Warning: This article contains spoilers for Hulu’s Under the Bridge
Hulu’s Under the Bridge includes a soundtrack of mostly hip-hop and rap music that helps establish the world of the Victoria teenagers. Inspired by the book by Rebecca Godfrey, Under the Bridge dramatizes the story of the 1997 attack and murder of a 14-year-old girl named Reena Virk in the town of Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. Because Under the Bridge is based on a true story, the creative team had a responsibility to properly set the scene effectively using elements like clothing, dialogue, and music.
Besides the story and cast of Under the Bridge, music is one of the most crucial elements that influences the miniseries’ success. Many of the teenagers of Victoria – especially those involved in the attack on Reena – were obsessed with crime, gangs, and 90s rap. They worshipped Biggie, even holding a memorial after his death. This genre of music is central to the teens’ personality and the culture they developed. Under the Bridge effectively mixes together diegetic hip-hop and rap with non-diegetic ambiance music, shaping the plot, setting, and characters.
“Going Back to Cali” by The Notorious B.I.G.: The first song in Under the Bridge is “Going Back to Cali,” which Reena plays off her new CD while riding in her uncle’s car. The diegetic song stops when Reena suddenly ejects the CD and jumps out of the car.
“Representin” by Dirty Science Crew: This Dirty Science Crew song plays when Dusty and Reena go into Josephine’s room. It continues as audiences first see Kelly and Josephine’s friendship. This helps set the tone for Josephine and Kelly’s personality and behavior in the future.
“Kick in the Door” by The Notorious B.I.G.: Reena, Josephine, and their friends are obsessed with Biggie, and this becomes obvious when “Kick in the Door” plays. All the teen girls start rapping along to the song and dancing in Josephine’s room.
“Alice” by Cocteau Twins: The first ambiance song of Under the Bridge plays when Rebecca lands in Victoria. It continues as she travels to her parents’ home. “Alice” has a tone of mystery and fantasy that overlays the entire miniseries.
“Becuz” by Sonic Youth: When Rebecca drives to Seven Oaks youth home, this song plays as diegetic music on the radio. This song shows how different Rebecca is from the youths she’s interviewing and writing about.
“Who Got Da Mic” by The Conscious Daughters: “Who Got Da Mic” plays softly in the background of Jo’s room when Rebecca goes upstairs. Dusty closes the door, and Rebecca lounges on the bed while smoking. The writer asks the girls questions and learns that Reena is missing.
“It Was All So Sudden (4 Track Demo)” by Blonde Redhead: This song plays inside Connor’s home as Cam approaches. It’s initially extremely soft and muffled, but it grows louder as Cam gets closer to the house. He turns off the Blonde Redhead song when Cam calls out to him.
“Rockets (ft. Steve Shelley)” by Cat Power: As the police pick up each of the teens for questioning, “Rockets (ft. Steve Shelley)” plays in the background. The melody helps set the tone for the next scene.
“Something in the Way” by Nirvana: The song by Nirvana shapes the ending of Under the Bridge episode 1. Its moody tone builds suspense and drama as Rebecca walks down the hall, looking at the detained teens. At the same time, Cam sees footage of Reena walking across the bridge.
“Wow and Flutter” by Stereolab: When Reena’s alarm clock goes off on her birthday, “Wow and Flutter” starts playing. This song shapes the tone of the flashback.
“I Wouldn’t Mind” by Affordable Lawn Care: This song plays at the diner where Rebecca and Josephine talk after the writer picks up the teen from jail. It continues as the waiter takes their order.
“Going Back To Cali” by The Notorious B.I.G.: The second time this Biggie song plays, Reena meets Josephine at the convenience store in another flashback. Josephine starts rapping the song and acting tough.
“The Chase” by Foxy Brown: Foxy Brown plays in Josephine’s car when she, Dusty, and Rebecca drive to the bridge. The contrast between what Josephine plays in the car and what Rebecca plays exemplifies the barrier to understanding between the two generations.
“I Wanna Get High” by Cypress Hill: This song by Cypress Hill first plays when Josephine pulls up to a party with Rebecca. It starts out non-diegetic and shifts to diegetic when they enter the house. “I Wanna Get High” then continues when the show flashes back to Reena entering the party to which Josephine invited her.
“Claustrophobic Sting” by The Prodigy: “Claustrophobic Sting” is an ambiance song that plays at the party while Josephine introduces Rebecca to Kelly and talks about the writer’s future book. The song continues as Rebecca lies on the bed and then calls Cam.
“Born Slippy (Nuxx)” by Underworld: The Underworld song plays at the end of Under the Bridge episode 2 when the teens learn Reena is dead through the local news channel.
“Born Slippy (Nuxx)” by Underworld: “Born Slippy (Nuxx)” plays when the teens and Rebecca watch as the news shows Reena’s body being pulled from the gorge. This scene is a continuation of the ending of Under the Bridge episode 2.