American Tabloid
Book Playlist

American Tabloid Playlist

by James Ellroy

40 tracks
balanced
May 9, 2026
4 mixes for this book

This playlist mirrors the dark, intense, and conspiratorial atmosphere of James Ellroy's "American Tabloid," set in the turbulent 1950s-60s America. The selection captures the gritty political intrigue, morally ambiguous characters, and the tense, chaotic emotions of the era through a diverse mix of noir jazz, vintage soul, psychedelic rock, and narrative-driven indie tracks. Songs evoke key characters' psychological depth and the book's unfolding drama, making it a compelling sonic companion for reading.

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Track List

40 songs
1

I Put a Spell On You

Screamin' Jay Hawkins · At Home with Screamin' Jay Hawkins

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2

Misty

Sarah Vaughan · Sarah Vaughan's Golden Hits

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3

Stormy Weather

Etta James · At Last!

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4

Harlem Nocturne

The Viscounts · Electric Blue Moon

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5

Ain't No Sunshine

Bill Withers · Just As I Am

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6

House of the Rising Sun

The Animals · The Singles Plus

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7

Hurt

Johnny Cash · American IV: The Man Comes Around

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8

Blue In Green

Miles Davis · BD Music Presents Kind of Blue

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9

I Walk the Line

Johnny Cash · I Walk the Line (Original Soundtrack Recording)

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10

Back Door Man

Howlin' Wolf · Howlin' Wolf

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11

Son Of A Preacher Man

Dusty Springfield · Dusty In Memphis

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12

I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man

Muddy Waters · King Of The Electric Blues

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13

The Night Chicago Died

Paper Lace · Billy Don't Be A Hero

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14

Black Coffee

Peggy Lee · Ultimate Peggy Lee

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15

White Rabbit

Jefferson Airplane · Surrealistic Pillow

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16

People Are Strange

The Doors · Strange Days

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17

Gimme Shelter

The Rolling Stones · Let It Bleed

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18

I'm Waiting For The Man

The Velvet Underground · The Velvet Underground & Nico 45th Anniversary

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19

Sympathy For The Devil

The Rolling Stones · The Rolling Stones Singles Collection: The London Years

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20

House of the Rising Sun

Frijid Pink · On the Edge

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21

Strange Fruit

Nina Simone · Pastel Blues

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22

The End

The Doors · The Doors

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23

Born To Be Wild

Steppenwolf · Born To Be Wild (Best Of....)

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24

I Fought the Law

The Clash · The Cost of Living - EP

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25

Fortunate Son

Creedence Clearwater Revival · Willy And The Poor Boys (Expanded Edition)

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26

Ball And Chain

Big Mama Thornton · Stronger Than Dirt

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27

Paint It, Black

The Rolling Stones · Aftermath

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28

People Got to Be Free

The Rascals · Freedom Suite

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29

White Room

Cream · Wheels Of Fire

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30

Summertime Blues

The Who · The Who Sell Out (Super Deluxe)

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31

For What It's Worth

Buffalo Springfield · Buffalo Springfield

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32

Baba O'Riley

The Who · Who's Next (Deluxe Edition)

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33

Gimme Some Lovin' (Live)

The Spencer Davis Group · Gimme Some Lovin': 3 Hits to Have!

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34

Born Under A Bad Sign

Albert King · Born Under A Bad Sign

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35

Crossroads - Live

Cream · Wheels Of Fire

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36

I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Gladys Knight & The Pips · Everybody Needs Love

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37

Dazed and Confused - 1990 Remaster

Led Zeppelin · Led Zeppelin

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38

The Weight

The Band · Best Of The Band

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39

People Are Strange

Echo & the Bunnymen · The Best of Echo & The Bunnymen

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40

Luminary

Dravelyn · Magical Moments

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Playlist Settings

The preferences requested for this mix.

Mood balanced
Genre mixed
Era any
Length long
Instrumental request 0%
Environment balanced

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3 more mixes for American Tabloid

See all 4 mixes
  1. Matched to the book 50% instrumental 20 tracks · May 9, 2026Open
  2. Mixed genres All vocal2000s and later 41 tracks · May 9, 2026Open
  3. Mixed genres 10% instrumental2000s and later 35 tracks · May 9, 2026Open

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