Strictly Soundtracks

Strictly Soundtracks dives into TV’s most buzzed-about series, Heated Rivalry. The six-part drama follows two professional hockey players whose on-ice rivalry ignites a secret, high-stakes romance.  With its charismatic leads, steamy storytelling, and eclectic soundtrack featuring indie pop and up-and-coming artists, the series has quickly built a devoted fan base.

The post Heated Rivalry appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

The Strictly Soundtracks team are jingling their bells, decking the halls and donning gay apparel to celebrate the music of Christmas movies. From The Ramones to Whitney Houston, Wham and The Muppets, Glenn, John and Paul unwrap a festive playlist packed with holiday favourites.

The post Christmas Movies appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

To close out the year, the Strictly Soundtracks team looks back on 2025 and their favourite movies and music. From One Battle After Another to Sinners, Caught Stealing and standout documentaries, Glenn, John and Paul reflect on the movies — and soundtracks — that defined the year.

The post 2025 in Review appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

The Strictly Soundtracks team dive into the cover versions used in films. Some are classics reimagined, some are quirky oddities and some — actually most — ended up outshining the original versions. With a playlist that includes Cher, Kylie Minogue, k.d lang and Jessica Simpson, the episode spans various film genres and musical styles to celebrate the power of a great reinterpretation.

The post Cover Versions appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

The Strictly Soundtracks team dives into the soundtrack to the six-part streaming series, The Girlfriend. Starring Robin Wright as an overprotective mother who’s wary of her son’s new partner (Olivia Wood), the psychological thriller includes music from The Kinks, Blackpink, Diana Ross, The Buzzcocks, Can, Carole King and Australian duo Royel Otis.

The post The Girlfriend appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week, the Strictly Soundtracks team slip on the Ruby Slippers and follow the Yellow Brick Road into the wonderful world of Oz. Glenn, John and Paul journey from the iconic 1939 original starring Judy Garland,  through the twisted history of the Broadway musical The Wiz and into the Australian heartland for 1976’s oddity, Oz: A Rock and Roll Road Movie. Along the way, they celebrate David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, honour Mariah Carey’s contribution to the canon and wrap up their Oz-session with the film adaptation of Wicked.

The post The Wonderful World of Oz appeare...

Glenn and Paul strap on their sparkliest roller-skates to travel back to 1980 and dive into the soundtracks of two camp classics, Can’t Stop the Music and Xanadu. We explore the chaotic productions, the critical backlash and, of course, the iconic music, featuring tracks by the Village People, the Ritchie Family, Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra.

The post Can’t Stop… Xanadu appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

Just in time for Halloween, Glenn, John and Paul explore the soundtracks of scary movies. The haunting playlist includes  tracks from American Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, Scream and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, as well as the truly terrifying (for other reasons) I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. It’s a spine-tingling trip through musical mayhem.

The post Halloween appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week on Strictly Soundtracks, we’re diving into the music of Boots, the hit TV series about a closeted gay teenager who enlists in the US Marines in 1990. The show’s packed with late-’80s and early-’90s classics, from Bananarama and the Go-Go’s to Wilson Phillips, Sade and Queen. We unpack how these tracks shape the story, set the mood, and capture a moment in history when LGBTQ Americans were banned from serving openly in the military.

The post Boots appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

The Strictly Soundtracks team laces up their ballet shoes and leaps into Billy Elliot, the toe-tapping, tear-jerking, tap-dancing triumph turning 25 this year! Anchored by an award-winning performance by a young Jamie Bell, it’s a coming-of-age story packed with grit, grace, and just the right amount of humour. And we’re here to break it all down, one pirouette at a time.

The post Billy Elliot appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Brokeback Mountain,  the Strictly Soundtracks team takes a look back at two decades of queer cinema. Spanning a wide range of genres — from offbeat comedies and heartfelt romances to poignant coming-of-age dramas and devastating love stories — the team explores the most impactful LGBTQIA+ films and the unforgettable music that brought them to life. With a playlist that includes Bronski Beat, Kylie Minogue, Melissa Etheridge, Pet Shop Boys, Troye Sivan and Visage, the lineup is as queer as the films themselves.

