Henry V Playlist

If I were to boil down the most important moments in Henry V into one playlist, this is what it would be.

Henry's youth: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
In this coming-of-age song, Arcade Fire discuss what it's like to grow up out of a life of "screamin' and runnin' through the yard" to facing life as an adult. They lament the missing frivolities of youth, saying, "Sometimes I can't believe it/ I'm moving past the feeling."

Compelled to fight: Mumford & Sons - Dust Bowl Dance
In this song Mumford and Sons sing about the threat of having their land taken away in Ireland and having the obligation to fight for it and win it back. This is similar to what happened to Henry, except he learned that he was supposed to own France instead of having been kicked out of it; the emotions, however, are very similar.

Going to war: Eels - Prizefighter
Henry feels it is his duty and honor to go to war against the France, but he doesn't fear the other kingdom. England will come off conqueror. The Eels will do the same.

Henry betrayed: Radiohead - The Bends
In this song, written originally by Tom Yorke, the band had been thrust into fame by their previous work. This song was written as the band confronted the newfound fame -- "The bends" is a medical condition caused by coming out of water too quickly. Part of what the narrator is wondering about is, "Who are my real friends?"As a result of the newfound fame, the narrator laments, "We don't have any real friends."

St. Crispian's Day speech: Queen: We Will Rock You
No explanation needed.

The Battle of Agincourt: Muse - Apocalypse Please
While this song wasn't written for a literal war (the album was directed toward today's world leaders), it carries the theme of the importance of one, last, nearly-impossible-to-win battle. The music reflects a similar intensity.