How ‘Love Island USA’ Picks the Perfect Song for Every Kiss and Breakup (Plus the Season 8 Playlist)

The Role of Music in Love Island USA

Let’s get real here, you don’t watch Love Island USA for the soundtrack. But that doesn’t mean the music won’t somehow creep into your mind. You’re glued to your TV, laptop, or tablet, unable to tear your eyes away from the drama that only a raunchy reality series packed with hook-ups, verbal smackdowns, and plenty of tea could deliver. And while the Casa Amor recoupling or sudden, unexpected exits are the pull, like any other show, the music makes a major (if not subtly subliminal) difference in how you view the action.

How the Production Team Chooses Music

Unlike scripted TV, the soundtrack isn’t scored specifically for the show or planned in advance of filming. But that doesn’t mean the team waits until the last minute to pick and choose songs. Instead, they take a proactive approach that leaves room for interpretation and provides options for almost every possible scenario.

The executive producer of Love Island USA, James Barker, shared insights into the process. He mentioned that the team works to get hundreds, sometimes thousands of songs ready to go, because they don’t know where the story is going. “OK, this track is going to be great for when somebody eventually breaks up with somebody, or this track is going to be the perfect first-kiss song when that comes up,” he explained.

Barker added, “It’s all based on the feeling and the lyrical content and just making sure that in our minds, whatever story could come of Love Island, that we have something locked and ready to go for that.”

Fan-Favorite Songs from Season 8

The list of songs featured on Love Island USA Season 8 is extensive. Each episode features more than a few tunes. But if you’re interested in the best of the best, here’s a sampling of a few fan favorites from the first few episodes:

Episode 1:

• When Love Takes Over by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
• Looking At Me by Sabrina Carpente
• Too Much by Dove Cameron
• Lush Life by Zara Larson
• Here I Come by Fergie
• I Just Might by Bruno Mars
• Mr. Electric Blue by Benson Boone
• What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
• Like Sugar by Chaka Khan
• Come Get It Bae by Pharrell Williams
• Kiss by Demi Lovato
• Cut to the Feeling by Carly Rae Jepsen
• Got Me started by Troy Sivan
• Good Day To Be Alive by Summer Kennedy
• Fallin’ For Ya by GoldN
• 15 Minutes by Sabrina Carpenter
• On My Knees by Rufus Du Sol
• Say You Do by Sigala featuring Imani Williams and DJ Fresh

Episode 2:

• Boyfriend by Dove Cameron
• Nobody’s Son by Sabrina Carpenter
• Close To You by Gracie Abrams
• Mad by Echos
• Dangerous Games by FJORA

Episode 3:

• 12 to 12 by Sombr
• Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me) by Lisa
• Mystical Magical by Benson Boone
• Diet Pepsi by Addison Rae
• Heart To Break by Kim Petras
• Crazy by Echos

Episode 4:

• Silent Treatment by Freya Skye
• Whatever You Like by Dove Cameron
• Run Away With Me by Carly Rae Jepsen
• 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
• Work by Skinny Beats
• Bos$$ by Fifth Harmony
• Kissing Strangers by DNCE featuring Nicki Minaj
• Therefore I Am by Billie Eilish

Accessing the Full Playlist

While this isn’t every single song you could hear all season long, there’s an easy way to hear the full soundtrack. Stream or download Peacock’s full Love Island USA playlist on Apple Music or Spotify.