Netflix’s latest Duffer Brothers‑produced new drama, The Boroughs, may be set in a quiet retirement community, but there’s nothing sleepy about its soundtrack. Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, the series echoes Stranger Things not only in its mystery‑driven storytelling, but in its needle‑drop heavy use of beloved hits from the 1970s and 1980s, songs that instantly transport viewers while sharpening the show’s offbeat tone.
At the centre of that musical world is Emmy‑winning supervisor Nora Felder, who previously curated the era‑defining soundtrack for Stranger Things. For The Boroughs, she once again assembles a roster of instantly recognisable artists, using familiar tracks to deepen character and atmosphere. Kicking things off is David Bowie’s “Golden Years,” which opens the first episode after featuring prominently in the trailer. The choice is more than a catchy hook. It sets the rhythm and attitude of the series from the outset, playfully nodding to the show’s setting while hinting at the energy simmering beneath its placid surface.
From there, the soundtrack unfolds like a carefully crafted mixtape. Bruce Springsteen, Earth, Wind & Fire and Bob Seger feature early on, while later episodes weave in the voices of Etta James, Lauryn Hill, Tina Turner, Johnny Cash and Bill Withers. Even Stranger Things alum Djo, the musical moniker of Joe Keery, makes an appearance, tying the show’s musical lineage together.
As the cast of The Boroughs band together to investigate a shadowy threat lurking within their community, the music becomes a vital storytelling tool, nostalgic, character‑driven and brimming with personality.
The series features an original soundtrack composed by American musician John Paesano, who is recognised for his work on Daredevil, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the Maze Runner movies.
Alongside the original score, the show also includes an impressive selection of well‑known needle drops, with tracks by artists such as David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Lauryn Hill, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Bill Withers.
Here’s the complete list of songs featured in The Boroughs:
The Boroughs Season one. Every song featured in the Netflix series
Episode 1
“Golden Years” by David Bowie
“Oye Como Va” by Santana
“Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen”
“All These Things I’ve Done” by The Killers (A Netflix Cover)
“Straight Sound” by Head Cut
“Shining Star” by Earth, Wind & Fire
“Spread Some Love” by Mike Jemison
“Easy Life” by Jacob Bright
“Night Moves” by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Episode 2
“Love Is All” by Madeline Bell
“Visions of Your Reality” by Ultimate Spinach
“Champagne Nights” by The Mellophonics
“Stormy Weather” by Etta James
“The Ex Factor” by Lauryn Hill
Episode 3
“Sex Beat” by Sex Beat
Back on You” by Djo
“You’ve Got a Killer Scene There, Man…” by Queens of the Stone Age
“Lose Your Soul” by Dead Man’s Bones
Episode 4
“Bluebird” by Alan Hawkshaw
“Lovely Day” by Bill Withers
“Alone” by David Lawrence and Velma Valentine
“Upon The Earth” by Illustration
“I Can’t Stand the Rain” by Tina Turner
“Black Night” by Cheryl Thompson
“The Passenger” by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Episode 5
“Goodbye Little Girl Goodbye” by Morrie Morrison
“Belshazzar” by Johnny Cash
“Words Come Easy” by Tompall & The Glaser Brothers
Episode 6
“Rock the Boat” by The Hues Corporation
“Up, Up and Away” by Engelbert Humperdinck
“Love Train” by The O'Jays
“Comin’ Back to You” by Jim Wolfe
“Smiling Faces Sometimes” by The Undisputed Truth
Episode 7
“Cheek to Cheek” by Fred Astaire with Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
“Barracuda” by Heart
Episode 8
“More Today than Yesterday” by Spiral Starecase
“Oye Como Va” by Santana
“Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen”
“Do You Believe in Magic” by The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
When and where can I watch The Boroughs?
The Boroughs is now streaming on Netflix. You can watch all eight episodes now on Netflix.
Claire Tapley is a digital editor for Yours.co.uk. She is a journalist with over 18 years' experience writing for women over 50. Before moving to Yours.co.uk, she was deputy editor of Yours magazine for nine years. Claire is extremely passionate about all things TV related, with her favourite shows including Traitors, Strictly and The Great British Bake Off.