The Umbrella Academy soundtrack in season 1 is an eclectic mix, from classic songs by The Doors and Nina Simone to modern hits like Woodkid’s “Run Boy Run,” with a few more obscure numbers thrown in as well. The TV show, based on the comics by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, is about a group of kids with extraordinary abilities who are collected by an obsessive scientist and trained to become a superhero team. As adults, they are estranged and lead very different lives but are reunited when they need to attend their father’s funeral and prevent the apocalypse).

The Umbrella Academy has three seasons on Netflix, and the show has only been on a steep incline in terms of critical acclaim and viewership. The group has been forced to stop the apocalypse at least twice, with the latest season introducing a new group of heroes from an alternate timeline known as “the Sparrow Academy.” Throughout the series, The Umbrella Academy soundtrack has been top-notch, and the first season was no exception, from the Academy’s dance party in Episode 1 to the hit song that plays over the finale’s credits.

Song Title
Artists

“Picture Book”
The Kinks

“The Walker”

“I Think We’re Alone Now”
Tiffany

“Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”
They Might Be Giants

“Run Boy Run”
Woodkid

“Goody Two Shoes”
Adam Ant

“Don’t Stop Me Now”
Queen

“Never Tear Us Apart”
Paloma Faith

“Lost Woman”
The Yardbirds

“We’re Through”
The Hollies

“Sinnerman”
Nina Simone

“Blood Like Lemonade”
Morcheeba

“Shingaling”
Tom Swoon

“This Year’s Love”
David Gray

“In The Heat of the Moment”
Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds

“Mary”
Big Thief

“Memory Bound”
Don McGinnis

“Happy Together”
Gerard Way (feat. Ray Toro)

“Soul Kitchen”
The Doors

Song Title
Artists

“Dancing in the Moonlight”
Toploader

“Kill of the Night”
Gin Wigmore

“One”
Three Dog Night

“Exit Music (For a Film)”
Radiohead

“Stormy Weather”
Lena Horne

“Stay With Me”
Mary J. Blige

“Mad About You”
Hooverphonic

“Lundi Matin”
Traditional French Children’s Song

“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows”
Lesley Gore

“All Die Young”
Smith Westerns

“Barracuda”
Heart

“Saturday Night”
Bay City Rollers

“Hazy Shade of Winter”
Gerard Way (feat. Ray Toro)

When Exactly Each Song Plays In The Umbrella Academy Season 1

Episode 1: “We Only See Each Other At Weddings and Funerals”

“Picture Book” by The Kinks – “Picture Book” is the 1969 song by The Kinks, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers who were part of the British Invasion in the 1960s. The song was obscure until the 2000s when Green Day used it as a riff on their song “Warning” and now The Umbrella Academy season 1 soundtrack adds to its legacy. The song plays over the scene where the superpowered babies arrive at the Academy.

“The Walker” by Fitz and the Tantrums – Fitz and the Tantrums is a neo-soul band that formed in 2008 and released their fifth album in 2022. “The Walker” is one of their most popular songs, as it has appeared in the movie Identity Thief, trailers for animated movies Boxtrolls and Storks, and in TV commercials for a variety of products. In The Umbrella Academy, it plays over the scene where the Academy, as kids, deals with the bank robbers.

“I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now” was a song by Tommy James and the Shondells from 1967 that was a number four hit on the Billboard charts, but it became most known for the Tiffany cover when the pop song hit number one for the teenage pop star. For The Umbrella Academy, the song plays over one of the most popular scenes in the series when the Academy members dance in the house to Luther’s record.

“Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” by They Might Be Giants – “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” was a novelty song from 1953 that became a major hit when They Might Be Giants covered it in 1990. The song was an instant hit thanks to its inclusion at the time on MTV’s Liquid Television. In The Umbrella Academy, the song is played in the donut shop fight scene when armed men show up and try to kill Five.

Episode 2: “Run Boy Run”

“Run Boy Run” by Woodkid – One of the newer songs on The Umbrella Academy soundtrack is “Run Boy Run” by chamber pop musician Woodkid. It was the second single from his debut album The Golden Age and was his highest-charting single. The song has been played in several movies and TV shows, including 13 Reasons Why, The Maze Runner, and The Post. In The Umbrella Academy, it plays while Five runs back to the Academy after the attack from the first episode.

“Goody Two Shoes” by Adam Ant – “Goody Two Shoes” is the debut solo single by English singer Adam Ant, and the song’s theme contrasts with the scene in which it played in The Umbrella Academy. This scene sees Klaus get high, as he does what he can to numb the pain of seeing and hearing dead people around him all the time. The song’s opening also played over the first scene in Hot Fuzz.

“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen – One of the most popular songs from the Umbrella Academy soundtrack is Queen’s hit track, “Don’t Stop Me Now.” The song hit number one on the UK Rock & Metal Charts and number seven on the US Hot Rock Charts and remains popular to this day, appearing in movies like Shaun of the Dead. In The Umbrella Academy, it plays over the scene where Five fights Hazel and Cha-Cha for the first time.

