Super Soundtrack: “Midnight Mass” on Netflix

Midnight Mass comes from creator Mike Flanagan — the mastermind behind The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Doctor Sleep, and Hush — and stars Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Hamish Linklater, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, Annabeth Gish, Henry Thomas, Rahul Abburi, Annarah Cymone, and Alex Essoe. It’s streaming now on Netflix.

The show tells the tale of a small, isolated island community whose existing divisions are amplified by the return of a disgraced young man and the arrival of a charismatic priest. That’s the synopsis that Netflix gives us, and that’s about as concise and tight of a description you can get.

It has already been met with massive critical acclaim, so it’s not like you need me to tell you to watch it. But you definitely should. It’s hard to explain. Even having seen the entire thing, I’m perplexed on precisely how to put it in words. It grapples with the idea of humanity and brings up conversations on religion, faith, society, and small town culture in such profound ways. Some of the best monologues I’ve ever seen are in this series. It’s thrilling, and it’s horror, but it takes a methodical, psychological approach that is unlike anything I’ve seen in a long time.

The soundtrack is an interesting mixed bag of songs with a bunch of Neil Diamond songs intermingled with some church hymns. (The Newton Brothers have released their full 26-song soundtrack of hymns and instrumentals on streaming services if you’re interested in listening to the eerie and creepy tunes.) Let’s break it down…

Episode 1: “Book I: Genesis”

“And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” by Neil Diamond

Heard playing at the start of the first episode when we see the scene of a car crash involving Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford)

“Soolaimon” by Neil Diamond

Heard while Riley (Zach Gilford) is on the phone with his mother and while brother is on the way to hang out with Ooker at the marina

“Abide with Me” by The Newton Brothers

Heard sung while the sheriff, Sherrif Hassan (Rahul Kohli), and his son, Ali (Rahul Abburi), are seen praying

“Lead Kindly Light”

Heard when the congregation sings the song

“Faith of Our Fathers”

Heard when the congregation sings the hymn from the red hymnal

“Yaweh (Communion Hymn)”

Heard when the congregation sings the hymn

“Hail the Day”

Heard when the congregation sings the hymn

Episode 2: “Book II: Psalms”

“Holy, Holy, Holy”

Heard when the congregation sings the song from the red hymnal

“Saturday Morning” by Harry Chapin

Heard while Riley’s mom is sewing and accidentally pricks her finger

“Democracy” by Leonard Cohen

A cover of the song is heard when a band sings the song live at the town’s Crock Pot Luck

“Bartender” by Dave Matthews Band

A cover of the song is heard when a band sings the song live at the town’s Crock Pot Luck

“If You Could Read My Mind” by Gordon Lightfoot

A cover of the song is heard when a band sings the song live at the town’s Crock Pot Luck

“Lead Thou Me On”

Heard sung softly in the background

Episode 3: “Book III: Proverbs”

“Holly Holy” by Neil Diamond

Heard while Riley Flynn’s parents dance around the living room together

“Were You There” by The Newton Brothers

Heard during the final scene and continues to play over the end credits

Episode 4: “Book IV: Lamentations”

there were no songs featured in this episode

Episode 5: “Book V: Gospel”

“O Sons and Daughters” by The Newton Brothers

Heard when Riley is seen leaving the church

Episode 6: “Book VI: Acts of the Apostles”

“Holy God We Praise Thy Name” by The Newton Brothers

Heard when it’s sung by the congregation during Midnight Mass

Episode 7: “Book VII: Revelation”

there were no songs featured in this episode

Midnight Mass is now streaming on Netflix. Stream the limited series here.