Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for The Decameron.
Summary
The Decameron’s upbeat soundtrack is packed with rock songs that contrast the regal original score, setting the expectation that this Netflix show isn’t your ordinary romantic period piece. Set in 1348 Florance, Italy, the show follows the nobility and their servants, who flee to the opulent luxuries at Villa Santa to escape the Black Plague. ThoughThe Decameronwas compared toBridgertonbased on the trailer, the two shows couldn’t be more different. The show centered on the Black Death is raunchier, more chaotic, and much funnier than the Regency-era series.
The soundtrack forThe Decameron, which is almost a character in and of itself, sets the best expectations for the series. From the first song, “Master and Servant,” to the last, “This Will Be Our Year,”the song choices infuse the story with dark humor, wit, and ironic sentimentality. By the final episode, viewers will find themselves wanting to re-listen to the soundtrack just as much as they want to re-watchThe Decameron.
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The Decameron Episode 1
“The Beautiful, Not-Infected Countryside”
“Master And Servant” by Depeche Mode:“Master and Servant” is the first song that sets the tone forThe Decameron’s soundtrack. The Depeche Mode song starts playing when Licisca rides away after pushing Filomena into the water and picking up her hair comb. It continues as Licisca passes three men who stare at her menacingly, foreshadowing their attack later.
“A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins:The Edwyn Collins song plays as Licisca pulls out Filomena’s clothes and practices acting like a lady. The music stops when Dioneo knocks on the door to ask about going on a walk later.
“Blue Monday” by New Monday:When Filomena arrives at the villa’s door covered in dirt and bloody in the mouth, “Blue Monday” blares in the background, continuing as the credits roll.
The Decameron Episode 2
“Holiday State Of Mind”
“Christian Woman” by Type O Negative:This song begins when Neifile sits in front of the fire after Panfilo confirms that she’s out of her mind. She goes down and steals the pig from the table. She runs away from the villa and falls into a well. It stops after she looks up at the sky and asks for God.
“Sleep Alone” by Bat For Lashes:“Sleep Alone” plays inThe Decameronas Filomena digs a grave, sets the hair comb in the dirt, and lays in the grave on top of it. The scene then switches to Neifile praying while stuck in a well. At the same time, Panfilo sits beside the well while reading and waiting for Neifile to want his help. The song fades out while Misia and Sirisco sit with Pampinea in the countryside.
“Uncontrollable Urge” by Devo:The Devo song sets the scene as Dioneo finds Licisca at his bedroom door, leading into the two having sex for the first time. This is one of the many times where the song lyrics explain the emotions and motivations of characters inThe Decameron’s soundtrack.
The Decameron Episode 3
“By Homer, It’s A Winner’s Wreath”
“Echoes in Rain” by Enya: In one ofThe Decameron’s more sentimental moments, “Echoes in Rain” plays as Misia gathers flowers to create a mourner’s wreath in memory of her lost love, Parmena. Misia visits the place where she buried her, pausing for a moment to think.
“What Have I Done to Deserve This? (feat. Dusty Springfield)” by Pet Shop Boys:This song by Pet Shop Boys starts when the guests and servants at Villa Santa play games. The TV show introduces the “I Am The Pig” game, which becomes important to Panfilo’s action at the end ofThe Decameron. After this, they try to toss feathers into a pot, a variation on the pitch-pot game. Finally, all the nobles draw Pampinea on a canvas.
“All You Ever Think About Is Sex” by Sparks:“All You Ever Think About Is Sex” sets the tone for one ofThe Decameron’s raunchiest scenes that rivalsBridgerton. While the song plays in the background, Neifile realizes the Bible includes dirty passages and becomes more passionate about reading them. She goes on to masturbate for the first time. Then, Panfilo has sex with the messenger in the barn. The Sparks song continues as Licisca talks to Tindaro, then hooks up with Dioneo. Finally, Pampinea and Sirisco get it on in her bed.
“Caribbean Blue” by Enya:During the final song ofThe Decameronepisode 3, Licisca accepts Tindaro’s marriage proposal, and then the credits roll.
The Decameron Episode 4
“The Mood Is Spoiled”
“Take Ecstasy with Me” by The Magnetic Fields:The song starts with Misia secretly grabbing ahold of Filomena’s hand, and it shapes the rest of the scene where Ruggiero’s crew laughs and drinks alongside the nobles at Villa Santa during the feast.
“Heresy” by Nine Inch Nails:The song plays whenthe Decameronmain characters are kicked out of Villa Santa by Ruggiero’s crew, and it continues through the episode credits. The lyrics reinforce the hopelessness that everyone feels when forced to face the Plague-ridden world surrounding them.
The Decameron Episode 5
“Switcheroo”
“She’s Lost Control” by Joy Division:The only song inThe Decameronepisode 5, starts at the end when Misia stabs Ruggiero at the behest of Pampinea. She starts to panic because he reveals with his dying breath that he’s not the heir of Villa Santa. It continues when Tindaro looks through the window of Stratilia’s house to see her secret son Jacopo, who is Leonardo’s secret heir.
The Decameron Episode 6
“A Stony Brook Away”
“And You And I: i. Cord of Life, ii. Eclipse, iii. The Reacher The Teacher, iv. The Apocalypse…” by Yes:This song by the band Yes starts when Sirisco swims and floats in the water. An acquaintance named Arriguccio goes into the water to retrieve what he thinks is a dead body, only to realize Sirisco is alive.
“Shit Luck” by Modest Mouse:This song starts as everyone but Panfilo starts chasing Pampinea around the villa, trying to capture her.
The Decameron Episode 7
“This Is Awful, And You’ll Never Recover”
“Shock the Monkey” by Peter Gabriel:The Peter Gabriel Song “Shock The Monkey” starts playing as Pampinea runs away from Sirisco, his friends, and the rest of the Villa guests. At the same time, Stratilia calls up to Jacopo that she’s coming. She then reaches the room where he is locked and saves him.
“Just Like Honey” by The Jesus and Mary Chain:“Just Like Money” plays when Misia and Filomena start having sex in one of the best and steamiest sex LGBTQ+ scenes in amodern anachronistic period piece. Pampinea, who’s hiding from the mob in a chest, peaks out and watches the pair as Misia goes down on Filomena.
“Debaser” by the Pixies:The song starts at the end ofThe Decameronepisode 7 when Licisca decides to leave Villa Santa and go at it alone in the world. While walking through the gardens, she comes across Pampinea eating her dowry, which Licisca snatches away from her. However, when she gets out to the gate, the mercenaries are there.
The Decameron Episode 8
“The Chauffer” by Duran Duran:This Duran Duran song plays at the climax ofThe Decameron’sfinal episode, starting when Panfilo sneaks past the mercenaries and up to Neifile’s room. He talks to her body about needing her help because he can’t die without her. The others grab paintings to use as shields, but Tindaro stabs someone who notices them, gaining the mercenaries’ attention. The song continues as Panfilo carries Niefile’s body into the room, shouting, " Pestilence." After the guests flee, Tindaro blocks the stairs. The song ends after Panfilo gets shot with arrows and Tindaro gets stabbed.
“This Will Be Our Year” by The Zombies:“The Will Be Our Year” is the last song inThe Decameron, which starts when Siscero starts telling a story to the group and the credits roll. The lyrics of this song reflect the hope and joy the remaining characters find despite having nothing.
