Coffee Break: Authors
by Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala
July 28, 2025

There has long been a crossover between words that are written, spoken, and sung. So much so that musicians often reference books or authors that have impacted them in their songs. Sometimes it’s the writer of a book that was read as a child, or it could even be a cult classic or impactful memoir.
Let’s craft a playlist that reads like a library by highlighting songs that draw inspiration from authors.
So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs that mention an author or writer would you like to hear?
Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.
Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.
Songs Played
girl in red- Hemingway
The Smiths- Cemetery Gates
Trampled by Turtles- Walt Whitman
Squeeze- Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)
The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
The Tragically Hip- Courage (for Hugh MacLennan)
10,000 Maniacs- Hey Jack Kerouac
The Clash- Spanish Bombs
