Modern Music in Period Pieces
- Hanna Kowal
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
So much of the classic media set in the past is supported by beautiful compositions that perfectly match the time period of the piece. Pride & Prejudice, for example, has famously been adapted into both a television show and film with memorable and masterful classical music fitting the story's 1800's setting perfectly. Artistically contrasting this common practice, some music supervisors for film and television have made a creative choice that adds an interesting flavor to the pieces. They take away the barrier of 'era-appropriate' music to unlock the timelessness that even the newest music can hold. This act of anachronism—where corsets and quills meet radio—unleashes the atmosphere of a modern day composition upon a historical plot and can add depth to the media as a whole.
The stark comparison between on-screen historical portrayals and contemporary compositions stimulates the mind, allowing audiences to bridge the gap between time periods and shift their focus to the attitude and meaning that songs can offer. In media with clothing, atmosphere, architecture, and even language that is a distinct representation of the past, music differing from these elements' time period brings audiences closer to the story with the connection of familiar sounds and lyrics. In the 2001 film A Knight's Tale, following William Thatcher in his honorable deception and labor to become a knight despite not being noble-born, uses contemporary songs despite the medieval setting. Queen's "We Will Rock You" blends music with artifacts of the time as in the film, the clanking of armor is synced to the iconic percussive beat. The film also uses songs like David Bowie's "Golden Years" during a dance scene, and "Low Rider" by War in a montage of training practice with a fun instrumental melody and percussion adding excitement to scenes of jousting and sword-fighting. The way modern music brings its spirit into period pieces is truly enthralling for audiences, and can be increasingly observed on the screen with more recent examples including The Decameron and The Great.
In 2024, Netflix released their limited series The Decameron, a piece set in Italy in 1348. The plot follows nobles and noble-adjacent people escaping to a countryside villa in their attempts to avoid the black plague. Modern music is used throughout the plot, most often to the effect of pre-2000's pop. It elevates the drama in the show, emphasizing traits of both the characters from vastly different walks of life and the fast-moving darkly comedic storyline through sound. The Decameron involves murder, lies, desire, and surprise reveals; such a thrilling tale necessitates an equally as thrilling soundtrack. Music supervisor Ruth Barrett delivers exactly that. A dramatic string motif throughout the show helps foster a bridge between music and time periods, while contemporary songs make their appearances at the most opportune moments.
Less than halfway through the first episode of The Decameron, noblewoman Filomena's lack of compassion leads her servant Licisca to a breaking point. Depeche Mode's "Master and Servant" plays just after Licisca pushes Filomena off of a bridge. The moment is cathartic and the lyrics of the song mirror the genuine experience and dynamic between the two characters. Words like "you treat me like a dog" aptly echo as Licisca rides away appearing somewhat in shock. The way the song accompanies the scene comes across as though the tune follows the character's internal monologue. While the track carries a sound that is the very essence of the 1980's, the low, distinctive vocals and iconic synthesizer sound fosters the feelings of disbelief and exhilaration portrayed in the scene, despite its setting of over six centuries prior to the song's release.
Across its eight episodes, the music choices continue in a similar and punchy fashion as the plots follow struggles with identity, romantic entanglements, and other forms of cinematic chaos. In the second episode, Nefile—a noblewoman grappling with sexuality and religion—runs off and falls in to a well holding a burnt suckled pig. This bizarre and frantic act is accompanied by Type O Negative's song "Christian Woman", with the lyrics "a cross upon her bedroom wall, from grace she will fall" foreboding the subsequent action. In the third episode, the discomfort of forced laughter and unwanted parlor games is set to the tune of "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" by Pet Shop Boys. The track's title and lyrics echo the sentiments of the characters. At the same time, the groovy synth tune that blends atmospheric singing and speak-singing, making it a lively background to the montage of scenes and activities on the screen. Throughout the series, songs including "Just Like Honey" by The Jesus and Mary Chain and "The Chauffer" by Duran Duran offer exciting, often comedic, sometimes ironic, and exceedingly climactic musical support to the scenes.
The Great, a comedic historical drama television show based on Catherine The Great, takes place in 18th century Russia. This Hulu three-season production was initially released in 2020, and uses music to support its many shocking and captivating plot points and character choices. Similarly to The Decameron, it blends renowned modern songs with original compositions in its score. Primarily in the precise selection for end credit songs, the show explores music that echoes the goals and relationships shown in each episode. This allows instrumentals that feel era-specific throughout the show to blend with the contemporary songs, letting lyrics and tunes to transcend the era of their creation and uphold overarching messages. The show reveals its protagonist's journey from beginning an uncertain marriage in Russia to becoming a wise and fair leader. This journey is supported by the choices of music supervisor Maggie Phillips, who strategically captures the spirit of the plot in her selections for the show. Patti Smith's cover of the song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" aptly closes off the first episode, foreshadowing the power and change that is to come in the story.
Continuously throughout The Great, end credit songs speak to the audience as much as they do the characters in the show. In the third episode of the second season, the song "Don't Give Up" by Noisettes plays. Its title is repeated with powerful vocals in the chorus, supported by heavy and energizing electric guitar. This comes after Catherine is experiencing the grief from sacrifices she has made for the sake of gaining control of Russia in the hopes of revolution and enlightenment. With its empowering message, the Noisettes song uses lyrics like "when the system's wrong, gotta tear it down". These words articulate the truth of the protagonist's situation as the tune encourages perseverance.
Music adds power to any production. With countless films and television shows set across periods of history, creativity and flexibility in soundtracks adds a necessary spice to the genre. As A Knight's Tale, The Decameron, and The Great so masterfully demonstrate, this variety in sound livens up a story with unexpected ventures into different eras. While some instruments or turns of phrase do not match every moment across history, there are so many ideas and themes in songs that do. Songs can step past the barriers of 'era-appropriate', be it something as profound as a message of strength or love, or as trivial as a beat that matches the charming or silly energy of a scene. As film and television continue to evolve, audiences can only imagine what music will accompany 2000's media in a hundred years. Along with encouraging anticipation for soundtracks to come and audiences to feel more engaged with stories, the use of contemporary songs in period pieces wonderfully exhibits the timelessness of music.
Written By Hanna Kowal
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