20 Best Songs from Big Little Lies: The Ultimate Soundtrack

1. Cold Little Heart (2011)

Sound: Michael Kiwanuka's soulful vocals and the song's mellow, bluesy instrumentation create a haunting yet captivating atmosphere perfectly suited to the show's dramatic tension.

Emotional Impact: "Cold Little Heart" evokes a sense of vulnerability and longing, mirroring the complex emotions of the characters in Big Little Lies.

Use in the Show: The song's placement within pivotal scenes of Big Little Lies amplified its emotional resonance, solidifying its place in the show's soundtrack.

2. Harvest Moon

Sound: Neil Young's signature melancholic folk-rock sound perfectly complements the show's introspective and dramatic moments, creating a wistful atmosphere.

Emotional Impact: "Harvest Moon" evokes a sense of longing and quiet contemplation, mirroring the complex relationships and emotional turmoil explored in *Big Little Lies*.

Vocal Performance: Young's warm, resonant vocals lend a timeless quality to the song, making it feel both nostalgic and deeply affecting within the context of the show's narrative.

3. Mystery of Love

Haunting Melody: Sufjan Stevens's "Mystery of Love" features a wistful, melancholic melody that perfectly captures the underlying tension and emotional complexity of *Big Little Lies*.

Emotional Resonance: The song's poignant lyrics and understated vocals resonate deeply with the show's themes of love, betrayal, and the hidden lives of seemingly perfect individuals.

Atmospheric Texture: The song's delicate instrumentation and layered vocals create a captivating soundscape, enhancing the show's already rich atmosphere and adding another layer of intrigue.

4. River

Smooth Vocals: Leon Bridges' velvety smooth vocals perfectly capture the underlying tension and simmering emotions prevalent in Big Little Lies, adding a layer of sophistication to the show's dramatic landscape.

Soulful Melody: The song's soulful melody creates a captivating atmosphere, mirroring the complex relationships and secrets unfolding throughout the series.

Atmospheric Texture: "River's" mellow and atmospheric texture enhances the show's overall mood, making it an ideal sonic backdrop for the series' emotionally charged scenes.

5. Cherish the Day (1993)

Sade's Vocals: Sade's signature smooth, sultry vocals perfectly capture the complex emotions of the show, adding depth and intimacy to the scenes.

Atmospheric Sound: The song's mellow rhythm and understated instrumentation create a sophisticated mood, reflecting the show's blend of drama and quiet intensity.

Emotional Resonance: "Cherish the Day" evokes a feeling of longing and bittersweet reflection, fitting the show's themes of betrayal, love, and the complexities of relationships.

6. I'll Be Around

Emotional Resonance: "I'll Be Around" perfectly captures the bittersweet undercurrent of longing and resilience present in Big Little Lies, mirroring the complex relationships and emotional turmoil of the characters.

Smooth Vocals and Soulful Sound: The Spinners' signature smooth vocals and soulful sound create a nostalgic yet comforting atmosphere, complementing the show's dramatic yet intimate moments.

Perfect Placement: The song's timeless quality allows it to transcend the specific timeframe of the show, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the scenes in which it is featured.

7. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted (Jimmy Ruffin - 1966)

Jimmy Ruffin's Vocals: Ruffin's soulful baritone voice perfectly captures the heartbreak and vulnerability central to the Big Little Lies themes, lending an air of mature, poignant sadness to the show's dramatic moments.

Emotional Resonance: The song's melancholic melody and lyrics resonate deeply with the emotional complexities and betrayals depicted in the series, enhancing the dramatic tension.

Use in Big Little Lies: The song's placement within the show's narrative underscores the characters' internal struggles and adds a layer of emotional depth to key scenes, subtly mirroring the undercurrents of tension and heartbreak.

8. Changes

Song Title: Changes

Artist: Charles Bradley

Vocal Performance: Charles Bradley's raw, emotive vocals perfectly capture the turbulent emotions at play in Big Little Lies, adding a layer of soulful depth to the drama.

Emotional Resonance: The song's melancholic yet hopeful tone mirrors the complex relationships and personal struggles depicted in the series, enhancing the viewing experience.

Musicality: The song's soul-infused rhythm and instrumentation provide a powerful backdrop to the show’s dramatic tension, creating a memorable soundtrack moment.

9. The Rip - 2025

Sound: The Rip's unsettling, atmospheric soundscape perfectly complements the show's suspenseful and often dark mood, utilizing Portishead's signature blend of trip-hop and downtempo electronica.

Emotional Impact: The track's melancholic melody and Beth Gibbons' haunting vocals evoke a sense of unease and foreboding, mirroring the complex emotional landscape of *Big Little Lies*.

Use in the Show: Its use in pivotal scenes enhances the dramatic tension, underscoring the simmering conflicts and secrets within the Monterey community.

10. Karmacoma (1994)

Sound: Karmacoma's trip-hop soundscape, with its haunting melody and heavy bassline, perfectly underscores the show's underlying tension and mystery.

Emotional Impact: The song's melancholic yet driving rhythm creates a captivating atmosphere, mirroring the complex emotions of the *Big Little Lies* characters.

Use in the Show: Its placement in pivotal scenes enhances the dramatic impact, becoming almost synonymous with the show's suspenseful mood.