How 'The Traitors' Soundtrack Manipulates Emotions and Sets a Campy Tone
The show's music, from its orchestral score to its eerie cover songs, is carefully crafted to enhance suspicion, intrigue, and drama.
The music of the reality competition series "The Traitors" plays a crucial role in manipulating viewer perception, heightening suspicion, intrigue, and treachery, while also contributing to the show's distinct campy tone. Composer Sam Watts, who created the opening theme and much of the incidental score, aimed for a sound that was "dark but fun," influenced by the show's host, Claudia Winkleman, and its dramatic setting.
Watts described the process of scoring "The Traitors" as an effort to create a memorable and engaging experience for viewers. He recalled pitching for the show with limited information but was inspired by an opening shot featuring Winkleman and the castle. This led him to adopt an approach that balanced darkness with a sense of playful drama, reflecting Winkleman's signature style. The main theme was composed with the intention of capturing attention immediately, drawing viewers in from making tea breaks, and establishing a hummable melody that would become synonymous with the show's identity.
The theme song was recorded with a full orchestra and augmented with electronic elements to produce a heightened, hyperreal atmosphere that extends to the approximately 20 other pieces Watts composed. These compositions are used across numerous international spin-offs. Watts explained that the goal was to make the entire hour of the show feel like a cinematic trailer, keeping viewers on edge and anticipating dramatic developments. This approach incorporated techniques common in trailer music, such as the "Braam," a distinctive punctuation sound popularized by the film "Inception."
Show producer Sarah Fay amplified this cinematic ambition, aiming to elevate "The Traitors" beyond typical reality television. She envisioned it as an edge-of-your-seat drama with influences from shows like "Succession" and the atmospheric tension of the film "Knives Out." To achieve this, additional music was commissioned from film trailer composers, including Hans Zimmer's company, Bleeding Fingers. The show also incorporated distinctive cover versions of well-known songs.
Notable among these are unsettling renditions of Britney Spears' "Toxic" and Tears For Fears' "Mad World." These eerie covers, seemingly broadcast from an otherworldly source, have become integral to the show's aesthetic. Surprisingly, these tracks were not originally recorded for "The Traitors." They were created by the German writer-producers 2wei, based in Hamburg.
Simon Heeger and Christian Vorländer, the founders of 2wei, expressed their surprise and excitement upon discovering their music's prominent use in "The Traitors." Having previously worked on advertisements and film trailers, they noted that their background in creating music for short, impactful media made their work well-suited for the show's need for immediate emotional conveyance. Their signature sound, often characterized by epic drums, orchestral arrangements, and prominent female vocals, has been featured in various media, including the "Mad Max" soundtrack and trailers for "Tomb Raider" and "Wonder Woman."
2wei's original songs, such as "Blindside," also feature in "The Traitors," alongside contributions from other producers like SYML and Damned Anthem. Heeger highlighted that the short, impactful nature of advertising music aligns well with "The Traitors'" need for sound that quickly conveys emotion during cliffhangers and unexpected moments.
The popularity of "The Traitors'" soundtrack is evident in the hundreds of dedicated playlists on platforms like Spotify, with themes ranging from murder mystery parties to more relaxed "chill" compilations. However, the article reminds viewers that the music itself is part of the show's deceptive nature, with Watts noting that much of his music contains a playful element that makes the darker aspects, such as murder and plotting, more palatable and even enjoyable for the audience.