The new Amazon Prime Video series Hazbin Hotel has 16 songs throughout 8 episodes, and though the whole soundtrack is great, some songs are clearly better than others. The soundtrack was written by Andrew Underberg and Sam Haft, a member of the Israeli-American rock band, The Living Tombstone. Whether it’s the theme or the length of the song, all the songs are original, using inspiration from other Broadway musicals to explore characters’ lives and plot points.
The new adult animation series takes place in Hell as Charlie Morningstar, the daughter of Lucifer, opens up a hotel as a non-violent solution to reduce overpopulation in Hell and give demons the chance to be redeemed and go to Heaven. With Hazbin Hotel boasting a huge voice cast including Broadway star Erika Henningsen and Encanto’s Stephanie Beatriz, every character is explored on an individual level with brutal honesty. Adding to the charm of it all, Hazbin Hotel‘s soundtrack is an unforgettable one.
Episode # | Songs |
|---|---|
1 | “Happy Day in Hell”, “Hell Is Forever” |
2 | “It Starts With Sorry”, “Stayed Gone” |
3 | “Whatever It Takes”, “Respectless” |
4 | “Poison”, “Loser, Baby” |
5 | “Hell’s Greatest Dad”, “More Than Anything” |
6 | “Welcome to Heaven”, “You Don’t Know” |
7 | “Out For Love”, “Ready for This” |
8 | “More Than Anything (Reprise)”, “Finale” |
16 Welcome to Heaven
Season 1, Episode 6, “Welcome to Heaven”
Despite the song beginning similar to Rent’s “La Vie Boheme”, this song falls flat with delivery and does nothing for the show, except give it a weird Cloud Cuckoo Land vibe from TheLEGO Movie. While the angels try to buddy up with Charlie during her experience in Heaven, it just doesn’t work for the show. The song gives the feeling of forced happiness and is very goody-goody, which is nothing like the harsh reality that Charlie has to live with. Among other things, the song length is way too short and should be spoken, not sung.
15 More Than Anything (Reprise)
Season 1, Episode 8, “The Show Must Go On”
While the first rendition of the song is about fathers and daughters, this reprise is about two people who love each other deeply through thick and thin. Charlie and Vaggie’s relationship goes through its fair share of ups and downs in this very short song about forgiveness and reaffirmation of love. It is high on this list simply because it is way too short and should have been spoken instead of sung. Charlie and Vaggie deserved a longer song about their relationship that they could sing together, and this song robs them of that chance.
14 Hell’s Greatest Dad
Season 1, Episode 5, “Dad Beat Dad”
This song is a competition song between Lucifer and Alastor as they fight for Charlie’s affections and argue over who is the best father figure for her. The song is interrupted by singer demon Mimzy who tries to “help” as much as possible. Unfortunately, with Mimzy’s interruption, it is a bit of a strange song, even for this show, and the changing plotlines of the song leave questions instead of answers.
13 It Starts with Sorry
Season 1, Episode 2, “Radio Killed the Video Star”
When Vaggie and Angel Dust want to get rid of Sir Pentious after they find out he is working for Vox, this short but sweet song talks about the importance of apologizing. With plenty of pink glitter and even fireworks spelling out the word “sorry”, it shows Charlie’s ability to see the best in anyone. It is a very optimistic song, but it contrasts with the dark setting that is Hell and as a result, it feels a bit out of place with the perky Disney-like music.
12 Whatever It Takes
Season 1, Episode 3, “Scrambled Eggs”
This song demonstrates just how powerful a mother’s or partner’s love can be to protect the ones they care about. Daphne Rubin-Vega is no stranger to singing powerful ballads about love and neither is Stephanie Beatriz, both having played characters who are misunderstood by the ones they love. The only thing missing from this song is Charlie since Vaggie is singing about how she accidentally damaged her partner’s trust in her. Having Charlie involved in this song could have helped the audience understand things from her point of view.
11 Happy Day in Hell
Season 1, Episode 1, “Overture”
This song may be a bit perky for the show, but it suits Charlie’s personality perfectly as a go-getter. While it can be a bit strange seeing Stephanie Beatriz being downcast after her upbeat attitude in Encanto, this song introduces the audience to Charlie and her life living in Hell. Similar to a lot of musicals, this song highlights the female protagonist’s mission to better herself and the world around her, but it is too short and should have been expanded into a longer song that featured the entirety of Hell’s population.
10 Out For Love
Season 1, Episode 7, “Hello Rosie!”
With a strong Spanish-style guitar solo, this solo emphasizes Carmilla’s ability to sing about the ability to fight for love, something that Daphne Rubin-Vega has done before in RENT. Given Carmilla’s backstory as a protective mom who is willing to kill the exorcist to protect her daughters, this song describes her perfectly. This powerful song also sees Vaggie regaining her wings, giving her a sense of power and acceptance.
