It seems as though the WB has found the key to success in keeping their numerous youngadult dramas alive – great music. It started with the hit soundtrack from “Dawsonʼs Creek,” including the unforgettable theme song “I Donʼt Want to Wait” by Paula Cole. Then popular tunes began to stem from “Charmed,” “Everwood,” “Smallville,” and last, but certainly not least, “One Tree Hill.” These shows not only help to move songs up the charts, but they also jump-start the careers of budding musicians.”One Tree Hill” contains all the usual prime-time soap opera ingredients: a coming-of-age story, the inseparable high school gang, strange family relations and a struggle for love. While there is nothing outstanding about the showʼs plot, most people can relate to at least one of these dilemmas. This is what makes the soundtrack so appealing – it is full of music and lyrics that are completely relatable. The soundtrack opens with a live version of the showʼs theme song “I Donʼt Want To Be” by Gavin DeGraw. This is a perfect example of how television affects the music circuit: DeGraw was an unknown musician from a small town in New York before “One Tree Hill” hit the air and now he is a platinum-selling recording artist.
The soundtrack continues with a mix of mellow-rock/pop songs from popular groups including “Overdue” by The Get Up Kids, “Sidewalks” by Story Of The Year, and “Kill” by Jimmy Eat World. There is also a song by The Wreckers (a new group formed by female rockers Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp) called “The Good Kind.” The collaboration proves to be a good match of vocal harmony in this gentle, heartbroken ballad.
New-comer Tyler Hilton (think John Mayer but better, with the looks of James Dean) also contributes two tracks to the CD. His original number “Glad” speaks to a new relationship with lyrics like “You canʼt say what you want/ or Take what you want or Rest and wake anyway that you want/ You said your life couldnʼt get much better/ Well, here I am, and arenʼt you glad.” Hilton is later joined by Bethany Joy Lenz on the disc for a rendition of “When The Stars Go Blue,” a classic love song which has been performed by artists including Ryan Adams, The Coors and U2.
The soundtrack wraps up with some new tracks, as well as some familiar voices; the new are Butch Walker with “Mixtape,” and Trespassers William with “Lie In The Sound.” The old but good beats are heard in “Everybodyʼs Changing” by Keane, and an acoustic version of “The First Cut is the Deepest” by Sheryl Crow.
Altogether, the soundtrack is pretty top-notch as far as television-inspired collaborations go. Whatever your particular situation may be, there is at least one song on this disc that will give each listener that “this was written for me” feeling. So pick up a copy, pop it into your CD player, and jam out to these songs while you have revelations about the meaning of life and love.