The post 20 Years of Queer Cinema appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week, the Strictly Soundtracks team returns to the mirror ball to explore how three movies released in the late 1990s brought the grooves and glamour of the ’70s back to the big screen. We dive into Boogie Nights, The Last Days of Disco and 54, three movies that gave the disco era a glittery reboot for a new generation. With a playlist spanning everything from Grace Jones and Diana Ross to Chic and Bonnie Pointer, join us as we revisit the 1970s… through the lens of the 1990s.

The post 70s Nostalgia in 90s Cinema appeared first on S...

John, Glenn and Paul are putting on their Boogie Shoes, sparking a Disco Inferno and declaring You Should Be Dancing as they dive into the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. How Deep is Your Love for this iconic 1977 musical? The disco era is Staying Alive as the Strictly Soundtracks team start Jive Talkin’ about John Travolta, the Bee Gees and… Tavares?

The post Saturday Night Fever appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week on Strictly Soundtracks, we’re talking all things Kpop Demon Hunters.

Step into the neon-lit streets of supernatural Seoul, where pounding K-pop beats, fierce choreography and demon-slaying style collide. This isn’t your typical K-drama — it’s a high-octane blend of action, mythology and music with a soundtrack you’ll have on repeat.

The post Kpop Demon Hunters appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week, the Strictly Soundtracks team turns back the clock to 1985 and explores the films and soundtracks that are turning 40 this year. It’s the year that gave movie lovers such classics as Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future, The Color Purple and The Breakfast Club.

In looking back on 1985, we also have the chance to celebrate the 40th birthday of our beloved Strictly Soundtracks co-host, Glenn Charlie Dunks. With a playlist that includes Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, the Thompson Twins, Duran Duran and… Barry Manilow (??), it’s time to don the headbands, squeeze into the spande...

This week, the Strictly Soundtracks team is diving deep into Hollywood’s pantheon of forgettable flicks to uncover the bangers among the bombs. We’re tracking down great songs from less-than-great films. Our playlist includes musical gems from such icons as Olivia Newton-John, Bjork, Queen, Donna Summer and Rufus Wainwright. You may want to trash the films, but we’re here to honour the music.

The post Good Songs, Bad Movies appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the Strictly Soundtracks team have a special guest Julian, a friend of the show who is a great fan of Sofia Coppola’s “Lost In Translation”. Its a wonderful film about disconnection, alienation and finding a soul to fill time. Bill Murray and Scarlet Johannsen star as two strangers who find solace in each other’s company. The soundtrack is super varied and features Air, TV Eyes, Death in Vegas, Phoenix, My Bloody Valentine, Rick James and The Jesus & Mary Chain.

The post Lost In Translation appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week, it’s all about big box office, big hair and even bigger tracks as the Strictly Soundtracks team revisits the beloved 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman.  The film’s chart-topping soundtrack features songs from Natalie Cole, David Bowie, Peter Cetera,  and Go-Gos guitarist Jane Wiedlin and includes Roxette’s signature ballad, ‘It Must Have Been Love’. Think you can skip this episode? Big Mistake! Big! Huge!

The post Pretty Woman appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

The Strictly Soundtracks team discusses the four-part TV series Mix Tape, a sweeping love story spanning four decades. Set in working-class Sheffield, the series follows Alison and Daniel, star-crossed lovers who first meet in the late 1980s. Bonded by their passion for music, they begin exchanging mix tapes, introducing each other to such iconic bands as The Cure, Joy Division and The Velvet Underground. The series also turns the spotlight on several Australian acts, including Angus and Julia Stone and Mental as Anything.

The post Mix Tape appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

We’re back to the movies this week and its the slightly quirky action comedy Novacaine. You think feeling no pain would be fun? Well this movies sets the record straight. You’ll hear great music from R.E.M., Andy Williams, Chappell Roan, Caroline Polachek, Dirty Nice, The Darkness and more.

The post Novacaine appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

The category is… Anthem Realness. This week, the Vogue-worthy team of John, Paul and Glenn dive into the groundbreaking drama series, Pose. For three seasons, the Emmy-winning show took viewers into the underground ball culture of 1980s New York and followed the various African-American, Latino, gay and transgender characters as they navigate the scene and confront the impact of AIDS. Tracking the musical styles of the 1980s and early 1990s, the soundtrack is filled with powerhouse divas, gay anthems and club classics. Expect timeless tracks from Madonna, Cathy Dennis, Black Box and Aretha Franklin as well as a touching du...

