Music of Bridgerton
The music for the historical fiction-romance streaming television series Bridgerton, on the novel series of the same name by Julia Quinn, features an orchestral and classical score composed and produced by Kris Bowers and orchestral covers of contemporary popular music,[1][2] performed by Vitamin String Quartet, Dunno and Bowers himself.[3] Both the soundtrack and covers were released in the course of the series' premiere, with the first season's album being distributed by Lakeshore Records and the second season, by Capitol Records. The music received critical acclaim.
Background
According to the showrunner, Chris Van Dusen, he described the musical choice selection, saying "It really goes to the idea of making this feel different than your other period shows. Whether it's music or the world of the show, the scripts, the sets, the costumes; it all comes back to infusing things through our own unique modern lens and making things feel relatable to whoever's watching."[3] The director and executive producer Julie Anne Robinson said that she was inspired from the use of classic rock songs in A Knight's Tale (2001).[4] To perform the selected covers, Van Dusen wanted to feel modern especially for the ball sequences, hence he bought the Vitamin String Quartet from Los Angeles, for covering the tracks.[5]
Bowers started working on the score right after Mrs. America (2020), with the musicians performing and recording the score remotely due to COVID-19 pandemic.[6][1] He felt it as a "trial and error" approach as he discussed with Van Dusen on taking a "super-modern approach to the sound" but with the use of traditional instruments.[7][8] He tried with all the orchestral elements sound like they had been sampled and used it like producing hip hop or pop music, and followed the same for the ball scenes, but felt it did not work. Hence, he approached the traditional classical approach that was appropriate to the time it was.[6]
While zeroing Simon and Daphne's theme, he used a ravel piano which wanted to be classical but slightly modern, which made sense as the story followed the younger generation of that period.[8] The theme showed an array of emotions, which Bowers had described as:[6]
"In the beginning, it has this mysterious, somewhat longing feeling to it. It’s very dramatic, romantic and a bit darker. By the middle of the season, it starts to feel ambivalent when she discovers the truth behind what the Duke has told her. It feels ambiguous or unsettled. Towards the end, it’s triumphant, warm and much more optimistic, especially in the very last scene. That last scene mirrors one of the only times where we heard it optimistic when they make that pact. It’s the only time we hear the theme bright and happy, aside from episode one."[6]
The theme for Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) was described as "harder to crack" as every time writing, it felt too proper and did not "have the bite and sass and edge". He tried over six iterations for the theme until finalising the seventh one.[7] Another cue, he liked in the score was "What Women Do Best" as in place of the original score, he had a cue from A Clockwork Orange (1972), which the showrunner liked but could not use in the film, hence he felt scoring the original one was harder to beat the temp, which resulted in him recording till the last minute.[6][8]
Score albums
The score for the first season composed by Bowers, were released on December 25, 2020, on the show's premiere by Lakeshore Records. The second season's score was released by Capitol Records on March 25, 2022.[9]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Flawless My Dear" | 1:43 |
2. | "The Latest Whistledown" | 1:34 |
3. | "We Could Form an Attachment" | 3:07 |
4. | "Shock and Delight" | 4:02 |
5. | "Simon and Lady Danbury" | 4:42 |
6. | "What Women Do Best" | 2:47 |
7. | "Call Me Simon" | 0:58 |
8. | "Sommerset House" | 1:05 |
9. | "When You Are Alone" | 2:46 |
10. | "Feeling Exceptional" | 3:10 |
11. | "What You Saw Was a Lie" | 5:15 |
12. | "The Duel" | 7:13 |
13. | "A Love Based on Friendship" | 4:19 |
14. | "All is Fair in Love and War" | 2:20 |
15. | "Miserable Together, Happy Apart" | 3:34 |
16. | "Come With Me" | 2:27 |
17. | "One Last Dance" | 2:44 |
18. | "Love is a Choice" | 2:20 |
19. | "A Grand Finish" | 3:33 |
Total length: | 59:39 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Sharpening My Knives" | 2:24 |
2. | "Accidental Eavesdropping" | 2:18 |
3. | "The Real Work Begins" | 1:39 |
4. | "A Gift For Edwina" | 1:01 |
5. | "Lord Bridgerton Stung" | 1:30 |
6. | "Game Over" | 1:14 |
7. | "A Country Visit" | 1:19 |
8. | "Hearts and Flowers Ball" | 1:22 |
9. | "Nothing Could Keep Me Away" | 1:18 |
10. | "They Are Betrothed" | 1:10 |
11. | "Eloise & Theo" | 0:47 |
12. | "Not Far Enough" | 2:12 |
13. | "To Wait" | 1:08 |
14. | "Happy Endings Don't Exist" | 1:38 |
15. | "Choices" | 2:41 |
16. | "It's My Fault" | 3:51 |
17. | "I Love You" | 2:07 |
18. | "It Has Been Said" | 2:31 |
19. | "Newlyweds" | 2:03 |
Total length: | 34:13 |
Chart performance
|
|
Soundtrack albums
