WITH Queen Charlotte landed on Netflix earlier this month, the parent show Bridgerton became part of the cultural conversation again. Despite the obvious similarities, the prequel differs from the original series in several ways: Queen Charlotte mostly takes place in the 1760s, about 50 years before the events Bridgerton, and represents the franchise’s most complex and poignant love story to date. However, one aspect Bridgerton legacy that Queen Charlotte reliably continues its classic covers of contemporary pop songs and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Since the first season, Bridgerton presented a score composed in part of string versions of 20th and 21st century hits.

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While this may seem like an odd choice to the uninitiated, it actually makes sense - the soaring strings encapsulate a delightful vibe that sets it apart from other period pieces. There are many historical dramas with beautiful music, but nowhere else will you find sumptuous balls, ceremonial dances, and ornate costumes in the background. Madonnaand that’s one of the many things that do Bridgerton so special. There are many reasons why pop covers are on Bridgerton they work so well and why the show wouldn’t be the same without them; in a show that has always been an extravagant celebration - both visually and audibly - pop music covers are perhaps the most important part in creating Bridgerton so addictive.

Bridgerton’s pop covers present contemporary drama.

bridgerton-reg-jean-page-phebe-dynevor-season-1-final-netflix
Image via Netflix

It was clear from the first episode that Bridgerton it’s a far cry from your typical historical drama - two of its most laudatory hallmarks are its racially diverse cast and feminist depictions of sex that cater to the female gaze. Perhaps that’s why classic renditions of pop songs are the perfect musical accompaniment - they easily carry the Regency period into the modern era. These covers firmly assert that the show transcends tradition, demonstrating to viewers that this is a world where the romanticized images of the past and the inclusivity of the present can coexist. This is important because messages Bridgerton is about acceptance, love and diversity, and every season so far has included interracial relationships at the heart of its respective storyline. These themes are further developed in Queen Charlotte, where the franchise finally introduces its first same-sex relationship. Covers for Bridgerton epitomizes historical drama aimed at contemporary audiences, separating it from a flurry of historical dramas that depict a largely white society and a narrative that is reminiscent of the past with minimal contemporary influence.

This combination of tradition and modernity has evolved into Bridgertonbrand, and anachronistic musical choices have become part of its trademark. It’s a smart choice for the show’s creators, as it not only makes the show stand out from the competition, but also allows it to play with elements that would otherwise be limited by the genre’s limitations. Unlike other historical dramas, Bridgerton not interested in being even a slightly historically accurate representation of the past, and as a result, does not take himself too seriously. Popular covers are just one of the ways the show evokes the fantastic sense of fun and camp that audiences love and have become synonymous with. Bridgerton myself. The covers never feel out of place, which is a testament to the show’s light-hearted, quirky vibe that makes it an absolute treat to watch.

The choice of soundtrack perfectly captures the characters’ journeys.

Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey at Bridgerton
Image via Netflix

Music selected to be shown in Bridgerton may be idiosyncratic, but not random. In both seasons and Queen Charlotte, the pop songs covers flawlessly capture the characters’ journeys, struggles and personalities. This draws viewers into the story even more, giving them a deep understanding of the inner lives of the characters. This choice is clearly deliberate in every way - as beautiful as it sounds, the choice concerns not only how well the compositions melodically complement the scene, but also the lyrical content of the original songs. Even though the covers are purely instrumental, the meaning of the songs and what the original artists convey are just as important to the soundtrack’s impact.

Daphne season 1Phoebe Dynevor) the restoration of her sexuality and femininity is reflected in feminist hymns such as Ariana Grande”Thank you next” and Billie Eilish”Bad guy”. In season 2, Keith Sharma (Simone Ashley) Indian culture is featured in a cover of “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham”, a Hindi language song from the Bollywood movie of the same name. This is used in the scene in which Kate, her sister Edwina (Charitra Chandran), and her stepmother Mary (Shelley Conn) gather on the night before Edwina’s wedding to perform the Haldi ceremony, a traditional Indian pre-wedding ritual.

Queen Charlotte’the soundtrack consists of songs exclusively by black women - from SZA To Alicia Keys To Whitney Houston - reflecting Charlotte (India Amarteifio) experience as a black woman who joined the British royal family. In particular, using 3 beyoncé the songs reflect her personality as a strong, empowered black woman navigating her new environment. This selection of music allows the audience to get to know the main characters better as if they were real people living today by sharing their curated Spotify playlists with the world.

Music accompanies Bridgerton’s most memorable moments

India Amarteifio and Corey Milkchrist as Queen Charlotte and King George in Queen Charlotte.
Image via Netflix

true magic BridgertonX covers are not fully realized without the context of the scenes they accompany. Some of Bridgertonkey moments are made even more memorable by the soundtrack that underscores them, and the unfolding drama combined with this music is a match made in heaven. Who can forget the montage in which Daphne and Simon (Rare Jean Page) to make love Taylor Swift”Wildest Dreams” for 3 minutes in a row in different locations? This moment is arguably the defining moment among many of the series’ intimate scenes, mostly because of the music that makes it all the more remarkable. The sweeping melody underlines the romance of the meeting, and the song has so much undeniable Gen-Z appeal that the scene could almost be mistaken for a TikTok edit.

There is little Bridgerton moments more iconic than Kate and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) dance scene in the season 2 finale, during which Miley CyrusPlays “Destruction Ball”. The choice of the song symbolizes all the anxiety they’ve been through together, which they’ve set aside for what they expect to be the last dance between them. The shot of Kate wrinkling her brows in love as she looks longingly at Anthony even inspired a TikTok viral trend where users tried to mimic facial expressions - and the choice of song certainly helped the emotion resonate with viewers.

Bridgerton wouldn’t be what it is without the pop covers, and we wouldn’t want it to be anything else. The unique musical landscape has contributed to the show becoming part of the cultural ethos of the 2020s, and as a result, classic pop covers have skyrocketed in popularity. As we wait for season 3, we can only sit and wonder - what songs will they change next?