Bridgerton is known for its classical covers of modern songs. Here is every cover from Queen Charlotte, ranked.
The world of Bridgerton is sparkly and opulent, built with bejeweled costumes and uncomfortable-looking furniture. It’s a fantastical imagined past that is almost as modern as it is historical. One of the key components in this world-building is the classical covers of modern pop songs that are peppered throughout the original Bridgerton series as well as Queen Charlotte. They blend in with the rest of the show’s score well enough that it takes a moment before your ears prick up at the familiar sounds.
Not only do these covers unite the past and present, but they also build each central character’s individual world. The first season brought us Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Ariana Grande covers, artists that we don’t have to stretch too far to imagine Daphne listening to. In the next season, intermingled with the typical Western pop covers was the song “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” a nod to Kate’s Indian roots.
However, for Queen Charlotte, the soundtrack is taken a step further in celebrating the protagonist’s ethnicity by being composed of only music by Black women. The show’s music supervisor, Alexandra Patsavas told Netflix, “It was important to honor Queen Charlotte with her own musical palette… and that felt like Charlotte’s essence.” If you couldn’t put your finger on exactly which songs were being covered, here is each of them, ranked.
Déjà Vu — Beyoncé
Beyoncé features prominently in the selection of songs chosen for Queen Charlotte’s soundtrack. With the intention being to feature powerful Black women artists, it doesn’t come as a surprise that three of the six songs chosen are by Beyoncé. “Déjà Vu” plays in Episode 4 of the series, when we are given a glimpse into King George’s point of view.
Halo — Beyoncé
Another Beyoncé track that has been given the Bridgerton classic cover treatment is the hit, “Halo.” This is the first reworked pop song to appear in Queen Charlotte, in the very first episode. It features towards the end of the episode, after George and Charlotte’s surprisingly successful wedding despite her prior escape attempt. The sweeping strings of “Halo” capture the romance and optimism of the moment wonderfully, though we know that this feeling obviously cannot last so early in the season.
I Will Always Love You — Whitney Houston
Although the song “I Will Always Love You” was originally released by Dolly Parton, the most famous version is from Whitney Houston, and it must be this version that the cover is based on given the soundtrack’s focus on Black women artists. This is the final classical cover to play in the series, and it ties together a transition from Brimsley and Reynolds dancing together secretly to Brimsley dancing alone in the later timeline.
Run the World — Beyoncé
The last of Beyoncé’s Bridgerton-ified songs is “Run the World.” Besides the obvious romance at the center of Queen Charlotte, there is also a lot of attention paid to the blossoming friendship between Charlotte and Lady Danbury. It’s an excellent way to balance the romantic side of things and flesh out our central character’s interior life.
Moreover, we’ve seen Charlotte and Lady Danbury as friends in the original Bridgerton series so to see the friendship’s origins is engaging to established fans. So, when “Run the World” is incorporated into a moment in which the two women stand up for themselves it’s a magnetic moment. Not only does the song correspond thematically with the events taking place, but it’s also just a great piece of music.
Nobody Gets Me — SZA
Another song from the final episode of Queen Charlotte is “Nobody Gets Me” by SZA. Although its lyrics don’t feature in this classical cover, it’s a song well-matched to Charlotte and George’s relationship. After several episodes of miscommunication and other hurdles, the two are finally on the same page, knowing each other’s deep secrets.
So, it follows that nobody gets them like they get each other. Listening to the original songs, it can be hard to see how they will translate to the orchestral reimaginings that we hear in the show. But whether you expected it or not, “Nobody Gets Me” slides gracefully into this strings-based variation.
If I Ain’t Got You — Alicia Keys
The classical cover that’s crowned queen of Queen Charlotte is “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. This stunning version of the song is played in Episode 3 when Charlotte and George dance together at Lady Danbury’s ball. Their choice to dance together makes a statement and encourages both the white and Black guests to join them, further integrating the previously divided society. The moment is powerful, and the song is incredible, it’s also extremely listenable outside its original setting.