Bridgerton: Season 1 (Covers from the Netflix Series) featured selections of songs from Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift, Celeste and Maroon 5, picked by the music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas.[22][23] The first four of them were covered by the Vitamin String Quartet, except for the last two of the tracks—Celeste's "Strange" covered by the show's composer Bowers with his friend Hillary Smith and Axel Tenner (known by his stage name Duomo), performing Swift's "Wildest Dreams".[24] The soundtrack was released by Lakeshore Records in a six-track extended play on December 25, 2020, alongside the show's premiere.[25]
The covers for the second season had been released in conjunction with the premiere on March 25, 2022, with the score album also accompanied them.[26][27] Capitol Records distributed the score and soundtrack.[9] Some of the covers featured artists from Nirvana, Madonna, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles, Pink, Robyn, Alanis Morissette and Lata Mangeshkar.[28] The tracks were covered by Hannah V, Joe Rodwell, Steve Horner, Kiris Houston, Tomas Peire-Serrte and Midnite String Quartet, along with appearances from Vitamin String Quarter, Bowers and Duomo, who covered the contemporary songs for the first season's soundtrack.[28] The soundtrack was released in two-disc 180 gram LP record on December 9, 2022, which contained Bower's score in one of the discs.[29][30]
Track listing
No. | Title | Original artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Thank U, Next" (Vitamin String Quartet) | Ariana Grande | 3:26 |
2. | "Girls Like You" (Vitamin String Quartet) | Maroon 5 | 3:23 |
3. | "In My Blood" (Vitamin String Quartet) | Shawn Mendes | 3:30 |
4. | "Bad Guy" (Vitamin String Quartet) | Billie Eilish | 3:13 |
5. | "Strange" (Kris Bowers feat. Hillary Smith) | Celeste | 3:18 |
6. | "Wildest Dreams" (Duomo) | Taylor Swift | 3:23 |
Total length: | 20:13 |
No. | Title | Original artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Stay Away" (Vitamin String Quartet) | Nirvana | 3:07 |
2. | "Material Girl" (Kris Bowers) | Madonna | 4:04 |
3. | "Diamonds" (Hannah V and Joe Rodwell) | Rihanna | 1:56 |
4. | "Dancing On My Own" (Vitamin String Quartet) | Robyn | 4:39 |
5. | "You Oughta Know" (Duomo and Tomas Peire-Serrate) | Alanis Morissette | 2:47 |
6. | "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (Kris Bowers) | Lata Mangeshkar | 3:28 |
7. | "Sign of the Times (Stripped)" (Steve Horner) | Harry Styles | 2:39 |
8. | "What About Us" (Duomo) | Pink | 4:51 |
9. | "How Deep Is Your Love" (Kiris Houston) | Calvin Harris | 3:46 |
10. | "Wrecking Ball" (Midnite String Quartet) | Miley Cyrus | 3:53 |
Total length: | 35:10 |
Chart performance
|
|
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Nominees | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Golden Reel Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Music Score and Musical for Episodic Long Form Broadcast Media | Brittany DuBay (for "Shock and Delight") | Nominated | [44] |
Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Best Original Score in a TV Show/Limited Series | Kris Bowers | Nominated | [45] | |
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) | Kris Bowers (for "Diamond Of The First Water") | Nominated | [46] | |
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music | Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Music Supervision | Alexandra Patsavas (for "Diamond Of The First Water") | Nominated | |||
2022 | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Music Supervision | Alexandra Pastvas | Nominated | [47] |
Outstanding Musical Score | Kris Bowers | Nominated | |||
Grammy Awards | Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media | Kris Bowers | Nominated | [48] | |
MTV Movie & TV Awards | Best Musical Moment | Anthony and Kate dancing to Midnight String Quartet's cover of "Wrecking Ball" | Nominated | [49] | |
2023 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album | Bridgerton Season Two (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series) (by Kris Bowers) | Nominated | [50] |
See also
- Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (soundtrack)
- The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical
References
- ^ a b Jean-Philippe, McKenzie (December 27, 2020). "The Bridgerton Soundtrack Features Amazing Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift Covers". O, The Oprah Magazine. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Why Bridgerton Uses So Much Modern Music". ScreenRant. December 26, 2020. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Park, Andrea (January 6, 2021). "The 'Bridgerton' Soundtrack Is Filled With Classical Covers of Modern Hits". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 18, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Director Julie Anne Robinson On Filming Balls, Horses & Those Honeymoon Scenes; Talks Casting & Music For Netflix Hit". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ Nazareno, Mia (January 19, 2021). "Bringing Billie Eilish to 'Bridgerton': How the Netflix Show's Epic Classical Covers Came to Life". