True Blood Cast Playlist: Ryan Kwanten
Series 7 of 7
1. “One Mo’gin” by D’Angelo
“Hard to pick just one song from this incredible album, but here goes.”
2. “Do Do Wap Is Strong Here” by Curtis Mayfield
“Funky-ass voice and beat. And yes, the Do Wap is strong.”
3. “The Limit to Your Love” by Feist
“Her voice is so incredibly hypnotizing.”
4. “Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams
“For anyone who’s ever had their heart broken.”
5. “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver
“A journey album. Must be played in its entirety. From heartbreak, to hollow, to hope.”
6. “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones
“Just try to contain yourself. Can’t do it, right?”
7. “Sideways” by Citizen Cope
“These feelings won’t go away.”
8. “My Drug Buddy (Remastered)” by The Lemonheads
“Ironic, but my mum says this song reminds her of me. It’s a long story.”
9. “Hey” by Pixies
“It’s raw, unadulterated, and real.”
10. “The Seed (2.0)” by The Roots & Cody Chestnutt
“A most infectious beat that never fails to put a spring in the step.”
True Blood Cast Playlist: Stephen Moyer
Series 6 of 7
1.“English Rose” by The Jam
“Wellers simple lyrics and the descending chromatic kill me and transport me back to my 13 year old mod self.”
2.“Stool Pidgeon Blues” by Lightnin’ Hopkins
“I found this aged about 9 or 10 in my Dad’s record collection. I was blown away by it. I remember so vividly placing the arm back on the vinyl over and over again for days and months. The solo is incredible.”
3. “Cucurrucucu Paloma” by Caetano Veloso
“When my daughter was born this is what I was listening to. It transfers me right back to that magical time. His voice is just beautiful.”
4. “Tango Till They’re Sore” by Tom Waits
“Could have filled this entire playlist with Tom Waits…might have been a hundred other tracks. Today it’s this one.”
5. “Ahoy There!” by Mr. Scruff
“My son and I know this forwards backwards and sideways. We sing it in the car all the time, reminds me of my gorgeous funny boy.”
6. “Pencil Rot” by Stephen Malkmus
“I am one of the geeks that sits twiddling my thumbs waiting for new Malkmus tracks to become available. This is mad and brilliant. It’ll stay twirling in your head forever.”
7. “That’s All I Wanna Do” by Graham Coxon
“Just love this track. A great unrequited yearning pavement-esque love song.”
8. “Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin
“From the opening slow bass lick through to the moment that the band explodes it still is one of the great visceral rock and roll songs. (I spent more time deciding which Led Zep song than any other in this list.)”
9. “I Cover the Waterfront” by Billie Holiday
“This recording is late on and almost tragic as she searches for the opening note or even which song it is…but it makes it all the more poignant for me.”
10. “Vete de Mi” by Bebo & Cigala
“Rehearsing for a film in Switzerland, the director Daniel Schmid and actor Edouardo Noreiga waltzed around the space singing this song in preparation for the film.”
11. “Stuck In a Tight Spot” by Clor
“There’s an EP and one album available from these guys. They are amazing. The middle eight from this is fantastic.”
12. “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes
“Everyone in our house knows the lyrics to this song, my girlfriend, the kids the dog…”
13. “(Nice Dream)” by Christopher O’Riley
“This is where you kick back and put your feet up and smoke your pipe in wonderment…Radioheads genius coupled with O’Rileys wonderfully fluent playing.”
True Blood Cast Playlist: Rutina Wesley
Series 5 of 7
1.“Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll” by Vaughan Mason and Crew
“When I was a little girl, my uncles would DJ at the skating rinks in Las Vegas. This was my favorite song to skate to. Actually, it still is!”
2.“I Want to Pay You Back (For Loving Me)” by The Chi-Lites
“The Chi-Lites are awesome. When my husband and I first stared dating, he played this song for me, and we danced (and laughed) and danced.”
3.“UMI Says” by Mos Def
“This song reminds me to constantly live life to its fullest and appreciate every precious moment, because ‘this life is not promised’”.
4.“Round Midnight” by Miles Davis
“Miles Davis and John Coltrane. What more can I say?”
5.“Ants Marching” by Dave Matthews Band
“I was REALLY into the DMB in college! I did a movement piece to this song and danced my little heart out, rolling around on the floor and everything. This is for my classmates (Group 34).”
6.“Rain Water” by Brother Ali
“The first time I heard brother Ali was live in concert at the Bumbershoot music festival in Seattle. There was no flash, no spectacle: just solid beats with tight rhymes and a whole lot of passion.”
7.“I Do It for Hip Hop (With Nas & Jay-Z)” by Ludacris, Nas & Jay-Z
“I just love bumping this in my car! I also love that the lyrics stress doing it for the art, not just for fame and fortune.”
