The incomparable Ella Fitzgerald.

Check out the list of other singers and songs mentioned in Democracy below. How many of them do you recognize? Can you hear the music when Didion mentions songs or artists? What effects do you think Didion achieves by creating an aural environment for her novel?

Singers:
The Mamas & the Papas
Bing Crosby
Mabel Mercer
Frank Sinatra
Chubby Checker

Songs:
Look up the lyrics to these songs on the internet and consider when Didion uses titles and when she uses just lyrics. Do different effects emerge with each technique, respectively? What are they? Why might Didion make such choices?

"As Time Goes By" (pg. 21)
"Blue Moon" (pg. 21)
"Isn't it Romantic?" (pg. 42)
"Dream a Little Dream of Me" (pg. 45)
"My Shining Hour" (pg. 91)
"White Christmas" (pg. 207)
"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" (pg. 49)