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Riot Women has burst onto screens with all the force of a power chord, proving that midlife isn’t a time to sit quietly on the sidelines. Sally Wainwright’s drama, inspired by the realities of menopause, taps into the frustrations, joys and unspoken truths of women juggling careers, family and ageing parents, and it does so with humour, heart and plenty of bite.
But while the show has sparked countless important conversations about visibility and midlife reinvention, one aspect that can’t be overlooked is the music. With an all-star cast and gripping storylines, the soundtrack is the cherry on top - after all, a show about a punk rock band wouldn’t be complete without unforgettable songs - and they're available to stream now!
Who created the original songs in Riot Women?
While there are some well-known tracks, the Riot Women's original songs were composed by ARXX, a Brighton-based rock/pop/alternative duo consisting of Hanni Pidduck and Clara Townsend. The pair were brought on board on the recommendation of rock journalist Amy Raphael, and their sound proved to be the perfect fit for the band's punk-fuelled energy.
One of their standout songs, Seeing Red, tackles themes of menopause. “They put so much into it, and they really transformed it and turned it into their own. It’s so catchy and it’s just fabulous,” said Sally Wainwright.
The songwriting was very much a team effort, just like it is in the show. “They wrote the music and the lyrics, but we also offered them bits - for example, our police advisor, Lisa, came up with the first line, ‘I’m so depressed, I can’t get dressed.’"
Alongside Seeing Red, the series also features Sh*tting Pineapples, a take on childbirth that midwife Yvonne helps soundboard in the show, Riot Women, which gets a big moment in the final episode, and Just Like Your Mother, a song Beth (played by Joanna Scanlan) and Kitty (played by Rosalie Craig) write together, inspired by one of Beth’s ex-husbands’ infamous sayings.
What is the Riot Women theme song?
The tune Violet by Hole runs right through the series and us played at the end of every episode, with the chorus repeating the words: “Go on, take everything.”
Who sings the songs in Riot Women?
In the series, Kitty is the band’s lead singer - and yes, Rosalie Craig really does sing, along with backing vocals from the other Riot Women. A seasoned West End musical theatre performer, she brings both power vocals and authenticity to the role.
“Rosalie can sing, she’s a brilliant singer,” Sally explained. “Joanna Scanlan, Tamsin Greig, Amelia Bullmore and Lorraine Ashbourne couldn’t play their instruments before filming started, so they’ve been on a massive journey to become a real band - and now they’re genuinely playing those instruments.”
Riot Women playlist
From carefully chosen tracks to original songs, the Riot Women playlist perfectly captures the series’ punk-fuelled energy and dramatic nature. Here's the full tracklist:
Episode 1
I’m Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage
Weak by Skunk Anansie
The Passenger by Iggy Pop
Episode 2
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
Just Like Your Mother by ARXX (Original)
Waterloo by ABBA
Episode 3
Races by Interplanetary Criminal (feat. Blanco)
Dissolved Girl by Massive Attack
Nothing Matters by The Last Dinner Party
Episode 4
Don’t Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra
Sit Down by James
Seeing Red by ARXX (Original)
Episode 5
Your Maker by Gonjasufi and Anna Wise
Nothing’s Wrong by Miss Grit
Episode 6
Crying in the Carwash by ARXX
F**k and Run by Liz Phair
Riot Women by ARXX (Original)
Where can I listen to the Riot Women soundtrack?
Good news! The original music from Riot Women was released as a playlist on the 17th October and features performances by Rosalie Craig and the band (the songs written ARXX) and the official score composed Ben Foster.
You can listen to the Riot Women , as well as the official playlist (which features other songs from the series) on all the top music services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.
Riot Women airs each Sunday at 9pm on BBC One from 12th October, or you can stream all episodes now on BBC iPlayer.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. A devoted bookworm and TV fan, she’s always immersed in the latest shows or catching the newest films and theatre productions. When she’s not writing, Arabella enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and exploring the outdoors with her three dogs.