When it comes to the Hunger Games, you can’t blame the tributes having an emotionally hard time as the Games officially begin. I mean imagine being a teenager who suddenly has to grapple with their inevitable death. Let’s just say you’re better off being either drafted into the military or having a serious illness. Seriously, a teenager has a better chance of surviving a war or cancer than the Hunger Games where the competition is literally deadly. And let’s just say, most teenagers aren’t really prepared to face their own mortality. So it’s not unusual for many of the tributes to be scared. As for Katniss, well, it’s one thing that she had to come close to death in the first Hunger Games. Yet, when she found out about the Quarter Quell being an All-Stars competition, she feels like she doesn’t have much time to live. After all, victors are tougher competition than your peers. Let’s just say she’s facing issues that any normal 17 year old girl shouldn’t be dealing with.

For a good song depicting Katniss agonizing through her own mortality in Catching Fire, I used “Gethsemane” from Jesus Christ Superstar. The original has Jesus praying to God and agonizing about his upcoming crucifixion. You’d think that Jesus knew that he was to suffer a most painful death he’d be more courageous about the whole thing. But it’s not the case, contrary to how biblical movies depict it. After all, facing one’s death is a very scary thing, especially if you’re relatively young. In the Hunger Games version, I have Katniss struggle with a possible death in the arena during the Quarter Quell as well as evaluate how much as changed since she and Peeta won the previous year.

“Katniss’s Lament”

Sung b Katniss Everdeen

I only want to say

If there is a way

Take this cup away from me for I don’t want to taste

Its poison

Feel it burn me, I have changed, I’m not as sure as

When I started

Then I was on fire

Now I’m sad and tired

Listen surely I’ve exceeded expectations tried for since last year

Seems like thirty

Could they ask as much from any other girl?

But if I die

In the Quell will they mourn their Katniss Everdeen

Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, put me from misery

I’d wanna know I’d wanna know my odds

I’d wanna see I’d wanna see my odds

Why I should die

Would I be more noticed than I ever was before?

Would the things I’ve said and done matter anymore?

I’d have to know I’d have to know the score

I’d have to see I’d have to see the score

If I die what will be my reward?

I’d have to know I’d have to know the score

Why should I die?

Can it ever be now that I would not be killed in vain?

Will dear Peeta live on or will he end up being slain

Show me how it’s worth it if there’s a chance I’ll die

They’re far too keen on where and how and not so hot on why

Alright I’ll die!

Just watch me die!

See how I die!

Then I was inspired

Now I’m sad and tired

After all I’ve tried since last year seems like ninety

Why then am I scared to finish what I started

What they started – I didn’t start it

God, their will is hard

But Snow holds every card

I will drink his cup of poison

Fight in his Quell and break me

Bleed me beat me kill me take me now –

Before I change my mind

Unbeknownst to Katniss and Peeta as they prepare for the Quell at the training center, Haymitch, Plutarch, and half the victors in it form an alliance and a plan to keep them alive. Not to mention, help kick off the rebellion at full speed. Now you have to think whoever thought of reaping surviving victors must’ve not had their head screwed on just right. Having teenagers killing each other is bad enough. But victors being chosen again for the Hunger Games is just incredibly dumb. I mean these are people who’ve had their lives ruined by the Capitol from the moment many of them were reaped to participate in it. Haymitch for instance, would soon lose his entire family, become an alcoholic, and send 46 tributes to their deaths to entertain the masses. And he’s not an unusual case. Some exceptionally good looking victors are forced into prostitution under threat of their loved ones if they refused like Finnick. Not to mention, the victors tend to be friends with each other, having shared the experiences of brutality. And it’s these ties that help half the victors form a conspiracy with Haymitch and Plutarch.

For a song pertaining to such secret conspiracy, I used “The Last Supper” from Jesus Christ Superstar. The original version depicts Jesus sharing one final meal with his disciples and saying that Peter will deny him and someone else will betray him like Judas Iscariot. It’s a rather dramatic rendition. In the Hunger Games version, I have Haymitch and some of the allied victors discuss their plans to break out of the arena the night before the Quell officially kicks off. I know this scene didn’t take place in the books or movies because victors are on 24 hour surveillance in order to deter insurrections. But when it comes to musical numbers, you can’t have Haymitch and the others communicating through bread. Also, the phrase “jaded mandarin” describes Haymitch perfectly.

