2020s

Soundtracks of Television: ‘Tell Me Lies’

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack - Every Song in the Hulu Series

The Tell Me Lies soundtrack includes music by Tune-Yards, MGMT and Amy Winehouse. This info article contains spoilers and song details for Meaghan Oppenheimer’s Hulu series. Visit the Soundtracks of Television section for more Vague Visages music guides.

Tell Me Lies stars Grace Van Patten as Lucy Albright, a college student who obsesses over a male classmate. Jackson White co-stars as Stephen DeMarco, the protagonist’s love interest who spends time with his ex-girlfriend. The storyline follows Lucy as her life spirals out of control after the sudden death of a roommate. Composer Jay Wadley (Fire Island) scored the Hulu series; music supervisor Liza Richardson (Barry) selected the featured needle-drops. Here’s every song in Tell Me Lies, an adaptation of Carola Lovering’s 2018 book.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1 “Lightning Strikes”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1

  • “Doin’ It Right” by FEIN (00:02): The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song begins during a car sequence. Music plays through the stereo. Lucy switches the radio station.
  • “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley (00:05): Lucy prepares for a party. The track continues during a transition scene. Lucy drinks a glass of champagne.
  • “Time to Pretend” by MGMT (00:11): The music kicks in during a car scene. Lucy travels with her mother. She arrives at the Baird College campus.
  • “Bounce If You Want To” by Da Wolf Pac (00:17): The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song accompanies a party sequence. Lucy walks around with Bree (Catherine Missal) and Pippa (Sonia Mena). Wrigley chats with his former roommate, Evan (Branden Cook).
  • “Drops of Jupiter” by Train (00:32): A memorial sequence begins. A students sings the 2001 hit. Lucy talks about the lyrics.
  • “That’s Right” by Marcus Latief Scott (00:33): Lucy hangs out at a party. She walks away from Pippa and Wrigley.
  • “We Gon Party Tonight” by The DeeKompressors feat. Rae (00:34): A party sequence continues. Bree hooks up with Tim (Tyriq Withers). Lucy walks around by herself and vomits as the Tell Me Lies soundtrack song continues.
  • “Breezeblocks” by alt-J (00:42): Stephen kisses Lucy on her forehead. He gets up and leaves. Stephen chats with Diana (Alicia Crowder).
  • “Gangsta” by Tune-Yards (00:43): Stephen hangs out with Diana. The characters hook up in a dorm room. The music drops as Diana ends a sexual encounter.
  • “Addicted to Love” by Florence + the Machine (00:47): Lucy stands in her dorm room. Stephen looks at himself in a mirror. The track scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2 “Hot-Blooded”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2

  • Heartbeats” by The Knife (00:15): Lucy has dinner with Stephen. She talks about her travel writer ambitions. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song continues as Lucy learns more about Stephen.
  • “Everlasting Light” by The Black Keys (00:22): Stephen drops off Lucy at her dorm. The music plays as he walks away. Stephen visits his ex-girlfriend, Diana.
  • “Hold You” by Bora York (00:24): Lucy hangs out with Bree and Pippa. They smoke marijuana in a dorm room. Lucy talks about her first date with Stephen.
  • “Can’t Believe a Single Word” by VHS or Beta (00:34): The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song plays during a pre-game sequence. Stephen tries to improve Wrigley’s mood. Evan arrives with craft beers.
  • “Wait No More” by Impirio & Emazin (00:37): Evan and Wrigley leave a pre-game gathering. Stephen drinks a beer by himself.
  • “Powa” by Tune-Yards (00:39): Lucy arrives at Stephen’s door. The characters hook up. The song drops as the episode ends.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3 “We Don’t Touch, We Collide”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3

  • “Guilty Filthy Soul” by AWOLNATION (00:01): Wrigley visits with a doctor. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song plays as he receives a cortisone shot. Wrigley prepares for a football game.
  • “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse (00:40): Stephen shares an intimate moment with Diana. The characters have sex. Lucy watches a video of Diana.
  • “Nantes” by Beirut (00:45): Wrigley and Pippa hug. The music continues during a transition scene. Pippa waves at Wrigley during a football practice.
  • “The Chain” by Kerala Dust (00:50): Stephen looks at photos on his computer. He scrolls through images and thinks. The music drops as the episode ends.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4 “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4

  • “I Was Born to Haunt You” by Howling Slayer (00:01): The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song scores a bathroom sequence. Bree prepares for a Halloween party. She shows off her outfit to Lucy and Pippa.
  • “I Believe” by Simian Mobile Disco (00:01): A party sequence begins. Bree navigates a room with Pippa. Wrigley entertains a group of partygoers.
  • “Steady, As She Goes” by The Ranconteurs (00:04): Bree loses her virginity to Tim. The song continues during a transition scene. Bree stands nude in front of a mirror and smiles.
  • “TBA” by TBA (00:19): Bree hooks up with Tim for a second time. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song plays as they have oral sex. Tim asks Bree to touch herself.
  • “My Time” by Sucré (00:24): Stephen has a business meeting. Bree listens to music at a library. She speaks with Drew.
  • “Starts Right Now” by Chasner & Afrojack (00:29): Lucy and company arrive at a party. Bree gets ignored by Tim. Lucy inquires about the cleanliness of a bathroom.
  • “Sunrise” by Yeasayer (00:49): Lucy leaves her dorm room. She walks to Stephen’s place and lies next to him. The song scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5 “Merry F*cking Christmas”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5

