If having a copy of your novel tucked under the arm of John Lennon’s assassin doesn’t qualify your novel as one of the biggest cultural touchstone’s of the 20th century, then what does?

Reclusive author J.D. Salinger passed away today, but his novel Catcher In The Rye will live with everyone who ever suffered a crush, felt misunderstood by their parents, thought teachers were phonies, or got drunk and felt lonely. Since that describes just about every teenager in America, it’s safe to say Catcher In The Rye will live on.

Need more proof? Check out a short list of songs inspired by or referencing J.D. Salinger and Catcher here:

• The Beastie Boys – Shadrach
• Green Day – Who Wrote Holden Caufield
• Old 97’s – Rollerskate Skinny
• Too Much Joy – Willam Holden Caufield

(Mind you, this is only skimming the surface!)

My favorite? Clem Snide’s “The End Of Love”, which perfectly suits the mood of the day.

Bye bye, J.D. Salinger, we’ll miss you but we’ll never forget you.

- Shawn