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Premiering on Apple TV+ on July 19, 2024, Lady in the Lake is a riveting murder mystery series that whisks viewers to Baltimore in the 1960s, loaded with suspense, drama, and a noir atmosphere. Along with a superb cast including Moses Ingram and David Corenswet, Natalie Portman in her first major television role shines on the show.
Particularly for its period-accurate portrayal and narrative, the show has gotten great comments. Lady in the Lake explores the sinister secrets hiding beneath the surface of a supposedly peaceful town, so captivating its story and strong characters will keep the viewers hooked from beginning to end.
The soundtrack of Lady in the Lake provides a thorough exploration of the music, improving the immersive experience of the show, acting as a clear guide to all of its songs. Rich 1960s songs abound in the soundtrack, each carefully selected to highlight the themes of the show and capture the era.
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From soulful ballads to funky beats, the music in Lady in the Lake accentuates the narrative as well as whisks viewers to the time and location of the story. This guide will cover every song on the show, including specifics on every track and their importance in the series.
Lady in the Lake soundtrack: A guide to all songs in the show
Lady in the Lake is a series that uses music to deepen its storytelling, with each episode featuring carefully selected songs that resonate with the 1960s setting. Below is a detailed guide to all the songs featured in each episode, describing their context and impact on the scenes.
Lady in the Lake: Episode 1 soundtrack
Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) by Sly and the Family Stone: Originally made well-known by Doris Day, Sly and the Family Stone reinterpret this vintage song. It sets a nostalgic and somewhat sad tone as Cleo rides the bus, suggesting the doubts that lie ahead in the narrative at about the 12-minute mark.
Funky Night Club by The Soulsations: It is the funky party anthem that plays around the 20-minute mark when Cleo finds her husband, Slappy, enjoying a lively get-together at home. The song underscores the tension between Cleo's responsibilities and Slappy's carefree attitude.
Live Medley: Ain’t There Something Money Can’t Buy by Young-Holt Unlimited: Around the 34-minute mark, this track plays as Cleo enters an underground room where money is being counted, reflecting the allure and danger of the criminal world she's entangled in.
Back Stabbers by The O’Jays: This groovy track comes in around the 39-minute mark as Slappy walks through downtown Baltimore, trying to get into Shell Gordon's club. The song’s themes of betrayal mirror the conflicts between the characters.
Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes: The episode closes with a powerful rendition of this song by Jennifer Mogbock as Dora Carter. It’s a poignant end to the episode, playing just before Maddie and Judith discover Tessie Durst's body, adding emotional depth to the scene.
Lady in the Lake: Episode 2 songs
I’ve Got to Do a Little Bit Better by Joe Tex: This smooth, soulful track plays about 8 minutes into the episode as Reggie and Cleo help an intoxicated Dora back to her room. The song’s reflective mood complements the characters’ troubled lives.
Gotta Move by Barbra Streisand: Around the 21-minute mark, this energetic song plays as Maddie desperately tries to sell her car to pay rent. The frantic lyrics and upbeat tempo highlight Maddie’s escalating stress and the urgency of her situation.
Fried Neck Bones and Some Home Fries by Willie Bobo: This cool, jazzy track plays during a tracking shot in Gordon’s club at around the 35-minute mark. The music adds a layer of sophistication and tension to the scene as Cleo cuts ties with Myrtle Summer.
Evil Ways by Willie Bobo: Known for being covered by Santana, this song closes the episode. As the characters' lives spiral out of control, it emphasizes the turbulent last scenes and precisely captures the dark and foreboding mood.
Lady in the Lake: Episode 3 songs
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye by Bettye Swann: An episode-opening flashback scene of a young Cleo with her father features this R&B classic. A melancholy song sets the episode's mood, reflecting strained relationships and unresolved emotions.
See-Line Woman by Toni Scruggs: This lively track is performed live by Dora Carter in Gordon’s club, creating a vibrant atmosphere as Cleo tries to escape her troubles through dance. The song also plays during an intense dancing scene, symbolizing Cleo’s attempt to shake off her worries.
Don’t Play No Woman for No Fool by L.C. Steels: This bluesy track plays in Maddie’s apartment as she tries to connect with her son, Seth. The song adds emotional weight to their conversation, highlighting the tension between them and Maddie’s struggle to reconnect with her child.