  • “Brutal Hearts” by Bedouin Soundclash feat. Coeur De Pirate (00:01): Lucy finishes a conversation with Max. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song kicks in as she exits his building. Lucy meets with Stephen.
  • “Heartbeats” by Jose Gonzales (00:24): Stephen concludes an awkward conversation with his mother (Katey Segal). Lucy hangs out with her family. She calls Stephen and asks him about an upcoming date.
  • “Looky Here” by YMMI (00:39): Lucy speaks with Parker (Aidan Alexander). Music plays from a nearby building. Lucy punches Rob.
  • “On Call” by Kings of Leon (00:48): Lucy enters the bedroom of her late roommate, Macy. She experiences an epiphany. The song scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6 “And I’m Sorry If I Dissed You”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6

  • “Go It Alone” by Beck (00:01): Stephen rides a bus. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song plays as he thinks about Diana. Lucy meets her new roommate, Charlie.
  • “Into the Dark” by Private Dancer (00:07): Stephen works out with Wrigley and Evan. Music plays in the background. Wrigley teases Stephen.
  • “Smoke & Drink” by O-Face Productions (00:32): The track plays during a party sequence. Stephen speaks with Wrigley. They make plans to work out together.
  • “U Can Talk” by Mikel Giffin (00:35): Wrigley works out with Stephen. He gets sick due to cocaine use. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song plays from within a gym.
  • “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service (00:45): Stephen arrives at a party. He meets up with Lucy. The music scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 7 “Castle on a Cloud”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 7

  • “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn and John (00:02): Evan leaves Lucy’s dorm room. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song continues during a transition sequence. Evan drives and stops at a market.
  • “Kick You to the Curb” by Pony Up (00:23): Evan opens a can of beer. He jumps into a row boat with his friends. The music drops as Lucy speaks with Pippa.
  • “Working Man” by Penicillin Baby (00:27): Wrigley drinks a beer and tries to urinate on command. Stephen and Drew stand next to him. The characters return to their row boat for a competition.
  • “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab For Cutie (00:41): The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song scores a bedroom scene. Evan and Bree kiss. The music continues as the characters share an intimate moment.
  • “Smile Like You Mean It” by The Killers (00:45): Wrigley apologizes to Evan. The music sets in as the characters embrace. Lucy sits next to Stephen during an episode-ending road trip sequence.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 8 “Don’t Go Wasting Your Emotion”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 8

  • “Chicago (Demo) ” by Sufjan Stevens (00:05): Pippa pleasures herself in a bedroom. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song continued during a transition sequence. Pippa sends a text message to Bree.
  • “Valerie” by The Zutons (00:16): Lucy attends a choir performance with Stephen. Diana sings a song. Lucy kisses Stephen to make his ex-girlfriend jealous.
  • “Where’s Your Head At” by Basement Jaxx (00:32): Diana ends a conversation with Stephen. A club sequence begins. Wrigley entertains his friends.
  • “I Remember” by deadmau5 & Kaskade (00:35): The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song plays as the party scene continues. Drew struggles with a keg tap. Wrigley gets upset and takes control.
  • “Lover’s Spirit” by Broken Social Scene (00:47): Charlie (Zoe Renee) tells Pippa that she’s not “dateable.” The music continues during a transition scene. Lucy and Stephen have sex as the episode ends.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 9 “Sugar, We’re Going Down Swinging”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 9

  • “Sugar, We’re Going Down Swinging” by Yo Majesty (00:01): The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song can be heard during the opening sequence. Drew watches a video in his dorm room. The music stops as Sharon (Elizabeth Pan) knocks at his door.
  • “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” by Arcade Fire (00:25): Stephen tries to contact Lucy. He plays a song on his computer. Stephen stops the music shortly before Drew knocks at his door.
  • “Everything In Its Right Place” by Radiohead (00:41): Pippa leaves Lucy’s dorm room. Stephen drives during a transition sequence. The music scores the episode’s final moments.

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Tell Me Lies Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 10 “The Bedroom of Our Friends”

Tell Me Lies Soundtrack on Hulu - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 10

  • “Inside and Out” by Feist (00:01): A September 2007 sequence begins. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song plays as Stephen greets Macy in her dorm room. The characters have sex.
  • “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” by Arcade Fire (00:12): Stephen gives Macy a car ride while intoxicated. The latter character plays music via the vehicle’s stereo system. Macy inquires about Stephen’s recent contradictions.
  • “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers (00:45): Stephen renews his relationship with Diana. The track plays as they walk down a staircase at a house party while holding hands. Lucy watches and tries to process the moment.
  • “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley (00:48): Lucy wakes up next to Evan. The music continues during a transition scene. Lucy attends a wedding in June 2015 and reunites with Stephen.
  • “Way Down We Go” by KALEO (00:51): The 2015 scene continues. Stephen greets his fiancée, Lydia. The Tell Me Lies soundtrack song scores the season’s final moments and end credits.

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.