How FX's 'Love Story' Built Its Viral '90s Soundtrack

Since its debut on FX, the series 'Love Story' has extended beyond the screen, boosting attendance at filming locations in New York and generating fashion trends inspired by the couple. The impact extends to the digital realm, where content related to the series dominates social media, especially TikTok. The music, featuring artists like Radiohead, Björk, and Lenny Kravitz, transports the audience back to the 90s. The series, created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, has managed to place four of its songs in the top ten spots on Billboard's Top TV Songs chart in February.

Jen Malone, music supervisor for 'Love Story', explained that the musical selection sought authenticity, using songs that reflected the years in which John and Carolyn's story unfolds. The music supervisor focused on creating a universal soundtrack, including both iconic songs and lesser-known tracks from the era. The series strived to be accurate with the timeline in John and Carolyn's lives, avoiding songs that didn't fit chronologically. Music became a key element in transporting the audience to a very different era, before 9/11 and the rise of the Internet.

Although not much information was available about Carolyn Bessette's personal musical tastes, tracks were included that fit the era and that she might have listened to. A Tom Petty song was used in a scene where John listens to music with his Walkman, nodding to his musical preferences. The goal was to create a soundtrack that was universal and included the big hits of the moment, covering various musical genres.

The song 'Human Behaviour' by Björk was a challenge to get, due to the protection the artist has over the use of her music. Jen Malone wrote a personal letter to Björk, expressing the importance of her music in her life, which ultimately led to the approval of the song's use. The music selection process was generally successful, without major rejections, which allowed the soundtrack to be very diverse.

The series has not only revitalized songs by artists like Lenny Kravitz, but has also introduced new audiences to groups like Stereolab. The music supervisor has not had direct contact with the artists, but knows they have noticed the impact of the series on the popularity of their songs. Fashion, like the C.O. Bigelow headbands that Carolyn wore, has also experienced a resurgence, with the store being very busy with fans.

The finale of 'Love Story' featured only two songs, in addition to Bryce Dessner's original score. The selected songs, such as 'Air' by Beth Hirsch and 'Here With Me' by Dido, were carefully chosen to evoke specific emotions at key moments. The music supervisor worked closely with editor Jordan Bracewell to ensure that the music complemented the narrative and emotional impact of the finale. The team sought songs that reflected the reunion of John and Carolyn, and the inevitable sadness that was approaching.

The scene of John and Carolyn's first meeting, set to music by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, was a key moment. The series used the songs as a score, similar to Romeo and Juliet. The soundtrack included a variety of musical genres, from Britpop to trip hop, reflecting the musical diversity of the era. The wedding episode and the finale were scored with songs from The Velvet Underground and Radiohead, which accentuated the emotional narrative.