Warning! This post contains spoilers for Sugar.
While unfolding the investigative endeavors of its titular character, Apple TV+’s Sugar also features several background scores and tracks that perfectly complement its drama. Primarily revolving around the perspective of Colin Farrell’s character, Sugar visually presents itself as a classic noir with a contemporary twist, combining black and white overlays with stylistic editing. Although the series primarily focuses on the titular character’s pursuit to solve the mystery of a young woman’s disappearance, it also introduces subplots that raise intrigue around Sugar’s identity and past.
While the Apply TV+ show is not bereft of genre tropes and clichés, it features enough twists and turns to keep viewers intrigued throughout its runtime. The impact of its story beats is further intensified by a diverse set of songs meticulously placed to add more heft to every scene they play in. Since music plays such a crucial role in enhancing the impact of Sugar‘s mystery drama, audiences may be curious about which song plays when in the series.
“Street Fighter Mas” by Kamasi Washington: This jazz piece is the opening theme for Apple TV+’s Sugar.
“Abandoned Cathedral” by Arve Henriksen: “Abandoned Cathedral” can be faintly heard in Sugar‘s prologue, where the titular character rescues a Yakuza leader’s son in Japan.
“Only the Lonely” by Shirley Horn: After completing his mission in Japan, Sugar visits a pub where “Only the Lonely” plays in the background. Moments later, he receives an email from Jonathan Seigel.
“Nakanegh Dich” by Mdou Moctar: When Sugar lands in his home country and takes a cab to Ruby’s place, this track plays in the background. It continues playing as Sugar interacts with his cab driver in Arabic.
“Etude” by Julian Lage: After Sugar leaves Ruby’s home in episode 1 and makes his way to Olivia’s apartment to investigate, this one can be heard.
“Searching & Swimming” by Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge: After arriving at Olivia’s place, he goes through her belongings to find clues about what happened to her. This is when “Searching & Swimming” faintly plays in the backdrop.
“Cherry” by UFO: Melanie sings this out loud in a pub moments before Sugar enters and sees her in person for the first time.
“Visit Croatia” by Alabaster Deplume: After getting a few drinks with Melanie, Sugar drives home, hoping she will reveal something about Olivia. While he attempts to question her during their drive back home, “Visit Croatia” can be heard playing in the car.
“Needle To The Neck” by Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge: In the episode’s closing arc, Sugar starts getting strange visions after looking at Olivia’s mother’s pictures. To stop his visions, he injects himself with a drug as “Needle to the Neck” perfectly complements the scene.
“Sugar Sugar” by Bob Marley & The Wailers: This classic Bob Markey song plays in the closing credits of Sugar’s episode 1.
“Searching & Swimming” by Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge: As Sugar gives an opening monologue about how good he is at what he does, “Searching & Swimming” can be heard in the background.
“Desejo De Amor (Akili Remix)” by João Donato, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad: To learn more about Olivia’s family, Sugar visits her father, Bernie. This track plays Sugar episode 2 as the titular character waits for Bernie at a restaurant.
“A NINGÚN HOMBRE (Cap.11: Poder)” by ROSALÍA: Towards Sugar episode 2’s ending, goons break into Carmen’s sister’s home, asking if she knows anything about Melanie. As the goons threaten Carmen’s sister in the Sugar episode, this track gradually grows louder.