6. Music in YA

This main page of this "Music" section of Rawley Revisited provides a tracklist of the soundtrack of Steven Antin's Young Americans, produced by Columbia TriStar and Mandalay Television for The WB network, on which Young Americans was aired in eight episodes from 12 July to 30 August 2000.  It does not cover the unaired pilot episode filmed in Georgia in the autumn of 1999.  It covers only the eight aired episodes, which (except for some episode 1 footage taken from the unaired pilot) were filmed in Maryland from May through July 2000. 

This tracklist includes all songs (music including vocals) played in the soundtrack of the eight aired episodes, as well as the two instrumental pieces known to have been mentioned in some musical credits for Young Americans and one unaccredited and still unattributed instrumental.  Problems of attribution or access to recordings or lyrics are indicated or highlighted by dark red typeface.  Many instrumental pieces are omitted from this tracklist because their title and composer are neither known nor readily ascertainable.

More detailed information about the songs and instrumentals listed in this tracklist may be found in this section's "Songs" and "Instrumentals" subsections, on which this tracklist is based.  Those subsections provide, insofar as possible, lyrics, information about attribution when attribution has been problematic or complex, and information about the dramatic context of the piece of music's use in Young Americans, as well as comments intended to enhance critical appreciation of the drama's use of music.  Music mentioned or verbally alluded to but not necessarily played in Young Americans is described in this section's "Allusions" subsection; musical pieces merely mentioned or alluded to but not played in Young Americans are not included in this tracklist.

The compilation of this section has benefited from the opening post and subsequent posts on the "Music of YA" thread of the Young Americans board at FanForum.  

Ichabaod Grubb

Created April 2014

Last updated: May 2014

Episode 1 (The Beginning)

“Pink Moon,” by Nick Drake (1972) - Played in episode 1 during its first non-narrative scene, in which Scout bicycles into Bella’s gas station, and during the lake scene in which Finn catechizes and baptizes the JD rowing crew.  Also played during the final the scene of episode 7, Bella’s sixteenth birthday party.

“Stroll in the Park,” by Art Phillips (on his album, Accoustic Anthology, 1998).  Available from FirstCom Library. - Instrumental (non-vocal) acoustic guitar piece played in episode 1 during the scene in which Will Krudski’s parents first drop him off at Rawley, It is not known to have been played again in Young Americans.  Original attribution.

True Romance theme (aka “You’re So Cool”), by Hans Zimmer (for the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s 1993 film, True Romance), as performed by an unknown artist (probably synthesized by the musical staff of Young Americans) - In the soundtrack of Young Americans, this instrumental (non-vocal) xylophone and steel drums piece plays for more air time than any other piece of music, including “Six Packs,” the ostensible “theme song” of Young Americans.  It is played in every episode, during: most Jake-Hamilton scenes, for which it serves as a consistent musical theme; all extended rowing scenes except two (one in episode 2 just before Sean confronts Will, and the final race of the parents’ weekend regatta in episode 4); and all the recapitulations of previous episodes. It is first played during the scene in episode 1 in which Hamilton first sees Jake, Subsequent playings of it are omitted from this tracklist.

“Six Packs,” by The Getaway People (Original version on their album, Turnpike Diaries, released 16 May 2000; modified version first published in 12 July 2000 airing of episode 1 of Young Americans.) - The theme song of Young Americans.  Played during the lake run scene of episode 1, replayed during the credits near the start of each subsequent episode as originally aired in the USA, at the start of every odd-numbered episode in some countries, like France, where it was aired in four two-episode segments. The song as used in Young Americans was modified from the original. 

“Light of the World,” written by Michael Parker, performed by Stem (on Stem demo tape, 1997) - Played during the scene of episode 1 in which Hamilton visits Jake in her dorm room while she is computer hacking.  Original attribution and tentative original lyrics transcription.

“From the Morning,” by Nick Drake (1972)  - Played in episode 1 while Scout takes Bella out riding on his bike for their first date, and in episode 7 during the diner scene in which Scout and Bella discuss Bella's relationship with her mother.

