Every Song In Dexter: New Blood (So Far)

Warning: SPOILERS for Dexter: New Blood.

The songs in Dexter: New Blood serve as a perfect compliment for Michael C. Hall’s long-awaited return as the iconic TV serial killer — and fittingly offer a killer soundtrack. The Showtime original series Dexter ran from 2006 to 2013, but ended on a sour note: the Dexter season 8 finale was infamously hated. The spinoff series Dexter: New Blood tries to correct this.

New Blood is set a decade later and follows Dexter’s new life in a very different setting; while the original series was set in the balmy city of Miami, New Blood‘s setting is the icy small town of Iron Lake, New York. Dexter is living under the assumed name of Jim Lindsay (a nod to the author of the Dexter novels, Jeff Lindsay) and is living a peaceful, modest life.

While Dexter has been living happily as “Jim” for many years, New Blood quickly sees his life turned upside-down. In the first episode alone, Dexter relapses into his murderous tendencies and his long-lost son, Harrison, comes to town looking for him. By the end of Dexter: New Blood, both Dexter and the town of Iron Lake will be changed forever, and Dexter’s relationship with the police chief, Angela Bishop (Julia Jones), only complicates things. As with the original series, music plays a huge role in Dexter: New Blood, often setting the tone or hinting at Dexter’s innermost feelings. Here is every song that’s been featured in Dexter: New Blood so far.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 1, “Cold Snap”

“The Passenger” – Iggy Pop: This song plays in the opening scenes as Dexter is running through the woods hunting a white stag. The title and topic of the song are foreshadowing of Deb Morgan’s presence as Dexter’s new Dark Passenger.

“Burning For You” – Blue Oyster Cult: As Dexter is driving past the sign for Iron Lake, suggesting he lives on the outskirts of the town, this plays as he is pulled over by New Blood‘s Angela.

“King of a One Horse Town” – Dan Auerbach: This Dexter: New Blood song plays as Dexter is first seen walking the streets of Iron Lake, greeting the residents by name and seeming generally beloved by his new community.

“Heart of Glass” – Blondie: Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” is added to the Dexter: New Blood soundtrack when Dexter and Angela arrive for line dancing at the local tavern.

“Heavenly Bodies (Fred Falke Remix)” – Midnight Faces: This song is playing in the background of the bar scene when Matt Caldwell pressures Dexter about the gun.

“Haunted When The Minutes Drag” – Love And Rockets: When Dexter opens up Fred’s Fish & Game for the second time in the episode and helps out a range of customers, this song is heard playing under the montage.

“Kraftwerk” – Leon Rockmore (feat. DJ P-Trix): This song plays in the background of Matt Caldwell’s party when Dexter is delivering his gun.

“All Alright” – Sigur Ros: In one of the key moments of the episode, Dexter is able to approach the white stag and reach out to it before it is shot by Matt Caldwell. This part of the Dexter: New Blood soundtrack scores the scene before the gunshot.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 2, “Storm of F*ck”

“Black Tambourine” – Beck: When Lily (Kimmy Anne Dunn) comes out of the bathroom to find champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for her, Beck’s “Black Tambourine,” begins to play as she pops the champagne and dances around the room before cutting off when it is revealed that she is being watched.

“Feel the Pain” – Dinosaur Jr.: “Feel the Pain” begins to play in the background when Harrison, Audrey, and her friends are hanging out at the cabin in the woods and getting to know each other. The song plays throughout the rest of the scene at the Roaring Forks Summer Camp.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 3, “Smoke Signals”

“Avalanche” – Leonard Cohen: The haunting Cohen song plays after Dexter checks that Harrison is asleep and then heads out to dig up Matt’s body. The track continues as Dexter spreads Matt’s scent throughout the woods, ending as he reaches the highway.

“Runaway” – Del Shannon: When the serial killer is preparing to kill his victim, he puts this 1961 Del Shannon on and sings along to it before releasing Lily with the song ending when he shoots her.

“I Just Really Think I Miss You” – The Pistols: As the K9 unit heads out to track Matt Caldwell’s scent in the woods, this song plays over the introduction of Molly while she approached Angela.

“Bad Ass Bitch” – Lunachick: This plays briefly as Deb suggests that Dexter could use a woodchipper to dispose of Matt’s body.