“The Last Meeting”

Allied Victors:

Look at all my trials and tribulations

Sinking in a gentle pool of wine

Don’t disturb me now I can see the answers

Till this evening is this morning life is fine

Never thought that I’d be a Games victor

Knew that I had to make it to survive

Thought we were retired before this Quarter Quell

But they’ll still talk about us when we’ve died

Haymitch:

The end…

Is just a little harder when brought about by friends

For all you care Peeta could be my son

For all you care Katniss could be my daughter

The end!

At the arena’s edge

There is a large force field wall

Blow it up and help them escape from the Quarter Quell

I must be mad thinking this will work out – yes

I must be out of my head!

We all suffered so badly! I’ve lost my whole family

Had 46 tributes now dead!

They’ve made our lives hell

Now they’ve got this Quell –

Allied Victors:

Oh, shit! How could? Impossible!

Haymitch:

Plutarch will help us, he is on our side

There weren’t many takers – but that’s not all we need

One of you here dining, one of the 12 allies

Who knows electricity –

Beetee:

Cut out the dramatics! You know very well who –

Haymitch:

How will you go do it?

Beetee:

You want me to do it?

Haymitch:

You’re the brains here

Beetee:

If you knew why I do it…

Haymitch:

I don’t care why you do it!

Finnick:

You know how they watch you, what if they just kill you?

Plutarch:

They’re fools – I’ve played them

Johanna:

You want me to do it!

What if I just stayed here and ruined his ambition?

Snow he deserves it!

Haymitch:

Hurry you fool, hurry and go

Save me your speeches, I don’t wanna know – GO!

Allied Victors:

Look at all my trials and tribulations

Sinking in a gentle pool of wine

What’s that in the bread it’s gone to my head

Till this morning is this evening life is fine

Never thought that I’d be a Games victor

Knew that I had to make it to survive

Thought we were retired before this Quarter Quell

But they’ll still talk about us when we’ve died

Johanna:

You sad pathetic man – see where you’ve brought us to

Our ideals die around us all because of you

And now the saddest cut of all –

Someone has to save your kids

You’re washed up champion, and a sloshed up has been

A jaded mandarin

A jaded mandarin

A jaded jaded faded mandarin

Haymitch:

Get out! They’re waiting! Get out!

They’re waiting for you

Johanna:

Every time I look at her I don’t understand

Why she let the things she did get so out of hand

She’d have managed better if you’d had it planned –

Allied Victors:

Look at all my trials and tribulations

Sinking in a gentle pool of wine

Don’t disturb me now I can see the answers

Till this evening is this morning life is fine

Never thought that I’d be a Games victor

Knew that I had to make it to survive

Thought we were retired before this Quarter Quell

But they’ll still talk about us when we’ve died

Haymitch:

Will no one save those kids for me?

Beetee? Jo? Finn?

Can some of you work with me?

Beetee? Jo? Finn?

In District 12, there’s a place called the Hob which is an old warehouse that serves as a black market. Since hunting is illegal in Panem with stiff penalties, Katniss often sells her game there. Yet, since District 12 is the poorest in Panem with most people struggling to get by or desperately starving, the Peacekeepers are relatively lenient than elsewhere as well as turn a blind eye on poaching and black market trading. Possibly because practically everyone in town does some sort of business at the Hob, including the Peacekeepers. Such arrangement helps Katniss tremendously, since the Peacekeepers are mostly corrupt with their head Cray usually requesting certain favors of a sexual nature. Let’s just say if Katniss didn’t learn to hunt, she would’ve lost her virginity much sooner. Items sold there are poached game, alcohol, and other banned items. Plus, it’s open at times other places won’t be like on Reaping Day or late ate night. Of course, the Capitol can always get new Peacekeepers to torch the place.

For a good song on the Hob, I went with “The Temple” from Jesus Christ Superstar. The original version of this song depicts Jesus chasing out the money lenders and vendors as well as overturning tables in the Temple of Jerusalem. Because you know, these guys turned a house of prayer into a den of thieves which makes Jesus super pissed. In the Hunger Games version, I have it set in Catching Fire in which Gale Hawthorne goes to the Head Peacekeeper’s cabin with a turkey. Unfortunately for him, he finds out the corrupt lecher Cray has been replaced by the hardliner Thread who soon has the Hob torched as well as Gale tied mercilessly whipped on a post that he has to be rescued and treated. I also have the people of District 12 turn to Katniss for help, in which she wants none of that.

