Every Song in Netflix’s Boots : A Complete Soundtrack

Summary:

• Netflix’s Boots packs 1980s queer pop, punk, and rock anthems into a coming-of-age Marine Corps story.

• Songs appear as character cues and time/place anchors from Queen and New Order to ABBA and Depeche Mode.

• Use this episode-by-episode list to find every track and the exact moment it plays.

Boots turns a raw boot-camp drama into a pulsing love letter to queer club culture with one of Netflix’s most replayable soundtracks. Set around 1990 and inspired by The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White, the show follows Cam Cope as he hides his sexuality in the Marines. The needle-drops aren’t just vibes they drive character beats, identity, and era-specific authenticity.

Boots soundtrack: what’s the music vibe and why does it matter?

Boots leans hard into the queer canon of the late ’80s/early ’90s — the songs you’d hear at gay clubs, on mixtapes, and blasting from Walkmans. It’s a purposeful palette: Queen, New Order, ABBA, Iggy Pop, Sade, Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, George Michael. The tracks act like character POVs:

• Cam’s inner life gets anthems of longing and self-definition (Queen’s “I Want To Break Free,” Wilson Phillips’ “Hold On”).

• Training sequences pivot to adrenaline and attitude (L7’s “Fast and Frightening,” The Clash’s “Know Your Rights”).

• Romance and memory pull softer, soulful cuts (Luther Vandross’ “Here and Now,” Sade’s “The Sweetest Taboo”).

The show also uses diegetic and semi-diegetic placements — songs characters listen to, sing along with, or that bleed from scene to scene — which grounds the music emotionally instead of dropping it in as background wallpaper.

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Boots soundtrack by episode: when does each song play?

Use this quick-scan list to jump to the moment you heard it.

Episode 1 — “The Pink Marine”

• “We Got The Beat” — The Go-Go’s: Flashbacks to Cam’s past.

• “Hold On” — Wilson Phillips: Cam mentions he loves the band; later plays on his headphones and again when his name is called on Parris Island.

• “I Want To Break Free” — Queen: Bus ride to boot camp as Cam and John meet.

• “Venus” — Bananarama: Head-shaving sequence; Cam and Ray clock their fresh cuts.

• “Run Away (The Escape Song)” — Oingo Boingo: Closing beat as Sgt. Sullivan promises to make them Marines.

Episode 2 — “The Buddy System”

• “What We All Want” — Gang of Four: Sullivan suits up.

• “Xtraordinary” — Domestic Violet: Pugil-stick bouts under Sullivan’s eye.

• “Fast and Frightening (Remastered)” — L7: First run at the obstacle course.

• “Blue Monday” — New Order: Cam begins his final test on the course.

• “You’re All Talk” — The Pandoras: Inner-monologue Cam roasts real Cam after he’s named squad leader.

Episode 3 — “The Confidence Course”

• “The Marines’ Hymn” — United States Marine Band: Basilone slideshow; later a banjo version en route to the gas chamber.

• “What’s a Girl To Do” — Marcia Ball: Barracks cleanup; smash-cut to Cam’s mom post-tryst with the recruiter.

• “Little Bit O’ Soul” — Ramones: Slide for Life in the Courage Challenge.

• “I’m Done!” — It’s Dave Init: Two recruits finish “Stairway to Heaven.”

• “Princes of the Universe” — Queen: Cam begins the climb; the track cuts when his lace snags.

• “Fernando” — ABBA: Cam exits the gas chamber; continues while his mom writes to him.

• “Shapeshifter” — Faded Armor: Letter-writing montage; Sullivan burns his own letter at a bonfire.

Episode 4 — “Sink or Swim”

• “Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today” — Little David Wilkins: Ray’s childhood flashback about “overcoming” anxiety.

• “Then” — The Charlatans: Sullivan at a bar; secret car meetup with a lawyer.

• “When the Rainbow Comes” — World Party: Sullivan eyes re-enlistment papers; flashback to his “Semper Fi” tattoo.

• “Retreat” (bugle call): Flag lowering and salute.

• “Reveille” (bugle call): Morning wake-up.

Episode 5 — “Bullseye”

• “Wild Wild Life” — Talking Heads: Title splash; Barbara Cope hosts an MLM party.

• “Waiting for the Night” — Depeche Mode: Sullivan tells Cam Ochoa’s done training; the cue rides into credits.

Episode 6 — “The Things We Carry”

• “The Sweetest Taboo” — Sade: Sullivan meets a romantic interest (flashback).

• “Stop” — Jane’s Addiction: Kitchen food fight; spills into a brawl.

• “Angel of Mercy” — David Kauffman: Santos showers alone; Cam returns Ochoa’s gear.

• “A Better Way” — Johnny Smith Congregation: Capt. Fajardo visits Sgt. McKinnon; family legacy talk.

• “We Are The Champions” — Queen: Drunken barracks sing-along; flashback to Sullivan cleaning his rifle and gossip with Sgt. Maitra.

• “Elegia” — New Order: Sullivan’s shirtless run; memories of Major Wilkinson.

• “1, 2, 3, 4, United States Marine Corps” — Armed Fitness: Jog cadence with Sullivan and recruits.

• “Luv Dancin’ (feat. Jasmine)” — Underground Solution: Cam meets Jones at their racks.

Episode 7 — “Love Is A Battlefield”

• “Here and Now” — Luther Vandross: Sgt. Sullivan sings the first-dance song at Sgt. Maitra’s wedding.

• “U Can’t Touch This” — MC Hammer: Wedding reception hijinks.

• “Bad News” — J Shaw: Jones and Cam leave the office for their racks.

• “Black Velvet” — Alannah Myles: Cam follows Jones into the bathroom; the moment goes sideways.

• “The Passenger” — Iggy Pop: Cam rises after Sullivan decks him; training sparring montage.

• “No Big Deal” — Love and Rockets: Sullivan at the bar; a mug becomes a weapon.

Episode 8 — “The Crucible”

• “Know Your Rights” — The Clash: The Crucible begins.

• “The Marines’ Hymn” — United States Marine Band: Graduation march.

• “Changes” — David Bowie: A Marine croons amid the celebration.

• “Hold On” — Wilson Phillips: Bar celebration staple — and Cam’s favorite.

• “Under Pressure” — Queen & David Bowie: Closing cue as a Gulf War newscast rolls.

Trailer

• “Freedom! ’90” — George Michael (San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus rendition): Trailer needle-drop — a pointed military-town choice.

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Boots soundtrack: full song index 

When and where can you watch Boots?

Boots is a Netflix original series. Episodes referenced here include the Season 1 run culminating in “The Crucible.” Check your local Netflix listing for region availability and maturity ratings.

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