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called Life!! And its all gone very purple. So its Purple Rain! The 1984 movie, soundtrack, album, song and well, everything. Its Prince in his debut film, his 6th album and a landmark. The album spent over 25 weeks at number 1 in America. So get on the back of he bike and lets get ridin’

The post Purple Rain appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the strictly team bring us a review of music of 2024’s Queer, starring Daniel Craig in a portrayal of William Burroughs life in 1950s Mexico. The music played is not of the era or location but used to evoke feelings of loneliness, shame, damaging behaviour and love. Nirvana songs are used a few times with one covered by Sinead O’Connor and then a band called Verdena from Italy who were often compared to Nirvana. We also hear two songs by Prince, some New Order and a cowboy standard from Vaughan Monroe, recorded in 1948.

The post...

This week’s show is all about the singing and acting human dynamo that is Dolly Parton. Loved by generations of people and big advocate for the LGBTI+ community, Dolly’s music has featured in many films. She’s acted in some, written music specifically for many and has received many awards. From 9-5, to Joyful Noise and StraightTalk, she’s uptempo, downbeat and everything in between.

The post Dolly Parton Mixtape appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

A Strictly Soundtracks show with no 80s music? It can’t be true! Well, it is and its fun! This week the team tackle the streaming series Overcompensating, the 2025 coming of age comedy-drama from online creator Bennito Skinner. He plays the main character Benny, a high school football hero and valedictorian who goes to college and starts his journey of coming out as a gay man. Not all goes smoothly as Benny, his new best friend Connie and the friends and families all come along for the ride. You’ll hear music from Britney Spears, Charlie XCX (who also appe...

The Strictly team this week take us back to the 80s AND the Noughties for the extra double-episode featuring Miami Vice. They discuss the hugely influential 80s TV show as well as the movie from 2006. Both chronicling the under-cover antics of detectives Crocket and Tubbs, we are taken on many paths musically, You’ll hear from artists such as Phil Collins, Tina Turner, Goldfrapp, Nina Simone, Glen Frey and Don Henley, John Waite, Yello featuring Billy McKenzie, Roxy Music, Bette Midler and a lot more.

The post Miami Vice appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

What happened to the movie Theme Tune. Those tracks that only existed as a promotional tool for an upcoming film where the video featured bits of the movie and we sat watching MTV etc basically watching ads for upcoming films.

They were a bit more of an 80s or 90s thing and they certainly feature in this weeks show and its another DOUBLE episode. You’ll hear music from Ray Parker Jnr, Eurythmics, kd lang, Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston, Simon and Garfunkel, Scarlet Johanssen, Lulu, Diana Ross and a whole lots more.

The post Movie Th...

This week the Strictly team tackle the cut film Donnie Darko. Featuring a young Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayzee, Noah Wylie and Seth Rogan, this is a complex film that often needs discussion to unravel the ending. With great music from Tears for Fears, The Church, INXS, Echo and The Bunnymen, Gary Jules, Joy Division and Oingo Boingo, its a classic film for very good reason.

The post Donnie Darko appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the Strictly team head back in time to the excess and luxury of the French court of Marie Antoinette. Through Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film starring Kirsten Dunst in the title role. Along with a huge cast including Judy Davis, Rose Byrne, Steve Coogan, Jamie Dornan, Tom Hardy, Marianne Faithful and many others.

What else what be playing in this centuries old tale other than, well, The Cure, New Order, The Strokes, Siousxie and The Banshees, Bow Wow Wow, The Radio Dept and Gang of Four. Its a ride and a riot!

The post Ma...

This week our hosts John, Paul and Glenn dive into the world (well, three worlds) or Baz Luhrmann.

His films Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby and Romeo & Juliet have great soundtracks so the hosts all picked one from each film. You will hear music from Nicole Kidman, Des’ree, Pink, Mya, Christina and Lil Kim, Roxy Music, Lana Del Ray, Ewen McGregor, Fergie and more.

The post A Luhrmann Mixtape appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

Love, Simon is a 2018 film starring Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel and directed by Greg Berlanti.

It follows Simon, a young man who is being blackmailed about his sexuality as well as balance his family, school and a possible new love.

The soundtrack features several songs by Bleachers, the band fronted by Jack Antonoff who was formerly in Fun! We also hear from Troye Sivan and The 1975.