“The Hob”

Merchants:

Roll on up District 12

Come on in District 12

Sunday hang out at the Hob

Live in me District 12

Here you live District 12

Here you breathe District 12

While our dear Hob still survives

You at least are still alive

I got things you won’t believe

Name your pleasure I will sell

I can fix your wildest needs

I got heaven and I got hell

Roll on up, for my price is down

Come on in for the best in town

Take your pick of the finest wine

Lay your bets on this bird of mine

What you see is what you get

No one’s been disappointed yet

Don’t be scared give me a try

There is nothing you can’t buy

Name your price, I got everything

Hurry it’s going fast

Borrow cash on the finest terms

Hurry now while stocks still last

Romulus Thread:

Hello, I’m your new chief Romulus Thread

And you’ve made this place a den of thieves

Get out! Get out!

These crooks are almost through

Little left to do

Now let’s go and burn this shithole

Whip the guy trying to sell turkey

Crowd:

What the fuck have they done to Cray?

How the hell could the torch the Hob?

There’s not much dough in mining coal

Now I think I might have to rob

Can’t they leave us in District 12

Why the hell is the Hob aflame?

Now everything has gone to hell

See my purse I’m a poor poor man

Can you help us and save us Kat

Can’t you tell them where it’s at

Please help us and clear us Kat

Won’t you kiss won’t you pay me Kat

Katniss:

There’s too many of you – don’t push me

There’s too little of me – don’t crowd me

Help yourselves!

Note: This post contains major spoilers. So if you haven’t read the books or saw the movies up to Mockingjay Part 2, best not see this. It might ruin it for you.

As president of District 13, Alma Coin was the defacto leader of the rebellion who set herself to unite the other districts against a common enemy. Then again, she was probably the one who assumed leadership of the rebellion once Katniss accidentally sparked one. And it had more to do with the fact she was the leader of a district that the Capitol pretty much left alone due to a mutually assured destruction pact. Nevertheless, throughout the years, Coin has been there for District 13 thick and thin. Yet, as Alma means soul and a coin has two sides, she’s always had a rather two sided nature. At first she might be the kind of strong competent leader who’d bring Panem to an era of peace and prosperity. But as you get to know her, she’s a power hungry woman who’s willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants like bombing children and framing it on Snow. Since Prim was killed in the bombings, Katniss is utterly devastated and heartbroken.

As for a song on Coin relishing in her moment of triumph, I decided to go with “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina,” from Evita. It’s the part in the musical when Eva Peron is bearing farewell to the people of Argentina as the country’s first lady. Nevertheless, the musical portrays her in a very negative light akin to one would be if a musical on Barack Obama was based on his Conservapedia page. For the Hunger Games version, I have Coin give her speech on the balcony saying farewell to the people of District 13 as she assumes the interim presidency of Panem. But little does she know….

“Don’t Cry For Me, District 13”

