Lady In The Lake Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play In Apple TV+'s Thriller Show

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Lady in the Lake.

Summary Lady in the Lake features great music choices from the 1966 Baltimore setting, enhancing the storytelling experience.

Oscar winner Natalie Portman shines in her first leading television role, alongside a talented cast in this limited series.

Each episode of Lady in the Lake offers a unique musical experience that captures the essence of the era and enhances the storyline.

There are some great music choices in the soundtrack of Apple's new limited series Lady in the Lake. Based on the 2019 bestselling novel by Laura Lippman, Lady in the Lake stars Oscar winner Natalie Portman in her first-ever leading role in a television series. Portman leads an exceptional cast in Lady in the Lake which also includes rising star actress Moses Ingram, future Superman David Corenswet, and Mikey Madison, the star of this year's Palme d'Or winner Anora by Sean Baker. Lady in the Lake has opened to positive reviews, earning a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Lady in the Lake episode 1 titled "Did you know Seahorses are fish?" and episode 2 titled "It Has to Do With the Search for the Marvelous” both feature a slate of excellent songs from the period in which the series is set, 1966 Baltimore. The first two episodes of Lady in the Lake became available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+ on Friday, July 19, 2024. A new episode of the 7-part series will be released on a weekly basis until its finale airs on August 23, 2024. Lady in the Lake was directed and written for television by Alma Har'el (Honey Boy, Dave, Shadow Kingdom).

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Lady In The Lake Episode 1 Songs

"Did you know Seahorses are fish?"

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"Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" by Sly And The Family Stone: This classic song has been covered by numerous singers and bands throughout the years but none are arguably more soulful than this rendition by funk group Sly and the Family Stone. "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" was first introduced in Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) and was originally performed by actress Doris Day in the film. As the first song to appear in Lady in the Lake after the main title, it can be heard around the 12-minute mark as Cleo rides the bus.

"Funky Night Club" by The Soulsations: This funky party track plays around the 20-minute mark in Lady in the Lake episode 1 as Cleo comes home to find her husband Slappy having a good time with some friends and their two sons. Cleo is disappointed that Slappy is enjoying himself instead of being a responsible father and having the boys ready for Thanksgiving dinner. She ends up walking out on him by the end of the scene.

"Live Medley: Ain’t There Something Money Can’t Buy" by Young-Holt Unlimited: This song plays around the 34-minute mark in Lady in the Lake as Cleo walks into an underground room where Shell Gordon's associates assemble large amounts of money. The classic track about money plays as Cleo unlocks the door and enters the room to update Gordon's financial records since one of her jobs is as a bookkeeper. It also fittingly continues over the next scene in which Maddie pawns her jewelry in order to get an apartment.

"Back Stabbers" by The O’Jays: This groovy horn-heavy track plays around the 39-minute mark in Lady in the Lake episode 1 as Slappy walks the streets of downtown Baltimore looking to get into Shell Gordon's popular club. He is interested in performing a live comedy set but is ultimately denied entry by Reggie for not being a club member and per Cleo's request after their fight.

"Where Did Our Love Go" by The Supremes: The final song in Lady in the Lake episode 1 is performed at the end of the episode by Jennifer Mogbock as Dora Carter. The classic song by The Supremes was released in 1964 and is one of the group's most popular tracks. Mogbock gives an incredible rendition to close out the first episode just before Maddie and Judith discover Tessie Durst's body.

Related Lady In The Lake Episodes 1 & 2 Recap: Tessie's Fate & 9 Other Story Reveals The first two episodes of Lady in the Lake dive into the backstories of Natalie Portman's Maddie, Moses Ingram's Cleo, and the murder of a young girl.

Lady In The Lake Episode 2 Songs

"It Has to Do With the Search for the Marvelous"

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"I’ve Got to Do a Little Bit Better" by Joe Tex: This smooth song from 1966 plays around the 8-minute mark in Lady in the Lake episode 2. Reggie and Cleo carry an intoxicated Dora up to her room after the club has been closed. Cleo and Dora go on to have a conversation about Shell Gordon and Myrtle Summer.

"Gotta Move" by Barbra Streisand: This energetic Barbara Streisand track plays around the 21-minute mark in Lady in the Lake episode 2 as Maddie frantically tries to sell her car to pay rent on her apartment. The song's lyrics perfectly portray Maddie's desperation and unstable energy as she tries and fails repeatedly to sell her car without her husband's signature. She also resorts to staging a robbery to collect the insurance money on her jewelry.

"Fried Neck Bones and Some Home Fries" by Willie Bobo: This cool track plays over an impressive tracking shot inside the floor of Gordon's club around the 35-minute mark in Lady in the Lake episode 2. Gordon puts a fancy bright blue coat on Cleo, the same one she was wearing when she died, in the scene after she officially cuts ties with Myrtle Summer.

"Evil Ways" by Willie Bobo: Another classic song by Willie Bobo "Evil Ways", which was also famously covered by the rock band Santana, plays at the end of Lady in the Lake episode 2. Cleo involuntarily drives a group of men who try to assassinate Senator Summer while Officer Ferdie and Maddie sleep together. It's the perfect song to encapsulate the chaotic tone of the final scenes of the episode.