The post Love, Simon appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

To celebrate Joy 94.9’s 2025 Radiothon, the Strictly Soundtracks team called up all the current and former hosts and asked for their favourite soundtrack moment that fits the Standing Together theme. It was great to hear everyone’s songs and get the listeners involved.

You’ll hear music from Simple Minds, Chvrches, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Judy Garland, Alicia Bridges, Russel Morris and more.

The post Radiothon 2025 appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

Show me how you burlesque! Well, Christina and Cher will, at least. This little gem from 2010 is camp, fun and has some great music. Christina was a showgirl and she tries to make it big in a little Burlesque bar run by Cher with Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell and Eric Dane along for the ride. Music mostly by Christina with some Cher goodness and even Madonna gets a run.

The post Burlesque appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

Some movies or series end with a bang and some with a Banger! This week the team explore the latter, those films or shows which end with an epic song. Whether its a sudden black screen ending of The Sopranos or Debra Winger being carried off by Richard Gere in white, sometimes a song is all that’s needed to say goodbye. We’ll hear music by Journey, Jennifer Warnes (Twice!), Sia, Maria Callas and Wilson Philips.

The post Grand Finales appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the Strictly Soundtrack team have the rare treat of an extra long episode so they picked a movie with a soundtrack so full of 80s goodness it wouldn’t possibly fit into their usual hour. Released in 2017 but set in 1989 in Berlin, the film is a roller-coaster ride of espionage, car chases, taking down the badguys and a lot of fighting. Its accompanied by a great list if songs from the era including New Order, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, A Flock Of Seagulls, Health, Nina, Peter Schilling and Queen.

The post Atomic Blonde appeared first on...

Bridget is back. Life has changed, there are new challenges (of course there are!) and loves and challenges and fun and everything! This is a great film, tackling some tough subjects but with fun and heart. And music! You’ll hear Dinah Washington, Raye, George Ezra, The Hanseroth Twins and Olivia Dean.

The post Bridget Jones – Mad About The Boy appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the Strictly Soundtracks team take a deep dive into one of music’s biggest ever icons, an artist who is instantly recognised for her trailblazing career across music, film, style and popular culture. Who else but Madonna.
From Desperately Seeking Susan, Dick Tracey, Vision Quest, Who’s That Girl through to Bond, Austin Powers and many more, her soundtracks are a huger part of her history and legacy.

The post Madonna at the Movies appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the Strictly Soundtracks team take us back (if only they could turn back time) to the late nineties and to London for the movie Sliding Doors. Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) is fired from work and in two realities, misses her train home and also catches it, creating two different existences. The soundtrack to all of this is also very much late nineties with some Elton John thrown in for good measure. Aqua, or course, are featured, plus Dido, Aimee Mann, Dodgy, Olive and Peach.

The post Sliding Doors appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This is a really special episode of Strictly Soundtracks, probably the first in which the author of the content appears as a guest. Paul and John discuss the series Invisible Boys, based on Holden Sheppard’s book of the same name. Holden was so generous with his time and talked us through the music in the series as well as his novel and how music has played an important part of his life. It’s a fascinating interview and we thank Holden for his time and passion. You’ll hear music from Green Day, Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette, Rancid and Ni...

Class! Pay attention! Oh we wish we’d paid more attention when dealing with technology. We had a couple of niggles this week but we soldiered on and got there while discussing Season 2 of the series Sex Education. Based on the tales of a 15 year old son of a sex therapist who decides to start giving advice to his school friends. What could go wrong? Turns out, quite a lot.
It’s a great show and has a brilliant soundtrack so we play everything from Des’ree, Air, Haddaway, Sharon Van Etten and Shura. A few regulars there to the...

This week John is joined by special guest Kenny, who is currently completing the Joy Media training course, as they discuss the groundbreaking series Queer As Folk. First airing in 1999, the series broke new ground for LGBTI breadcasting. Well made, well written, controversial and with a cast featuring some actors who have gone on to become big stars. Oh, and of course a fantastic soundtrack. You’ll hear Robbie Williams, Eagle-eye Cherry, STEPS, Suede, The Weather Girls and Karen Ramirez

The post Queer As Folk (UK) appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

So last week Paul and Dave took us through a selection of some of the winners of the Best Original Song at the Oscars. This week, Paul, John and Jason review of the songs that DIDN’T win and well, may have disagreed with some of the choices made on the night. You’ll hear Dusty Springfield (the only artist in both shows!), Dean Martin, Counting Crows, Anohni, Harry Connick Jr, Aimee Mann, Keala Settle, The Wonders and more.

