If you know me, you know I love music and how much it inspires my writing. I had a playlist for No One Knows About You and The Loophole is no different.
If you have Spotify, please feel free to click on this link and enjoy.
Below is a list of the songs on the playlist and how they played a part in my story.
I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)
T-Pain, Mike Jones
Chapter 5: In chapter 5 Manny is meeting Rylee’s parents for the very first time during a family cookout. Manny pulls into the driveway blasting this song. A great first impression.
Johnny & June
Heidi Newfield
Chapter 8: Toward the end of chapter 8 Rylee and Manny are talking about what they are looking for in a relationship. This song helped fuel this scene for me both in the topic and also because it was during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
Try Everything
Shakira
Chapter 12: In this chapter, there is a scene where Manny and his niece, Gabby, dance together for her birthday. This is the song they dance to.
Amor A Primera Vista
Los Angeles Azuels, Belinda, Lalo Ebratt, Horacio Palencia
Chapter 12: Later in chapter 12 we see Manny and Rylee dancing together. In this scene Manny’s ex comes in and in the next song played, Rylee tries to respond back to his ex’s attempt in making Manny jealous and dances closer to Manny. This is the second song they dance to.
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
The Animals
Chapter 13: In this chapter, we see two horrible police officers abuse their power in roughing up Manny during a traffic stop. This song was one that fit this moment and the feeling I was going for.
Nota de Amor
Wisin, Carlos Vives, Daddy Yankee
Chapter 14: At the beginning of this chapter this song starts to play at the festival and Manny and Rylee begin to dance with one another.
You & Me
James TW
Chapter 14: At the end of chapter 14 Rylee and Scott blow up on one another and the anger spills over onto Manny who has no idea what is going on. This song set the tone for this moment as both Manny and Rylee’s feelings start to ramp up and confuse them.
Beautiful
Bazzi, Camila Cabello
Chapter 16: In chapter 16 there is the scene when Rylee is coming down the stairs. I pictured her coming down in slow motion as Manny is trying to take her in. It also sets the tone as they realize they are both going to miss each other as this is to be their last night together.
Boot Scootin’ Boogie
Brooks & Dunn
Chapter 16: Later in this chapter, this song comes on when Rylee’s parents start to dance and her mom tells them to join in. Manny joins but Rylee is too depressed to dance.
Treasure
Bruno Mars
Chapter 16: A little after the previous scene, Manny lip-syncs to this song for Rylee.
Loco
Justin Quiles, Chimbala, Zion & Lennox
Chapter 16: At the end of this chapter Rylee is depressed about the night she felt she wasted being so down on herself. Manny tries to cheer her up by parking in a nearby, empty lot, and dancing with her to this song.
Never Really Over
Katy Perry
Chapter 17: This song was one that helped me write this chapter. I feel it has the mood I was looking for as Rylee still finds a way to be around Manny.
I Like Me Better
Lauv
Chapter 17: Later in this chapter we see Rylee and Manny enjoy each other’s company and Rylee begins to realize that even though it’s wrong, she enjoys being with Manny so much. This song has the vibe I was feeling when writing this chapter.
Yellow
Coldplay
Chapter 18: When Manny’s surprise plans are spoiled by Rylee’s big news, Rylee convinces Manny’s friend, Hector, to show it to her anyway. When Rylee sees the surprise, she is taken aback. This is the theme song to that exact moment.
Treat You Better
Shawn Mendes
Chapter 18: This song best describes what Manny has been feeling throughout the story, but even more so in this exact moment when he realizes that Rylee is truly out of reach.
In Your Arms
ILLENIUM, X Ambassadors
Chapter 20: In this chapter, Rylee is watching Manny sleep as she ponders what her real plan is supposed to be. She wonders if he is the plan she should be following. This song helped set the tone for this scene and chapter.
When I’m Gone
Kate Voegele
Chapter 21: At the end of this chapter Manny tries to plead one last time with Rylee not to go with Scott, but instead, to choose him. When Rylee refuses, Manny decides to call it quits for good.
Before You Go
Lewis Capaldi
Chapter 23: The very last scene when Manny and Rylee are reunited is one that I wrote while listening to this song over and over again. I think it captures the spirit of it perfectly.