Bridgerton soundtrack mixes modern pop songs with Regency flair

Bridgerton integrates pop songs in true Regency fashion.

Bridgerton, Netflix’s new period drama from Shondaland, has given Regency romance novels fans exactly want they never knew they needed. A series that captures the true feel of the era and does it with flair. The filming of this series is beautifully done, the costumes will amazing you and your ears didn’t deceive you. You did hear some modern pop songs covered in the classic Regency fashion.

Throughout the season, while the orchestra plays during a fancy garden party or the extravagant ball at Lady Danbury’s (Adjoa Andoh) home, you find yourself singing along to songs you know were never a part of Regency England. Some of the featured songs are by popular performers like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Maroon 5 and are played in classic 19th-century fashion.  It is an unexpected touch that just adds a certain charm to the series.

Showrunner, Chris Van Dusen, thought this was another great way to freshen up the period romance genre. By adding in these pop songs, the series has more of a modern feel that appeals to a wider audience.

Another charming aspect of Bridgerton is the diversity of the cast. Instead of a Duke Stuffypants that we oftentimes get in a period drama, we get the dreamy and rebellious Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page.) He just gives off a bad boy vibe with his untied cravat and unconventional color palette of his attire.

Then we have the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel.) With every roll of her eyes or flick of her wrist, you get the feeling that this isn’t your typical Queen. She has the air of royalty, the look of royalty, but there is a certain twinkle in her eye that makes her feel more real and maybe a little bit approachable.

Then, there is the mystery around gossip-girl Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), who not only spills the tea on everyone, she does it by name! No one is safe. She will call out even the most prestigious families of The Ton.

Many aspects of the series set it apart from other period dramas, making it wildly popular with more than just mass-market romance novel fans.

In an interview with Oprah Magazine, Van Dusen had this to say about the addition of modern songs.

"“It really goes to the idea of making this feel different than your other period shows. Whether it’s music or the world of the show, the scripts, the sets, the costumes; it all comes back to infusing things through our own unique modern lens and making things feel relatable to whoever’s watching.”"

The songs were composed by Emmy-award winning composer Kris Bowers and performed by Vitamin String Quartet and Duomo.

Here is the list of songs covered for the series, and they are available wherever you stream music:

• “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande
• “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5
• “In My Blood”  by Shawn Mendes
• “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish
• “Strange” by Celeste
• “Wildest Dreams” by Taylor Swift

If you have yet to check this series out and you are a fan of a great dramatic romance set in a bygone era, be sure to check out Bridgerton on Netflix.

Hopefully, we get to see more great songs in Bridgerton season 2.