Scripted Sountracking
We all enjoy a good TV show: the characters, the plot twists, the inevitable ships, and the cliffhangers. But for those passionate about music, sometimes what feels most meaningful and adds that extra magic to the content is the soundtrack.
A frame from Fleabag (2016)
Methodically, almost to the point of subtle obsession, I find myself rewatching my all-time favorite series. The ones I’ve revisited most frequently in recent years are Fleabag, The Bear (specifically season 1), High Fidelity, and most recently, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. When I was younger, I spent some time in the UK. Although not in London, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s performance made me relate to the choice of “Sail” by AWOLNATION during Fleabag’s time on the tube. The song is probably the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the actress's work. Similarly, whenever I feel emotional, I’m reminded of the last scene and the undeniably gut-wrenching dialogue asserting that “It will pass,” while “This Feeling” by Alabama Shakes plays in the background. Most of the Fleabag soundtrack for the first season is self-explanatory, while in the second one we are left with a divine halo surrounding the main character’s moral compass and own personal desires, with religious-like choirs and instrumentals enhancing the plot. It’s a love story, so it might as well be turned into something transcendental.
If I could have it any other way, managing a precisely curated indie record shop would be my dream. High Fidelity begins at the height of a break-up, with Rob casually mentioning that making a playlist is like writing a love letter with someone else’s poetry. After a few sequences, Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon” plays when she encounters her ex-partner after a year of sadness. I mean, if someone embodies nostalgia, it would be Nick Drake, right? David Bowie also excels at evoking it; he knew when to stay in and when to go out, giving us countless moments of longing for youth, being heroes just for one day. Life imitates art, and if you must text your ex, please send them your favorite song - or don’t, and simply put your headphones on. If all else fails, gather your friends and dance to “C'mon Eileen” on a Monday morning, just like they did in that brilliant remake of a classic.
I have never been to Chicago, but I still think it’s a shame the producers didn’t include “The End of the Beginning” by Djo in The Bear soundtrack. Regardless, the other tracks, especially in the first season, have been chosen in a way that makes you want to visit the city or, at the very least, get to know the restaurant staff on a deeper level. That said, “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens seems like an obvious yet comforting choice, just like a homemade meal. Despite the care involved in being a professional cook, there are other pieces, like “Animal” by Pearl Jam, that don’t shy away from reminding us of a working-class background. The soundtrack evokes a loud, vibrant place central to a certain neighborhood, with beloved city landmarks always there to welcome us back again, like songs your father would play, knowing that when you’re back to Chicago, you feel it.
On a lighter note, the latest young adult rendition, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, feels like an ode to being a teenage girl. Naturally, Billie Eilish’s “You Should See Me in a Crown” had to come up. At the end of the day, it’s about a sensitive girl on a mission to understand the world around her. We also encounter other viral phenomena like “Me and the Devil,” which sets the right mood for enduring a dangerous situation, even if it’s just a fictional character seeking balance. Speaking of justice, we are just in time for “The Feminine Urge” by The Last Dinner Party, who never fail to give us energy and the right amount of punk and sensitivity. Because, yes, solving a crime involving a girl you know seems like the most punk thing to do. However, the pace shifts with “Coffee” by Sylvan Esso, which appeals to our inner teenager and adds a more upbeat and optimistic note about the future.
Whether you relate to the characters or not, music remains a universal language. As the last song suggests: “Sentiment’s the same but the pair of feet change.” Maybe you enjoy curating your favorite songs and imagining cinematic scenes during your daily commute, or maybe you don’t. The great thing about it is that we can all create our own personal soundtracks.
