Love Story’s Soundtrack Is a Time Machine to the ’90s You Need To Get Into
So there’s this little show called Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette if you’ve heard of it. It chronicles John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s love story from when they first met until their tragic demise in a plane crash in 1999. Though the show has faced controversy, the series has become one of the first big new shows of 2026, routinely getting social media talking with each new episode.
From lead actor Paul Anthony Kelly becoming an overnight star to the internet obsessing over CBK’s style, the series has been growing its cultural cache. And another notable aspect of Love Story is its attention to detail in its ‘90s setting, especially when it comes to its soundtrack.
The songs featured in each episode are a mix of the decade’s hits and alternative favorites that serve as a nostalgic throwback and time capsule to the era’s music. Thanks to the work of the show’s music supervisor, Jen Malone, who also served as the music supervisor on Euphoria and Wednesday, the songs featured help bring to life the duo’s tumultuous relationship as they navigate being one of America’s most talked-about couples.
Each needle drop adds to the viewing experience, and with Gen Z viewers latching onto the show, it also serves as an introduction to the new generation of some of the artists that defined the ‘90s. So, if you’ve been loving Love Story’s soundtrack, here are some of the artists featured that you may want to get into and add to your own playlists.
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Sade – R&B Icon
One of Britain’s most successful female musicians, Sade is renowned as an influential figure and one of the best voices in the contemporary soul, R&B, and jazz genres. Her distinct vocals bring her songs to life and register the moment you hear them. Most may know her for her timeless classic Smooth Operator, but she has a lot more hits in her discography, such as No Ordinary Love, which was featured on the show’s fourth episode when the couple danced to the track at a bar. As John succinctly puts it, “What animal doesn’t like Sade?”
Lenny Kravitz – A Musical Force
If there’s one song that Love Story is most known for, it’s It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over by Lenny Kravitz. Played after John visits Carolyn at the Calvin Klein offices in episode one, the track has become the show’s unofficial theme song. And we understand, given the track’s upbeat, bright, and lovey-dovey energy. The song’s resurgence also serves as a reminder to Gen Z that Lenny Kravitz is more than just Zoë Kravitz’s father and Cinna from The Hunger Games franchise. First and foremost, he’s a talented musician whose decades in the industry have seen him experiment with multiple genres from funk, soul, R&B, rock, and more.
Kate Bush – A Timeless Star
If there’s one thing Kate Bush is going to do, it’s stay relevant in the 2020s by being included in the soundtrack of popular TV shows. First, there was Stranger Things with Running Up That Hill, and now, there’s Love Story. When John and Carolyn first meet at the charity event in episode one, Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work plays in the background. The song adds to the crucial moment, and also highlights the British musician’s ability to deliver with her eclectic musical style and signature, soaring high-pitched vocals.
Seal – A Top Male Vocalist of the Era
In the ‘90s and 2000s, Seal was considered one of the biggest male solo acts in the world. So, it’s no surprise that his song Crazy, which is from his self-titled debut studio album in 1991 and reached number two on the UK singles charts, was featured on Love Story’s soundtrack. If you’re in the mood for love and be moved by a soulful voice, the Kiss from a Rose hitmaker is a classic choice.
En Vogue – ‘90s Girl Group Excellence
When it comes to girl groups who helped pave the way, En Vogue deserves their flowers as much as their contemporaries. Arriving on the scene in the ‘90s, the American girl group quickly established themselves as a top group of the decade with their take on R&B, pop, hip-hop, and soul. As heard in their two hit songs featured on the show, Free Your Mind and My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It), En Vogue has catchy bops still worthy of playing in the 2020s.
Primal Scream – A ‘90s Gem
Primal Scream is a Scottish rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. While starting in the indie pop scene, they eventually gravitated towards including dance music elements in their work. That’s best heard in their 1991 album Screamadelica, which became a mainstream hit for the band. It is also in the album where Loaded comes from, which is used as one of the songs to highlight Carolyn’s cool girl aura as she rises through the corporate ranks of Calvin Klein. This indie favorite makes for a good inclusion in the playlist if you want to feel your best self.
Madonna – The Queen Of Pop
The inclusion of Madonna on the soundtrack wasn’t just a cheeky reference to how JFK Jr. dated Madonna in the ‘90s, but also because she was one of the biggest pop stars of the decade. ‘90s Madonna had her hits just as much as her breakthrough decade in the ‘80s and her boundary-pushing pop in the 2000s. From Secret, which was featured on the show, to Ray of Light from her seminal album of the same name, this era of Madonna is worth exploring.
The Cranberries – A Decade-Defining Act
Any fan of ‘90s music knows who The Cranberries are. But in case you don’t, they are an Irish rock band who are considered one of the most definitive acts of the decade. The inclusion of their hit Linger at the end of episode four, when Carolyn sees her name in the tabloids for the first time, served as a great way to close the episode. Beyond the nostalgia, the Zombie hitmakers just make great music whose impact is still felt.
Björk – One-Of-A-Kind Artist
Björk is known as having one of the most unique POVs in the music industry. But if the inclusion of her song Human Behavior in the show’s second episode has reminded us of anything, it’s that her storytelling remains unmatched since she came onto the scene in the ‘90s. The combination of her unique voice, interesting production, and one-of-a-kind creativity has made Björk a star unlike any other.
Mazzy Star – ‘90s Alternative Rock Favorite
One of alternative rock’s most notable acts of the ‘90s, American band Mazzy Star achieved their breakthrough during the decade with the melancholic Fade Into You. It became the group’s biggest mainstream hit and turned them into favorites in the indie and folk space, which is no wonder the song and Blue Light were featured on Love Story’s soundtrack.
Portishead – Moody and Atmospheric Musicians
One of Love Story’s most famous scenes is during episode three when John bikes in the rain to come to Carolyn’s apartment as they make their relationship official. And it’s all set to Roads by English electronic band Portishead. They are most known for their work in the trip-hop genre, which is described as moody electronic music that combines melancholic lyrics and atmospheric hip-hop beats. As popular as sad girl music has become these days, Portishead made a name for themselves with their cinematic and introspective songs that will have you feeling like you’re in your own world.
Pulp – Britpop Stars
For a show about one of America’s most famous couples, Love Story loves their British artists, and we don’t mind. During an intimate scene in the sixth episode, John and Carolyn are getting ready for their wedding by listening to Pulp’s Common People, which is from the band’s 1995 album Different Class.
The song’s Britpop aesthetic aided in how the two just wanted to let loose, but also added to the commentary in their desire to have a normal wedding, or at least as normal as possible in the Kennedy family. The banger was effectively used and served as a reminder that Pulp were one of the bigger names in Britpop at the time, whose music makes you want to sing and dance to this day.
The post Love Story’s Soundtrack Is a Time Machine to the ’90s You Need To Get Into first appeared on MEGA.
Love Story’s Soundtrack Is a Time Machine to the ’90s You Need To Get Into
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