Warning: Spoilers for Drop.

Most of the music in Drop consists of an original score by Bear McCreary, but the movie does feature a handful of recognizable songs. Hailed as one of the best movies of SXSW 2025, Drop follows a widowed mother named Violet (Meghann Fahy) as she dips back into the dating pool. But as her date starts, Violet begins receiving messages threatening to kill her son Toby (Jacob Robinson) and sister Jen (Violett Beane) if she doesn’t follow very specific instructions. From its opening scene to Drop’s ending, the intensity rarely lets up for a moment.

Drop’s positive reviews are a testament to just how well the movie’s been received. As can often be expected from a movie produced by Blumhouse, let alone directed by Christopher Landon of Freaky and Happy Death Day, the overwhelming tension throughout Drop is occasionally complemented by Landon’s darkly twisted sense of humor. This is a hard balance to achieve, but knowing when to cut between McCreary’s score and a selection of licensed songs greatly helps the movie’s effectiveness in striking the right tone for each specific moment.

When Every Song On The Drop Movie Soundtrack Plays In The Movie

There Are 7 Licensed Songs In Drop

“Day from Night” by Ages and Ages: Although the movie begins on a rather harrowing flashback involving Violet and her late husband Blake (Michael Shea), things lighten up soon after as Violet begins getting ready for her date. This is when “Day from Night” plays. The music’s volume starts to dim when Violet steps out of the kitchen for a moment, suggesting that the song is meant to be perceived as diegetic music that Violet is actually listening to as she prepares herself for her first date in years.

“Hardly News” by Declan Welsh and the Decadent West: Similar to “Day from Night,” Declan Welsh’s “Hardly News” plays before Violet leaves for the restaurant to meet Henry. It’s less clear whether Drop is actually implying Violet to have been listening to the song herself, but it plays right before she leaves when she’s saying goodbye to Toby and Jen for the night.

“Moon River” by Riyandi Kusuma: Drop continues its apparent use of diegetic sound with the help of the restaurant’s in-house pianist, Phil (Ed Weeks). Although he’s rarely shown playing piano himself throughout the movie, “Moon River” plays early on during Violet’s date with Henry, when things are still lighthearted. However, the sound of the piano cuts out and is replaced by McCreary’s score when Drop needs to illustrate that the blackmailer’s messages are starting to get a rise out of Violet.

“Smile” by Studio Musicians: Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” popularized by Nat King Cole’s lyricized version, is another song presumably played by Phil in the background during Violet and Henry’s date. Much like “Moon River,” the song is used as a calming palate cleanser set between instructions received from the blackmailers.

“Baby Shark” by Sparks & Shadows: Violet first sarcastically mentions “Baby Shark” when sleazy pianist Phil is asking if she has any song requests. The fact that he actually plays the song later after a stranger named Richard (Reed Diamond) causes his date to storm out is both a payoff to a slightly comedic moment as well as a light bulb for Violet, who surrepтιтiously writes about her son’s current hostage situation on a $20 bill and has it delivered to Phil in the hopes that he’ll call for help.

“SH๏τs” by Jeffery Self: LMFAO and Lil Jon’s “SH๏τs” isn’t technically played in Drop, but it’s listed in the credits thanks to a humorous moment featuring Henry and Violet’s waiter Matt (Jeffery Self). Henry is preparing to abandon the date when the blackmailers order Violet to poison him, and Toby will die if Henry leaves. Violet convinces him to stay and do a sH๏τ of tequila. Matt, who’s noticed Violet’s concerning behavior throughout the night, awkwardly sings “SH๏τs” in an effort to break the tension and provide a brief moment of levity just before the movie’s intense climax.

“Healing” by FLETCHER: Despite the heart-pounding nature of the movie’s premise and execution, things end on a rather optimistic note. “Healing” plays at the very end of the film, over the first part of Drop’s end credits.

Where To Listen To Drop’s Soundtrack

Bear McCreary’s Score Is Now Available For Purchase

As of now, there appear to be no plans to release Drop’s licensed songs as part of a collected soundtrack album. Additionally, while it makes sense that there’d be no recordings of Matt’s brief “SH๏τs” moment, there sadly appears to be no way of streaming or purchasing Drop’s cocktail versions of “Baby Shark” and other songs played by the restaurant’s in-house pianist. However, more traditional licensed fare such as “Day from Night,” “Hardly News,” and “Healing” are all available for streaming and individual purchase at appropriate outlets such as YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.

However, those looking to enjoy Bear McCreary’s original score for Drop are in luck. The album’s songs are available for streaming on YouTube in their entirety, while the album is slated to become available for digital purchase on Amazon at some point on April 11, 2025, the same day as the film’s full theatrical release. McCreary’s score is also available for streaming on Spotify.