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Tangcay, Jazz (January 8, 2021). "The Music of 'Bridgerton': Kris Bowers on Composing the Series' Score and Incorporating Modern Pop Flourishes". Variety. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "The Long Journey to Finding the Right Score for 'Bridgerton'". Vanity Fair. August 3, 2021. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c Greene, Steve (August 16, 2021). "'Bridgerton': Recording a Sweeping Orchestra Sound from Remote Locations and Finding a Modern Musical Spin". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "Capitol Records to Release Official Bridgerton Series Soundtracks". Capitol Records. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 - 22 to 28 January". Official Charts Company. January 22, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 15 to 21 January". Official Charts Company. January 15, 2021. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Soundtrack / Kris Bowers – Bridgerton - Season Two". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 1 to 7 April". Official Charts Company. April 1, 2022. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ ""Bridgerton" Creator on Bridging The Past and Present Through the Show's Soundtrack, Casting, and Messages". Seventeen. December 27, 2020. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Ruiz, Tony (May 29, 2021). "Alexandra Patsavas ('Bridgerton' music supervisor) on putting a classical spin on pop music [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW]". GoldDerby. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "'Bridgerton' composer breaks down why we love classical pop". Mashable. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "'Bridgerton': Here Are All the Modern Songs That Get Classical Covers". TheWrap. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Bridgerton Season 2 Soundtrack Tracklist, Release Date Revealed". TheWrap. March 21, 2022. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Sharon (March 21, 2022). "Music From 'Bridgerton Season Two' Announced". uDiscover Music. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "Every Instrumental Pop Cover in 'Bridgerton' Season 2". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "'Bridgerton' Season 2 Soundtrack Gets Vinyl Release". Collider. December 10, 2022. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Various Artists - Bridgerton Season Two (Soundtrack From The Netflix Series) (Blue 2 LP) (Vinyl)". Target Corporation. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Bridgerton - Covers from the Original Netflix Series" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Bridgerton - Covers from the Original Netflix Series" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Official Compilation Albums Chart Top 100 - 22 to 28 January". Official Charts Company. January 22, 2021. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 - 15 to 21 January". Official Charts Company. January 15, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Soundtracks: Week of January 16, 2021". Billboard. January 16, 2021. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Official Compilation Albums Chart Top 100 - 8 to 14 April". Official Charts Company. April 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 - 8 to 14 April". Official Charts Company. April 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 8 to 14 April". Official Charts Company. April 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Soundtracks: Week of April 9, 2022". Billboard. April 9, 2022. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack – Bridgerton - Season Three" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Bridgerton - Season Three" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Bridgerton - Season Three" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2024. 21. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ "2021 GOLDEN REEL AWARD WINNERS". MPSE.org. Motion Picture Sound Editors. April 17, 2021. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Grein, Paul (January 27, 2021). "Diane Warren & James Newton Howard Among Top Winners at 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 13, 2021). "Emmy Nominations: 'The Crown', 'The Mandalorian' Top List; HBO/HBO Max Edges Netflix For Top Spot – Full List Of Nominees". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ Tinoco, Armando (August 14, 2022). "Black Reel TV Awards: Quinta Brunson & 'Abbott Elementary' Lead Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammy Awards. November 23, 2021. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ Grein, Paul (May 31, 2022). "Snoop Dogg (a.k.a DJ Snoopadelic) to DJ on 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ Abraham, Mya (January 12, 2023). "Beyoncé, Quinta Brunson, And Angela Bassett Among 2023 NAACP Image Awards Nominees". Vibe. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- v
- t
- e
- The Duke and I (2000)
- The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)
- Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002)
- On the Way to the Wedding (2006)
- Bridgerton (2020–present)
- Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
- Characters
- Music
- The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical (2021)