The Happy Face soundtrack includes songs by Jagwar Twin, The Cranberries and The Cactus Blossoms. This info article contains composer and music supervisor details for Jennifer Cacicio’s Paramount+ series. Visit the Soundtracks of Television section for more soundtrack song time codes and track listings.

Happy Face stars Dennis Quaid as Happy Face, an incarcerated serial killer. Annaleigh Ashford co-stars as Melissa, the antagonist’s daughter who works for a talk show. The storyline follows the main players as they reunite and discuss the past. Composer Ariel Marx (Candy) scored the Paramount+ series; a music supervisor isn’t credited. In addition, Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins recorded the theme track, “Happy.” Here’s every song in Happy Face, a series inspired by Melissa Moore’s 2009 book Shattered Silence (in collaboration with  M. Bridget Cook) and her 2018 podcast.

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Happy Face Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1 “The Confession”

• “Put On a Happy Face” by Vikki Carr (00:00): The Happy Face soundtrack song scores the opening sequence. Melissa applies makeup to her face. The track fades as she celebrates the birthday of her daughter, Hazel (Khiyla Aynne).
• “Clear the Air” by lides (00:05): Melissa applies makeup to a female guest at “The Dr. Greg Show.” The Happy Face music plays from a speaker system. Melissa talks about a “Gwyneth Paltrow glow.”
• “Happy Birthday to You ” by Cast (00:09): An interior scene begins. Melissa and her husband, Ben (James Wolk), celebrate Hazel’s birthday. Their son, Max (Benjamin Mackey), also appears in the scene.
• “Here You Come Again” by Cast (00:29): The Happy Face soundtrack song is featured during a prison sequence. Happy Face aka Keith meets with Melissa. He briefly sings a Dolly Parton song.
• “Happy Face” by Jagwar Twin (00:56): Ivy (Tamera Tomakili) walks away from a conversation with Melissa. Hazel researches her grandfather during a transition scene. The Happy Face music accompanies the episode’s final moments and end credits.

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Happy Face Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2 “Killing Shame”

• “Never Coming Home” by Bryan Martin (00:06): Melissa enters a bar called Whiskey River. The Happy Face soundtrack song plays from the speaker system. Melissa orders a local beer.
• “Ghost” by Kailey Swanson (00:08): A bar scene continues. Melissa looks at photos on a wall. The Happy Face music plays in the background.
• “Carry Me Away” by Maybird (00:14): Melissa chats with Ivy during an exterior scene. A transition sequence begins. Hazel rides a bicycle.
• “Daffodil Lament” by The Cranberries (00:20): Hazel walks during an exterior sequence. The Happy Face soundtrack song plays from her headphones. The track is featured again at 00:30.
• “Happy Man” by The Cactus Blossoms (00:45): Melissa appears on “The Dr. Greg Show.” She talks about feeling “relieved.” Her father looks at news clipping during a transition sequence.

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Happy Face Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3 “Was It Worth It?”

• “If I Had a Heart” by Fever Ray (00:08): Hazel opens a safe. The Happy Face soundtrack song continues during a transition sequence. Ash (Teach Grant) drives a vehicle and listens to an audiobook.
• “Was It Worth It?” by Cast (00:27): Ivy listens to a recording. Elijah (Damon Gupton) sings a song. The Happy Face music scores the episode’s end credits at 00:55.

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Happy Face Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4 “Controlled Burn”

• “Head in the Wall” by Deep (00:01): Shane (Philip Ettinger) walks with fellow firefighters. The Happy Face soundtrack song plays from a speaker system. Shane declines a beer invitation.
• “Was It Worth It?” by Cast (00:06): Tyler (Connor Paton) operates a camera. He sings Elijah’s song from episode 4. Ivy stares at Tyler.
• “You Really Got a Hold on Me” by She & Him (00:50): Melissa finishes a conversation with Keith. She locates a murder weapon during a transition sequence. The Happy Face music scores the episode’s final moments.

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Happy Face Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5 “Don’t Dream”

• “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Cast (00:00): Young Elijah (Elias Leacock) exits a home. The Happy Face soundtrack song continues as he walks down a street. Elijah wakes up from a dream.
• “TBA” by TBA (00:03): Hazel enters a store. Music plays from the speaker system. Hazel purchases a phone.
• “Will It Go Round in Circles” by Billy Preston (00:40): Melissa hangs out with colleagues during an interior scene. The Happy Face music plays from a speaker system. Joyce (Marci T. House) tells a story to Melissa and Ivy.

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Happy Face Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6 “Lorelai”

• “Sister Golden Hair” by America (00:22): Hazel kisses a male classmate. The Happy Face soundtrack song continues during a transition sequence. Melissa and Ivy arrive at a Dallas bar and meet Ziggy.
• “Hold On” by Cast (00:27): Hazel loses an internet connection on her phone. She tears up as the Happy Face music sets in. Melissa and Ivy watch a VHS tape of Heather performing in the past during a transition sequence.

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Happy Face Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 7 “My Jesperson Girls”

• “Daffodil Lament” by The Cranberries (00:19): Melissa learns that her father tried to kill her as a child. The Happy Face soundtrack song continues during a transition sequence. Melissa drives a vehicle and sobs.
• “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Cast (00:34): Melissa visits a bar with Ash. They talk about their life perspectives. Melissa and Ash sing a karaoke tune together.
• “Ten Below Zero” by Bobo Jenkins (00:43): Melissa enters a diner. The Happy Face music plays from the speaker system. Melissa confronts Bob (Toby Hargrave).

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Happy Face airs weekly on Paramount+. New episodes premiere every Thursday through May 1, 2025. This article about Happy Face soundtrack will be updated as the series progresses.

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