“Never Tear Us Apart” by Paloma Faith – “Never Tear Us Apart” was a monster hit for the 80s alternative band INXS, but the version used in The Umbrella Academy soundtrack is the 2012 cover by Paloma Faith. The song was covered for an advertising campaign for the UK department store John Lewis. In The Umbrella Academy, the song plays when Five finds his siblings in the apocalypse.

Episode 3: “Extra Ordinary”

“Lost Woman” by The Yardbirds – The Yardbirds is an English rock band from the 1960s and the band that helped launch the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. “Lost Woman” is the song that opens the band’s 1966 self-titled album (which was also known as Roger the Engineer) and remains one of the more obscure songs on The Umbrella Academy soundtrack. The song plays while Vanya is sitting and writing in her book.

“We’re Through” by The Hollies – “We’re Through” is a 1964 single from The Hollies. The song hit number seven on the UK charts but isn’t one of the band’s more famous numbers. Despite this, it was a perfect song to play when Hazel and Cha-Cha arrive at the Academy to fight the siblings.

“Sinnerman” by Nina Simone – The song on The Umbrella Academy soundtrack changes when the actual fight against Hazel and Cha-Cha starts. This song is “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone. The song was certified silver posthumously when it was re-released in 2003 on Four Women – The Nina Simone Philips Recordings and gained a new life thanks to The Umbrella Academy.

Episode 4: “Man on the Moon”

“Blood Like Lemonade” by Morcheeba – The fourth episode of The Umbrella Academy went into Luther’s life, and how living on the moon after the Professor sent him there changed him. The Morcheeba single “Blood Like Lemonade” from 2003 is playing over the scene during Luther’s morning routine.

“Shingaling” by Tom Swoon – The episode also used the song “Shingaling” by former Polish DJ Tom Swoon. This more obscure song from The Umbrella Academy soundtrack plays when Hazel and Cha-Cha get high and start a fire in the lab to hide the evidence from Five.

“This Year’s Love” by David Gray – “This Year’s Love” is a 1999 single by British singer David Gray that packed at number 20 on the charts. However, since its release, it gained popularity thanks to its inclusion in movies like The Girl Next Door, Wimbledon, and Crazy/Beautiful. In The Umbrella Academy, it plays when Diego finds Patch at the motel.

Episode 5: Number Five

“In The Heat of the Moment” by Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds – “In The Heat of the Moment” is the first single from Noel Gallagher’s second album when he left Oasis. When it comes to The Umbrella Academy soundtrack, this song plays when it shows Five in the apocalyptic world where he was trapped for so long.

“Mary” by Big Thief – Big Thief is an American indie rock band that formed in 2015 and “Mary” is on the band’s second album “Capacity.” In The Umbrella Academy, the song plays after Klaus travels on the bus.

“Memory Bound” by Don McGinnis – Don McGinnis is an obscure country singer from Nashville who mostly works as a studio demo player. His song “Memory Bound” plays on The Umbrella Academy soundtrack. In the episode, the song plays as Klaus and Diego start fighting at the VFA.

“Happy Together” by Gerard Way (feat. Ray Toro) – The first song by The Umbrella Academy co-creator Gerard Way doesn’t appear until the fifth episode, and the song is a cover of The Turtles’ hit song “Happy Together.” The Turtles’ version was a number-one hit. This cover plays out during the fifth episode’s ending when Vanya gets intimate with Leonard and her powers start manifesting as Pogo reactivates Grace.

Episode 6: “The Day That Wasn’t”

“Soul Kitchen” by The Doors – “Soul Kitchen” is a 1967 hit by The Doors and plays during a scene where Klaus time travels to the Vietnam War. While there, he falls in love with a soldier named Dave and the song plays while Klaus and Dave go dancing together.

“Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader – Originally, “Dancing in the Moonlight” was a song by King Harvest. The version used in The Umbrella Academy soundtrack is the cover by Toploader from 2000. The song was a massive hit, certified four times platinum. In the Netflix series, this song plays while Allison and Luther dance after confessing their romantic feelings.

“Kill of the Night” by Gin Wigmore – Gin Wigmore is a New Zealand singer who released her debut single in 2009. “Kill of the Night” is on her double-platinum Gravel & Wine album, although it was never released as a single, although it did appear in the TV show Teen Wolf and the movie Spy. In The Umbrella Academy, it plays when Five intercepts the orders to protect Harold Jenkins and sends orders to Cha-Cha and Hazel to kill the other.

Episode 7: “The Day That Was”

“One” by Three Dog Night – “One” is one of the most famous songs by the 1960s band Three Dog Night and while it topped out at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, it remains one of their most-played songs. In The Umbrella Academy soundtrack, it plays over the scene where the show reveals Harold Jenkins’ tragic backstory.

“Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead – “Exit Music (For a Film)” is a song from Radiohead’s album OK Computer, which is considered one of the best albums ever produced. The song played over the end credits of Romeo + Juliet, although it was not included on the movie’s soundtrack. Here, the song plays out during the ending montage with everyone at their lowest point.

The Umbrella Academy wouldn’t be what it is without a plethora of fantastic music choices. We highlight every song in season 3 and when it plays.

Episode 8: “I Heard A Rumor”

“Stormy Weather” by Lena Horne – “Stormy Weather” is one of the oldest songs on The Umbrella Academy soundtrack, a love song first released in 1933 and played at the Cotton Club in Harlem. The version in this series is also an older version, released in 1941 by Lena Horne and later into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000. In the episode, it plays while Allison tells Claire a story.

“Stay With Me” by Mary J. Blige – Mary J. Blige plays Cha-Cha, one of the assassins sent to kill Five in the first season. She also has one song on The Umbrella Academy soundtrack with the song “Stay With Me.” The song was originally a Sam Smith song with Mary J. Blige from his debut album In the Lonely Hour. Blige re-recorded this version and plays over the scene when Cha-Cha searches the donut shop looking for Hazel.

“Mad About You” by Hooverphonic – Hooverphonic is a Belgian band that formed in 1995, and they play music that is a mix of hip-hop and electronica. “Mad About You” was released in 2000 from the band’s third album, and it ended up as their biggest hit. In The Umbrella Academy soundtrack, the song plays when The Academy finds Allison at the cabin.

Episode 9: “Changes”

“Lundi Matin” by Traditional French Children’s Song – Translated from French, “Lundi Matin” means Monday Morning. It is a traditional French children’s song. The song plays in a flashback scene in the ninth episode when Seven refuses to eat her oatmeal.

“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” by Lesley Gore – “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” is a 1963 song by singer Lesley Gore. The song, produced by Quincy Jones, hit number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. In The Umbrella Academy soundtrack, the track plays while Hazel fights Cha-Cha to try to save Agnes.

“All Die Young” by Smith Westerns – The Smith Westerns is an indie rock band from Chicago that was active from 2007 until 2014. While they had been broken up for years, The Umbrella Academy soundtrack still used their song “All Die Young” in this episode during the scene where Five takes Dolores home.

Episode 10: “The White Violin”

“Barracuda” by Heart – “Barracuda” was a monster hit for the rock band Heart from 1977 and was the band’s second top 20 hit. In this season one finale, the song plays while Vanya returns to her apartment after killing Pogo and destroying Grace.

“Saturday Night” by Bay City Rollers – “Saturday Night” is a song by the Bay City Rollers that was a number-one hit and remains one of their most popular hits. The song plays in a perfect scene, as it is a bowling alley favorite. In The Umbrella Academy soundtrack, it plays over the bowling alley shootout where Hazel shoots the Handler and the Commission troops show up and attack.

“Hazy Shade of Winter” by Gerard Way (feat. Ray Toro) – The final song to play in The Umbrella Academy soundtrack is the song that plays over the end credits when the siblings can’t stop Vanya from causing the apocalypse. This is another song by co-creator Gerard Way, a cover of a Simon and Garfunkle song that the Bangles also previously covered.

Why My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way Didn’t Choose The Soundtrack

Gerard Way, the frontman of the band My Chemical Romance, is one of The Umbrella Academy comic book creators. However, he is only credited for two songs on The Umbrella Academy soundtrack. The song list is a mixed bag of prolific and recognizable songs that the cast is often seen even dancing to and are integral to the series. According to Gerard Way, showrunner Steve Blackman chose specific songs to include in the series and “actually writes the songs in the script” (via The New York Times)

The showrunner said he hears a song and wants to build a scene around it.

Blackman would often imagine a scene while he was listening to a song. In an interview, the showrunner said he hears a song and wants to build a scene around it, with one example being playing Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” while Five is zipping in and out of time while fighting Hazel and Cha-Cha. While the nod to Gerard in the fifth and tenth episodes is a welcome inclusion for the MCR faithful, Blackman said he often wrote the scenes after listening to the songs he used in them (via Polygon).

“I sometimes will be listening to a song and then I imagine a scene. Very early on, I’m thinking, ‘I want to put this song over a fight scene,’ and I work that into the script — which is often backward. A lot of people add music after the fact. I work the opposite way.”

Where To Stream The Umbrella Academy Season 1 Soundtrack

It’s Available On Streaming Platforms

The Umbrella Academy soundtrack is not available to purchase, although the official score is available. However, the official The Umbrella Academy playlist can be streamed on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. These playlists include all the music from the first three seasons of the show, so it isn’t just the first season here. This means there are other songs like Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” and The Struts’ “Ballroom Blitz” from the other seasons of the hit Netflix series.