2020s

Soundtracks of Television: ‘High Desert’

High Desert Soundtrack - Every Song in the Apple TV+ Series

The High Desert soundtrack includes music by X-Ray Spex, Violent Femmes and Bananarama. This info article contains spoilers and song details for Jennifer Hoppe’s Apple TV+ series. Visit the Soundtracks of Television section for more Vague Visages music guides.

High Desert stars Patricia Arquette as Peggy, a drug addict who works as a private investigator. Brad Garrett co-stars as Bruce, the protagonist’s skeptical boss. The storyline follows Peggy as she investigates a former anchorman. Composer Jeff Russo (Fargo) scored the Apple TV+ series; music supervisor Maggie Phillips (The Handmaid’s Tale) handled the featured needle-drops. In addition, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers recorded the intro track, “Talkin’ to Myself.” Here’s every song in High Desert.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1 “Pain Management”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1

  • I’ve Got the World on a String” by Frank Sinatra (00:00): The High Desert soundtrack song scores the opening flashback sequence. Peggy hosts a pool party in 2013. Denny (Matt Dillon) talks business with a guest.
  • “I Am a Poseur” by X-Ray Spex (00:02): DEA agents approach Peggy’s home. Denny yells, “Blue pig!” Peggy destroys bags of marijuana.
  • “Hit or Mess” by Odetta (00:25): The music accompanies an interior scene. Peggy lights sage in her home. She receives a video message from Tammy (Susan Park).
  • “Wheel in You” by Sunfields (00:30): Peggy calls her sister. The High Desert soundtrack song continues as she parks her vehicle. Music plays from the speaker system.
  • “Flaming Red” by Patty Griffin (00:36): Penny continues a phone call. She realizes that Denny didn’t officially sign divorce papers. The track scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2 “Two Knockers and No Boyfriend = A Felony”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2

  • Rie y Llora” by Celia Cruz (00:01): The High Desert soundtrack song scores the opening sequence. Peggy parks on the side of a road. She thinks about bingo memories.
  • “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes (00:15): The music plays during an exterior scene. Peggy parks her vehicle. The track plays again at 00:21.
  • “Happy Woman Blues” by Lucinda Williams (00:26): Peggy crashes into a parked semi. The track scores the end credits.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3 “I’m Getting Close to This Guru Bastard”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3

  • (I’m A) TV Savage” by Bow Wow Wow (00:02): A hospital sequence begins. The High Desert soundtrack song plays as Guru Bob (Rupert Friend) enters a room. He holds his detached nipple and faints.
  • “Venus” by Bananarama (00:03): Peggy starts her vehicle after a crash. She stops as the music continues. Peggy takes off in her car.
  • “The Killer” by Sheer Mag (00:04): The music plays during an exterior scene. Peggy parks her vehicle. She talks to Dianne (Christine Taylor).
  • “Where to Start” by Bully (00:10): Peggy finishes a phone call with Carol (Weruche Opia). The High Desert soundtrack song continues during an exterior scene. Peggy exits a parking lot.
  • “Nice Work If You Can Ge It” by Mel Tormé (00:32): Peggy finishes a conversation with Guru Bob. The music continues during a transition scene. Peggy discovers that Denny was released early from prison.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4 “Get Judy off the Bed”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4

  • “In Your Room” by The Bangles (00:01): The High Desert soundtrack song scores the opening flashback sequence. Young Peggy (Harlow Jane) throws a suitcase. Her mother says, “Good girl!”
  • “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Ellen McIlwaine (00:09): Peggy meets with Denny at Frank’s Restaurant. The music continues during a transition scene. Peggy briefly looks at a magazine.
  • “Codeine Arms” by Eilen Jewell (00:14): Peggy finishes a conversation with Bruce. An exterior montage begins. Peggy tries to catch a drone.
  • “TBA” by TBA (00:34): Peggy and Denny prepare to have sex. The track scores the end credits.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5 “Soul Retrieval”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5

  • “It Feels Alright” by The Black Lips (00:09): The High Desert soundtrack song scores an exterior scene. Peggy parks her vehicle. She arrives at Denny’s motel room.
  • “High Ticket Attractions” by The New Pornographers (00:25): A dog vomits. Denny spots a finger. The track scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6 “A Nod Is Not a Hello”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6

  • “With a Girl Like You” by The Troggs (00:29): A man searches for “Sylvia Plath.” He enters a tanning room and asks Bruce aka Leo to find her. The High Desert soundtrack song scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 7 “This Doesn’t Have to Be a Tragedy”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 7

  • “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (00:02): The High Desert soundtrack song scores the opening. sequence. An exterior montage begins. Peggy cleans and leaves a voicemail for Bruce.
  • “Talking’ to Myself” by Sarah Shook & the Disclaimers (00:05): Denny exits Ottoman Hempire Dispensary. He enters a vehicle and speeds away. The series’ theme song accompanies the title sequence.
  • “If It Makes You Happy” by Sheryl Crow (00:15): The track plays during an interior scene. Peggy welcomes guests into her office. Music plays from the speaker system.
  • “Jackie Blue” by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (00:18): The High Desert soundtrack song accompanies an interior scene. Peggy arrives at her home. Denny washes dishes.
  • “Snakes for the Divine” by High On Fire (00:25): Peggy gets escorted by a man holding a gun. The characters approach a trailer home. Music plays from the speaker system.
  • “Energy” by The Apples In Stereo (00:32): Peggy sits by a bathtub. A baddie says, “Who the fuck are you talking to?” The track scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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High Desert Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 8 “I Need a Hero”

High Desert Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 8

  • “Easy to Love” by Lee Wiley (00:02): The High Desert soundtrack song scores the opening sequence. Heather (Julia Rickert) drives a vehicle. Music plays from the speaker system.
  • “Toxic” by Britney Spears (00:04): Heather exits her vehicle. Arman (Carlo Rota) changes the music. He grooves before taking a bullet to the head.
  • “Looking for the Magic” by Dwight Twilley Band (00:16): Nick (Carmine Giovinazzo) attacks Leo (Michael Masini). The track continues during a fight sequence. Peggy watches the altercation with Guru Bob.
  • “TBA” by TBA (00:19): Carol enters her vehicle. She promises to catch up with Bruce later. A man complains about Peggy outside Gold Digger Saloon.
  • “Tristan Und Isolde (Mild Und Leise)” by Birgit Nilsson (00:26): Peggy prepares to get shot out of a cannon. She says, “Let’s do this!” The High Desert soundtrack song scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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