Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Sweet Magnolias season 4.
Sweet Magnolias, the beloved Netflix show centered on the small (fictional) town of Serenity, South Carolina, has just released season 4.Sweet Magnoliasis one of severalNetflix releases coming in 2025, and it’s one that has been relatively long awaited, given season 3 ofSweet Magnoliaswas released nearly two years ago, in July 2023. Many of theSweet Magnoliascast of charactersreturned in season 4, and some truly shocking updates came for the fan-favorite characters of the show.
In addition to some major plot twists, such as Maddie and Cal having a surprise wedding ceremony on Halloween that even Maddie’s best friends Helen and Dana Sue didn’t know about, season 4 ofSweet Magnoliassaw some devastating moments as well. Perhaps the most shocking was the death of Bill, Maddie’s ex-husband and the father of multiple characters, including Isaac, Noreen’s daughter Bex, and all three of Maddie and Bill’s children (Ty, Kyle, and Katie).Sweet Magnoliasseason 4 punctuated many of these key moments with songs. Here’s every song that plays in this season of the show.
Alistair Chant and Josh Powell
“Creature of the Night”
Krissie Karlsson and Karl Karlsson
Ashley Clark and Matthew Simon Clark
Peter Malick and Amyl Justin
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode 1 Songs
“The Other Side Of The Veil”
“Destination” by Nickel Creek:“Destination” plays during the opening credits of every episode ofSweet Magnolias, not only in season 4 but throughout the entirety of the show thus far. The song sets the tone for the show, with lyrics like"I’ve gotta make a destination / find where I’ll be loved,“which captures the themes of the show. Like other shows with a small-town focus, such asVirgin RiverandGilmore Girls,Sweet Magnoliascenters on stories about family, friendship, and love.
“The Monster’s Song” by Push Pop Jr.:The first episode ofSweet Magnoliasseason 4 takes place during the Halloween season, and, as is common practice for best friends Dana Sue, Helen, and Maddie, the women get together for a celebratory drink. During their Halloween meet-up, the friends joke about Maddie’s ex-mother-in-law, Bonnie, showing up if they say her name three times. As they make the joke, “The Monster’s Song” by Push Pop Jr. plays in the background.
“The Night The Zombies Came To Town” by Alistair Chant and Josh Powell:Another main plot point inSweet Magnoliasseason 4, episode 1, is the Halloween party Maddie, Cal, and Maddie’s three children host at their home. Throughout the party, various Halloween songs play, among them “The Night the Zombies Came to Town.” As could be expected given the genre and the context, the song is playful and upbeat, which is perfect for the dancing and festivities at the party.
“Mopin' Around” by Trevor McSpadden:Yet another song that is played during Maddie and Cal’s Halloween party, “Mopin' Around” can be heard as one of the most significant events inSweet Magnoliasseason 4 takes place.After years of romantic tension between Maddie and Dana Sue’s kids, Ty and Annie, Ty finally confesses his feelings for Annie. This was a truly monumental moment in the show, as many had long waited for this development.
“Creature of the Night” by The Home of Happy & Lana McDonagh:Immediately following the massive revelation that Ty has feelings for Annie, the two kiss. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for Ty’s younger siblings, Kyle and Katie, to walk in on the two teenagers and catch them kissing. Luckily for Annie and Ty, both kids are delighted to see the two finally get together. As this is all unfolding, “Creature of the Night” can be heard playing in the background, still on theme with the party.
“Get Freaky” by Krissie Karlsson and Karl Karlsson:The final song inSweet Magnoliasseason 4, episode 1, kicks off the single most exciting event in the entire episode—and arguably in the entire season—asCal and Maddie reveal that this Halloween party has been a front for their surprise wedding. It is as “Get Freaky” comes to an abrupt end that this twist is revealed. The episode then concludes with Maddie descending the stairs in her wedding dress.