Sung by President Alma Coin

It won’t be easy

You’ll think it strange

When I try to explain how I feel

That I still need your love

After all that I’ve done

You won’t believe me

All you will see

Is a girl you once knew

Although she’s at the luxurious Capitol

Instead in the old bunker with you

I’ve taken the burden

And honor

Of declaring myself as Panem’s president

As we’ve won a great victory

But at a great cost of our lives

It won’t be easy

Creating a future that’s right at our door

Rebuilding all we have lost

So we can live life anew

Don’t cry for me District 13

The truth is I never left you

All through my wild days

My mad existence

I kept my promise

Don’t keep your distance

I bid you welcome to a new Panem

On the Avenue of Tributes

We’re all gathered to witness

A great moment of justice

Today, our Katniss

Our friend of the revolution

Will fire the shot

To end all wars and tyranny

And usher a new era in bloom

Don’t cry for me District 13

Don’t cry for me District 13

The truth is I never left you

All through my wild days

My mad existence

I kept my promise

Don’t keep your distance

Mockingjay

There’s nothing more I can think of to say to you

But all you have to do

As your heart is so pure

So shall your aim be true

For a long time in Panem, it was supposed that victors of the Hunger Games would never have to go back into the arena again. Katniss thought the same even though the idea of mentoring tributes for the rest of your life isn’t great either. And then there’s the Quarter Quell which takes place every 25 years which is a special  Hunger Games featuring a unique twist to the rules. These were said to be supposedly prescribed at the end of the Dark Days to serve as a reminder of some aspect of the first rebellion. One Quell could have tributes chosen by popular vote from the districts. Another could have twice as many tributes reaped from each district as usual (which was the year Haymitch won his Games, by the way). But who the hell knows what inspires the rule changes anyway? The Capitol could’ve just made such stuff up. Nevertheless, unfortunately for Katniss, the third Quarter Quell rule just happened to state that the tributes of each district that year would be selected among the 59 surviving victors. And Katniss just happened to be the only female victor from District 12, which means she’ll have to go back automatically. You know what that means.

For the song expressing Katniss’s reaction to the news, I decided to go with “Damned for All Time/Blood Money” from Jesus Christ Superstar. The original version depicts Judas Iscariot going to the chief priests and making a deal that he’d rat Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver. For the Hunger Games version, I decided to go with Katniss running to Haymitch’s place after hearing the news of the Quarter Quell rule change as well as the two along with Peeta trying to decide what to do about it. Now I know a scene like this isn’t 100% to the books or the movies, but I hope it just captures the idea.

 
“Damned for All Time” (Hunger Games Edition)

Katniss: Now they just announced the Quarter Quell

They’re reaping victors and now I don’t feel so well

I’m 12’s only girl victor, I don’t know what to do

I weighed the whole thing up before I came to you

I really think that Snow really wants me dead

I really thought that I wouldn’t be in arena again

Just don’t say I’m

Damned for all time

I came because I need to get a freaking drink

Another Hunger Games I’m just dreading to think

And what about Peeta will he go there, too?

I thought my biggest worry was just saying “I do”

Right now our wedding doesn’t seem so bad

Despite the Capitol is making all the plans

Just don’t say I’m

Damned for all time

{Instrumental Break}

Haymitch, you’re a friend a worldly man and wise

Peeta, my friend I know you sympathize

Why is this year victors? Why are we the ones?

Who have to kill those who’ve previously won

I think I might just have to write my will

Cause I think my survival odds are down the till

Just don’t say I’m damned

For all time

Peeta: Cut the protesting forget the excuses

Let’s see some victors we’re up against

Haymitch: You’re a hunter but your people skills are appalling

We know public relations – you know the bow

Peeta: I’ll volunteer as a tribute if you are selected

Haymitch: Let me handle the victors-I know them well

Not sure if I can kill my friends in the arena

Peeta: But with our charm and connections

Haymitch: Then we can’t fail

Katniss: What the hell are you saying?

Haymitch: Oh, pardon me sweetheart, it’s just talk man-to-man.

Katniss: Please don’t let Peeta in there!

Peeta: But it’s just too late now that you’re going back

Haymitch: Now we need to think about our strategy

I think Peeta has a very good point

We need to do training and we should get started

Don’t worry dear sweetheart, let’s say nothing,

Say nothing, say nothing more

Katniss: I don’t know if I can’t sleep soundly on this night

I just wonder if it’s the only way for Snow to have me dead

Choir: Poor young Katniss

Why screw Katniss

Note: This post contains spoilers. So if you haven’t read the books or seen the movies up to Mockingjay Part 1, you shouldn’t be viewing this. Might ruin it for you, even if you enjoy Simon and Garfunkel.

When Katniss and her compatriots arrive at District 13, they find themselves in an austere but welcoming atmosphere. After all, District 13 is the headquarters for the rebellion which is headed by their President Alma Coin. And it’s especially accommodating to escaped victors like Katniss, Beetee, Haymitch,and Finnick. I mean such people make great propaganda pieces against the Capitol. Of course, Coin ends up asking Katniss to be the Mockingjay, which she accepts with some demands. Still, while Coin might be a warm and fuzzy type nor seem fond of Katniss, initially, she at least appears all right enough for the two to get on. And as she agrees to be the Mockingjay, Katniss’s relationship with Coin seems to resemble an uneasy but working alliance. That is, at first.

