Music as the Food of Love

We all know about Dr. Lecter's appreciation for classical music, particularly his fondness for Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations. But surely, the good Doctor knows love does not live on classical alone.

Given his feelings for Clarice, and without trying to be rude, I have comprised a list of contemporary songs that are Lecteresque in their sensuality, in their exchanges of love...

1. NO ORDINARY LOVE by Sade. Featured in the Woody Harrelson/Demi Moore/Robert Redford film Indecent Proposal, it is a slow, achingly seductive R & B/pop ballad dealing with forbidden love. And considering that the love between Hannibal and Clarice is that kind of forbidden love, the song fits perfectly.

2. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN by Meredith Brooks. Featured on her CD Blurring the Edges, the follow-up to her worldwide smash Bitch. Again, slow, achingly seductive, but with more of a guitar-driven, power-pop feel. Again the references to forbidden love. Very Lecteresque, very sexy.

3. JUSTIFY MY LOVE by Madonna. I want to kiss you in Paris...I want to hold your hand in Rome...one of the most controversial songs of Madonna's career due to its unabashed sexuality, the steamy, breathy lyrics and throbbing backbeat would instill the flames of passion in the most hard-assed conservative politician, let alone Dr. Lecter. The effect on Clarice?...too powerful for words.

4. LOVESONG by the Cure. Gloomy, haunting, it hints at the worlds-apart yearning between out two protagonists...is best played over Hannibal's "goodbye" phone call to Clarice at the end of SILENCE. However far away...I will always love you...however long I stay...I will always love you...

5. CHRISTIAN WOMAN by Type O Negative. Pounding, thrashingly seductive, Lecteresquely sensual...could be used for the Hannibal soundtrack to represent Clarice's farewell to her former life.

6. NOVEMBER RAIN by Guns 'N Roses. Another power ballad, rich in the tapestry of love...to me, it symbolizes the first meeting between Hannibal and Clarice...especially, the soft, sensual look he gives her when he approaches her for a closer look.

7. I WANT TO COME OVER by Melissa Etheridge. Again, the surrender to forbidden love. The lyrics say it all: I want to come over...to Hell with the consequence...you told me you love me...that's all I believe...

8. POSSESSION by Sarah McLachlan. Originally based on a stalker's threats to Ms. McLachlan, this song further symbolizes the blissful, sensual, and unholy passion Clarice and Hannibal feel for one another.

9. SWEET SURRENDER by Sarah McLachlan. Another favorite from the founding diva of the Lilith Fair, it symbolizes the path Clarice must take in Hannibal, when she bids farewell to her former life...where every step I took in faith betrayed me...

10. YOU'LL ACCOMPANY ME by Bob Seger. This classic rock tune symbolizes Hannibal watching Clarice jog in the park in Hannibal, before he breaks into her car and makes love to her steering wheel. I've made my mind up it was meant to be...someday, lady, you'll accompany me...

There are other songs that share the Lecteresque sexuality of the ten I've listed, and if anyone out there knows of anymore, feel free to e-mail me with your input. My e-mail address is on the opening page...

Further Along the Dreamscape...