9 Stayed Gone
Season 1, Episode 2, “Radio Killed the Video Star”
In the second episode of Hazbin Hotel, this song plays as Vox denounces Alastor over the radio, with the song ending as Alastor cuts the signal as he finds out what Vox is doing. It is a fast-paced song with threatening undertones, suitable for the show’s setting, and shows just how gritty a place Hell can be to live in. Considering that Broadway star Christian Borle is Vox, he easily dominates the song and his character does not hold back from criticizing Alastor.
8 Finale
Season 1, Episode 8, “The Show Must Go On”
Despite being the song that ends season 1, this song gives off-Broadway show finale vibes. The song goes to show just how much Charlie cares for the people who work with her as well as honor Sir Pentious’ sacrifice. Similar to Vaggie’s voice actress’ movie Encanto, “Finale” is Hazbin Hotel’s version of “All of You”. It is a good song and ends the show on a relatively positive note for Charlie, but little does Charlie know that there may be more disasters coming for the hotel.
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7 Ready for This
Season 1, Episode 7, “Hello Rosie!”
Similar to a lot of Broadway shows with a female lead, this song shows off the best of Charlie as she takes charge and finds the strength to be a leader. After a much-needed confidence boost from Rosie, Charlie goes back to rally the citizens and even finds it in herself to make up with Vaggie. The song also emphasizes Erika Henningsen’s vocal prowess, which is not surprising, given that one of her previous roles was as Cady in the musical version of Mean Girls.
6 More Than Anything
Season 1, Episode 5, “Dad Beat Dad”
Even though Lucifer and Charlie do butt heads in this episode, Lucifer still loves his daughter and wants her to be safe. In season 1, episode 5, “Dad Beat Dad”, Lucifer attempts to talk Charlie out of her plan to meet with the angels again. Like all parents who would do anything to protect their child from harm, Lucifer is willing to do anything to keep Charlie from getting hurt by the angels that hurt him. “More Than Anything” is a strong tearjerker that can hit home for parents who are watching their adult child go through a tough time and being unable to do anything.
5 You Didn’t Know
Season 1, Episode 6, “Welcome to Heaven”
After the sappy song, “Welcome to Heaven”, this song shows Adam’s true colors as he accidentally reveals Hazbin Hotel‘s Exterminations to the other angels in the court. Fed up with being treated like a child, Emily speaks out against Sera and the Exterminations, singing that “Heaven must be a lie”. It is a powerful song and does not hold back as Emily sings about how she feels in front of the angel court. While the episode does not end on a good note for Charlie and Vaggie, this gives Emily a good chance to step out of the shadows and speak up.
4 Respectless
Season 1, Episode 3, “Scrambled Eggs”
This song comes as Velvette is starting to become suspicious about Carmilla’s involvement in the death of an Exorcist. The song starts in Spanish-guitar style as it switches back and forth from a guitar solo to a pop song. While it is possible that this was done to help honor Rubin-Vega’s Hispanic roots, it works well as the two Overlords face off against each other with Zestial chiming in.
3 Hell is Forever
Season 1, Episode 1, “Overture”
As a counter song to season 1, episode 6’s song “Welcome to Heaven”, this song is sung by Beetlejuice’s Alex Brightman as his character Adam rejects Charlie’s idea of redeeming the Sinners. Even though it takes place in Heaven, it is the exact opposite of the other Angels who put up a facade. Adam is brutally honest and does not hide that he likes Exterminations. It is a villain song that works well for the show and shows that even angels can be devilish at times.
2 Poison
Season 1, Episode 4, “Masquerade”
This song opens up more of Angel Dust’s story, while giving it plenty of tragic undertones about sexual assault. In this song, Angel Dust sings about his longing to stop being abused and his guilt after his fight with Charlie. Being the main actor at the porn studio, Angel is at the mercy of his abusive bosses and longs to get away from the toxic environment. Another tearjerker, this song can hit home for people who are stuck in a toxic place, whether it’s in an abusive relationship or a toxic workplace.
1 Loser, Baby
Season 1, Episode 4, “Masquerade”
Considered to be one of the best songs in Hazbin Hotel, “Loser, Baby” perfectly captures exactly who lives in Hell and in the hotel itself. This song is sung by Angel Dust and Husk as they lament about their shared experiences as losers and outsiders. While the song is very gritty and shows the brutal reality of living in Hell, it is also lighthearted as well with Angel Dust and Husk dancing to changing backgrounds as they celebrate who they are. With Keith David’s amazing vocals as Husk, it is a powerful ballad that shows a more vulnerable side to demons who are living in Hell. It also shows that while not all of them want to be redeemed, they do still have thoughts and feelings.
Hazbin Hotel
Hazbin Hotel is an adult animation series created and directed by Vivienne Medrano. Hazbin Hotel centers on Lucifer’s daughter, who opens a hotel for misfit demons she thinks can be redeemed in order to reduce Hell’s overpopulation. The first season of Hazbin Hotel premiered on Prime Video on January 19, 2024.