Maddie’s Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Twist Completely Changes The Show & Creates A Huge Challenge For Season 5
Maddie’s new job is an amazing opportunity for her, but it also risks changing her friendship dynamic with Dana Sue & Helen and the show as a result.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode 2 Songs
“Practical Dreams”
“Golden Hour” byKacey Musgraves:InSweet Magnoliasseason 4, episode 2, the song “Golden Hour” was incredibly important, asthis was the song Cal and Maddie used for their first dance as a married couple. This song was truly perfect for them, with lyrics like"All that I know / Is you caught me at the right time.“Cal and Maddie did not have an easy road to ending up together, but in the end, they were exactly right for one another.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode 3 Songs
“Abundant Grace”
“Come On Over” by Jeff Taylor:Sweet Magnoliasseason 4, episode 2, ended with the shocking, tragic revelation that Bill, Maddie’s ex-husband and the father of Isaac, Ty, Kyle, Katie, and Bex, had died rather suddenly. In episode 2, however, only Maddie and Cal knew, as Bill’s mother, Bonnie, had arrived at Maddie’s house to inform her about what had happened. In episode 3, Maddie begins to spread the word, and both Helen and Dana Sue receive texts with the sad news as “Come on Over” plays.
“Liberty” by Ashley Clark and Matthew Simon Clark:Despite Bill’s death being sad, the kids, Maddie, Noreen, and many other characters had very complex feelings about Bill, and their grief looked different than one might expect. A prime example of this was Ty and Kyle’s decision to go to a roller rink with their respective girlfriends. As Kyle skates around the roller rink, the song “Liberty” can be heard in the background.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode 5 Songs
“True North”
“Stand By Me” sung by Dana Sue:Sweet Magnoliasseason 4, episode 5, is also an action-packed episode, this one much more stress-inducing than the others. In episode 5, a dangerous hurricane strikes the town, and Helen in particular is placed in a precarious situation. As Erik goes out to search for Helen and otherSweet Magnoliascharacters come together after the power has gone out, Dana Sue sings a rendition of “Stand By Me.” The somber tone of the song is perfectly suited to the circumstances.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode 7 Songs
“Hide And Seek”
“Angel” by Peter Malick and Amyl Justin:Tensions ran high throughoutSweet Magnoliasseason 4, but one moment of peace came in episode 7 and was punctuated by the song “Angel.” As the song plays, a montage shows each of the show’s main women—Dana Sue, Helen, and Maddie—surrounded by family. In Helen’s case, this is with Erik, her ex-boyfriend who becomes her fiancé in season 4. For Dana Sue and Maddie, they are with their husbands and their children as the song plays.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode 8 Songs
“Walls And Doors”
“You Are The Reason” by Calum Scott:FollowingHelen and Erik’s harrowing experiences with the hurricane, the two realize what truly matters and finally admit their feelings for one another. Once they are back together, they are quick to become quite serious. As just one example, in season 4, episode 8, Erik reveals his secret passion for art, specifically pottery. Helen and Erik then work together on creating a piece of pottery as “You Are The Reason” plays, although the song cuts off with a knock at the door.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode 10 Songs
“Do Not Be Afraid”
“Margarita Christmas” by Dylan Rysstad:Season 4 may have begun with Halloween, buttheSweet Magnoliasseason 4 ending, episode 10, “Do Not Be Afraid,” is set during Christmas. The final episode is jam-packed with shocking moments and some major goodbyes, all of which occur against the backdrop of Christmas. This made “Margarita Christmas” the ideal song already, but its references to"sweet sweet serenity"and margaritas, which the three best friends are always making, made it absolutely perfect. This is perhaps why the song plays earlier in the episode and again right at the very end.
“This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway:LiketheHalloween activities in season 4, episode 1, “Do Not Be Afraid” is full of Christmas festivities, including a Christmas village in town. As the characters move throughout the Christmas village, the well-known Christmas song “This Christmas” plays.This song becomes even more important when Isaac and Michael finally kiss one another and dance together, after their romance had been building for quite some time.
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” sung by Helen:Althoughit isn’t technically the last song of the season, as “Margarita Christmas” plays one more time in episode 10’s final moments, the last new song of season 4 is “O Come, All Ye Faithful” sung by Helen. This specifically came after the pastor, June, went into labor and had to leave the Christmas service. This song was a beautiful way for the season to conclude, as it not only fit with the episode’s Christmas setting but also was a truly passionate rendition of the song by Helen.
