Shonda Rhimes’ sparkling series, Bridgerton, has been thoroughly analyzed on various different levels. Whether it is the depiction of romance, the details behind costumes, or the failures and successes of the storyline, the show continues to positively and sometimes also negatively surprise its viewers.
As a historical piece of fiction with a fair portion of steamy romance, Bridgerton is unlike many other period dramas. While the creator of the show, Chris Van Dusen, has done an impressive job in bringing the world of Julia Quinn’s novel series of the same name to the screens, fans are still unsure about one major aspect of the show. Balls of all different kinds of themes depict hot spots during the season, but while they make up an exciting part of the show, not everyone is satisfied with the modern soundtrack, causing the idea of the Regency era to crumble. Let’s take a look at why Bridgerton‘s soundtrack is so divisive.
The Soundtrack Is Anachronistic
One of the biggest issues viewers have with the Bridgerton soundtrack is that it straightforwardly clashes with the time in which the story is taking place. The series features covers, a film score, and also classical pieces, but some of which don’t actually stem from that time. Arguably, it is incredibly important to ensure that the music matches the time period in order to fully let the people watching the show immerse themselves in the world.
By using songs from the 21st century, the attention is quickly shifted away from the events, ripping the viewers out of Regency-era London and bringing them straight back to reality. Considering that Bridgerton first aired in December 2020, the beauty behind the series is that it offered a breath of fresh air and a way to fully indulge in a whole new world. The modern soundtrack, however, partially prevented viewers from experiencing this escapism, which many, in general, long for and expect when watching period dramas.
Modern Songs Are Distracting
While songs by famous artists such as BTS, Billie Eilish, or Taylor Swift usually light up the mood among fans and have the ability to leave an overwhelmingly positive impact, many Bridgerton viewers can’t say the same when it comes to the classical versions of those songs. Considering that it is mostly the lyrics that allow the listeners to connect with the songs in a profound way, they often feel like there is something missing or easily get irritated. This is because the melody sometimes rings a bell, but due to the lack of vocals, they find themselves spending time trying to figure out what the song is called instead of focusing on the show itself.
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The Delivery Falls Flat
Unfortunately, another reason why the soundtrack is so divisive is that numerous songs often only feature violins, which, even though it is a wonderful and mesmerizing instrument, can cause the overall delivery to fall flat. Relying merely on a string quartet makes the songs feel as though something is missing and leaves the viewers craving more. A more diverse group of instruments would create a stronger feeling, and some moments, especially special ones between the main characters, simply require more energy and texture in order to truly convey their emotions.
The lack of texture can cause climatic scenes to feel rather empty, and not every modern song works well as a classical piece, which is the reason why occasionally the strings feel as though they disturb the moment instead of pulling the viewers in even more. Some also argue that amusing songs are used during romantic scenes, which sadly take away from the energy that the characters are sharing.
Keeping It Relatable
Even though modern songs can be a distraction, especially without the lyrics and vocals present, the different melodies in the soundtracks certainly manage to ring a bell among viewers. Using popular songs is a reminder that Bridgerton is indeed not fully based on historical accuracy, but rather takes liberties and aims to draw viewers in by giving them something they already know. It is this blending of a far-away time with modern aspects that adds some spice and helps to set the series apart from other classical period dramas.
Songs that are known by many and whose lyrics are stuck in people’s minds can subtly reveal more detail behind the characters’ relationships. If the audience is aware of the meaning behind the featured song, then it can reveal the intention behind using it and could show that ups and downs in relationships were as present back in the 19th century as they are nowadays. It makes the characters’ worries and hopes more relatable, and can even ease some minds by hinting that some problems are smaller than they might seem, as millions of people have had to face similar difficulties before.
Additionally, it certainly can be seen as a swift reminder of how old the characters actually are, because the modern songs add a sense of youth, allowing the viewers to feel as though the gap between them and Daphne, Penelope, Colin, and the rest of the ton isn’t actually that big.