8.“Lying Peacefully (Radio Edit)” by Pepe Deluxe
“Walking down the aisle to this song at my wedding was the most amazing moment of my life. As I walked, my soon-to-be husband sprinkled rose petals at my feet. I felt like a princess.”
9.“Complicated Melody” by India.Arie
“India is a brilliant, elegant artist, and I love all of her music. This one’s for the love of my life.”
10.“Son’s Gonna Rise” by Citizen Cope
“This is definitely one of the best road-trip albums ever. I love Citizen Cope, and this song, featuring Robert Randolph, is one that has been played many, many times on my stereo.”
11.“How U Like That” by Stic.Man & Young Noble
“This song gets me in character for Tara. I like these guys, because they’re able to express their anger and frustration in ways that are more articulate and thought-provoking than just being offensive.”
12.“Jorge Regula” by The Moldy Peaches
“This song was a dear friend of mine’s favorite. This whole album will always have a special place in my heart.”
13.“Defying Gravity” by Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth
“Yeah, yeah: I love musicals! This is my theme song. Whenever I’m down, I sing it, dance to it, or just listen, and my spirits are always lifted. Idina Menzel is a true inspiration for me.”
14.“Transatlanticism” by Death Cab for Cutie
“This song is my favorite off this album, though I had a hard time choosing because I’m a huge fan of all their work.”
15.“Evolve” by Ani DiFranco
“As an artist I am constantly trying to evolve. This song keeps me positive, helping me remember to keep moving forward and that change is good.”
True Blood Cast Playlist: Alexander Skarsgård
Series 4 of 7
1. “It’s My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry” by Glasvegas
“This song has the highest play count of my entire iTunes library.”
2. “The Sound of Beating Wings” by Jeniferever
“Shine on, Uppsala!”
3. “Our Mutual Friend” by The Divine Comedy
“To H.:Thanks for catching me every time I fall.”
4. “The Funeral Party” by The Cure
“Seventeen and misunderstood.”
5. “Heartbeats” by The Knife
“Most of you have probably heard this song 3,000 times. If you haven’t, get it and listen to it 3,000 times.”
6. “Play With Fire” by The Rolling Stones
“These kids have a bright future. Remember where you heard it first.”
7. “Johnny and Mary” by Robert Palmer
“Don’t laugh. It’s a great song.”
8. “Zebra” by Beach House
“Who said nothing beautiful could ever come out of Baltimore?”
9. “I’ll Be Here In The Morning” by Townes Van Zandt
“In my humble opinion, one of the most underrated artists of the 20th century.”
10. “Fuglesang” by Existensminimum
“The best space song since David Bowie.”
11. “Behind Blue Eyes” by The Who
“I know it’s a shocking revelation, but this song wasn’t written by Limp Bizkit.”
12. “After the Storm” by Mumford & Sons
“Get the whole debut album; it’s amazing.”
13. “The Curse” by Dream City Film Club
“So beautiful. So painful.”
***I normally don’t say anything on these but song #12 makes me extremely happy. Mumford & Sons are absofuckinglutely amazing and one of my favorite bands ever. I got to see them live last month and it was one of the best shows I have ever been to [and I have been to 50+]. So do yourself a huge favor and listen to them. It’s Skars approved.
True Blood Cast Playlist: Sam Trammell
Series 3 of 7
1. “Singapore” by Tom Waits
“I lived in Paris for a year in a weird glass apartment built around an abandoned elevator shaft. When my roommate and I moved in, there was a cassette tape of Rain Dogs on the floor. We played it almost every night: drinking wine, writing, and pretending to be Hemingway.”
2. “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” by Talking Heads
“Mixing early–80’s techno, funk, and African rhythms… it’s David Byrne. And its complex and fresh and still rad today.”
3. “52 Girls” by The B-52’s
“There aren’t many cooler, and this is my favorite song of theirs.”
4. “Buggin’ Out” by A Tribe Called Quest
“Crank this one up late at night; get in trouble with the neighbors.”
5. “Alligators” by Wormzilla
“This is a great swamp/funk/hip-hop band, and I say this not just because my brother is the bassist. They put on an insane live show and rock St. Augustine to its core.”
6. “I Found That Essence Rare” by Gang of Four
“This was one of the first songs my first band ever learned. Andy Gill’s choppy, raw guitar, teetering on the edge of control, is unmatched.”
7. “Summer Babe (Winter Version)” by Pavement
“I was heavily into this band for a decade. They are one of my favorites of all time, and this is probably my favorite song.”
8. “This Boy Is Exhausted” by Wrens
“One of the great rock bands of the ‘90’s that never get their due.”
9. “Stage 2000” by Seam
“First saw front man Soo-Young Park play at Oberlin, where I almost went to college. Deep, sad, catchy, emotional, cathartic. Play this song when you need to let it all out.”
