Denmark + Winter – Every Breath You Take // Pretty Little Liars, Season 5 Episode 5
This pretty rendition of Sting’s classic song from 1983 is playing as Ezra and Aria get it owwwwwn in this episode. It fits in really well with the scene, apart from, you know, the lyrics being all about stalking someone. Nevertheless, Denmark+ Winter really do the song justice. There’s not much information available on Denmark + Winter at the current time, so you’ll have to make do with checking out the clip from the show below, as well as a listening to their haunting version of the song in the Soundcloud link.
Natalie Taylor – Latch // Beauty and the Beast Season 2 Episode 22
This is a pretty incredible cover version of Disclosure’s hit from 2012 that’s playing whilst Cat and Vincent enjoy their time together on the run. It’s a very unorthodox approach to the song, but maybe that’s what makes it work so well. Natalie’s a southern gal through and through, hailing from Birmingham, Alabama and now living in Nashville. She’s also had tracks featured on Being Human and ABCFamily’s The Vinyard. Expect to see a lot more of her in the near future, starting RIGHT NOW with an amazing live performance of the song:
Helena and the Bear – I’ll Be Your Girl // The Fosters
Helena and the Bear serenade Cailie and Wyatt whilst they make out on the porch. It’s a pretty romantic song, underscored by a super raw acoustic guitar track. Helena and the Bear are a two piece act who currently reside in Tahoe, California. The bear is supposed to represent the feel of their music, rather than the other member of the band (he just goes by Adam). Check out the song here:
The Psychedelic Furs – Pretty in Pink // Chasing Life Season 1 Episode 5
Greer arrives at the outdoor cinema and is invited to sit with Beth, Brenn and Kieran. All the while, the Pschedelic Furs serenade their friendship with this ode to beauty. Vocalist Richard Butler certainly has a distinctive vocal style that sets the Furs’ music apart from other alternate rock outfits. Originally formed in the 80’s in London, The Psychedelic Furs have been rocking out for thirty years plus or minus a member or two. Check out the track here:
Zach Berkman – Down to the Second // The Fosters, Season 2 Episode 4
This wonderfully soothing number is playing whilst Lena and Stef talk in bed; it’s perfect for the relaxed tone of the scene. Zach hails from New York and has been making sweet sweet sounds since 2002. Down to the Second is taken from his 2012 album Reckless. It’s compelling listening so we urge you to check it out!
The new Hunger Games movie comes out this month and fans have been rabidly waiting for over a year. Thankfully this track featured in the movie leaked a little early to help tide us over. It’s Coldplay at their best, starting with a beautiful piano solo and thematically tying into what it means to be a hero. Atlas was a Greek God who carried the weight of the world on his back, literally, and heroes definitely feel a strong tie to him, especially our winners of the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta.
This tune takes us back to 2003. Ben Affleck and now wife Jennifer Garner starred in Daredevil, which followed the mythical blind superhero. He was a man blinded by toxic waste, which also enhanced his remaining senses, who was able to fight crime as an acrobatic martial arts superhero. While the movie received plus minus reviews, it brought together one of Hollywood’s super-couples and it did EXTREMELY well in the Soundtrack space…particularly due to two monster hits from Evanescence. The first is Bring Me To Life, particularly apt for a superhero movie where Daredevil needs to assume and bring to life his new, heroic identity.
The second smash hit from Daredevil is also attributed to Evanescence. This one is a little more romantic in tone and definitely plays on themes of heroism and what it means to love and be loved by someone struggling with their own power – a theme that relates clearly to superheroes but also to most of us at large.
Superman is definitely one of the most iconic heroes of the canon. Smallville was a special show in that it broke ground in modernizing and making the genre especially relevant and paved the way for a bevy of TV shows (there are at least 3 new ones this season that probably wouldn’t exist if not for Smallville). Remy Zero’s song Save Me became iconic as the theme song for Smallville and probably will always be best remembered thusly. Check it out!
When not hosting The Voice, Adam Levine continues to prove that he has an amazing one of his own. This tune, featuring newcomer Rozzi Crane, was featured in the first Hunger Games soundtrack. It’s haunting, inspiring and lingers with you long after it ends, much like the first movie did. It most sharply recalls the tender moment in which Katniss’s young friend dies and she provides her a makeshift burial of sorts and dedicates the rest of the “Game” to her. This song speaks better for itself, however, than any description. Check it out here.
Biblical references are the original Superhero stories. Who better than the Arcade Fire to tackle the sweeping, epic and emotionally-wrenching sound that accompanies those themes? This song was featured in The Hunger Games throughout and over credits and bookended an intense journey for audiences.
When pointing to pop song crossover into the superhero genre, it’s impossible to ignore the appropriation of The Smith’s classic, “How Soon Is Now” for the Charmed Theme song. Much like the Smallville theme song, this version became inextricably tied to the show for a generation and those opening notes will instantly recall the The Charmed Ones.
Again, Coldplay’s powerful yet restrained vocals team nicely with themes power lasting long beyond their time. ‘Til Kingdom Come was a popular single in it’s own right but reached astronomical chart topping levels when it was featured in The Amazing Spiderman. It matches up with the movie both thematically and tonally and Chris Martin’s voice scored a win with fans of Spiderman.