Into the popular music of the 90s that dominated TikTok

(This story contains spoilers. love story (Finally, “Search and Recovery.”)

from Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette debuted FX Last month – just ahead of Valentine’s Day – the show became a pop culture phenomenon. Attendance has increased. New York City filming locations Fans have also recreated and inspired the couple’s signature style, such as Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant and Bubby’s. JFK Jr. Similar answer.

The same frenzy broke out online. Scrolling through social media, especially TikTok. love story Your content will likely dominate your feed. Songs from the show also became a consistent part of those posts.

Featuring artists ranging from Radiohead, Björk and Lenny Kravitz to Stereolab, Velvet Underground and Dido, the music helps transport audiences back to that era. An anthology series about the romance and tragedy of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Connor Hines And produced by the management Ryan Murphy — and the impact extends to the charts. The show earned four of the top ten spots. Billboard Top TV Song Chart February includes the entire top three.

The Hollywood Reporter talk love story Music director Jen Malone explains how she curated the series’ tracks, staying true to the era, securing key artists, and creating an emotional soundscape. After that heartbreaking finale.

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Fans love the series’ 90s fashion, and they love the music too. What was the reaction to the soundtrack? Did it exceed your expectations?

It definitely exceeded my expectations. This show is such a pleasure to work on. I grew up in the 90s. I lived it. So it was really exciting to be able to put some of my favorite, iconic ’90s songs into the show. But the response was surprising. It’s been created with so much love by everyone involved in the show, and I’m so excited because I feel it’s been really special, especially the audience reaction to the music and how people have really resonated with all the songs. Music strikes a core memory for many people. People contact me and say, “Oh my god, I remember the first time I heard this song,” and they tell me their stories. Music definitely touches people’s hearts. And younger kids on TikTok are jamming to some of these songs, whether it’s Lenny Kravitz or the Cocteau Twins. Generation X is the best generation in music. (laugh.)

Where did the process of finding the sound for your performance begin? Was there a particular source of inspiration?

I went through my personal playlist of my favorite 90s songs and organized them by year. We wanted to be 100% authentic. So there were times when there were songs from 1996, but we didn’t use those songs because we were in a 1994 episode and we wanted to really accurately represent the year we were in in John and Carolyn’s lives. We wanted to make it a universal type of soundtrack. So you can put in non-iconic songs like Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, or Low, as well as iconic songs like everything from Goo Goo Dolls to The Cranberries. Everyone was really open and supportive about giving this show a very broad representation of the 90s.

How do you think that helped create a more real feel?

It’s a journey of music as it evolves, and new records keep coming out. It was before 9/11, and the world was very, very, very different, not only before the Internet, but even before 9/11. It was a really special time, especially in New York, and I think the show captured it really well. The use of 90s music and authentic music from the time helped support the story and journey through John and Carolyn’s relationship. Music can be very powerful in the way it transports you to a specific moment.

Were you able to discover what music/songs John and Carolyn actually liked, and were any of them featured on the show?

I know John loves classic rock. So I used a Tom Petty song in one of the scenes where he listens to his Walkman. It was a nod to his personal tastes. but As everyone knows, CarolineThere is not much personal information about her. So it was just a little bit of a leap forward. Of course, I think they would be dancing around the house to the common people. When I listen to the songs of the common people, I feel like everyone is dancing at home. So that was a fun thing to do. But trying to make the music universal and not just one genre, we hit all the big songs of the time that we thought Carolyn would have heard. But there isn’t much of a personal taste in music, especially for Carolyn.

Was there a song that you almost didn’t make that you’re grateful for now?

Yes, it’s a Björk song (“Human Behavior”). She is a very complex clear. She is very protective of where and how her music is used. It was in the second episode. I can’t blame anyone, but only myself for putting in songs that I knew would be hard to find. (laugh.) We were waiting for the approval to come, time was running out and everyone was starting to get a little nervous. We tried a few alternatives, but in the end we said, “This song will clear.” Sometimes the music director has to do that. (laugh.)