UNKNOWN INSTRUMENTAL, by unknown artist - The same hauntingly beautiful synthesized-sounding instrumental is played at least three times in the soundtrack of Young Americans: in episode 1, when Scout and Bella first kiss, from 5:15 to 6:10 minutes into this clip; in episode 7, during Will's opening narrative voice-over about regretting loss of childhood and innocence, from 0:54 to 1:49 minutes into this clip.in episode 7, after Will reads the Pablo Naruda love sonnet to Caroline, at 3:30 to 4:15 minutes into this clip.

“Tender,” by Blur (1999) - Played during two consecutive scenes in which Bella and Scout dance in front of a late-1940s pickup truck, and in which Jake strips to her underwear, revealing to viewers that she is not a boy but a cross-dressing girl enrolled at an all-boys’ boarding school.

“Northern Sky,” by Nick Drake (1970) - Played during the “you’d better run” scene (filmed in Georgia in 1999) of episode 1, as Bella and Scout talk on the boathouse dock, and in episode 2 as Will lingers outside his parent’s home after Sean’s party, watching his mother work while his father drinks.  This latter scene, included in the more complete version of Young Americans broadcast in some countries, such as France, was omitted from the version originally broadcast in the USA on The WB in 2000.

“Over the Rainbow,” written by Harold Arlen (music) and E.Y. Harburg (lyrics) for first performance by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (1939), as sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole in his medley, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” (1993) - Played at the ends of episodes 1 and 8.

Episode 2 (Our Town)

“Goodbye,” by The Crash Poets (2000) - Played at the start of episode 2, as Will bikes from town to Rawley, and during the walk along the train tracks to Carson near the end of episode 8.

UNKNOWN SONG, by uknown artist - Played in episode 2 during the scene showing Scout working his first shift at Friendly's diner, in which Bella refers to his "future Presidential campaign."  Tentative and incomplete original transcription of lyrics.  This song might be either of two unidentified made-for-soundtracks pieces in the musical credits of episode 2 of YA:  (1) "187" by Eugene Batson (aka G-Sleep) and Jean Yves DuCornet (aka Jeeve) [published by G-Sleep,1999]; or (2) "Cloudy," composed by Chris Dye, produced by Guy Erez and Paul E. Goldowitz aka "Goldo" (Goldomusick and BMI, undated).

“Coming Up Roses,” composed by Jerry Hubbard, performed by by The Mustard Seeds (On their album, Red, Radio Mafia Records, 1998). - The lyrics of this song about spiritual rebirth, by a Christian group, are not played in the soundtrack of Young Americans.  However, an instrumental sequence of this song is played episode 2 during the crew rowing scene and the subsequent lakeside scene in which Sean asks Will why Will hasn't told him that he's gong to Rawley. 

“Things Behind the Sun,” by Nick Drake (1972) - Played during the scene in which Scout watches Bella from his new job at Friendly's diner.  Instrumental sequences played: (1) during all three “aerial tour of New Rawley” scenes, included in the longer version of Young Americans aired in France and some other countries other than the United States but omitted or truncated in the version aired in the USA on The WB in 2000; (2) during the sidewalk cafe scene in which Finn calls Will "Mercury" and "Atlas;" (3) at the start of the scene in which Bella treats Scout's cut lip in his dorm room after the fight; and (4) at the end of the scene in which Sean's team wins the baseball game.

“Coming Around Again,” by Dragmatic (1999?) - Played during Sean’s party during the scene when Will and Scout arrive. The original publication date and venue of this song are uncertain.

"Happy Time," composed by Gerard McMahon (aka Gerard McMann and G TOM MAC), on the album, G TOM MAC (Edge Artists, 2000).  - Played during the fight scene at Sean's party.  Recording can be bought cheaply from online vendors.  Tentative and incomplete original transcription of lyrics.

“Northern Sky,” by Nick Drake (1970) - Played in the “you’d better run” scene (filmed in Georgia in 1999) of episode 1, as Bella and Scout talk on the boathouse dock, and in episode 2 as Will lingers outside his parent’s home after Sean’s party, watching his mother work while his father drinks.  This latter scene, included in the more complete version of Young Americans broadcast in some countries, such as France, was omitted from the version originally broadcast in the USA on The WB in 2000.

“I’ve heard everything now,” by Jeff Hemelgarn, performed by Cal Hollow.  (On Cal Hollow’s album, Two Bulb Twilight, Jericho Records, 1999.) - Played in episode 2 during Finn and Will’s bike ride to the house in New Rawley where Finn grew up.  Tentative original transcription of lyrics.

