TOP 10: “Bridgerton” Needle Drops
Dearest Gentle Bridgertonians. The moment, while watching Netflix’s “Bridgerton” for the first time, when I realized that key moments of the instrumental music scoring each episode would actually be pop covers, I knew this would be a show over which I would obsess. But, when I realized how carefully curated and on-the-nose each needle drop would be throughout the series — as they reflected the subtext (and often just the text) of the moment — I was desperate to relive each episode repeatedly until I spotted each one. Each song casually adds a bit of context, if you know the original song.
This Top 10 list contains some of my standout favorites from the three “Bridgerton” seasons available as of June 2024, and the “Queen Charlotte” spinoff. [CAUTION: this post contains spoilers for season 3 of “Bridgerton.”]
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10. Coldplay’s “Yellow”
Season 3, Episode 7, “Joining of Hands”
As the nostalgic opening bars of Coldplay’s “Yellow” covered by Vitamin String Quartet ease in, we see Penelope entering the church while Colin looks at her with starry eyes. Despite all the conflict between them, we're reminded that there is absolute love there.
Original song music video: Coldplay - Yellow (Official Video)
9. Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)”
“Queen Charlotte” Episode 5, “Gardens in Bloom”
Queen Charlotte fires King George’s deplorable doctor, Lady Danbury is having a very steamy affair with Violet’s father, all while Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” covered by Brian Chan and Caleb Chan is swelling in the background, inspiring us to take what we need. It’s a badass moment and we love to see it.
Original song music video: Run the World (Girls)
8. Billie Eilish’s “bad guy”
Season 1, Episode 3, “Art of the Swoon”
At the first ball in Episode 3, Billie Eilish’s “bad guy,” covered by Vitamin String Quartet, has a hold on everyone as Simon pretends to be outraged when other suitors approach Daphne. Not sure if Simon is meant to be the bad guy here or the suitors. But, frankly, maybe they’re all bad?
Original song music video: Billie Eilish - Bad Guy Official Music Video
7. Madonna’s “Material Girl”
Season 2, Episode 1, “Capital R Rake”
The Sharma sisters arrive nervously at the season's first ball with the familiar riff of Madonna’s “Material Girl,” covered by Kris Bowers, backing the moment. The dancers inside are moving to the modern beat. It’s easy to appreciate the perfect placement of this song as we take in the ostentatious display surrounding the building, the garden, and all the capital F Fashion!
Original song music video: Madonna - Material Girl (Official Video) [HD]
6. Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own”
Season 2, Episode 4, “Victory”
This one is all about the song. There have been many emotional and dramatic uses of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” throughout the history of this song. But the cover by Vitamin String Quartet, as it fills the ballroom during Kate and Anthony’s first waltz together, delivers so much intensity to the screen that one can hardly keep from sweating. These two never had a chance.
Original song music video: Robyn - Dancing On My Own (Official Video)
5. Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything”
Season 3, Episode 4, “Old Friends”
The scene everyone has been talking about since the first part of Season 3 ended, Colin and Pen engage in some unspeakable acts (what would the Ton say?!) to the beats and more importantly the energy of Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” (feat. AFROJACK, Ne-Yo, Nayer) covered by Archer Marsh. Polin is giving us everything tonight, and we are LIVING!
Original song music video: Pitbull - Give Me Everything ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer
4. Celeste’s “Strange”
Season 1, Episode 5, “The Duke and I”
The music that scored Simon and Daphne’s first time together has left an indelible mark on all of us. Whenever you hear Celeste’s “Strange,” or this version covered by Kris Bowers and Hillary Smith, you are taken right back to the weird inn and the moment when the Duchess learns the best parts of marriage.
Original song music video: Celeste - Strange (Official Video)
3. Miley Cyrus’s "Wrecking Ball"
Season 2, Episode 8, “The Viscount Who Loved Me”
Ever the spectacle, Kate and Anthony dance together as the entire Ton watches them with curious judgment. Anthony and Edwina broke off their engagement, and now they’re performing some sort of public foreplay in the form of dance. As Miley Cyrus’s "Wrecking Ball", covered by Midnite String Quartet plays on, the musical subtext pushes their relationship careening into either a miserable ending. Or the happy one we hope for.
Original song music video: Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball (Official Video)
2. Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next”
Season 1, Episode 1, “Diamond of the First Water”
The first needle-drop of the whole series happens 17 minutes into Episode 1 as we enter Lady Danbury’s ball. We are gifted with a flawless and immediately recognizable rendition of Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next”, covered by Vitamin String Quartet. The musical DNA of this series is demonstrated for us at this moment as Anthony accompanies Daphne around the ball and sends away all of the men who approach her, asserting his authority in all the wrong ways. Thank you, next.
Original song music video: Ariana Grande - thank u, next (Official Video)
1. Demi Lovato’s “Confident”
Season 3, Episode 6, “Romancing Mister Bridgerton”
Cressida walks into the Mondrichs’ ball wearing the reddest RED that ever redded, and she’s ready to claim her bullshit Whistledown throne when we hear the familiar beats of Demi Lovato’s “Confident” covered by Archer Marsh. Cressida always dresses with confidence and audacity to every ball, but this red dress and hat, punched up by this music, amplifies her to 11.
Original song music video: Demi Lovato - Confident (Official Video)
What do you think, Dear Reader? Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.