"Looking for Alaska's" Best Musical Moments
This article contains spoilers for Hulu's "Looking for Alaska."
After more than a decade in developmental hell, John Green's 2005 novel Looking for Alaska has finally been adapted for television, having premiered on Hulu Oct. 18.
Set in 2005, Looking for Alaska tells the story of Miles "Pudge" Halter (Charlie Plummer), a high school junior obsessed with famous last words, who transfers to Culver Creek Academy from Orlando, Florida. At his new school, Miles begins to come out of his shell thanks to his roommate, Chip "The Colonel" Martin (Denny Love), and friend Takumi Hikohito (Jay Lee). However, it's the mysterious and passionate Alaska Young (Kristine Froseth) who captures Miles' affection.
The eight-episode Hulu series is quite good. It's a sincere, heartfelt, and tragic adaptation of the award-winning novel, and it's a quality throwback to the successful teen dramas of the mid-2000s. A lot of the show's success can be credited to the creator, Josh Schwartz, and his creative and producing partner, Stephanie Savage. Schwartz and Savage are the team behind iconic teen shows like The O.C. and Gossip Girl.
But just like with the The O.C., the music featured on Looking for Alaska is arguably better than the show itself. While working on The O.C., Schwartz and music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas perfectly crafted an indie pop/rock soundtrack that featured up-and-coming bands like Death Cab For Cutie, Modest Mouse, and The Killers. Schwartz and Patsavas reunited on Looking for Alaska to curate a nostalgic and eclectic playlist featuring throwbacks from The Strokes, Bloc Party, 50 Cent, and Gorillaz.
1. The Killers, "All These Things I've Done"
The song is used in the first episode as Miles leaves Florida for an unknown future at Culver Creek Academy. More importantly, it's the song playing when Miles gets his first glimpse of his eventual crush, Alaska.
▲2. 50 Cent, "P.I.M.P"
"P.I.M.P" glorified 50 Cent's flashy, pimp lifestyle. However, the rap song is used in the second episode when the awkward and timid Miles attempts to fix his dress shirt while using his father's cologne. It's irony at its finest.
▲3. Bill Withers, "Lovely Day"
We're cheating on the mid-2000s to head back to 1977. During the fourth episode, Miles decides to stay on campus with Alaska for Thanksgiving instead of returning to Orlando. At this time, all of the school, besides Miles, hates Alaska after she tells the headmaster about illegal activities between students, which leads to the campus calling her a rat. However, the Colonel's mother, Dolores, invites both Miles and Alaska to Thanksgiving dinner to try and bury the hatchet. The Colonel puts aside his own resentment for one night, which leads to an impromptu kitchen dance party to "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers.
▲4. Coldplay, "Fix You"
It worked at a dance in The O.C. so why not use it again? Schwartz went back to Coldplay's "Fix You" for the winter dance in Looking for Alaska. After Alaska rejected Miles' affection in the previous episode, he turns his sights towards Lara Buterskaya (Sofia Vassilieva) for the winter dance. Although he can't dance, Miles swallows his pride and slow dances with Lara to Coldplay's sad anthem that's been making people cry for years.
▲5. Miya Folick, "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" Cover (Original by Death Cab for Cutie)
Somewhere in Orange County, Seth Cohen is smiling. Schwartz helped elevate Death Cab's profile on The O.C., but he couldn't use "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" in the show due to licensing rights. On Looking for Alaska, Schwartz elected to use a sweet and sincere cover by indie singer, Miya Folick. During the sixth episode, Alaska and Miles are playing a game of truth or dare. As tensions begin to rise, Miles and Alaska reveal their feelings toward one another. Alaska dares Miles to kiss her, and their scene is one of the last heartwarming moments of the show. If you've ever felt a human emotion, we dare you not to cry your eyes out.
▲Listen to the entire Looking for Alaska soundtrack on Spotify.
Looking for Alaska (Music from the Original Series)