We got to the point where it was time to write a letter. Usually, the showrunner or director takes charge. I said, “Guys, let me write this.” Because Björk is very important to me. She is one of my favorite artists. When those records came out, it was the soundtrack to when I first fell in love at age 19, and the heartbreak that inevitably came with it. It was one of those moments, a key memory I will never forget. Björk’s first two albums; mail and debutThese were the albums released at that time. I relied on those records and wrote letters about them while I was going through my first love and first heartbreak. It was a very personal and very vulnerable letter. So much off my mind. I sent it in, and it was approved basically the next day. I’m so happy to tell Björk how much her music means to me.

Conversely, were there any songs you really wanted to include but couldn’t due to licensing restrictions?

No, we got everything. We didn’t get any rejections. Some of the songs changed, as always, because the cuts changed as we went through the editing process. We try different songs and then the scene changes and those songs no longer serve the same purpose. However, in terms of licensing, there have been no rejections. It was truly an amazing process. Except for Björk, it didn’t take much convincing.

Songs like Lenny Kravitz’s “The It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” exploded online. Have you ever heard of that person or any of the artists featured in the song and how their song is being introduced and revived?

I think it’s seen a lot of revival and introduction, even to people who grew up in the ’90s. It was really fun because they might not have known about Stereolab. I haven’t heard from any artists yet, but I know they’re watching. A whole new generation is singing along to Lenny’s “It’s Over ’til It’s Over” on TikTok. (laugh.) Or go fashion-forward, like CO Bigelow, the store where Caroline bought her headbands. After reading all those crazy stories, the store was filled with women buying headbands. (laugh.)

Much of the series was about watching John and Carolyn’s love story unfold, and the romance was reflected in the music. Now it gets heavier with the finale. How did you approach the transition and ending music? (Note: This interview was conducted before the finale aired Thursday night.)

There are only two songs in there, and they use a beautiful score by Bryce (Dessner) to round out the story. I worked a lot on the finale with my editor, Jordan (Bracewell), and it went through a lot of changes. At the beginning of the episode, they use air to rekindle their fire, get back to each other, and find love. Singing with Beth Hirsch’s voice kept them in the bubble they were in together when they found themselves. This song has an intimate quality.

Then Carolyn (George Magazine Gala Event) is truly iconic, and the lyrics are so perfect. Jordan and I were talking about this scene. We put it in and it was perfect. It’s a really beautiful song, but you all know it, right? They are so happy and it gives them a mixed feeling of coming back to each other. But you know what’s going to happen is to create this song and create that moment where she comes in and shows up for John and she says she wants to be with him and he responds back to her… I think you know that song fits that moment so well. They were two really special and very different songs. Everyone knows the Air song, but I think most people know the Dido song. Sometimes people forget that the Air came out in 1998. That album is so good, moon safari Stands the test of time.

Throughout John and Caroline’s love story, Was there a particular scene or moment that you felt really proud of the way it came together with the music and told their story?

I really loved what we did in the pilot, from Peter Gabriel to Kate Bush for the first time. It was such a beautiful moment. We actually use the songs there as sheet music. The way Max shot it was almost like an homage. Romeo And Juliet, As long as John is walking the red carpet. Carolyn passes through the service entrance. She’s in the back, going up the stairs. He’s on the main stairs. Then when they meet, close-up, everything in the room disappears. For the audience, this moment is so intimate and beautiful with these two characters that they forget everything else happening in the scene.

With everything from The Breeders to The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, we’re in the Britpop era. Then he returned to pop with Blind Melon and Madonna, then toured with Portishead and some ’90s songs. As some of you may know, (episode) 4th Stereo MC’s ‘Connected’ is included.

The wedding episode was very special in many ways. In that episode we got to play some more with the Velvet Underground and Nina Simone. It’s a little different than the ’90s, but the Velvet Underground is New York. You can’t separate New York and the Velvet Underground. I love what we did with Radiohead. It was a song written for a wedding scene. And in episode 8, Radiohead’s song also changed. Lyrically, it was a really good fit. You’re definitely starting to lean towards the sadness that’s to come. One line: “Now we are one in eternal peace.”

And Dido in the finale. I am very proud of it because it will spark tears.

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