For a good song about Coin’s welcoming disposition toward Katniss, I decided to go with “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel.The song is famous for being featured on the 1967 film The Graduate, which is about a guy who’s fresh out college getting sexually entangled with a middle aged married woman who has all kinds of issues. In the Hunger Games version, I have Coin trying to be accommodating to Katniss after she agrees to become the Mockingjay. Well, in her own special way at least. She’s really not known for being affectionate or warm, in that matter. But compared to Snow, she seems like a reasonable authority figure, well, as far as we know.

“Here’s to You, Katniss Everdeen”

Sung by President Alma Coin

And here’s to you, Katniss Everdeen,

Peeta loves you more than you will know.

God bless you, please Katniss Everdeen.

It’s great that you’re now the Mockingjay,

Hey, hey, hey

Hey, hey, hey

We’d like to know a little bit about you for our files

We’d like to help you learn to help yourself.

Look around you all you see are sympathetic eyes,

Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home.

And here’s to you, Katniss Everdeen,

Peeta loves you more than you will know.

God bless you, please Katniss Everdeen.

It’s great that you’re now the Mockingjay,

Hey, hey, hey

Hey, hey, hey

13 is the hiding place where the Capitol never goes

Though within our pantry there’s no cupcakes.

It’s a little secret just the Rebellion’s own affair.

Most of all you’ve got to hide it from old Snow.

Koo-koo-ka-choo, Katniss Everdeen,

Peeta loves you more than you will know.

God bless you, please, Katniss Everdeen.

It’s great that you’re now the Mockingjay

Hey, hey, hey

Hey, hey, hey

Here’s a little job for you awaiting for you soon.

How about appear in District 8.

Laugh about it, shout about it

When you’ve got to choose

Every way you look at this you lose.

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio,

Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

What’s that you say, Katniss Everdeen.

Jolting Joe has left and gone away,

Hey, hey, hey

Hey, hey, hey

While Katniss becomes a beacon of hope for the rebellion as the Mockingjay, it’s not exactly a role she’s comfortable with. For one, at this point in the story, she’s an emotional wreck. She’s suffering from PTSD after having to participate in the Hunger Games 2 years in a row. District 12 has been bombed and Peeta is being held prisoner by the Capitol. Second, she doesn’t particularly care for the rebellion and only agrees to be the Mockingjay so Alma Coin wouldn’t do anything to Peeta. Well, that along with a desire for revenge against Snow (like wanting to kill him herself) as well as that she can’t just remain neutral and live her life. I mean she helped orchestrate the escape from the arena by shooting an arrow into the force field. With her hometown being destroyed, she has nowhere else to go but District 13 and what she might want might not matter as far as Alma Coin is concerned. Also, in some way she was responsible for starting a revolution, whether she intended to or not. But as a Mockingjay, she’s basically a pawn of Coin who she doesn’t really get along with.

A good parody describing her state of mind as the Mockingjay would be “Carry On, Wayward Son,” by Kansas. The original version describes a soldier’s thoughts as he questions the moral legitimacy of his actions in war. In the Hunger Games version, I have Katniss viewing herself as a revolutionary symbol for a cause she’s basically dragged in and doesn’t have much interest in. Well, other than personal perks like having Coin grant immunity to the imprisoned victors at the Capitol as well as the privilege to kill Snow herself.

“Carry On, Mockingjay”

Sung by Katniss Everdeen

Carry on you Mockingjay

There’ll be peace when it’s on its way

Lay your weary head to rest

Don’t you cry no more

Ah

Once I rose above the noise and confusion

Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion

I shot an arrow in the arena, but it knocked me out

Though my eyes could see I still was a blind girl

Though my mind could think I still was a mad girl

I hear the voices when I’m dreaming,

I can hear them say

Carry on you Mockingjay

There’ll be peace when it’s on its way

Lay your weary head to rest

Don’t you cry no more

Masquerading as a girl with a reason

My charade is the event of the season

And if I claim to be a wise girl,

Well, it surely means that I don’t know

On a stormy sea of moving emotion

Tossed about, as a tool for their motives

I play their game to free my Peeta,

But I hear the voices say

Carry on you Mockingjay

There’ll be peace when it’s on its way

Lay your weary head to rest

Don’t you cry no more

Carry on,

You will always remember

Carry on,

Nothing equals the splendor

Now your life’s no longer empty

Surely Peeta waits for you

Carry on you Mockingjay

There’ll be peace when it’s on its way

Lay your weary head to rest

Don’t you cry,

Don’t you cry no more,

No more!

