Paradise Show: Cal's Mixtape & All The Soundtracks In Season 1, Explained

Hulu’s latest sleeper hit, Paradise, belongs to the mystery box category of TV shows, a genre that explores the puzzling causality of events in the story, building its exclusive mythos set in a controlled environment—occasionally isolated from the rest of the world. A key motif of the genre, reflected in shows like From, Silo, and Lost too, is the way the makers try to use the background score and soundtrack to enhance the narrative treatment—by creating an enigmatic effect or hinting at what’s to come and motivations of the characters. This is most prominently reflected in David Lynch’s masterpiece, Twin Peaks, both the movies and series, where Angelo Badalamenti composed themes and scores that did justice to Lynch’s surreal vision. The importance of music as a suggestive narrative device is also realized in Paradise, as composer Siddhartha Khosla’s usage of background scores and tracks suggests. Some of Siddhartha’s recent work include composing for Only Murders in the Building, This Is Us, and The Idea of You—compared to which Paradise differs in scale and scope by a lot.

Spoilers Ahead

Cal’s Mixtape For Jeremy

By the end of the first season, Jeremy Bradford, son of late President Cal Bradford, found the mixtape full of 80s and 90s rock songs his father had made for him. It is not just memorabilia for Jeremy to remember his father, whose music taste he couldn’t appreciate back when he was alive, but it also contains every single track viewers get to listen to through the episodes. Needless to say, the song cue creates an emotional connection with Cal’s character for viewers, as in a sense, he was there throughout the narrative without physically being present. In short, even though Cal was murdered in the first episode itself, his mixtape kept him alive, and therefore, without any further ado, let’s take a look at all the songs played throughout season 1 and their significance in the show.

Episode 1 Another Day in Paradise

The first episode of the first season of Paradise features Cat vs. Cat and Joyner’s version of Phil Collins’ song, “Another Day In Paradise.” The track is not only indicative of the eponymous dome township where humanity has taken refuge after the doomsday event, but also of the theme of inequality and apathy. The Grammy-winning song itself speaks of the miserable condition of a homeless woman, whose plight is ignored by the passerbys who are more fortunate and affluent. The song’s message about lack of empathy is perfectly exemplified through the series’ narrative, where privileged, powerful people have constructed a dome township to protect themselves, leaving the rest of the world to succumb to their misery. The so-called Paradise made by people like Sinatra is a veritable hell where sinners who abandoned the rest of humanity have taken refuge.

Episode 2 We Built This City 

The second episode features Jefferson Starship’s “We Built This City,” a song that demonstrates President Bradford’s love for 80s and 90s rock music. The track acts as a critique of the increasing commercialization and corporate aggression of the era. Appropriately, the second episode focuses on Samantha ‘Sinatra’ Redmond, the mastermind behind the dome township, representative of the billionaires who funded its creation. 

Ooh! Mother

Unicorn’s “Ooh! Mother” is the second song to be featured in the second episode, and the song, which speaks about the difference between expectation and reality, is indicative of Sinatra’s troubled personal life. Samantha’s family was the source of her strength, but after losing her dear son, the paranoia she felt for her family ultimately resulted in her dark turn. 

Ever Thought Of Coming Back?

The second episode features yet another track, Kelley Stoltz’s “Ever Thought of Coming Back?”, a song that speaks of the yearning to emotionally reconnect. Once again, this song too brings Sinatra into focus, whose personal relationships became estranged; and whose life turned into a disaster after the death of her son. Sinatra became a changed person, and despite being aware of her altered state, there was no chance for her to go back to the way things were. 

Episode 3 I Think We’re Alone Now

Tiffany and Hidden Citizen’s cover of Tommy James’ “I Think We’re Alone Now” plays in the third episode of the first season. The song hints at emotional connection, which in this case is indicative of Dr. Gabriela Torabi and Agent Collins’ budding romance.

Episode 4 Every Rose Has Its Thorn

The fourth episode features Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” a song that, in the series, was a personal favorite of President Cal Bradford. His son, Jeremy, who laments not being able to reconcile with his father, dedicates this sad love song to his memory during the carnival. The song, which also hints at imperfections in seemingly perfect things, is indicative of Collins’ concerns over his good friend Billy’s true intentions—whose past history as a disturbed, violent individual shocks Collins. Even though Billy’s past actions are amoral and troublesome to say the least, he considered Collins and his family as his own and died for refusing to turn against them.

Episode 5 Here I Go Again

Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” a song that speaks of self-destructive pursuits, regrets, personal struggle, and perseverance, plays twice in the fifth episode, and highlights different situations in President Cal Bradford’s life. On the first occasion, Cal fails to stand up to his domineering father, who has been controlling him all through his life, and despite knowing that, he continues to seek his approval. The second time, Cal confronts Sinatra about the truth, and this time the song praises his resilience, that despite knowing that it isn’t going to end well for him, he chose to do the right thing at the end.

More Than Words

As Bradford and Agent Robinson’s relationship takes center stage, Extreme’s “More Than Words” plays, which highlights their connection. 

Eye of the Tiger 

A very dull cover of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” plays the moment Collins decides to take on Sinatra by openly challenging her, sending a message to be displayed on the dome sky. The original version would have been a much, much better choice in this regard to show Collins’ defiance as opposed to this extremely muted cover. 

Episode 6 Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Raign’s cover of “Knocking On Heaven’s Door,” a song that muses on death, plays when Collins’ last memories of Teri flash before his eyes after learning from Sinatra that his wife is still alive. Collins, who was gravely affected by the death of his wife, struggles to trust Sinatra’s words until she shows him proof through the communication transmission.

They Can’t Take That Away From Me

Frank Sinatra’s “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” plays in the sixth episode when Robinson and Collins begin their coup and force Sinatra to initiate a system reboot on the dome township to stop the insurgents. In this particular context, the love song acts as an inspiration to make a stand against the oppressive, privileged lot.

Episode 8 Put A Candle In The Window

Fleetwood Mac’s “Put A Candle In The Window,” is a song which meditates on love and separation, and in the final episode of the first season it conveys the emotional condition of Trent, the former project manager of the dome township excavation project. After voicing his concerns for the workers in the project, he was fired from his job, and separated from Adam, one of the workers he shared a strong bond with. 

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