The post Oscars “should have won” Original Song appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

Its Oscar Season! This week Dave (he’s back!!) and Paul take us through their favourite Oscar winning Original Songs. With one every year, thats a massive list. Thankfully they steer us through the decades and we hear songs from Doris Day and Dusty Springfield, Carly Simon, Chris Cross (not the ones that Jump), Berlin, Irene Cara and more. Who is your winner?

The post Oscar winning Original Songs appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

Its a new season at Strictly Soundtracks HQ and we’ve kicked off with a great show. Bad Sisters is all about 5 sisters from Ireland who plot to cover up a murder. Its Irish black humour at its best and as the tale gets told, there is a fantastic soundtrack playing along. We hear everything from Goldfrapp to Nancy Sinatra, with Lizzo, Charlie XCX, Wetleg, First Aid Kit, Laura Marling, Space and Bob Simpson.

The post Bad Sisters appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week marks the last show with hosts Dave, Henry and John before John takes over with a new team for season 2025.

The team bring back some of our favourite tracks we have played this year including Yazoo (of course), Joan Armatrading, Blur, Etta James, Shura, Dream Academy and Sister Sledge.

The post Strictly Season 2024 Mixtape appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the Strictly team take us to battle. Footloose Vs Flashdance. Which of these 80s dance-based films has the best soundtrack?? We play some songs from each and then close the show with the theme from the winner. So you’ll hear Shamilar, Kim Carnes, Laura Branigan, Foreigner, Denise Williams, Michael Sembello, and Bonnie Tyler. But will you hear Kenny Loggins or Irene Cara at the end??

The post Flashdance Vs Footloose appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

This week the Strictly team take us to the 60s, sort of, through the 2021 movie Last Night In Soho. Ellie is a young fashion student who loves all things 60s and when she moves to London to study, she starts to experience vivid dreams or hallucinations involving Sandie, a young woman trying to make it as a singer in clubs in swinging 60s London. The music is mostly of that era and features songs from Peter & Gordon, Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, The Kinks, Petula Clark, Sandie Shaw and then Siouxsie & The Banshees for some 80s goodness.

The...

Do yourselves a favour and listen to this! Ian “Molly” Meldrum and his show Countdown changed the music industry in Australia. He championed local content, fought for a diverse sound and was instrumental in launching the careers of so many. In the TV series Molly, we learn about the creation and success of the show as well as get an insight into the man himself.

You’ll hear music from Skyhooks, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Richard Clapton, Russell Morris, Sherbert and Sweet.

The post Molly appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

What? There’s no Emma Thompson or 80’s music this week? In the spirit of new-years eve, the Strictly team decided a change of scene was needed and so this week’s show is all about The Age Of Adaline. Adaline has an accident and is then hit by lightning on New Years Eve in the 1930s and miraculously survives but stops ageing. While many might think this the secret to a happy life, she faces a life alone, watching those she loves age and be unable to know her truth. Its a great film with a soundtrack dating from t...

It’s Christmas and like almost everyone else, we’ve been watching Love, Actually. The iconic Christmas movie with all-star cast and soundtrack to boot. With extra guest Jason, we navigate the movies, discuss it’s tricky scenes after 20 years and love listening to music from emerging artists like Dido, Kelly Clarkson and Nora Jones as well as classics from the Beach Boys, Bay City Rollers and of course Joni Mitchell where Emma Thompson delivers a masterclass.

The post Love, Actually appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.

What would a new years eve party with people you were friends with 10 years ago be like? Well, Peter, the main character in Peter’s Friends decided to find out. Its a great comedy with British acting royalty like Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Imelda Staunton, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and with a cracking 80’s soundtrack. Just what we on Scrictly Soundtracks like. You’ll hear tracks from Tears For Fears, Prefab Sprout, Pretenders, Sananda Maitreya, Darryl Braithwaite as well as Nina Simone and Queen.

The post Peter’s Friends appeared first on Strictly Soundtracks.