Episode 3 (Kiss and Tell)

“What You Wish For,” by Guster (1999) - Played during the opening narrator’s comment, while WILL tells us how lucky he feels to be at Rawley, and the first scene, set at the boathouse dock, when Paige Bennett first appears.

“Breaking Me,” by Johnny Lang (1998) - Played during the scene in which Finn kisses Kate Fleming in her art classroom.

“Opened Eyes,” written by Luke Ehret and Margot Paige, performed by Idol (on their album, Idol, 1999) - Played during two girl-girl scenes, in episode 3 when Paige drives into Bella’s gas station, and in episode 4 when Bella asks Grace to cover her shift so that she can attend the cotillion with Will. 

“Have It All,” by Jeremy Kay (on his album, Jeremy Kay, 2000) - Played in episode 3 while Paige gives Bella a French manicure, and tells her she plans to bed Scout.  Played again near the start of episode 4, when Sean brings Bella lobster rolls, and she calls him a prince.

 “Which Will,” by Nick Drake (1972) - Played during the final scenes, and the closing narrator’s comment, of episode 3. 

Episode 4 (Cinderbella)

“Have It All,” by Jeremy Kay (on his album, Jeremy Kay, 2000) - Played in episode 3 while Paige gives Bella a French manicure, and tells her she plans to bed Scout.  Played again near the start of episode 4, when Sean brings Bella lobster rolls, and she calls him a prince.

“Opened Eyes,” written by Luke Ehret and Margot Paige, performed by Idol (on their album, Idol, 1999) -  Played during two girl-girl scenes:  in episode 3 when Paige drives into Bella’s gas station, and in episode 4 when Bella asks Grace to cover her shift so that she can attend the cotillion with Will.

Ooh! Look-a There Ain’t She Pretty,” by Clarence Todd and Carmen Lombardo, first performed by The Charioteers (1947), as performed by Red and the Red Hots (on their album, Boogie Man, 1998) - A classic swing dance number.  The first song played at the Rawley summer cotillion.

“I Won’t Stand in Your Way,” composed by Brian Setzer, performed by The Stray Cats (on their album, Rant ‘n Rave with The Stray Cats, 1993) - Played as Will escorts Bella into Rawley’s summer cotillion.

“Maddest Kind of Love,” written by Scotty Morris, performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (on their album, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, 1994) - A song by a contemporary swing revival group.  Played when Hamilton first sees Jake at the cotillion, and Lena tells him he and Jake are obviously in love, and that he should throw caution to the wind.

 “Since I don’t have you,” by The Skyliners (1958), performed by the Brian Setzer Orchestra (on their album, The Dirty Boogie, 1998) - A doo-wop rock-and-roll song played while Scout talks with Bella at the Rawley summer cotillion.

“That’s No Lie,” written by David Young (music) Julius Robinson (lyrics), performed by Patrick Tuzzolino, 1987 or 1988) - Played during the  Jake-Hamilton interaction at the cotillion.  Widely but wrongly accredited to “PEN Swing” by sources including the YA's official website in 2000.  No entity by the name of "PEN Swing" name exists – the error may have resulted from distribution as a swing dance piece through PEN Music Group. Original attribution.   Tentative and incomplete original transcription of  lyrics.  

“The Way You Look Tonight,” written by Jerome Kern (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics) for first performance by Fred Astaire in the film, Swing Time (1936), as performed by Julius La Rosa (on his album, On the Sunny Side, 1960) and unknown female artist (lip-synched by Bella) - The last dance at the cotillion, while Scout dances unhappily with Paige.  Surreally, it is simultaneously sung by Bella to Sean, in town, as they dance at the gas station.  And it plays while Hamilton broods on his bed after learning that Jake is a not a gay boy but rather a straight girl pretending to be a boy at an all-boys' boarding school.  An instrumental rendition is briefly reprised in the climactic scene of Young Americans, when Hamilton commits to Jake at first light the next morning.

Episode 5 (Winning Isn't Everything)

“The One,” written by Luke Ehret and Margot Paige, performed by Idol (on their album, Idol, 1999) - Played twice in episode 5, first when Jake learns by e-mail that her mother will visit Rawley during the upcoming parents’ weekend, and again while Hamilton ferries Jake across the lake in a motorboat to help her prevent her mother from learning that she’s enrolled at Rawley as a boy, not as a girl.

