Don't Write Me Off

the dwmo playlist: explained

The official DWMO playlist can be accessed through: tinyurl.com/DWMOPlaylist. If the link doesn't work, it's on my Spotify: mariellewashere!

Title Track: Don't Write Me Off - Hugh Grant

When I was thinking of what to call this project, I was playing around the idea of writing letters and giving second chances. Since "write something/someone off" is a pretty common expression, I put Don't Write Me Off  together and remembered that the Music & Lyrics soundtrack had a song with the exact same title! Not going to lie, I've listened to this song probably a thousand times and it's so fitting to Jasper and Erika's dynamic, especially towards the end when Jasper is trying to convince Erika to give him another chance.

1. Take a Chance on Me - Julie Waters, Stellan Skarsgard

Who isn't a Mamma Mia fan? I loved this duet so much because whenever I had a crush then I'd be thinking of this song, haha! In the first chapter, Erika is going through the aftermath of her struggles and needed someone to take a chance on her, albeit in the academic way. I love the thrill of the chase as portrayed in this song. Plus, Paula and Erika are both Mamma Mia fans.

2. Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds

Won't you, come see about me? I'll be alone dancing, you know it, baby... Jasper is introduced in this chapter only to find out that Erika has completely forgotten him when he came to see her. He's disappointed but he grabs onto the opportunity even when he didn't need it as much. This upbeat track for me signals a new adventure for them within their new deal, with their past together merely a passing thought, until it unravels in the next few chapters. It tells you that they'll eventually be needing each other more.

3. Easily - Bruno Major

Call it quits, call it destiny. I think I heard this Bruno Major song through Spotify's radio feature and was obsessed with how mellow the song is and the message it carries. Especially in chapter 3 where Jasper and Erika are breaking ground on their agreement and each trying things they aren't really good at. Of course during this time, results seem far-fetched, so they had to work extra hard to see things change.

4. First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes

I imagine Jasper to be the type of character who's very happy-go-lucky. He doesn't care much about anything but those that are familiar to him and spending time with Erika is like opening up a new chapter, even when he didn't know it yet. "We just have to wait and see" is the title of this one, they hand-deliver the first letter and Erika ends up on an encounter with Corinne. At the end of the chapter, it is revealed that Gab is connected to Jasper.

5. Saturdays - Twin Shadow ft. HAIM

I love HAIM and this song they did with Twin Shadow is such a fun track you can hear playing in a montage of the main characters having a good time with each other. In this chapter as well, Paula convinces Erika to do a little digging on Corinne, and Jasper is suddenly interested in knowing about Erika's ex. They start to warm up to each other and throughout the book, Saturdays have been an extra Jasper and Erika day, added to their MWF schedule.

6. It's Nice To Have a Friend - Taylor Swift

Jasper and Erika in TK on a weekday: the most UP student thing ever, haha! Before all this, Jasper finds out on his own that Gab and Erika used to date, but is waiting for Erika to tell him because he feels that they aren't that close yet. He attempts to get it out of her during dinner, and ends up talking about himself, too. I love this song from Lover because Taylor's talking about two people who rely on each other for comfort and it translating to something more.