Apple TV+‘s new thriller series Lucky arrived on July 15, 2026, and one of the most talked-about elements is its opening theme song. The seven-part miniseries, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, uses a haunting new track called “Horns of a Bull” by acclaimed singer-songwriter Fiona Apple. The song does more than just introduce the show. It immediately pulls viewers into the tense, dangerous world of a con artist on the run.
The track runs just under two minutes. It features pounding drums, warm piano chords, and Apple‘s signature smoky voice. The music feels urgent and unsettled, which matches the story perfectly. “Horns of a Bull” is not just background music. It is a key part of the show’s identity. The lyrics and mood set up the main themes of the series right from the first episode.
The Song’s Sound Connects to Fiona Apple’s Previous Work
“Horns of a Bull” sounds very much like Fiona Apple’s 2020 album Fetch the Bolt Cutters. The track uses a percussive, rhythm-heavy style. There is a lot of drumming and a raw, unpolished feeling. The song also includes a full growl from Apple in the middle of the track. This aggressive moment adds to the sense of danger and frustration that the series explores.
The song was co-produced by Apple and her longtime drummer Amy Aileen Wood. Wood is also the wife of Cassie Pappas, one of the showrunners of Lucky. This family connection made the collaboration more personal. Apple has not released a new album since Fetch the Bolt Cutters in 2020. She has, however, released other new music in recent years. These include the 2025 benefit single “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)” and a collaboration with Cara Delevingne on the song “Need It”.
Lyrics of ‘Horns of a Bull’ Directly Reflect the Show’s Story
The words of “Horns of a Bull” are few but powerful. The song opens and closes with the lines, “I pay attention to the men behind the curtain / I was born in the horns of a bull”. These lines suggest a character who sees through deception and is trapped in a dangerous situation. The phrase “horns of a bull” brings to mind being caught in a dilemma with no easy way out.
Another repeated line in the song is “my daddy put my crib under Damocles’ sword”. This refers to the ancient Greek story of Damocles. In that story, a sword hangs over a king‘s head by a single thread, representing constant danger. This lyric directly connects to the main character’s life. Lucky Armstrong, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, is always in danger. She is running from the FBI and a crime boss. The threat of capture or death is always there.
The Theme Song Captures Lucky‘s Constant Danger
The show Lucky is based on the 2021 novel by Marissa Stapley. It follows Lucky Armstrong, a con artist whose life falls apart after a multi-million dollar heist goes wrong. She is forced to flee from both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss played by Annette Bening. The song’s urgent rhythm and dark lyrics mirror this non-stop chase.
Anya Taylor-Joy, who also serves as an executive producer, was very excited about getting Fiona Apple for the theme song. In an interview with Movieplayer.it, Taylor-Joy shared her reaction.
“I wanted the music to be female centric and with a rock edge. And what I’m absolutely thrilled about is that the legend, Fiona Apple, does our title sequences. When that became a possibility, I was just screaming, my teenage self freaked out. And I think her voice is a perfect description of this series. There’s a timbre, a rawness and a graveness that perfectly exemplifies the show.”
Her words show how important the song is to the series‘ overall feel. The music is not an afterthought. It is a core part of telling the story.
The Soundtrack List Reveals a Fully Thematic Score
“Horns of a Bull” is the first track on the Lucky soundtrack. The full soundtrack includes many other instrumental pieces. These tracks have names that clearly connect to scenes in the show. Some of these songs are “Truckyard Chase,” “Double Chase,” “Casino Chase,” and “Tracking Down Lucky”. The titles alone show that the music is built around action and suspense.
The soundtrack also includes more emotional-sounding tracks like “Wherever You Go” and “Desert Memories”. This mix of intense chase music and more reflective pieces creates a full picture of Lucky Armstrong’s journey. The score helps the audience feel her fear, her determination, and her longing for freedom. The first two episodes of the series are now streaming. New episodes will be released weekly, with the finale scheduled for August 19.
Fiona Apple‘s Personal Struggles Add Weight to the Music
Fiona Apple has been open about her difficulty in creating new music. In a recent Instagram video shared by her roommate, she spoke about trying to write about the world’s problems. She mentioned struggling with an “endless barrage of horrors” in the world. She said she did not want people to think she was turning a blind eye.
“I just didn’t want you to think that I was turning a blind eye or that I didn’t see what was going on or that I didn’t care. I fucking care. Or that I’m not trying, and I am trying and I don’t know if I’m going to succeed.”
This personal struggle gives “Horns of a Bull” even more meaning. The song is not just a job for Apple. It is a piece of art created during a time of personal and global difficulty. The rawness of her voice and the urgency of the drums feel real and earned. It makes the theme song more powerful and connects it to real emotions.
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Cast and Crew Praise the Song‘s Impact on the Series
The cast of Lucky has also spoken highly of the theme song. Drew Starkey, who plays a character named Cary in the series, said Fiona Apple is “good”. While this is a simple comment, it reflects the general respect the cast has for her work. The involvement of a musician of Apple’s caliber adds prestige to the project.
Lucky has a strong cast. Besides Anya Taylor-Joy and Annette Bening, it includes Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Clifton Collins Jr., and Mo McRae. The series was created by Jonathan Tropper, who also created Your Friends & Neighbors. The show has received positive early reviews. NME gave the series four stars, praising its smart narrative and constant sense of threat.
The theme song sets the stage for all of this. It tells the audience what kind of show they are about to watch. It promises tension, a strong female lead, and a story with high stakes. “Horns of a Bull” is not just a song. It is a mission statement for the entire series.
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