Promise Me Thomas by Patti Page: Towards the end of the episode, this nostalgic song plays during a quiet moment between Maddie and Judith in Judith’s father’s jewelry shop. The song’s gentle melody provides a brief respite from the episode’s tension, offering a moment of connection between the characters.
Lady in the Lake: Episode 4 songs
Precious Memories by Sister Rosetta Tharpe: This profound gospel track plays around the 10-minute mark after Reggie forces Dora to unpack her belongings, signaling that she’s not leaving. The song, paired with Cleo’s voiceover, adds a layer of emotional depth as Cleo reflects on her father and her son’s future.
Little Man by Sonny & Cher: This popular song plays around the 14-minute 30-second mark during a performance in a dark theater. The upbeat tune contrasts with the intense scene where Officer Platt and Officer Davis chase down Duke, adding an ironic twist to the moment.
Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter by Nina Simone: This deep-cut track by Nina Simone plays around the 32-minute 30-second mark over a montage of Shell Gordon’s lottery. The song’s funky rhythm adds energy to the scene, reflecting Cleo’s hope of escaping Baltimore with the lottery winnings.
Lady in the Lake: Episode 5 songs
Nobody Knows by Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir: Played during Cleo Johnson's funeral, Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir's potent gospel song Nobody Knows creates a somber and introspective atmosphere. The scene is all the more moving since the songs address the unseen struggles and hardships Cleo's life presents.
Cha, Cha Seniorita by Maria Koterbska: This lively pop song plays at the end of the episode after the shocking twist where Maddie is stabbed. The upbeat tune creates a stark contrast to the violent scene, enhancing the impact of the episode’s climax.
Lady in the Lake: Episode 6 songs
Peggy Lee's haunting circus-themed song Is That All There Is? opens the episode following Maddie's stabbing. The sad tone of the song emphasizes Maddie's reflections on her life and the decisions she has taken, preparing the ground for the introspective ideas of the episode.
Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) by Pink Martini: It is a classic song that reappears during one of Maddie’s nightmare visions in the hospital, adding an eerie atmosphere to the scene as she follows Cleo and Reggie down a dark hallway.
Go Down Moses by Louis Armstrong: This powerful religious song plays during another of Maddie’s dreams, featuring an interpretive dance by women dressed in Cleo’s blue coat. The song’s themes of persecution and liberation mirror Maddie’s internal struggle.
Me and My Shadow by Peggy Lee: This smooth track plays during a dream sequence where Maddie and Ferdie Platt dance together. The song’s lyrics about one’s “shadow self” reflect Maddie’s hidden desires and the conflict between her public persona and true feelings.
The Impossible Dream by Shirley Bassey: This inspirational song plays as Maddie envisions Cleo becoming the star she was meant to be. The scene symbolizes Maddie’s guilt and her desire to save Cleo, even as she realizes it may be too late.
Lady in the Lake: Songs used in episode 7
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye by The Manhattans: This love song opens the series finale, performed acapella by Cleo Johnson and Dora Carter. The song sets a nostalgic tone as it reveals the deep bond between the two women.
Love for Sale by Natalie Jacobs: This romantic song is performed on stage during a flashback, showing how Dora Carter became a resident singer at Shell Gordon’s nightclub. The performance adds a layer of backstory to Dora’s character.
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye by Bettye Swann: A solo version of the earlier duet, this song is performed by Dora Carter, leading to her becoming a regular at Shell’s club. The emotional performance underscores the close relationship between Dora and Cleo.
Why Can’t We Live Together by Timmy Thomas: This song plays as Cleo disguises herself to break into Shell Gordon’s office, revealing the extent of her determination and the risks she’s willing to take.
Sinnerman by Nina Simone: This intense track plays during the climactic scene where Cleo takes down Shell Gordon, with the electric energy of the song matching the high stakes of the moment.
Feeling Good by Moses Ingram: In Lady in the Lake, after Cleo Johnson flees to Paris, she performs this iconic song to round off the show. While also stressing Maddie's ongoing unhappiness, the song captures Cleo's newly acquired freedom and the resolution of her story.
With each song carefully selected to reflect the emotions of the characters and the era in which the story is set, the Lady in the Lake soundtrack is a potent instrument enhancing the narrative of the series.
From lively tracks to soulful ballads, Lady in the Lake's music is essential to the story and helps the audience to be really immersed. The soundtrack of every episode deepens the scenes, transforming the series from a visual to an auditory trip across Baltimore in the 1960s.
