From a 2002 Russian pop anthem to the indie rock heart of Canada, the music in Heated Rivalry is far more than background noise. The hit series uses its soundtrack as a direct line into the unspoken emotions of its characters, turning songs into a storytelling device as powerful as any scripted line. Showrunner Jacob Tierney, alongside music supervisor Scotty Taylor, has crafted a musical landscape that maps directly onto the secret, years-long romance between hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The result has not only defined key scenes but has also sent old songs soaring up streaming charts by thousands of percentage points.
The Viral Club Scene and a Queer Anthem Reborn
The most talked-about musical moment of the season arrives at the end of Episode 4. In a tense club scene, Shane dances with his new girlfriend, Rose, while Ilya watches with a mixture of angst and yearning. Their magnetic eye contact across the room speaks volumes, highlighting a deep desire they cannot act upon. Soundtracking this entire six-minute sequence of frustrated longing is t.A.T.u.’s 2002 hit “All the Things She Said.”
Related: Heated Rivalry Episode 4 Ending Song: t.A.T.u.โs Queer Anthem Explained
The choice was intentional and deeply symbolic. The song, originally by a Russian duo and famous for its controversial music video depicting a lesbian kiss, is considered a foundational queer anthem for a generation. Its lyrics about forbidden love and opened eyes perfectly mirror Shane and Ilya’s hidden turmoil.
โI could literally only think of one queer Russian pop hit,โ Tierney said, explaining the choice. โWe found a cover version, and it just workedโฆ It was alchemy.โ
To extend the song through the lengthy scene, the creative team made a clever transition. The original version by t.A.T.u. morphs into a dance cover by London-based artist Harrison, which features a male vocalist. This shift in tone and voice nods to Ilya’s bisexuality and the scene’s building intensity. The impact was immediate and measurable. Following the episode’s premiere on December 12, streams of t.A.T.u.’s original version jumped 103% in the U.S., while Harrison’s cover saw an astronomical increase of over 114,000%.
A Canadian Soundtrack: Music as National Identity
Heated Rivalry is a proudly Canadian production, and its soundtrack fiercely reflects that identity. The series is packed with needle drops from Canadian artists, creating a distinct sonic palette that ranges from indie rock to Haitian kompa.
Songs by Canadian artists are strategically placed to underscore character emotions. For instance:
- Feist’s “Sealion” plays as Shane anxiously prepares for his first secret meeting with Ilya, its frenzied rhythm mirroring his nervous energy.
- Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” serves as the emotional theme for the secondary couple, Scott Hunter and Kip Grady. It plays when they first meet and again during a pivotal, public declaration of love.
- Philippe B’s French love song “Chelsea mon amour” is the track Shane listens to after a painful Olympic loss, highlighting his deep connection to Ilya.
The show’s influence on music discovery is significant. Spotify Canada reported that songs by featured artists like Feist and Wolf Parade saw streaming increases of 1,500% and 2,650%, respectively, after their episodes aired.
Recurring Melodies and Emotional Payoff
The music in Heated Rivalry often works like a recurring character theme, earning deeper meaning with each use. The most powerful example is the reprisal of Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything.” The song is first introduced in Episode 3 as Scott Hunter jogs before fatefully meeting Kip. It then returns in a grand, emotional climax at the end of Episode 5, scoring a historic moment that changes the landscape of the entire series.
โThey reuse it for that emotional climax,โ said actor Franรงois Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter. โI heard the lyrics again in a completely new lightโฆ it made me really emotional.โ
This callback is layered with narrative significance. The lyrics mention “sunshine,” which is a direct reference to a line of dialogue from Episode 3, creating a thread that ties Scott and Kip’s entire love story together. The intentional reuse of the song contrasts the open, hopeful romance of Scott and Kip with the still-secretive and fraught relationship between Shane and Ilya.
Behind the Music
For showrunner Jacob Tierney, music was embedded in the writing process from the start. He listened to specific albums, like Peter Peter’s Ether, while writing the scripts to maintain a consistent mood. He aimed to use music that evokes feeling rather than directly telling the audience what to think.
Music supervisor Scotty Taylor joined the project early to ensure the value of the soundtrack was understood before budget limitations could force compromises. Their collaboration involved a constant “table tennis” vibe of bouncing ideas back and forth with the executive producers and composer. While the show is set in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Tierney was open to using slightly anachronistic songs if they felt right for the scene.
Tierney has confirmed that discussions are underway about releasing an official Heated Rivalry soundtrack compilation so fans can listen to all the songs and the score in one place.
Also Read: Heated Rivalry Season 1 Finale: First Look at Shane and Ilyaโs Getaway Revealed
