The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack includes music by Lucky Thompson, Dorothy Shay and Patti Page. This info article contains spoilers and song details for Lee Eisenberg’s Apple TV+ series. Visit the Soundtracks of Television section for more Vague Visages music guides.

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Lessons in Chemistry stars Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott, a chemist who experience misogynistic behavior after graduating from UCLA. Lewis Pullman co-stars as Calvin Evans, a famous chemist who exercises frequently to clear his mind. The storyline follows the main protagonists as they fall in love during the 1950s while developing their careers. Composer Carlos Rafael Rivera (The Queen’s Gambit) scored the Apple TV+ series; music supervisor Christine Greene Roe (Snowfall) handled the featured needle-drops. In addition, Mildred Bailey recorded the intro track, “What (Re Bop Boom Bam).” Here’s every song in Lessons in Chemistry, an adaptation of Bonnie Garmus’ 2022 novel.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1 “Little Miss Hastings”

• “Why Not” by Lucky Thompson (00:05): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song scores an exterior scene. Calvin navigates a lake with his row team. He jog outdoors during a transition scene.
• “Feudin’ and Fightin'” by Dorothy Shay (00:05): Elizabeth drives her vehicle. She observes Calvin as he jogs. The track plays again at 00:40 and 00:41.
• “Preston Love’s Mansion” by Johnny Otis (00:06): Elizabeth finishes a conversation with Fran (Stephanie Koenig). The music continues during a transition scene. Calvin takes a shower.
• “Droppin’ In at Donna’s Place” by Blue Sky 5 (00:17): An interior scene begins. Jazz musicians perform the Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song. Calvin arrives at a Little Miss Hastings event.
• “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2″ by Esquivel (00:31): A kitchen scene begins. Elizabeth prepares a meal. She talks to Calvin about his work.
• “Top Flight” by Arnett Cobb (00:37): Calvin arrives at his lab. He plays music loudly. Elizabeth politely complains about the volume.
• “Mr. B. Pops” by Billy Taylor Quartet (00:40): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song accompanies an interior scene. Calvin decides to compromise with Elizabeth. He plays a mainstream tune.
• “Texas Waltz” by Sonny Hall (00:41): A music-themed lab sequence continues. Calvin pours a cup of coffee. He brings it to Elizabeth.
• “Tain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It)” by Cleo Laine (00:46): The track scores the end credits.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2 “Her and Him”

• “And Suddenly It’s Spring” by Bobby Sherwood & His Orchestra (00:02): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song plays during the opening flashback sequence. Elizabeth carries a book on the UCLA campus in 1950. She arrives at a PhD qualifying exam.
• “Don’t Bring Me Roses Red” by Bonnie Guitar (00:08): A lab sequence begins. Music plays from a speaker system. Elizabeth talks to Calvin after an awkward encounter.
• “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by Cast (00:30): Elizabeth and Calvin kiss during a bedroom sequence. The Christmas music continues during a transition scene. Fran sings with a choir.
• “Nightfall” by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers (00:31): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song accompanies an interior scene. A holiday event concludes. Calvin works with Elizabeth in their lab.
• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Sugar Chile Robinson (00:33): Elizabeth laughs with Calvin after a breakthrough. The track continues during a transition scene. Elizabeth and Calvin celebrate by dancing and drinking alcohol.
• “Detour” by Patti Page (00:45): Elizabeth finishes an emotional conversation with Calvin. She works on a medical paper. Calvin uses the same typewriter.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3 “Living Dead Things”

• “Crying All Night” by John Lee Hooker (00:01): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song scores the opening sequence. A dog named Six-Thirty (B.J. Novak) narrates about his life experiences. He meets Elizabeth.
• “Down to the River to Pray” by Cast (00:07): An interior scene begins. Singers perform during a chapel sequence. Harriet leaves her seat.
• “I’m Confessin'” by Frankie Laine (00:18): The track is featured during a kitchen sequence. Elizabeth prepares a pie. Music plays from a speaker system.
• “Green’s Blues” by Paul Quinichette (00:33): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song plays during an interior scene. Harriet talks to her children. Elizabeth knocks at the door.
• “In Walked Bud” by Thelonius Monk (00:34): An interior scene continues. Music plays from a speaker system. Elizabeth hangs out with Harriet.
• “The Quintet Goes to a Dance” by Raymond Scott and His Quartet (00:37): Elizabeth wakes up. She works out and writes at home. Elizabeth prepares a meal.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4 “Primitive Instinct”