“All I Have To Do Is Dream” – The Everly Brothers: When the serial killer is shown washing Lily’s body and draining it of blood, this oddly cheery song from 1958 plays as a juxtaposition.

“Stop Staring” – Japan, Man: When Audrey is giving Harrison a ride, this song by Japan, Man plays before they arrive at the butcher.

“Winter” – Alex Carr: Back in Audrey’s car, after they have left the butcher, this song plays in the background.

“My Heart Can Feel The Pain” – The Tonettes:  This 1965 song plays from Edward Olsen’s car as he gets out to offer Audrey help when her car has broken down.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 4, “‘H’ Is For Hero”

“Find Somebody New” – Otis Brown: Otis Brown’s song plays quietly in the background of the diner as Kurt Caldwell is called out to talk to Chloe (Skyler Wright).

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 5, “Runaway”

“NO WAY!” – Clubhouse: This is the first song heard in the background of the Kill List party when Harrison first arrives. The party’s playlist is extensive.

“Flat Factory” – Moth Pilots: When Dexter talks to Tess at the Tavern before Kurt arrives, this song by Moth Pilots can be heard in the background.

“Runaway” – Del Shannon:  Kurt Caldwell, revealed to be Dexter: New Blood‘s Runaways killer, plays the song jukebox. He also played the song during Lily’s murder in episode 3. The bartender notes that Kurt plays the song roughly every two months, suggesting how often he kills.

“Whats Poppin” – Jack Harlow: A song heard during the Kill List party.

“Boom Boom Pow” – Zafrir (feat. Afrojack): This is another song on the Kill List party playlist.

“Tightly Strung” – Tylwyth Teg: The song “Tightly Strung” is also played during the party.

“Goosebumps” – Travis Scott (feat. Kendrick Lamar) – The final song to play at the Kill List party.

“Former” – Small Drag: This song can be heard in the bar when Dexter is watching the dealer who sold the drugs that Harrison overdosed on.

“Ketamine” – Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum: The end-credits song for Dexter: New Blood episode 5. This track is a fun Easter egg both for Dexter and Michael C. Hall fans. Hall is the vocalist for Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum, and the song is about the actor’s experience taking medicinal ketamine as part of therapy. It’s also a nod to Dexter’s use of the drug in the show.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 6, “Too Many Tuna Sandwiches”

“The Keeper” – Chris Cornell: At the start of the episode, the song “The Keeper” plays as Harrison follows Kurt’s advice and does Dexter’s chores for him.

“A Little Less Conversation” – Elvis Presley: This classic Presley song is the music that Dexter is listening to while he’s driving and gets pulled over by Angela again.

Related: New Blood’s Runaway Killer Brings Back A Dexter Season 1 Problem

“Trouble’s Coming” – Royal Blood: This song ominously plays as Harrison walks the lakes of the high school.

“Tears” – Nicky Sparkles: When Logan is giving relationship advice to Dexter in the bar, this song plays in the background.

“Same Kind Of Thing” – Syl Johnson: This 1968 song plays while Dexter is eavesdropping on Kurt and Molly in the bar.

Related: New Blood Theory: Angela Will Ask Dexter To Kill

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 7, “Skin Of Her Teeth”

“You Got To Do Your Share” – Helene Smith: The jukebox at Kurt Caldwell’s diner provides an increasingly large amount of the Dexter: New Blood soundtrack. This 1967 song plays in the background as Dexter sits in the dinner and talks to Harrison and then Kurt.

“Dream Romance” – Jordan Brothers: Again on the jukebox of Kurt’s diner, this plays in the background when the police arrive to arrest Kurt.

“Wish You Were Home” – Sheldon Sundown: Sheldon Sundown’s song plays in Dexter: New Blood as the community turns out to show support for Miriam after Iris’ body is found.

“Runaway” – Del Shannon: Del Shannon’s song plays once again in Dexter: New Blood episode 7 when Kurt makes a statement about his childhood and young Kurt is shown in a truck cab.

Related: Dexter Theory: New Blood’s Most Important Cameo Is Doakes (Not Harry)

“Devoted To You” – The Everly Brothers: As Kurt tells the police a false story about seeing Iris getting into his father’s truck, this Everly Brothers song plays over shots containing the more accurate representation of events.

