolanda turns on the radio, and Dirty Vegas’ “Days Go By” plays. – Chapter 7
Dirty Vegas formed in England in 2001. The band broke up in the mid-2000s, reuniting three years later. Current members are Steve Smith (frontman) and Paul Harris (instruments). The band has released four albums.
“Days Go By” was a single off the band’s self-titled debut album. It reached number seven on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40.
Tonic
Tonic performing live at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles California on Wednesday July 6th, 2016. Photographer: Justin Higuchi. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
I adjust my head so I can see his face. He stares straight ahead, straining to hear the taxi driver’s radio. The volume is low, but sounds like Tonic’s “If You Could See.” – Chapter 9
Tonic formed in Los Angeles in 1993. It broke up for four years in the mid-2000s. Current members are Emerson Hart (frontman), Jeff Russo (guitar) and Dan Lavery (bass). The band has released five albums.
“If You Could See” was a single off the debut album, Lemon Parade. It reached the top spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Lifehouse
Lifehouse at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2007. Photographer: Rian Castillo. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.
I keep a radio near my window that I occasionally turn on for weather reports and the like. I flick it on, turning the dial until I find a music station. The first one I find plays Lifehouse’s “Hanging By A Moment.” ‒ Chapter 11
Lifehouse formed in Los Angeles in 1995. Current members are Jason Wade (frontman and rhythm guitar), Steve Stout (lead guitar), Bryce Soderberg (bass), and Rick Woolstenhulme Jr. (drums). The band has released eight albums.
“Hanging By A Moment” was a single off the debut album, No Name Face. It reached the top spot on the Billboard Adult Top 40 and Alternative Airplay charts.
Semisonic
Semisonic – First Avenue – Minneapolis – Feeling Strangely Fine. Photographer. Andy Witchger. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.
I vaguely hear Semisonic’s “Closing Time” on the stereo. I sing along, swaying back and forth on my quest for a toilet. The song mentions whiskey and beer, and both assault my nostrils. I laugh. The carpet’s squishy. Damn. Someone spilt their whiskey or beer. – Chapter 16
Semisonic formed in Minneapolis in 1995. The band broke up and reunited twice. Current members are Dan Wilson (frontman and guitar), John Munson (bass and guitar), and Jacob Slichter (drums). The band released three albums.
“Closing Time” was a single off the studio album, Feeling Strangely Fine. It reached the top spot on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.
Howie Day
Howie Day performs live at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach CA in 2016. Photographer: Justin Higuchi. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0.
The DJ plays Howie Day’s “Collide.” I wrap my arms around Nat’s neck and he wraps his around my waist, and we sway to the tune. – Chapter 36
Howie Day is a singer and songwriter from Maine who began his career in the 1990s and released his first album in 2000. He has released four albums.
“Collide” was a single off Day’s second album, Stop All the World Now. It reached number seven on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart.
Here’s the 4-1-1
This blog is a companion piece to Rock Star Romance available in eBook, paperback and hardcover. A college grad still reeling from an amicable breakup falls for a rock star who’s given up on love in this contemporary, second-chance romance. Buy now.
To listen to the songs mentioned in Rock Star Romance, follow The Rock Star’s Wife on Spotify.
For more information on the licenses mentioned on this page, visit https://creativecommons.org/about/cclicenses/.
Comments are closed