“God Knows I Tried”

I chose “God Knows I Tired”, from Lana’s fourth album, Honeymoon, to represent Linda’s emotions before Willy’s death, and as a buildup to that scene. This song would be played during the scene that happens before the end of Act 2, where Linda is trying to get Willy back to bed. The scene would slow down significantly as the following chorus plays, in order to focus upon Linda, and there would be a spotlight, perhaps a light blue or teal, placed on her as she starts to go up the stairs. “God knows I lived. God knows I died. God knows I begged. Begged, borrowed, and cried. God knows I loved. God knows I lied. God knows I lost. God gave me life. And God knows I tried. God knows I tried. God knows I tried. God knows I tried.” The final lines of “God knows I tried.” will get softer with each repetition of it, and Linda will pause of the stairs and look down at Willy before continuing up. The title of this song ties into Linda’s final thoughts for that night, and perhaps, act as a realization for her, as she has finally realized that even if she couldn’t keep her family together, that at least she tried. To Lana, the chorus is almost a form of primal rage, as she has been hounded for years over her authenticity and validity, just as Linda’s marriage and her whole reality has throughout the course of the play.