“Blue Guitar” – Jaguarundis & Alex Carr: Almost reliable as the jukebox in Kurt Caldwell’s diner is the jukebox in the Iron Lake Tavern. “Blue Guitar” plays while Angela and Molly discuss the case at the bar.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 8, “Unfair Game”

“Old Rugged Cross” – L Shape Lot: The first song that plays in Dexter: New Blood episode 8 comes out of Elric’s (Shuler Hensley) truck radio. “Old Rugged Cross” is a popular hymn that was first written in 1912 but has been recorded by a wealth of musicians, including Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Alabama. The version of the song used in Dexter: New Blood is by L Shape Lot and plays while Dexter is tied up in the truck until Kurt tells Elric to turn it off.

“O Come All Ye Faithful” – The Whispering Pines Holiday Orchestra: Another older song that has been recorded many times, this instrumental version of the Christmas carol “O Come All Ye Faithful” is recorded by The Whispering Pines Holiday Orchestra. It plays near the beginning of Dexter: New Blood episode 8 as Harrison walks through town, sees Audrey with a Christmas tree, and then receives a call from Kurt Caldwell.

Related: New Blood Hints The Runaway Killer Murdered More People Than Dexter

“Baddest of the Bad” – The Reverend Horton Heat: Angela continues to investigate Dexter’s past and the trail leads her to talk to Miles, the drug dealer he assaulted. When Angela finds Miles, The Reverend Horton Heat’s “Baddest of the Bad” is playing in the background.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 9, “The Family Business”

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Andy Williams: After Dexter reveals some of the truth about his ritual and Dark Passenger, they wish each other “Merry Christmas.” Dexter then quickly departs to dispose of Elric’s body with a big smile on his face as Andy Williams’ cheery rendition of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” plays to underscore how buoyed Dexter is by his conversation with Harrison. The song pauses as Deb challenges Dexter’s routine and then starts back up and plays as shots of the Bay Harbor Butcher victims incongruously flash across the screen from Angela’s research.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee: After the awkward greetings and lies when Dexter and Harrison arrive at Angela and Aubrey’s house, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” begins playing as Audrey removes the monkey bread from the over and continues to play through the group’s Christmas celebration, fading out as Dexter and Harrison begin to open presents.

“War“ – Idles: Idle’s “War,” a song against meaningless death and murder in conflict, appropriately plays as Kurt, the master of subtly, torches Dexter and Harrison’s cabin with the aid of a fuel truck. The song begins as he is hosing the house down and continues to play as he watches the cabin burn while waiting for his victims to leave the cabin so he can shoot them, only to be disappointed later.

Dexter: New Blood, Episode 10, “Sins Of The Father”

The Dexter: New Blood season finale has a lot of work to do and relies mostly upon instrumental scoring to underpin the emotional moments Dexter’s final episode. However, two songs play throughout the episode, both for extended periods during pivotal scenes.

“A Wolf At The Door” – Radiohead: After Angela and Logan handcuff Dexter, Radiohead’s “A Wolf At The Door” begins to play as Logan leads Dexter from Angela’s house. The song continues to play as the Dexter: New Blood finale sees Dexter Morgan processed by the Iron Lake police and led through the station to be interviewed by Angela.

“I Should Live In Salt” – The National: After Dexter’s death, Harrison drives out west (even if there isn’t a sunset to drive into). As he drives through town and looks at the people and places he is leaving behind, The National’s “I Should Live In Salt” from their album Trouble Will Find Me plays while Michael C. Hall’s voiceover reveals the content of Dexter’s letter to Hannah McKay. The result is a bittersweet conclusion to Dexter: New Blood.

Dexter: New Blood releases new episodes Sundays on Showtime.

About The Author

Faefyx Collington
(487 Articles Published)

Faefyx Collington (They/Them) is a senior features writer for Screen Rant. They’re a British writer of both fiction and non-fiction, focussing on science fiction, fantasy, and mystery for the former and on culture, gender, and current affairs for the latter.
Never content to settle to one thing, Faefyx is also a co-host and producer of the podcast and video series “Unramblings,” and can occasionally be found making music around the internet as well.
Having acquired degrees on both sides of the Atlantic, Fyx has settled (for the moment) in the southern United States where they live with their spouse and an entirely appropriate number of cats.

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