Playlist: Frank Herbert’s “Dune”
Now that the heartthrob-filled movie adaptation has been delayed until 2021, this playlist for Frank Herbert’s sprawling classic “Dune” will have to do until then.
Written by Joshua Troncoso
Image courtesy of John Schoenherr
Like any good sci-fi novel, Frank Herbert’s 1965 epic “Dune” uses a fantastical and futuristic backdrop to ask questions about the modern world and contemplate the human condition. The novel takes place on the planet of Arrakis, where central character Paul, the prince of the royal House Atreides, and his family control the cultivation of the universe's most valuable export, the drug “Melange.” Colloquially known as the ’spice,’ the drug has many uses in the universe of “Dune,” as it is essential for space travel and gives its users otherworldly powers. However, anyone who takes it becomes addicted to it until the withdrawal symptoms kill them unless they take more of it. As the intelligent Paul transforms into a military leader and messiah figure, Herbert explores questions about the degradation of the environment, what it means to be a leader, and contemporary gender dynamics. A novel of this depth deserves a collection of accompanying songs, and this diverse playlist examines several of the layered themes and moments from this lore-dense book.
“Spice Up Your Life” — Spice Girls
With the drug ‘spice’ as the center of some of the novel’s events and themes, it would be sacrilegious not to include a song from the ‘90s ‘girl power’ pop sensation, Spice Girls. The infectious and addicting rhythm of their 1997 hit “Spice Up Your Life” produces a rush, just like the foresight-inducing ‘spice.’ Evident from its title, “Spice Up Your Life” features the quirky quintet imploring its listeners to “spice up [their] life,” and their layered vocals throughout the song sound as if they have become addiction personified. The enchanting Latin-influenced instrumental and the group’s alluring vocal melodies further enhance the tempting mood. Through this interpretation, the opening verse of the song sounds like the onset of withdrawal symptoms whispering tempting promises into a vulnerable addict's ear. Nearly every character in “Dune” has succumbed to the power and life-altering effects of the ‘spice’ and must continue dosing or face the repercussions of withdrawal.
“When you're feeling sad and low
We will take you, where you gotta go
Smiling dancing, everything is free
All you need is positivity”
“Where Do the Children Play?” — Cat Stevens
The novel’s environmental messaging may not be apparent at first glance, but Herbert’s ecologist background comes through in his writing. The ‘spice’ in “Dune” could be an allegory for unavoidable, modern-day resources like oil and capitalistic greed, playing a key role in dissecting the novel’s commentary on resource management. Herbert explores this theme through the relationship between Arrakis’ environment and the empire that seeks to harvest its natural resource, ‘spice.’ Cat Stevens’ “Where Do the Children Play?” also examines the industrial lens through which the empire views Arrakis and ‘spice.’ Composed over light and flowery guitar chords, Stevens questions how far global industrialization will go. His distress and sadness is palpable as he sings about the encroaching grip of the industry and its disastrous effects on the environment and its inhabitants. Stevens and Herbert both stress the importance of knowing when to stop when it comes to altering the environment, and warn against some of its consequences.
“Well you've cracked the sky
Scrapers fill the air
But will you keep on building higher
'Til there's no more room up there?”
“Run the World (Girls)” — Beyoncé
In the novel, the order of women known as the Bene Gesserit has their fingerprints on nearly every event. Their all-powerful shadow government status and exclusively female collective mark a stark contrast for the rest of the novel’s characters. Although many of the women in “Dune” are placed in more traditional domestic roles, the Bene Gesserit offer an alternative as the puppet masters of the universe. In her song “Run the World (Girls),” Beyonce promotes this same ideal of women being the true orchestrators of all the world's events. Her hypnotic and intoxicating delivery in the pre-chorus is reminiscent of the Bene Gesserit’s cryptic but authoritative influence on Paul and the ensuing war.
“My persuasion can build a nation
Endless power, with our love we can devour
You'll do anything for me”
“Superstition” — Stevie Wonder
“Dune” is critical of power in all its forms, including the power and influence of religion. There is no doubt that the Fremen are partially based on religions like Islam and Christianity. Herbert is cautious of these groups and their sometimes nefarious goals, and he paints the Fremen as extremists whose ultimate goal is a jihad or crusade. Stevie Wonder expresses that same skepticism in his classic motown bop “Superstition,” albeit in a groovier way. Stevie denounces superstitious beliefs as he lists them off: “Thirteen month old baby / Broke the looking glass / Seven years of bad luck.” There is no explicit mention of religion, but Stevie is slow to buy into these practices and jump onto the superstition bandwagon. Similarly, “Dune” doesn’t condemn religion outright, but Herbert approaches the religions of his world and their authority with prudence. Both Stevie and Herbert’s criticisms lie under the surface of their art, but they have the same message: be suspicious and educate yourself.
“When you believe in things
That you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way”
“Know Your Enemy” — Rage Against the Machine
Aside from its environmental concerns, “Dune” spends a considerable amount of time analyzing and deconstructing the story’s hero figures by exploring the Bene Gesserit and Fremen’s declaration of Paul Atreides as a savior. The novel’s central message is to be wary of these kinds of charismatic leaders who seek to persuade the public into following them to their doom. Legendary punk band Rage Against the Machine’s “Know Your Enemy” echoes a similar sentiment. Frontman Zach De La Rocha belts over piercing guitar riffs as he warns against propaganda like the ‘American Dream’ and encourages the listener to “know your enemy.” By the end of the novel, Paul enacts his selfish revenge on the Harkkonens for killing his father, fulfilling his role as a messiac figure called the Mahdi from the Fremen prophecy. But using his power of prescience, he sees the destruction his army of Fremen will wrought upon the universe during their great jihad. Later, the Fremen’s prophecy is revealed to be a lie manufactured by the Bene Gesserit, much like that of the American Dream. These kinds of lies can do irrevocable damage to a country, and in Paul’s case, the entire known galaxy.
“Mind of a revolutionary, so clear the lane
The finger to the land of the chains
What? The ‘land of the free’?
Whoever told you that is your enemy”
“Dune” and its accompanying sequels are the pièce de résistance of science fiction, and their social commentary seems more relevant every day. The unfortunate delay of the Denis Villeneuve-directed adaptation has pushed the movie back until fall 2021, but hopefully this playlist can hold you over until then! Check out the full playlist below for more songs to listen to as you ride 200 feet sandworms across the Arrakian desert.