Are you a fan of the haunting atmosphere and powerful storytelling in Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale? Then you've likely found yourself captivated not only by the narrative but also by the chillingly beautiful music that underscores its emotional weight. Finding the perfect soundtrack to match the show's complex themes can be a quest, but we're here to guide you. This list compiles the definitive selection of the best songs from Handmaid's Tale, meticulously chosen to evoke the show's emotional core—from moments of defiance to scenes of quiet desperation. Whether you're a devoted fan looking to relive the series through its soundtrack or a curious listener seeking a deeply affecting musical experience, this curated collection will resonate with the show's powerful themes of oppression, resilience, and hope. Dive in and discover the music that truly embodies Gilead’s chilling reality and its enduring human spirit.
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Can't Get You out of My Head | Kylie Minogue | Fever | 488M+ |
| 2. Running Up That Hill | Kate Bush | Hounds Of Love | 274M+ |
| 3. Feeling Good | Michael Bublé | It's Time | 253M+ |
| 4. The Sound of Silence |
Simon Garfunkel | 157M+ | |
| 5. Rise Up | Andra Day | Cheers to the Fall | 126M+ |
| 6. Feeling Good | Muse | 71M+ | |
| 7. Street Spirit | Radiohead | The Bends | 50M+ |
1. Can't Get You out of My Head (Fever)
Sound: Kylie Minogue's signature electro-pop sound, with its driving beat and infectious melody, creates a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of Gilead, highlighting the longing for freedom and expression.
Emotional Impact: The repetitive lyrics and insistent rhythm evoke a sense of obsessive yearning, mirroring the characters' desperate attempts to reclaim their agency and identity within a restrictive society. The song's insistent energy feels both defiant and heartbreaking.
Pop Culture Resonance: The song's enduring popularity underscores the timeless appeal of its themes of forbidden desire and the struggle for individuality, making it a poignant addition to any exploration of the show’s soundtrack.
2. Running Up That Hill (1985)
Sound: Kate Bush's ethereal vocals and the song's driving beat create a haunting yet captivating atmosphere, perfectly reflecting the show's unsettling tone.
Emotional Impact: "Running Up That Hill" evokes a sense of longing, sacrifice, and the struggle for agency, themes deeply resonant with the Handmaid's Tale's narrative.
Pop Culture Moment: Its resurgence in popularity due to its inclusion in the show highlights its timeless power and ability to connect with a new generation grappling with similar themes of oppression and freedom.
3. Feeling Good (Michael Bublé - 2025)
Michael Bublé's Vocals: Bublé's smooth, soulful delivery of "Feeling Good" lends a surprising layer of bittersweet hope, perfectly mirroring the resilience found within the oppressive world of *The Handmaid's Tale*.
Emotional Resonance: The song's inherent message of perseverance against adversity resonates deeply with the show's themes of survival and maintaining hope in the face of despair.
Musical Arrangement: The jazzy arrangement, while upbeat, possesses an underlying melancholy that subtly enhances the complex emotions portrayed in the series.
4. The Sound of Silence (Simon ft Garfunkel)
Sound: The haunting a cappella intro and the understated instrumentation perfectly capture the show's atmosphere of quiet desperation and simmering rebellion.
Emotional Impact: "The Sound of Silence" evokes feelings of powerlessness and alienation, mirroring the experiences of the Handmaids and the oppressive societal control in Gilead.
Lyrical Relevance: Lines like "Hello darkness, my old friend" resonate deeply with the show's themes of isolation and the silencing of women's voices.
5. Rise Up
Powerhouse Vocals: Andra Day's incredible vocal range and raw emotion perfectly capture the defiance and resilience needed to survive oppressive circumstances, mirroring the spirit of the Handmaid's Tale.
Thematic Resonance: "Rise Up" speaks to themes of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity, making it a powerful anthem for those fighting for freedom and their own agency—a crucial element within the show's narrative.
Emotional Impact: The song's uplifting melody and inspiring lyrics provide a stark contrast to the bleakness of Gilead, offering a moment of strength and potential rebellion for both characters and viewers.
6. Feeling Good (2010)
Sound: Muse's powerful, driving instrumentation creates a sense of both defiance and underlying fragility, mirroring the complex emotions of the Handmaid's Tale.
Vocals: Matt Bellamy's soaring vocals convey a potent mix of hope and despair, perfectly capturing the show's atmosphere of oppression and resilience.
Emotional Impact: "Feeling Good" transcends its upbeat melody to become a poignant anthem of survival and inner strength, resonating deeply with the show's themes.
7. Street Spirit (The Bends - 1995)
Sound: Radiohead's "Street Spirit" possesses a haunting, melancholic soundscape perfectly reflecting the oppressive atmosphere of *The Handmaid's Tale*.
Vocals: Thom Yorke's emotive vocals convey a sense of longing and despair, mirroring the emotional turmoil of the characters.
Emotional Impact: The song's bleak beauty and underlying sense of hope subtly connect to the show's themes of resilience and resistance in the face of adversity.
8. The Killing Moon
Haunting Atmosphere: Echo & the Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon" creates a deeply unsettling yet captivating atmosphere, perfectly mirroring the oppressive mood of *The Handmaid's Tale*.
Eerie Vocals: Ian McCulloch's distinctive vocals add a layer of vulnerability and despair, resonating with the emotional turmoil experienced by the show's characters.
Symbolic Resonance: The song's lyrics about fate and longing for escape subtly enhance the show's themes of control and resistance.
9. Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby
Haunting Vocals: Greg Gonzalez's signature breathy vocals perfectly capture the subdued tension and underlying despair present in *The Handmaid's Tale*.
Subtle Instrumental: The minimalistic instrumentation, featuring gentle guitar and understated bass, creates a mood of quiet desperation, mirroring the oppressive atmosphere of Gilead.
Emotional Resonance: The song's melancholic beauty and sense of longing deeply resonate with the themes of loss, oppression, and forbidden love explored in the series, adding another layer of emotional depth to the narrative.
10. Mad World (The Hurting)
Sound: Tears for Fears' signature synth-pop sound creates a melancholic yet strangely captivating atmosphere, perfectly mirroring the show's dystopian setting.
Emotional Impact: The song's lyrics about disillusionment and a loss of innocence resonate deeply with the themes of oppression and despair prevalent in *The Handmaid's Tale*.
Vocal Performance: Roland Orzabal's emotive vocals add a layer of vulnerability and haunting beauty, enhancing the song's overall impact within the show's context.
11The End of the World
Skeeter Davis
1963
The World We Knew
12Feeling Good
Nina Simone
1965
13You Don't Own Me
Lesley Gore
1963
Lesley Gore Sings Of Mixed-Up Hearts
14I Say a Little Prayer
Aretha Franklin
1968
Aretha Now
15Good Day
Nappy Roots
2008
16Cloudbusting
Kate Bush
1985
Hounds Of Love
17Into Dust
Mazzy Star
1993
18This Woman's Work
Kate Bush
1989
The Sensual World (2018 Remaster)
19Rebel Girl
Bikini Kill
1993
20Every Single Night
Fiona Apple
2012
21Street Fighting Man
The Rolling Stones
1968
22Sweet Baby
Erykah Badu,Macy Gray
2001
the id
23The Partisan
Leonard Cohen
1969
Songs From A Room
24American Girl
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
1976
Tom Petty And The Heatbreakers
25Mad World
Gary Jules
2001
26Firewood
Regina Spektor
2012
27How Does It Feel
Roy Harper
1977