If you’re a tribute from a non-Career district in the Hunger Games and don’t have a lot of charisma or fighting ability, it’s best that you spend as little time as possible in the Cornucopia when the Games begin with a loud gong. And if you’re a tribute in general, don’t step off your platform during the 60 second countdown or you’ll be blown up by landmines. Nevertheless, once the Games begin, most tributes make for the Cornucopia to find food, water, weapons, tools, and other useful items. The most valuable and useful stuff often placed closest to the Cornucopia itself. Not surprisingly, the initial competition for supplies usually results in intense fighting with a significant number of tributes killed in the first few minutes or hours of the Games. Tributes from the lower districts tend to be the most vulnerable because Careers usually band together in alliances that were agreed upon beforehand and are considered brutally aggressive. After the bloodbath, they pursue other tributes one by one until they’re the only ones left to fight each other. The death toll of the Cornucopia bloodbath is usually 8-12 on average.

A good song for the Cornucopia bloodbath scene would be Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.” Written by bass guitarist John Deacon, this song was the band’s best selling single with over 7 million copies sold. The phrase “bite the dust,” usually means killed or taken out of the competition as well as failure. And in the context of the Hunger Games, any meaning fits quite nicely when it pertains to the Cornucopia bloodbath. Because the Hunger Games is a fight to the death and tributes who die are automatically taken out of the competition. But in the Hunger Games version, I changed some of the lyrics to fit how a bunch of tributes are being taken out in quick succession. I also have it in Katniss’s point of view in which she knows she has to grab something and get out of Cornucopia quickly before the Careers go after her.

“Another One Bites the Dust” (Hunger Games Edition)

Sung by Katniss Everdeen

Oh! Let’s go!

Tributes rushing for their supplies
For the cornucopia way down low
Careers are very vicious and allied
So get a backpack and go

Am I ready, hey, am I ready for this?
Am I fleeing from the carnage you see?
Out in the arena a cannon blasts
To the sound of the beat

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, they’re gonna get me, too
Another one bites the dust

How do you think I’m going to get along
Where everyone wants me gone?
I’ve got to use everything that I have
And live it out on my own

Are they happy, are they satisfied?
How long can I stand the heat?
Out in the arena a cannon blasts
To the sound of the beat

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, they’re gonna get me, too
Another one bites the dust

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust

There are plenty of ways that you can kill a man
And bring him to the ground
You can beat him, you can spear him
You can shoot him bad and leave him when he’s down

But I’m ready, yes, I’m ready for them
I’m running with my own two feet
Out in the arena a cannon blasts
Repeating to the sound of the beat

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, they’re gonna get me, too
Another one bites the dust

For a musical on the Hunger Games, I’m rather astonished that I don’t have many songs featuring Effie Trinket. And for a lot reasons, it’s kind of a shame since Effie is the kind of character who’s well suited for a musical since she has a rather cheerful disposition. Sure she hates her job being stuck as escort for District 12, which is the lamest district by the way. But she nevertheless tackles her vocation with enthusiasm and gusto, which you know is bringing kids to die for entertainment of the masses. Because if she does her job right, she might get a promotion. Yet, because her job is escorting kids to the Capitol where they’d almost always die for entertainment, she can be rather cheerful at a time when it’s most inappropriate to the point of obliviousness that she’s more upset about Katniss stabbing a table than almost stabbing Haymitch’s hand. And she can be kind of a ditz or at least has no idea of how Still, she’s one of the series’ best known and well beloved characters. I mean people don’t dress up as her for nothing. Sure she might seem like a frivolous, apathetic bitch, but later on you get the impression that she genuinely cares about Katniss and Peeta. Yet, sometimes it might not seem to be the case. And eventually, Katniss comes to realize that Effie’s shallowness is a defense mechanism to cope with the Games. Still, in a series that’s filled with violence and dark themes, Effie can always offer a few lines that would make people chuckle, even when she’s completely missing the point.

