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The Theme Song
In addition to captivating storylines, sharp insults and some of the best TV performances in recent years, Succession also delivers when it comes to the theme song.
Composed by Nicholas Brittel, known for this work on films including Moonlight and The Big Short, the Succession theme song captures the essence of the show’s core themes of power, wealth and family dynamics. As a three-time Academy Award nominee, Brittel’s ability to blend classical sounds with modern, hip-hop influences has made him a star in his own right.
The Succession composition combines various elements, from piano tunes to hip-hop beats, to create a distinctive sound that mirrors the complexity of the characters. The haunting quality draws you into the world of the Roy family and instantly sets the tone for what you’re about to watch.
In a phone interview with NME, Brittel shared the inspiration behind the theme song:
“I wanted to explore the idea of ‘If the Roy family could imagine their own music, what music would that be?’. I started to theorise that it would be this really dark, classical sound. Every era has its own musical grammar. If you look back at the late 1700s, there were certain musical conventions that the public of the time were enamoured with. In Succession, it was fun to explore these things. In the late classical era, composers would have used a culminating moment towards the end of a piece. To me, when I hear the Succession theme, it has a feeling of drama but also a momentous becoming. Like you’re on the periphery of something happening.”
The Succession theme song has fast become synonymous with the series, which has led to the music being used as inspiration for memes and covers by fans across the world. Despite the show ending in May 2023, it’s safe to say the theme song will live on forever – as all of the best ones do!
Music
Season One
The first season of Succession and our first introduction to the Roy family called for a score to match. With things moving quickly and character arcs being set, Brittel composed a score that was ‘sort of an allegro’ – a term used on musical scores to suggest the piece should be played at a fast pace.
Listen to the Succession: Season 1 Soundtrack
- “Succession – Main Title Theme”
- “Adagio in C Minor”
- “Minuet in B Minor”
- “Andante in C Minor”
- “Strings Con Fuoco”
- “Clarinets and Strings”
- “Serenade in E-Flat Major”
- “Bell Atmospheres”
- “Waystar Royco Corporate Identity – “Feel It!””
- “Strings + 808 + Beat”
- “Theme Variation – Piano, Orchestra, 808”
- “Allegro in C Minor”
- “Dark Minuet”
- “Andante Con Moto – Strings in E-flat Minor”
- “Andante in C Minor – Solo Piano”
- “Succession – End Title Theme - Strings and Winds Variation”
- “Andantino for Brass and Orchestra in B Minor”
- “A Piacere – Orchestra”
- “Bell and Pizzicato Fantasia”
- “Power – Instrumental”
- “Succession – End Title Theme – Brass Quintet Variation”
- “Mysterium – Strings”
- “Austerlitz – Allegro Moderato”
- “Austerlitz – Allegretto”
- “Million Dollar Home Run”
- “Succession – End Title Theme – Piano and Cello Variation”
What is the song in the first episode of Succession?
Season Two
Season Two’s score, as described by Brittel in a 2022 interview with The Credits, was ‘more like an adagio as we follow Kendall’s journey, so there’s a melancholy inwardness to that music’.
The second season was also when we got to see the cringeworthy moment when Kendall performs a rap for his father, in a room full of people. Just like the theme tune, the rap song titled “L to the OG” was an instant hit and one of those songs that – not for lack of trying – you can’t get out of your head. However, few may know that the rap was written by Brittel himself, and inspired by the music he listened to when he was in college. While it was performed on the show by Jeremy Strong, the actor who plays Kendall Roy, all credit for the catchy beat and smart word structure must go to Nicholas Brittel.