• “I’m Clappin’ and Shoutin'” by Bumps Myers & His Frantic Five & Bobby Nunn (00:01): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song accompanies the opening sequence. A man complains about a “barbaric” waiting ordeal. Music plays from a speaker system.
• “Sentimental Journey” by Esquivel (00:19): Elizabeth meets with potential babysitters. She takes notes during a montage sequence. Elizabeth wears a green outfit.
• “True Love Ways” by Buddy Holly (00:27): Elizabeth pretends to be Fran. The track plays during an interior scene. Elizabeth orders supplies.
• “I’m Back Pretty Baby” by Raymond Hill (00:32): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song scores an outdoors sequence. Harriet hosts a party for her husband. She carries a record before talking to Elizabeth.
• “Joe Hill Boogie (Boogie Woogie All Night Long)” by Joe Hill Louis (00:33): An outdoors party sequence continues. Music plays from a speaker system. Harriet dances with her friends.
• “Dance of the Motherbird” by Julian Dash (00:34): Elizabeth thinks about Calvin. The music sets in as she talks to a reverend (Patrick Walker as Wakely). Elizabeth holds her child.
• “Magic Dreams” by W Gibish (00:42): An interior scene begins. The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song plays during “A Stitch in Time” TV production sequence. An executive (Rainn Wilson) complains about the host.
• “Play a Simple Melody” by Irving Berlin (00:42): Elizabeth looks at her reflection in a television screen. The track scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5 “CH3COOH”

• “I Do Whatta Do” by The Creel Sisters (00:10): An interior scene begins. The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song plays from a speaker system. Elizabeth offers champagne to guests.
• “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” by Cast (00:27): Madeleine closes a door. The music continues during a transition scene. Black singers perform during a church service.
• “Someday Baby” by Dick Penner (00:32): Elizabeth visits a grocery store. Music plays from the speaker system. Madeleine talks about school.
• “Blues By Five” by Miles Davis Quintet (00:35): Elizabeth speaks during her TV show. The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song continues during a transition scene. A network executive talks to audience members about Elizabeth’s show.
• “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” by Cast (00:37):  Elizabeth finishes a TV show recording. A church service begins. Madeleine talks to Reverend Wakely.
• “Afrodisia” by Kenny Durham (00:40): Elizabeth speaks to a viewer during a phone call scene. The track kicks in during a cooking sequence. Elizabeth films a new episode.
• “Call Me Anything but Call Me” by Maggie Sue Wimberly (00:41):  Elizabeth arrives home late from work. She visits a diner with Madeleine. The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song plays from the speaker system.
• “Do You Know What It’s Like to Be Lonesome” by Jerry Wallace (00:43): Elizabeth eats a meal with Madeleine. She appears on a billboard. The track scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6 “Poirot”

• “And There Was No You” by Margaret Lewis (00:19): The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song plays during an interior scene. Elizabeth shops at a grocery store. Music plays from the speaker system.
• “Beams of Heaven” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe (00:42): The track scores the end credits.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 7 “Book of Calvin”

• “Koko” by Charlie Parker (00:13): Harriet walks outdoors with Charlie (Paul James). Calvin dances to the music. The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song plays from his speaker system.
• “Fruit Salad” by Don Byas (00:40): Reverend Wakely visits Elizabeth. The track continues during a transition sequence. Reverend Wakely talks to Elizabeth about her plans.

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Lessons in Chemistry Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 8 “Introduction to Chemistry”

• “But Beautiful” by Frankie Laine (00:11): Elizabeth talks to Walter (Kevin Sussman). Music plays from a speaker system. Elizabeth offers advice to Walter about his love life.
• “Santa Claus Boogie” by The Voices (00:25): An interior scene begins. Music plays from a record player. Elizabeth talks to Harriet about Calvin’s money.
• “You Don’t Know How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson (00:40): Elizabeth speaks to chemistry students. She reads a passage from Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. The Lessons in Chemistry soundtrack song scores the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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

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Soundtracks of Television: 'Lessons in Chemistry'

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'Lessons in Chemistry' Soundtrack: A Vague Visages guide for every song in Lee Eisenberg's Apple TV+ series.

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Q.V. Hough

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Vague Visages

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