10. “The Wake Up Song” by The Submarines
“This is just a gorgeous pop song I can’t stop playing. Her voice slays me.”
11. “You Can Have It All” by Yo La Tengo
“They’ve put out such consistently great music for so many years. They deserve an award.”
12. “New Sensations” by Lou Reed
“I had to put Lou Reed in here, because his style influenced just about every band I love, and because he’s arguably the coolest guy the Big Apple has ever produced, and because he founded the Velvet Underground. This is an overlooked song on an overlooked album.”
13. “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
“Pure happiness.”
14. “Sweet Thing” by Van Morrison
“What is there to say? It’s powerful enough to make any moment feel nostalgic.”
True Blood Cast Playlist: Anna Paquin
Series 2 of 7:
The first playlist featured Alan Ball
1. “Such Great Heights” by Iron and Wine
“The words in this song, particularly the opening really capture what being in love feels like to me.”
2. “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin
“I was probably 5 or 6 when I learned how to use our record player and started listening to my parents’ Janis Joplin LP obsessively.”
3. “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes
“My boyfriend got me hooked on Fleet Foxes and through this song.”
4. “Parting Gift” by Fiona Apple
“Fiona writes about the female experience in such a beautiful and insightful way. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a mood that there isn’t a song of hers to match.”
5. “Extraordinary Machine” by Fiona Apple
“I saw her in concert and arrived just in time for this song. It makes me so happy!”
6. “My Iron Lung” by Radiohead
“This album makes me think of my sister.”
7. “Closer” by NIN
“This one goes out to ‘sad little goth girls’ everywhere.”
8. “Ur So Gay” by Katy Perry
“I listened to this song every single morning on repeat when I was in Latvia last year working. For some reason it helped me wake up.”
9. “Here Comes Your Man” by Pixies
“Great band, great song.”
10. “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” by Beyoncé
“How can you not love this song? It makes me want to dance every time I hear it.”
11. “Bathtime In Clerkenwell” by The Real Tuesday Weld
“Music to run to.”
12. “Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin
“I’ve gotta credit Cameron Crowe with getting me heavily into Led Zeppelin.”
13. “Glory Box” by Portishead
“I have some crazy/cool memorizes associated with this whole album.”
14. “I’m Shipping up To Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
“Music to box to! (yes, Clay Burwell I’m talking to you!)”
15. “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley
“I love this song, but not as much as I love my boyfriend’s cover of this song on his ukulele. He has an extraordinary voice.”
True Blood Cast Playlist: Alan Ball
Series: 1 of 7
1.“Round the Bend” by Beck
“Once after knee surgery, I took a vicodin the doctor had prescribed and chased it with a glass of red wine, and about half an hour later I felt all sensation draining out of my body. This song, aside from being gorgeous, reminds me of that feeling.”
2.“Mezzanine” by Massive Attack
“Hypnotic, dark, and unsettling. Who doesn’t love that?”
3.“O Magnum Mysterium” by Robert Shaw and Robert Shaw Chamber Singers
“I play this when I’m really stressed, and it always helps me to calm down and to put whatever is stressing me out into perspective. Plus it makes me feel all, like, tragic and redeemed, and heroic.”
4.“I Will Follow (2005 Live from Milan)” by U2
“I used to play this on my Walkman when I ran, and now I have knee issues. Thanks a lot, U2!”
5.“New Coat of Paint” by Tom Waits
“How great is Tom Waits? A genius songwriter, with one of the most expressive voices ever.”
6.“Over the Rainbow” by Keith Jarrett
“This song is a melodic masterpiece – yes, I am gay – and this is a profoundly emotional interpretation that never ceases to move me.”
7.“Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)[One World Remix]” by Soul II Soul
“This song reminds me of summer night parties in back yards in Brooklyn, back before I moved to Hollywood and sold my soul.”
8.“The Very Thought of You” by Nat “King” Cole
“Everything about this recording is lush – the melody, his voice, the arrangement. It’s like taking a hot bath in a fur bathtub. With vicodin and red wine.”
9.“Save It For Later” by The English Beat
“This song still makes me want to dance, even with my bad knees. Thanks, English Beat!”
10.“Parallel Life” by The Starseeds
“You know that music they play in upscale boutiques, hotels, restaurants, etc., to make you feel really hip and good about yourself so you’ll spend money? This is one my favorite examples of that kind of music.”
11.“Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House
“When I moved from Florida to New York in 1986, I drove for two days in someone else’s car. The song was a big hit at the time, and every radio station played it around the clock, so it always reminds me of that trip, which included a stop at the world famous Natural Bridge in Virginia.”
12.“Conservative, Christian, Right-Wing Republican, Straight, White, American Males” by Todd Snider
“I discovered Todd Snider while trolling iTunes for songs to put in a True Blood script, and now he is my personal hero.”
