In STARZ‘s Heels, Stephen Amell (Jack Spade) and Alexander Ludwig (Ace Spade) star as brothers and rivals in a drama about a struggling wrestling league, the DWL, in the small town of Duffy, Georgia. In the wrestling world, a “heel” is the villain in the ring, and a “face” is the hero in the ring. The brothers are one of each, and they are at war with each other over their late father’s wrestling promotion, vying for the attention of the nation.
Fans and critics are already comparing the show to Friday Night Lights, so that’s some pretty high praise. Similar to that show, the soundtrack plays a role itself in the series. Jeff Cardoni composed the score for the series, which does an absolutely incredible job at building up the intensity of the scenes, infusing even more hype. Jonathan Leahy is the music supervisor for the show, responsible for curating the songs for the series’ soundtrack.
Now that you know a little bit about the show and who’s behind the music, you probably want know the songs featured in the show:
Episode 1: “Kayfabe”
“Love In War (Main Title Theme” by Jeff Cardoni & Ben Dridwell
Heard playing during the opening credits (written and recorded specifically for the Heels soundtrack)
“Call On Me” by Alison Luff
Heard when Staci Spade (Allison Luff) sings the song at church (written and recorded specifically for the Heels soundtrack)
“Babe I Know” by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats ft. Lucius
Heard while everyone is preparing for the big wrestling event at the DWL
“Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)” by Irma Thomas
Heard playing over a dramatic slo-mo montage of the wrestling event
“Play To Win” by Striker
Heard in the background right before Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig) and Jack Spade (Stephen Amell) are about to go out and wrestle each other
“Run to the Lightning” by Coincidental Minors ft. Todd Kerns
Heard as Ace Space (Alexander Ludwig) enters the ring and fires up the crowd (written and recorded specifically for the Heels soundtrack)
“Master & A Hound” by Gregory Alan Isakov
Heard at the end of the match between Jack Spade (Stephen Amell) and Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig) and continuing on into end credits
Episode 2: “Dusty Finish”
“Colors” by Black Pumas
Heard while Jack Spade (Stephen Amell) drives to work
“Lower Worlds” by Rainer Maria
Heard when Crystal (Kelli Berglund) arrives home
“Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis
Heard when Rooster (Allen Maldonaldo) and a woman at the bar sing the song together at karaoke
“Family Tradition” by Hank Williams Jr.
Heard when a man at the bar sings the song at karaoke
“A Better Man” by Clint Black
Heard when Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig) sings the song at the bar during karaoke
“Have Faith” by Alison Luff
Jack’s wife Staci (Alison Luff) sings the song while she is at the house
“Supposed To” by Lola Kirke
Heard when Staci (Allison Luff) takes matters into her own hands, shoots the squirrels, and mows the tall grass
New episodes of Heels air Sunday nights on Starz and on the Starz app. Watch the show here.
Music News & Rumors 