Now Leaving the Town With Pep: Farewell to Riverdale

September 29, 2023October 19, 2023 Sam Bowser show-riverdale

As we bid farewell to the small but mysterious town of Riverdale, it’s impossible not to reflect on the show’s seven-season journey, marked by its iconic use of music. Since its debut in 2017, Riverdale has been a rollercoaster of mysteries, romances, and thrilling plot twists. One of its most enduring and memorable features has been its extraordinary soundscape.

From dark and moody instrumentals to captivating sync placements, Riverdale had fans flocking to Tunefind from its inception. The musical episodes and cast performances, which typically occur every season, are another aspect of the show that has shaped its incomparable sonic signature.

In honor of the show’s unique soundtrack, we asked music supervisor Brittany Whyte, about her work on Riverdale and her journey from music coordinator to music supervisor. We also compiled our list of the most popular songs from every season and the fan-favorite cast performance from each of its 7 seasons.

Brittany Whyte, music supervisor of Riverdale

Riverdale burst onto the scene with a distinctive blend of mystery and teen drama. From the first episode, it was clear that music would play a pivotal role in setting the show’s tone. The wistful strains of ‘Tell Me’ by Johnny Jewel featuring Saoirse Ronan in the pilot episode set the stage for the series’ dreamy and alluring ambiance.

As Riverdale delved deeper into its labyrinth of enigma, its musical palette expanded. The show’s use of popular music became a defining characteristic. Tracks like ‘Mad World’ by Tears for Fears and ‘Way Down We Go’ by Kaleo underscored the show’s dramatic twists and turns.

The music of Riverdale wasn’t just used in the background; it was a storytelling tool. Lyrics and melodies often supported the various storylines, enhancing the emotional impact of pivotal moments. Fans can thank music supervisor Brittany Whyte for the series’ ability to tell a story with its soundtrack.

Tunefind: You have worked on Riverdale since the beginning as music coordinator on seasons 1-4 and music supervisor on seasons 5-7; tell us about that experience. What were your favorite parts of each role?

Brittany Whyte: I was very fortunate to work alongside Alex Patsavas from seasons 1-4 and learn so much from her about the art of on-camera performances, difficult clearances, and creative directions. She truly was a one-of-a-kind mentor and gave me so much confidence in myself to continue the journey as music supervisor once we all went our separate ways.

TF: What are some of the themes or ideas you and the showrunners decided to explore?

BW: There were a variety of different themes that we explored this season musically – the whole rocking, fun 50s theme. Songs that felt taboo, creepy, or off-kilter. Songs that pushed the boundaries of sex and sexuality in the 1950s. Songs that explored “teenage firsts” and the idea of love and relationships. We really wanted to have a mix of the familiar and the new and I feel that we really did that well.

TF: How did you navigate the eras, namely the 50s featured in season 7?

BW: Navigating the music of the 50s in season 7 was one of the most exciting and fun challenges that I have had as a music supervisor. Each and every episode featured music ranging from the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Les Paul & Mary Ford all the way to lesser-known artists like Gene Summers and Al Hazan (to name a few). I was really able to search for the rare gems that haven’t seen the light of day in film or TV and give them a voice nearly 70 years later!

TF: Do you have any favorite placements from the series as a whole? If so, can you give us some behind-the-song stories about them?

BW: I have so many placements that I felt played a critical role in the musical landscape of the show. It’s impossible to just pick one favorite! However the most enjoyable part of my job was when artists and songwriters reached out and told me about the joy they felt when they heard their songs on TV for the first time. I’d get notes from so many people telling me the impact it had on their lives and careers – one time I was told that a grandpa was the hero as he watched his song (recorded in the 1950’s) air with his grandkids cheering him on in the same room. Nothing better!

TF: What was your favorite part of working on Riverdale? Are you sad to see it end or are you satisfied with how it ended?

BW: Every single person that worked on Riverdale was wonderful and that made the show so enjoyable for me. Of course, it’s always sad to say goodbye to something that you have worked on for 7 years but I feel that it ended in a way that was suitable for the show and the characters. I am very proud to have been a part of it!

You can check out all the songs from Riverdale on Tunefind. As we say goodbye, let’s take a look back at the most popular songs from the series.

The most popular songs from every season of Riverdale

Bonus Track:

Blake Neely’s original score for the series became a musical foundation that quickly became identifiable to fans. Composer Sherri Chung joined Neely on the composer roster in season 2. A score album was released for each of the first four seasons. The most popular score track from season 1 is the quintessential ‘Riverdale,’ the unofficial theme song that plays over the end credits throughout the series.