Ultimate Needle Drops: Heartstopper's Top 10 (Up until Now)

Article Overview

Heartstopper's soundtrack reflects the message of the show, highlighting that everyone deserves love and support.

The show fearlessly delves into the topic of sexuality within a teenage drama, providing a much-needed departure from the usual focus on trauma.

Heartstopper meticulously selects songs to elevate pivotal moments, effectively conveying emotions surrounding teenage pressures, the process of coming out, the significance of friendship, and the intricate nature of relationships.

Heartstopper has become a global sensation, thanks in part to its exceptional soundtrack. Based on Alice Oseman's graphic novel, the show stays true to the essence of the source material. The Heartstopper soundtrack beautifully conveys the show's message that love and a supportive community are for people of all sexualities. Many of the artists featured in the show are members of the LGBTQ+ community, sharing their personal experiences through their music.

From its highly successful first season to the highly anticipated season 3, Heartstopper follows the journey of Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, as they navigate from friendship to a blossoming romance. Their friends Tao, Elle, Tara, Darcy, and Isaac also embark on similar paths. One of the most impactful aspects of the show is its honest and open exploration of teenage sexuality, presented in a way that normalizes their experiences. Heartstopper provides a refreshing and uplifting narrative, set apart from the typical focus on the community's struggles in movies and TV shows.

10. “Pressure To Party” by Julia Jacklin

The inclusion of "Pressure To Party" in the Heartstopper series enhances its significance. During season 2, episode 1, titled "Out," Nick organizes a gathering to reveal his sexuality to his friends, particularly Imogen, who was unaware. This song serves as the backdrop for the enjoyable atmosphere of the party amongst friends. It delves into the societal pressures faced by teenagers to conform to certain experiences. While the scene captures the essence of a typical party, it also highlights Nick's struggle with the expectation to come out to everyone when he feels ready.

9. “seven” by Taylor Swift

While "seven" is not the ultimate song played during the conclusion of Heartstopper season 2, it serves as the penultimate closer. While the final song creates a more intimate atmosphere, this particular tune commemorates the collective journey of each character in the main cast. Following prom, the group of friends gathers at Nick’s house for a private celebration. They engage in the necessary serious conversations, but most importantly, they have a fantastic time and honor their high school experiences. The background music of "seven" by Taylor Swift sets the ambiance as a montage is created with memories of playing pool, dancing, enjoying snacks, and cuddling. It accentuates the joys of childhood while acknowledging the challenges of saying goodbye.

8. “Tired” by beabadoobee

In episode 7 of season 1, titled "Bully", Charlie is mercilessly targeted by a boy named Harry. The situation escalates when Harry and his gang unexpectedly appear at the same movie theater where Charlie and his friend Nick are planning to watch a film. Harry's presence only intensifies Charlie's distress, prompting Nick to confront him. This confrontation swiftly turns into a physical altercation. During this tense moment, a song called "Tired" softly plays in the background as Nick's mother, played by Olivia Coleman, arrives to pick them up. She notices the visible bruises on Nick's body. As they drive away in the car, Nick engages in a heartfelt conversation with his mom, emanating a profound sense of defeat and exhaustion caused by the ongoing events in his life.

7. “My Own Person” by Smoothboi Ezra

"My Own Person" is featured in an important scene in season 1, episode 3 titled "Kiss". As the episode concludes, Nick finds himself engrossed in Charlie's Instagram photos before turning to his computer. He proceeds to engage in quizzes and articles exploring his own sexuality, leaving him feeling bewildered. The presence of this song reinforces his confusion, as Smoothboi Ezra sings about the struggle to conform to a specific label.

6. “Sappho” by Frankie Cosmos

As Nick and Charlie's friendship begins, the enchanting melody of "Sappho" sets the mood. Sparking their connection through Instagram messages, they find solace in this platform, as it serves as the central hub for all forms of communication in the Heartstopper universe. Just as the song eloquently captures the excitement and longing at the start of a crush, their text exchanges mirror these emotions. Both Nick and Charlie tiptoe around their words, carefully rereading their messages before summoning the courage to hit send.