“Five Good Reasons,” by Jeff Klein aka Jeffrey Lawrence Klein (on his EP, Put Your Weight On It, Pinnacle Music, 1998) - Played during the scene in which Will visits his mother’s beauty salon and she give him a haircut and they discuss his father. 

“This Year’s Love,” by David Gray (1999) - Played during the mirror scene in which Jake first dresses as a girl, and the following scene in which Bella warns Scout that his father may not want to meet her.

“Let’s Talk About Sex,” by Salt ‘N Peppa (1991) - The refrain is played while Monica asks about her daughter Jake’s love life -- but asks only about sex, not about emotions.

“Sail Away,” by David Gray (1999) - Played before and during final race of the parents’ weekend rowing regatta.

“Please Forgive Me,” by David Gray (1999) - Played during the scenes in which Jake says goodbye to her mother in front of Rawley Girls’, and in which Bella serves Senator Calhoun at the gas station.

Episode 6 (Gone)

UNKNOWN SONG, by unknown artist - Played at the start of episode 6, during Bella’s opening narrative comment, as she, Will and Scout steal Ryder’s Corvette, but not played during the same scene when it recurs midway through the episode.  The lyrics in this very brief song-fragment seem too inaudible to attempt a transcription.

“Vincent,” by Brooke Lundy (2000) - Played in the scene at Friendly’s diner, near the start of episode 6, in which Will and Scout serve ice cream sundaes to Jake and Hamilton, and they discuss the lead actresses in My Best Friend’s Wedding and Boys Don’t Cry.  Tentative and incomplete original transcription of lyrics.

“Trace,” by Jeff Klein aka Jeffrey Lawrence Klein (on his EP, Put Your Weight On It, Pinnacle Music, 1998) - Played during the final scene of episode 6, at Friendly’s diner, in which Bella first meets Jake and immediately sees through Jake’s gender deception.  Also played during the immediately preceding scene in which Will, Bella and Scout drive to Carson in Ryder’s Corvette.  Tentative and incomplete original transcription of lyrics. 

Episode 7 (Free Will)

“Place to Be,” by Nick Drake (1972) - Played three times during episode 7, during the scenes in which Bella gets a birthday gift from her mom; in Will writes a poem about Carolyn, and the following scene in which Bella, rowing on the lake with Sean, tells him that Scout is her brother; and in which Bella bathes in the lake and Scout gives her her mom’s address.

“From the Morning,” by Nick Drake (1972) - Played in episode 1 while Scout takes Bella out riding on his bike for their first date, and in episode 7 during the scene in which Bella and Scout discuss Bella’s relationship with her mom.

“So Little,” written by Luke Ehret and Margot Paige, performed by Idol (on their album, Idol, 1999) - Played during the scene in which Hamilton suggests to Jake that he move into her room.

“There’s a Drug,” by Kari Wuhrer (on her album, Shiny, Del-Fi Records, 1999) -  Played during Jake’s visit to Bella’s gas station, when Bella tells Jake that she has seen that Jake’s a girl, immediately after Jake has rejected Hamilton’s suggestion that he move into her room.

“Pink Moon,” by Nick Drake (1972) - Played in episode 1 during the first non-narrative scene, in which Scout bicycles into Bella’s gas station, and during the lake scene in which Finn catechizes and baptizes the JD rowing crew.  Also played during the final the scene of episode 7, Bella’s sixteenth birthday party.

Episode 8 (Will Bella Scout Her Mom?)

“Fernando” (English lyrics version), by Benny Andersson (music) and Björn Ulvaeus (lyrics), originally performed by Abba (1976),as performed by Brooke Lundy in a recording first published in Young Americans (2000). - Played on Bella’s truck radio by Jake, distracting Bella from driving and contributing to her crash. 

“Goodbye,” by The Crash Poets (2000) - Played at the start of episode 2, as Will bikes from town to Rawley, and during the walk along the train tracks to Carson near the end of episode 8.

“Over the Rainbow,” music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg for first performance by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (1939), as sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole in his medley, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” (1993). - Played at the ends of episodes 1 and 8.