Prayers and possession: Inside the unholy soundtrack of ‘The Body’
Kylie Minogue’s seductive hit ‘Confide in Me’ sounds like quite the questionable choice for a show about Catholic faith and demonic possession, but then again, something that can pull it off while making complete sense is none other than a Netflix show, and this time, it’s done by The Body.
The latest psychological teen drama on Netflix isn’t scared of mixing sacred with the sinful, no sir. Its soundtrack brings together some of the biggest pop hits of the early 2000s with the show’s dark religious themes. The result, you may wonder, is the beautifully weird combination of teenage fun and rebellion with supernatural horror, where even cheerful pop songs can make you feel uncomfortable.
Set in 2004, The Body follows a group of Catholic schoolgirls whose dance team’s initiation takes a sad, dark turn. The soundtrack sure captures the spirit of the time, from energetic club hits to emotional songs that defined teenage life. But the music does more than simply bring back memories of the early 2000s.
The first episode of the show has the most number of songs, and with all those familiar hits, you’re immediately transported to the early Y2K. It features hits like Kylie Minogue’s ‘Confide in Me’, Ciara’s ‘Goodies’, OutKast’s ‘Hey Ya!’ and No Doubt’s ‘It’s My Life’.
Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Breakaway’, a song about freedom and finding your own path, and feels quite the right fit in a story where the girls are expected to follow strict religious rules and is also featured multiple times throughout the show. This contrast between the music and their lives makes the soundtrack more interesting.
The second episode takes a bolder turn with Peaches’ ‘Fuck the Pain Away’, Daddy Yankee’s ‘Gasolina’, and Sean Paul’s ‘Get Busy’. Meanwhile, Fever Ray’s dark and haunting ‘If I Had a Heart’ adds a sense of danger, standing out against the upbeat party songs.
As the series continues, the song choices become even more surprising. Julie Andrews’ ‘My Favorite Things’ appears alongside ERA’s dramatic, choir-driven ‘Ameno’, while Jeff Buckley’s ‘Lover, You Should’ve Come Over’ portrays the heartbreak. By episode seven, Björk’s ‘Unravel’ and Elvis Presley’s ‘Crying in the Chapel’ give the soundtrack a sadder, more emotional feel.
Composer Christopher Stracey adds another layer to the music with his religious-inspired arrangements. His versions of ‘Confide in Me’, ‘Holy Are You’ and ‘Walk With Me’, featuring Marika Hackman and the Budapest Art Choir, give the songs a haunting, church-like quality.
What makes The Body’s soundtrack stand out is how it turns familiar songs into something darker, and more importantly, the music of the show plays a huge role in establishing its setting and timeline. It’s the same music that once represented teenage freedom and excitement and is now shown as a carrier of danger.
Every song from The Body season one soundtrack
Episode 1 – ‘Slutty God’
- ‘Confide in Me’ by Kylie Minogue
- ‘Goodies’ by Ciara
- ‘It’s My Life’ by No Doubt
- ‘King of Mercy’ by Cris Jennings
- ‘Building a Mystery’ by Sarah McLachlan
- ‘Quiet Light’ by Jessica Grace Bennett
- ‘Put On’ by Veebee
- ‘Party Up (Up in Here)’ by DMX
- ‘Breakaway’ by Kelly Clarkson
- ‘Moctezuma’ by Agop Martiros
- ‘Guardian Angel’ by K-System
- ‘AA XXX’ by Peaches
- ‘Come Into My World (Fischerspooner Remix)’ by Kylie Minogue
- ‘Dreaming’ by Martin Hoet
- ‘Hey Ya!’ by OutKast
- ‘Confide in Me’ (Soundtrack Cover) by Christopher Stracey featuring Marika Hackman and Budapest Art Choir
Episode 2 – ‘Jesus, Literally’
- ‘Breakaway’ by Kelly Clarkson
- ‘If I Had a Heart’ by Fever Ray
- ‘Brain on Drugz’ by Boodah An Da Bandit
- ‘The Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water’ by Libana
- ‘Amazing Grace’ by Eddie Wilson
- ‘Confide in Me’ by Kylie Minogue
- ‘Goodies’ by Ciara featuring Petey Pablo
- ‘Get Busy’ by Sean Paul
- ‘Gasolina’ by Daddy Yankee
- ‘Fuck the Pain Away’ by Peaches
- ‘Supergirl’ by Skye Marsden
- ‘Is This Real?’ by Lisahall
Episode 3 – ‘Unholy Thoughts’
- ‘Confide in Me’ by Kylie Minogue
- ‘Breakaway’ by Kelly Clarkson
- ‘Are You Happy Now?’ by Michelle Branch
Episode 4 – ‘I Saw Grace Franklin With the Devil’
- ‘The Sign’ by Ace of Base
- ‘AA XXX’ by Peaches
Episode 5 – ‘Faking It’
- ‘Confide in Me’ by Kylie Minogue
- ‘Fit but You Know It’ by The Streets
- ‘My Favorite Things’ by Julie Andrews
- ‘Ameno’ by ERA
- ‘Fire (Luke 12:49)’ by Sister Irene O’Connor
Episode 6 – ‘Star Quality’
- ‘Holidae In’ by Chingy, Ludacris and Snoop Dogg
- ‘Talk About the Future’ by Amber McFadden
- ‘Like This’ by Young Bizzle
- ‘Callin’ All Freaks’ by 2 da Groove featuring Diana Lee
- ‘Confide in Me’ by Kylie Minogue
- ‘Lover, You Should’ve Come Over’ by Jeff Buckley
- ‘Holy Are You’ (The Electric Prunes Cover) by Christopher Stracey featuring Marika Hackman and Budapest Art Choir
- ‘Heaven’ by DJ Sammy
Episode 7 – ‘Holy Trinity’
- ‘Crying in the Chapel’ by Elvis Presley
- ‘Requiem, Op. 48: VII. In Paradisum’ by Gabriel Fauré
- ‘I Am a Pilgrim’ by Fern Jones
- ‘Morningstar’ by Aslan
- ‘Ambulance’ by TV on the Radio
- ‘Unravel’ by Björk
Episode 8 – ‘Coming Out’
- ‘My Neck, My Back (Lick It)’ by Khia
- ‘Fuck It (I Don’t Want You Back)’ by Eamon
- ‘I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman’ by Britney Spears
- ‘Walk With Me’ (Soundtrack Cover) by Christopher Stracey featuring Marika Hackman and Budapest Art Choir