5. “Smokey Eyes” by Lincoln

In the seventh episode of season 1, titled "Bully," Charlie's ongoing struggle with bullies, notably Harry Green, reaches its climax. Harry had begun tormenting Charlie following his outing. Tao, Charlie's loyal best friend, consistently defends him and consequently becomes a key target of the bullying. This particular song plays during the moment when Tao, having grown tired of Harry's actions, confronts him in the schoolyard. Moreover, it continues to play as Tao expresses his frustration towards Charlie for not informing him about his relationship with Nick. This scene represents the pinnacle of tension in the show's initial season and effectively sets the stage for the upcoming season finale.

4. “Buzzkill” by Baby Queen

With Baby Queen reigning as the Heartstopper, her presence on the show has been elevated to an honorary member status. Each season, she graces us with an original song. However, the following piece may not be part of her official discography, but it undeniably captivates hearts. In the exhilarating episode 5 of season 1, titled "Friend," the tight-knit group gathers to commemorate Charlie's birthday. Their chosen activity? Bowling. As the celebration unfolds, this infectious tune permeates the atmosphere. Although the lyrics may not align perfectly, it successfully sets the perfect tone for any festive occasion.

3. “girls” by girl in red

2. “ur so pretty” by wasia

The artist called girl in red is an ideal choice to be featured in Heartstopper. This young musician perfectly aligns with the show's message, and the usage of the term "girls" is spot-on. Tara and Darcy, two of the main characters, begin the series with a secretive romantic relationship disguised as best friends. Elle, another central character, feels envious of their friendship and longs for a similar bond at Higgs. However, in episode 2 of season 1 titled "Crush," Elle uncovers their true relationship, leading to the trio forming a strong friendship. Despite the song's clear meaning, the show cleverly utilizes it in unexpected ways, thereby enhancing its significance.

"ur so pretty" is the perfect song to close out season 2 for multiple reasons. Firstly, it was written by the talented actor Will Gao, who portrays Tao. Secondly, the scene holds significant meaning. Towards the end of season 2, Nick and Charlie engage in a heartfelt conversation addressing Charlie's struggles with his mental health and unhealthy habits. The conversation is raw and emotional. As season 2 concludes with an intense cliffhanger featuring Nick's declaration of love, Nick begins researching ways to support Charlie with his eating disorder. This particular song playing in the background expertly captures the longing felt by both characters.

1. “Dance with Me” by beabadoobee

This song is widely recognized in Heartstopper because of the impactful scene it accompanies. In season 1, episode 2 titled "Crush," viewers witness Charlie and Nick enjoying their first hangout outside of school. Engaged in a game of Mario Kart, they suddenly notice the snowfall and decide to take Nick's dog, Nellie, outside to frolic in the snow. A classic moment occurs, where one character becomes aware of their feelings for the other, leading to an enchanting slow-motion flirtation. The inclusion of this song in the background further intensifies the romantic atmosphere of this unforgettable Heartstopper scene.

Editor's P/S

Heartstopper is a heartwarming and groundbreaking show that has taken the world by storm. The show's soundtrack is just as captivating as the show itself, featuring a mix of indie, pop, and rock songs that perfectly capture the emotions and experiences of the characters.

One of my favorite songs from the soundtrack is "Pressure To Party" by Julia Jacklin. This song is played during a party scene in the show, and it perfectly captures the feeling of being a teenager and feeling like you need to conform to certain expectations. The song is both upbeat and melancholy, reflecting the complex emotions that teenagers often feel.

Another one of my favorite songs from the soundtrack is "seven" by Taylor Swift. This song is played during the final scene of the show, and it perfectly captures the feeling of saying goodbye to high school and moving on to the next chapter in your life. The song is both bittersweet and hopeful, reflecting the mixed emotions that teenagers often feel as they leave high school behind.