Listen to the Succession: Season 2 Soundtrack
- “Succession (Main Title Theme) – Extended Intro Version”
- “Rondo in F Minor for Piano and Orchestra – “Kendall’s Journey””
- “Moderato Con Brio for Violin, Harp, and Orchestra”
- “Intermezzo in C Minor – “Money Wins””
- “Rondo in F Minor for Solo Piano – “Kendall’s Summit””
- “Atmosphere in B Minor”
- “Contredanse – “Shiv’s Move””
- “Cello Quintet in C Minor – “Tern Haven””
- “Andante Con Moto – Piano and Strings – “Vaulter””
- “Rondo in F Minor for String Orchestra”
- “Concerto Grosso in C Minor – Ripieno Strings”
- “Andante Con Moto – String Orchestra Variation”
- “Roman’s Beat – “Hearts””
- “Andante in C Minor – Main Theme Strings Variation”
- “Maestoso – Piano Solo”
- “Larghetto – Piano, Celesta, Strings – “Kendall’s Return””
- “Intermezzo in C Minor – Piano and Double Bass”
- “Moderato Con Brio – Violin Sextet”
- “Boar On The Floor”
- “Kendall’s Departure – “This Is Not For Tears””
- “Maestoso – String Orchestra – “To The Press Conference””
- “Concerto Grosso in C Minor + End Credits – “You Have To Be A Killer””
- “L to the OG (feat. Kendall Roy)”
Season Three
With filming for season three taking place in Tuscany, Italy, Brittel sought inspiration from Italian classic music and incorporated elements of this into the score. In an interview with The Credits, Brittel shared that to reflect the instability that was central to the narrative in season three, a ‘scherzo’ movement was incorporated giving us the “off-kilter quality” that accompanied the third season.
Listen to the Succession: Season 3 Soundtrack
- “Furioso in F Minor”
- “Milan – Promenade”
- “Rigaudon”
- “Andante Agitato – End Credits – “The Raid””
- “Sorry, Pinky”
- “Satyricon – Instrumental”
- “”Tuscany” Suite for Piano and Orchestra”
- “Sinfonietta in A Minor – Strings Variation – “The Photo””
- “Impromptu No. 1 in C Minor for Piano”
- “Scherzo in F Minor – Strings”
- “Largo Doloroso – Strings”
- “Serenata – “Il Viaggio””
- “”Tuscany” Suite for Piano and Bass”
- “Impromptu No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra”
- “Scherzo in F Minor – Piano and Bass”
- “Ricercare – Strings and Voices – Bonus Track”
- “Nocturne – Piano and Strings”
- “Impromptu No. 1 for Strings – End Credits – “Chiantishire”
- “Dolce Pianos and Strings – “Il Viaggio””
- “Andante Moderato – End Credits – “Amen””
- “Honesty (feat. Kendall Roy)”
Season Four
Sunday 28 May was the moment Succession fans had been waiting for…the release of the season four soundtrack!
As with the previous three seasons, Nicholas Britell was the man behind the 25-piece original soundtrack which dropped at midnight - just hours after the last-ever episode of Succession. In a statement to Variety, Britell said:
“The score for Season 4 represents the culmination of my musical vision for Succession. With its depths of pathos and its simultaneous capacity for comic absurdity, Succession has presented me with a truly extraordinary story to underscore. The 25 pieces on this album are a final summary of my music and of the sound I’ve created for the show. Working on Succession has meant so much to me, and I will forever be grateful to Jesse Armstrong, HBO, and our remarkable cast and crew.”
Listen to the Succession: Season 4 Soundtrack
- “Succession (Main Title Theme) – Orchestral Intro Version”
- “Langsam – “We Gave It a Go””
- “End Credits – Vivace Appassionato in G Minor”
- “Lento Nobile + Lento Pizzicato”
- “Allegro Bellicoso – “Pirates””
- “Lamentoso – “Needy Love Sponges””
- “Minuet in C Minor – English Horn – “I Need You””
- “Phone Call”
- “Piano Solo + Elegy for Orchestra – “Logan’s Return””
- “Lamentoso – Clarinets, Piano, Pizzicato Strings”
- “End Credits – “Action That””
- “Pianos + 808 + Beat – “Welcome Home””
- “Marcato e con Forza”
- “A Piacere di Nuovo”
- “Interlude – Ricercare – “On the Lot””
- “Minuet in C Minor – Strings and Viola Solo”
- “Andante Espressivo – String Orchestra – “Number One Boy””
- “My Dear, Dear, World of a Father”
- “Molto Grave – Recessional”
- “Elegy – Strings”
- “Lamentoso – Piano, Oboes, Strings”
- “Allegro in F Minor – Arrival at Waystar”
- “It’s Done”
- “Succession – Andante Risoluto”
- “End Credits – Choir and Orchestra – “With Open Eyes””