The moment that The Vampire Lestat was announced, we all knew that we were in for a ride as far as the music. The third season is from Lestat (Sam Reid)’s point of view, and that was always going to mean camp, chaos, unreliable narration, and a whole lot of music. All of which remedy the failures of the previous adaptation of both Anne Rice’s books “The Vampire Lestat” and “Queen of the Damned”.
Thankfully, Sam Reid has more than proven he has the vocal chops, as we’ve heard him sing a number of times in Season 1 of Interview with the Vampire. Not to mention Daniel Hart’s talent as a composer helps everything along. Throughout The Vampire Lestat, we’ve been graced with some bops, some songs that would likely be flops in our world, and emotionally charged numbers that would break even a vampire’s heart.
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What it all comes down to is: Which songs are the best of the season? We’re here to sort that out for you with our guitars in hand, our sharply manicured nails, and a little cup of blood. Buckle up and enjoy the musical ride.
“All Fall Down”
We don’t get as many noteworthy opening title sequences in the world of television these days. Thankfully, The Vampire Lestat bothered to give us an opening title in general, and it’s a song you can certainly sing along to. Is “All Fall Down” the most epic opening theme? Maybe not, but it’s also a great choice for the show because it captures the energy of the season. Especially as there’s an obvious departure from the deeply gothic moodiness of the previous two seasons.
“All Fall Down” is glam rock, and you’ll certainly feel the T. Rex or David Bowie influences while listening to it. The catchiness of the lyrics will have you humming long after this very short song is finished. Overall, it’s a lovely little song that makes sense to be on this list because it helps establish the season.
“Why Do I Have to Feel?”
Dealing with the trauma of losing a child as well as your undying love for someone by singing isn’t strictly a human thing to do. “Why Do I Have to Feel?” graces us with its presence during “The Vampire Lestat” Episode 2, “Toledo,” and is the type of glam rock and heavily theatrical song that knocks you off your feet, only to pull you up again. What’s not to love about this gem?
“Why Do I Have to Feel?” is another vulnerable song from Lestat, where he details how he feels about Claudia (Delainey Hayles)’s death, but it also highlights his relationship with Louis (Jacob Anderson). Their relationship is one that Lestat certainly could never actually move on from. And the song is just another reminder of how much Lestat still loves him.
“The Loneliness”
It’s not a stretch to say this song easily makes it into someone’s top 3 songs from this rollercoaster of a season. “The Loneliness” makes its grand introduction in The Vampire Lestat Episode 3, “Toronto,” in an emotionally dizzying scene for Lestat. The song’s performance is tragically beautiful, and its lyrics are relatable to both the undead and humans alike.
“The Loneliness” feels like it was perfectly plucked from a different decade altogether. A passionate declaration and admittance of pain, personal traumas, and unfiltered honesty leak from this track. And it’s a song from the soundtrack that fans, whether they’re loving the season or not, appreciate quite strongly. Justifiably so because it’s worth pressing play on over and over again.
“Your Biggest Fan”
If you don’t think too hard about the real point of view of this song, you won’t feel like your stomach is turning too much. “Your Biggest Fan” was granted to us during Episode 3, “Toronto”, which is the same episode we got “The Loneliness,” and if that’s not a one-two punch, then we don’t know what is. Rather than Lestat singing from his own perspective, he’s singing from the pov of his maker, Magnus (Damien Atkins).
“Your Biggest Fan” is an incredibly tragic ballad that’ll dig its nails into you if you think too hard about its meaning. Lestat being turned by Magnus wasn’t romantic; it was traumatic for many reasons. However, even with this being the case, the song is beautifully sung, and Reid’s voice is like velvet
“BIG BOSS”
It may seem like a silly song, but Lestat is one of those people who emotionally commits to his pettiness. “Big Boss” is a diss track dedicated to Armand (Assad Zaman) that we hear in The Vampire Lestat Episode 4, “The Devil’s Road”. The song sounds fun and unserious, but the lyrics are very much pointed and charged. Lestat and Armand’s history is complicated, not just because they were lovers at one point.
“BIG BOSS” is very campy in its tone and lyrics, which helps people bob along to it. However, it’s also a song that highlights Lestat’s grief over what happened to Claudia. And it’s essentially Lestat spilling his guts in front of an audience, both to be petty and to process his feelings.
“Hit the Lights (Bare Bones)”
Acoustic tracks sometimes hit differently, don’t they? “Hit the Lights” makes its appearance in The Vampire Lestat Episode 4, “The Devil’s Road,” and is one of those songs that’ll have you staring at the ceiling for several minutes. Exploring the world through Lestat’s eyes was always going to be a particular experience, and his sorrow, loneliness, and pain are on full display in these quieter songs.
“Hit the Lights (Bare Bones)” is an acoustic track that explores various aspects of Lestat’s life, including the awful and abusive relationship he has with his mother, the losses and abandonment he has dealt with, and his various relationships. It’s one of those tracks that remind the audience of how damaged Lestat is on the inside. And that he’s never fully dealt with or processed any of these experiences.
“Stained Glass Eyes”
Losing Claudia is something that Lestat hasn’t been able to process for decades, and it’s beautifully illustrated in this ballad. “Stained Glass Eyes” first appears in The Vampire Lestat Episode 5, “New York.” It’s dedicated to Claudia, whom Lestat had to watch die during the trial in Interview with the Vampire Season 2. His relationship with Claudia was always a bit complicated, especially when we saw it through Louis’s perspective. But it doesn’t nullify the regret that practically spills from this song.
“Stained Glass Eyes” is the type of rock ballad that would have you singing along to it in the car. And you may find your heart tugged, whether you relate to Lestat’s pain or not. It’s certainly a fan that fans can find appreciation in if they’ve got the songs on repeat on their respective music streaming platform.
“Brutal Love”
Almost everyone was itching to hear this track on the show after seeing the countless posts from Sam Reid’s live concert. “Brutal Love” appears in The Vampire Lestat Episode 6, “Montreal,” and is another testament to how much Lestat loves Louis, but also how he’s fully embraced the chaotic aspects of their relationship. Rather than run from what’s always been between them, Lestat wants the whole package. Anyone who is a Loustat shipper is almost guaranteed to love this song and the scene it’s sung in.
“Brutal Love” is an extremely emotional ballad, and it owns that fact entirely. Reid’s vocals are wonderful regardless, but they are especially moving in this track. It deserves the amount of love that Lestat poured into it for Louis. Embrace the dramatics!
The Vampire Lestat is streaming now on AMC+.
Did your favorite song from this chaotic season make the cut? If you’re itching to let us know what your thoughts are, find us on socials @butwhytho.net.