When choosing a good song for Effie Trinket, I went with “Put on a Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie, a musical that was loosely based on Elvis Presley getting drafted. The original song was sung by Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh in the movie, in which the former is telling her to cheer up. Still, it’s a rather familiar tune even though people have no idea where it came from. In the Hunger Games version, I have Effie Trinket trying to cheer up Katniss and Peeta who are legitimately not happy with facing almost inevitable death at such a young age. It also shows how rather insensitive that she can sometimes seem to be.

“Put on a Happy Face” (Hunger Games Version)

Sung by Effie Trinket

Gray skies are gonna clear up,

Put on a happy face;

Brush off the clouds and cheer up,

Put on a happy face.

Don’t try to think of your own tragedy,

It’s not our style;

You’ll look so good that you’ll be glad

Ya’ decide to smile!

Pick out a pleasant outlook,

Stick out that noble chin;

Wipe off that “impending death” look,

Slap on a happy grin!

And spread sunshine all over the place,

Just put on a happy face!

Put on a happy face

Put on a happy face

And if you’re feeling that your odds aren’t great

Don’t sit and whine

Think of some tasty chocolate cake

And you’ll feel fine

Don’t you two look so gloomy

At least you get some dessert

If you put enough pressure

Then coal turns into pearls

So spread sunshine all over the place

And put on a happy, happy face

Put on a happy, happy, happy face

Oh, come on you two, smile it’s the Hunger Games

Note: This post contains stuff that wasn’t in the movies. So if you haven’t read the books, you shouldn’t be viewing this.Because those who only saw the movies really wouldn’t understand.

When adapting books into movies, screenwriters have to find ways to compress a several hundred page novel into a 2 hour film. This isn’t an easy task. But as with most movie adaptations, things tend to get left out while stuff tends to get changed around. The Hunger Games movies are no exception to that. Yet, one of the major parts that got left out of the movies was the story surrounding Madge Undersee. In the books, she’s the daughter of District 12’s mayor as well as Katniss’s friend at school since both of them found themselves in rather isolated positions due to their place on the socioeconomic ladder. Also, both of them have mothers whose experience with tragedy doesn’t really help their parenting skills. But unlike Katniss, this doesn’t change Madge’s situation too much. Nevertheless, in the books, she’s the person who gives Katniss a Mockingjay pin for luck after she volunteers to be a tribute in her sister’s place. In Catching Fire, it’s revealed that the Mockingjay pin in question was once owned by Madge’s aunt Maysilee Donner who was also a tribute in the Hunger Games (as well as best friends with Katniss’s mother). In fact, she was in it the same year as Haymitch. Yet, unlike Katniss and Peeta, Maysilee didn’t make it. Still, Madge’s story ends when she and her family are killed when District 12 gets bombed at the end. Those who only saw the movies wouldn’t know anything about this girl because Madge isn’t even in it.

When it came to doing a song parody for her, I couldn’t think of a better one than “Diva’s Lament (Whatever Happened to My Part?)” from Spamalot, itself a musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The original version has the Lady of the Lake angrily complaining on not making a single appearance in the show since Act II despite being the leading lady. And if she’s the leading lady, then she should more time on stage than most of the other characters. Never mind that she wasn’t even in the original movie at all. In the Hunger Games version, I have Madge Undersee complain how she got adapted out of the movies despite being a rather important character. And in some ways, she kind of has a point.

“Whatever Happened to My Part?”

Sung by Madge Undersee

What ever happened to my part?

I was important at the start.

I am Katniss’s childhood friend

And gave her my dead aunt’s pin.

Nobody knows just who I am

And that the mayor is my dad.

I was in the books you see here

But they cut me from the feature.

Cause my storyline would complicate the plot.

Whatever happened to my part?

Do they know about this pin?

Its backstory thick and thin

It was once owned by my late Aunt Maysilee.

She was reaped but didn’t win,

And unpleasantly done in,

Now Kat receives her pin from Greasy Sae

Whatever happened to my tale?

I’m in the books but not the film.

Now the viewers are all confused,

Not knowing how the pin was used.

I might as well go to the pub

Why do I even try to give a fuck?

I play a role in the first two books

Well they can kiss my tush

It seems to me they’ve really lost the plot

Whatever happened to my

Where’s Suzanne Collins, dammit

Whatever happened to my

Not yours, not yours,

But my,

Part!