Malevolent features a variety of recurring tracks, both original score and soundtrack songs. The main themes of the show were written and performed by Harlan Guthrie.
Original Score[]
All the tracks listed below were written and performed by Harlan Guthrie. Music can be found on Harlan's Bandcamp, Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Faroe's Song[]
Faroe's Song is introduced in Part One when Arthur plays on the piano in his office.[1] After playing it, he remembers more of the circumstances leading up to the beginning of the episode. He plays it again in Part Six, and refers to it by name when the clerk in the music shop asks him about it.[2] Arthur also plays this piece on the piano in Larson's Estate before John is brought back.[3] Arthur theorizes that the song is the reason John returned with his memories, but whether or not that is true is currently unclear.[4] In Intermezzo Kayne plays the opening notes of the melody on piano while asking John if something sounds familiar, again reinforcing its association with memories.
Versions of Faroe's Song can be heard throughout the show, non-diegetically, as part of the soundtrack. A different version titled "Faroe's Song (Walk)" is available on Harlan's Bandcamp.
Faroe's Lullaby[]
Faroe's Lullaby is introduced in Season Two. It is the song that plays from Faroe's Music Box, which was a gift to her from Arthur. Arthur refers to it as "their song."[5] In Part 20 Kayne plays it on piano to lure Arthur to him. Later during the confrontation with the King, Arthur opens the music box and lets the lullaby play before declaring, "But I don't have to let you win." In Coda, Arthur hums the song to Faroe as she sleeps, and later teaches her how to play the first few notes of the melody on the piano.[6] In Part 23 Uncle takes the music box from Arthur's bag and opens it. Larson notes Arthur's reaction and smashes the box, then after learning Arthur wrote it, insists that Arthur play the song on piano. In Part 26 Arthur hears Uncle playing the presumably repaired music box.
Like Faroe's Song, versions of Faroe's Lullaby can be heard throughout the show, non-diegetically, as part of the soundtrack.
Faroe's Waltz[]
Faroe's Waltz is introduced in Season Three. It has been used throughout the show as part of the soundtrack, but unlike the other tracks named after Faroe, does not occur diegetically. In Season Four it often occurs during moments referring to Addison or Larson, or while Larson is present/speaking.
Faroe's Goodbye[]
Faroe's Goodbye is introduced in Part Fifteen. An incomplete version of the song is played by Arthur in a memory he's dreaming about wherein he is still composing the song[7]. In Intermezzo Kayne refers to it by name and asks why Arthur never finished it, and then commands him to play it. This is the first time it is heard in full.[8] Beginning in Season Five it is used non-diegetically as part of the soundtrack.
This Too Shall Pass[]
This Too Shall Pass is introduced in Season Four.
Bitter Sweet City[]
Bitter Sweet City is introduced in Season Four.
Fatherhood[]
Fatherhood is introduced in Season Four. On the Malevolent Bandcamp Page it is described as Daniel's theme, but is also used in scenes that do not contain or directly reference Daniel.
Noel's Theme[]
Noel's Theme is introduced in Season Four. The Malevolent Bandcamp Page contains this description: "A riff on Bitter Sweet City as Noel is revealed in Season 4, this plays at all major Detective Noel related moments of the season."
Lost[]
Lost is introduced in Season Five. During the Malevolent Q&A (2024) Harlan stated that Lost can be considered John's theme.
How Far We've Come[]
How Far We've Come is introduced in Season Five. This piece features grand piano and solo cello.
The Wager[]
This soundtrack is introduced in Season Five and culminates in the finale of Part Fifty Two. This is a full orchestration of a symphonic orchestra. The instruments in orchestral order is as follows: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Timpani, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Gong/Tam-Tam, Glockenspiel/Celesta, Piano, Violin 1 & 2, Viola, Cello, Double Bass. There are notable moments of solo piano throughout. Harlan released The Wager (Piano Only) on various services.
"You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)"[]
"You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love) by Russ Columbo occurs most frequently of any tracks used diegetically in the show.
| Part | Timestamp | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Part One | 00:14 | Radio cycles through and ends on the song before Arthur gasps awake. |
| Part One | 26:41 | Fades in on the radio in J.D. Ackerman's bookshop, first time the Entity says he recognizes it |
| Part Two | 49:15 | Playing on the car radio when Arthur starts his car back up, the radio had been off when they'd last been in the car |
| Part Three | 00:04 | Continued playing on the car radio as Arthur comes to following the car crashing |
| Part Four | 12:56 | Arthur sings in Kellin's car, omitting the word "madness" |
| Part Five | 19:56 | Briefly interrupts the song previously playing on the radio in hospital breakroom as Arthur approaches to steal the keys |
| Part Five | 25:20 | Distorted snippets "madness... madness" when Arthur accidentally touches Amanda's body |
| Part Six | 35:22 | Arthur sings while rowing to the Island |
| Part Eighteen | Begins playing when Arthur is counting his steps. Repeats on "madness". | |
| Prelude | Radio is playing it when Collin enters the barber shop. | |
| Part Thirty Three | 00:07 | Arthur hums while walking in New York City. John comments it feels "familiar" |
"Peggy Gordon"[]
ARTHUR: And what song plays for you, Butcher?
COLLINS: It’s always changing. But right now? It’s "Peggy Gordon."
The song "Peggy Gordon" is associated with The Butcher. It is first whistled by The Butcher as he walks down the street on his way to his meeting with Larson.[9] He then both hears it in his head and sings it aloud during the confrontation at Daniel's house, and continues to play in Collins' head throughout the chase through the tenement.[10] In Part 40 Collins again sings lines from "Peggy Gordon" during the fight with the Elder Things. Instrumental arrangements of the song are used non-diegetically as well during scenes mentioning or featuring The Butcher.
Harlan released a piano only version of the soundtrack on music services.
Other Tracks[]
- "Plastic Jesus" - sung by Kellin in Part 4
- "Am I Blue?" - sung by Kellin in Part 31, heard in the background when Collins calls the Larson Estate in Part 34
- "I'll See You In My Dreams" - Part 31
- "Come Easy, Go Easy Love" by Hoagy Carmichael (1931) - background music in Part 34 and in the outro of Part 43
Additional Notes[]
- Faroe's Song was written to replace the track originally used as the main theme. The original song can still be heard in the Patreon chapters, and in some of the full parts uploaded to YouTube.
- Faroe's Goodbye originally debuted in Intermezzo. It was later added into the opening scene of Part 15, replacing Faroe's Lullaby. The Youtube upload of Part 15 still contains Faroe's Lullaby instead of Faroe's Goodbye.
- All Songs listed under "Original Score" as well as a piano arrangement of "Peggy Gordon" are available at the Malevolent Bandcamp Page. Some of the original songs are also available on Spotify.
- Fans have transcribed Faroe's Song, and sheet music can be found on Musescore. Note that these are fan made.
- The song "Further and Further" by Michael Vignola is an instrumental track heard in various points throughout the show, such as Part 20 and Part 26. It is licensed through a stock sound effect and soundtrack service.