The creators of American Horror Story are back and packing on more horror with their new weekly anthology AHS spinoff series titled American Horror Stories with a different horror story being told in each episode.
Ryan Murphy’s latest outing stars AHS familiar faces Matt Bomer, Billie Lourd, John Carol Lynch, and Naomi Grossman joined by newcomers to the franchise Sierra McCormick, Kaia Gerber, Paris Jackson, Danny Trejo, Dyllon Burnside, Kevin McHale, Charles Melton, Nico Greetham, Aaron Tviet, Gavin Creel, Ashley Martin Carter, Belissa Escobedo, Rhenyzy Feliz, Madison Bailey, Kyle Red Silverstein, Amy Grabow, Virginia Gardner, Merrin Dungey, Selena Sloan, Valerie Loo, and more. Yeah. It’s a pretty massive cast of characters.
Now that you know all the major players of the show, let’s break down the music that can be heard in American Horror Stories.
Episode 1: “Rubber(wo)man Part One”
“A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum
Michael (Matt Bomer) and Troy (Gavin Creel) sing along to the song on the radio in the car with their daughter Scarlett (Sierra McCormick). You might know Sierra McCormick from her roles on Disney Channel as “Creepy Connie” on Jessie and Olive Doyle on A.N.T Farm, but Creepy Connie doesn’t hold a candle to the character she plays here. This song was Procol Harum’s 1967 smash hit and is known for being the most played song by British broadcasting over the last seventy years.
“Fire for You” by Cannons
While Sierra McCormick’s character is texting in her room, we hear the Cannons song “Fire for You.” The indie pop band released this song as the lead single off their album, Shadows, and it was also featured in a 2020 episode of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever. The commercial success led to their signing with Columbia Records.
“Tonight You Belong To Me” by Patience & Prudence
Fans of the original American Horror Story franchise — the “Murder House” themed first season and “Apocalypse” themed eighth season, specifically — will immediately recognize the song. “Tonight You Belong To Me” plays during a scene I won’t spoilt because it’s pivotal to the show. The Patience & Prudence hit was featured in season 1 and season 8, and can be associated with the Murder House. TikTok users always pick the most unexpected songs to go viral, and this was one of them. In 2019, the song trended all summer on the app and saw a major resurgence in popularity and streams.
Episode 2: “Rubber(wo)man Part Two”
“Twisted Nerve” by Bernard Herrmann
Starting off the second episode as we see Kaia Gerber for the first time is this Bernard Herrmann song. A continuation of the first episode, this pair of episodes is the only two-parter of this installment. The song was first featured in the 1968 psychological thriller of the same title, and it features an eerie whistling tune.
“Heads Will Roll” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The song plays while Sierra and Kaia are celebrating their Halloween night. Originally released in 2009 on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ album, It’s Blitz!, the song was a big hit in the United States. It really suits the Halloween vibe of the episode, and this scene in particular, very well.
“Right or Wrong” by Wanda Jackson
During a flash forward scene that sees us jumping to 10 months later, Wanda Jackson’s “Right or Wrong” plays. Released in 1961, Jackson had a pop hit on her hands that Ronnie Dove later recorded for hisself in 1964 that also went on to be a hit. It leaves the conclusion feeling very ominous and caps this story off nicely.
Episode 3: “Drive In”
“Gooey” by Glass Animals
While everyone is arriving to the drive-in, this Glass Animals song is playing in the background. “Gooey” is featured on the group’s 2014 album, Zaba.
“There Will Be Blood” by Kim Petras
During the final scene of the episode, Kim Petras’ “There Will Be Blood” soundtracks it. Petras released the song on her Halloween-themed mixtape, TURN OFF THE LIGHT, in 2019 (honestly, every song would fit into the AHS universe). This song was also featured in one of the teaser trailers for American Horror Stories.
Episode 4: “The Naughty List”
“Memories” by David Guetta featuring Kid Cudi
As we are introduced to the members of the Bro House, hitmaker David Guetta’s 2010 song “Memories” featuring Kid Cudi is playing. A house full of influencers only ever means good things, right?
“Mood” by 24kGoldn & iann dior
While Wyatt and Barry explain what the Bro House means to him, 24kGoldn and iann dior’s hit song “Mood” plays. It went viral on TikTok and proceeded to spent eight non-consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100 chart.
“Sleigh Ride” by The Ronettes
The Bro House is hosting a Christmas-themed party, and the rest of the episode features some of the most iconic Christmas songs of all time. First up is “Sleigh Ride.”
“Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
Instrumental of the song plays while the #bros film their video of them all working out.
“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms
Driving down the road, the #bros pull up next to a car full of girls with “Jingle Bell Rock” playing. The scenery couldn’t be less Christmas-y, but the song reminds us it’s actually Christmastime.
“Silver Bells” by Andy Williams
As Danny Trejo is seen suiting up as Santa Clause, Andy Williams’ iconic song, “Silver Bells” can be heard.
“Silent Night” by The Temptations
The episode’s final song is “Silent Night,” and I won’t tell you any more about the scene than that. It’s one to remember (or possibly forget).
Episode 5: “BA’AL”
“Redeemer” by Karen O & Danger Mouse
This song plays during a dinner scene between a group of friends. “Redeemer” is featured on Karen O and Danger Mouse’s 2019 album, Lux Prima.
New episodes of American Horror Stories premiere Thursdays on FX on Hulu.
Music News & Rumors 