Euphoria: The Soundtrack of Our Generation
Sex, Drugs, and Rock N’ Roll. Right? Wrong. Well, at least the last part. The soundtrack to the show Euphoria encompasses music from a wide variety of genres that set the scene for the haze that is teen life. Though it does have its fair share of rock tunes, the show features far more than that. Through all the iridescent lighting and glitter there is a carefully selected song hand-picked to match the mood of the scenes. From Lorde to 2Pac and everything in between, there is a song for everyone in this hit show.
Source: The Guardian
I’m sure we’ve all had that moment where you’ve looked out your car window during the pouring rain, blasting a sad song and pretending you’re in a music video. If you’ve experienced this, you know how impactful music can be to a specific moment, and how it can shape how you feel about what you’re watching.
In Euphoria, the song choices are pivotal in understanding the emotions behind a given scene. With the ongoing second season, there are even more songs to be discovered. Let’s deep dive into the new season’s soundtrack, you just might find your new anthem.
*Warning: Spoilers Ahead.
“Dead of Night” by Orville Peck
In the season 2 opener, we see Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) driving to a party. Nate turns up the music and begins to drive faster and faster until Cassie spills her drink. They look at each other, and the audience can sense the sexual tension between the two. The song “Dead of Night” by Orville Peck sets the scene perfectly. It’s the kind of song you’d listen to on a night drive. “Dead of Night” adds a dramatic effect, without taking away from the moment. If you like chill artists, this tune is definitely for you. You can watch this clip below for a sneak peak.
“Hit ‘Em Up” by 2Pac, Outlawz
At the same time Cassie and Nate are driving to the party, so are Fez (Angus Cloud), Ashtray (Javon Walton), and Rue (Zendaya). In this scene, “Hit ‘Em Up” by 2Pac is playing. As Rue is singing, dancing, and doing drugs in the backseat, Fez and Ashtray seem rather annoyed with her shenanigans. Maybe you’re already familiar with this classic hip-hop song, but if not, it’s worth a listen. It is simultaneously chill and hype, perfectly fitting this moment. Anyone who loves rap will be a fan of this hit. Check out the scene below.
“Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS
At the beginning of each episode, there is usually a backstory on one of the characters. In season 2, episode 3, the character whose backstory we get is Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane)—Nate’s father. In this flashback, young Cal (Elias Kacavas) goes to a homosexual bar with his best friend, Derek (Henry Eikenberry). After many drinks, we see the two dance, and eventually kiss, to the song, “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS. It starts off slow, then picks up, similar to the tension in the scene. Not only does this song set the perfect tone for young lovers in the ‘80s, but it gives us clarity as to why Cal is the way he is. If you enjoy music from this era, you’ll absolutely love this song. You can watch this emotional scene below.
“Fever” by Sharon Cash
In episode 5, we reach a make or break point with Rue. The high tension of the episode leads down a windy road of paths, leaving the audience on their totes. Eventually, we see Rue suffering from withdrawals and robbing someone’s house to get money for drugs. During this scene, “Fever” by Sharon Cash plays, aligning with the mood of this episode. It adds to the tension of the moment, while still having a funky beat that anyone can enjoy. Out of all the songs, this one fits the true vibe of Euphoria. This oldie but goodie is definitely worth a listen.
Euphoria features every genre from emo trap to classical music. It encompasses the variety of tunes that our generation listens to. There is no cookie-cutter way to describe the music that teens enjoy. Everyone is different, and that comes across in the selection that is provided in Euphoria. If you watch the show, pay attention to the songs they use—you might just find the next best hit.
If none of the songs above were your taste, check out this Euphoria Spotify playlist that features Labrinth’s wonderful soundtrack and more!
What is your favorite song from Euphoria thus far? Leave a comment below.