15 Memorable Music Moments from ‘Sex Education’ Seasons 1 and 2
Netflix’s Sex Education has a lot going for it—hilarious comedy, gut-wrenching drama, and a stellar cast that includes the legendary Gillian Anderson. Among its many charming qualities is its soundtrack full of righteous jams and bops from all kinds of music eras and genres.
It’s an eclectic mix of tunes that have been handpicked to perfection, giving scenes and moments that extra bit of pizzazz. Whether it has fitting lyrics, catchy beats, or exquisitely captures the emotions brought to life on screen, the musical choices are impeccable, adding a whole other layer of nuance to the show.
Sex Education has a unique aesthetic that pulls from different style periods—the groovy 70s, the hip 90s, and most notably, the bitchin’ 80s with an overall inspiration coming from John Hughes films. While history plays a tonal part, the series is thoroughly modern and forward-thinking. The balance they have achieved here is exemplary.
The soundtrack embodies all of this, too, and it’s quite satisfying to hear the songs while watching the show as well as on their own.
Here, in no particular order, are 15 memorable music moments from Sex Education Seasons 1 and 2.
1. “Love You So Bad” by Ezra Furman
Ezra Furman is featured heavily on the show’s soundtrack (and exclusively on the official soundtrack available via Bella Union), providing songs that brilliantly encapsulate teenage angst. Sex Education and Furman are a match made in heaven as her music consists of timeless tracks that defy genre. Her catalog is a mix of upbeat tunes and moody compositions that fits the carefully-crafted dramedy of the show.
Because Sex Education does so well with actually educating viewers on topics like the fluidity of gender and sexuality, it’s worth noting that Furman is trans and bisexual, and uses all pronouns.
“Love You So Bad” kicks off both Seasons 1 and 2, playing as Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) ride their bikes to school. On Sex Education Season 1 Episode 1, Eric laughs at Otis’ inability to masturbate and on Season 2 Episode 1, he teases him for masturbating too much. Using this song at both instances gives a nice, harmonious symmetry as well as highlighting Otis and Eric’s deep friendship.
2. “Wild Thing” by Tone-Loc
On Sex Education Season 1 Episode 6, Lily (Tanya Reynolds) is looking to get laid. Otis decides to take her up on her earlier offer and they meet at his house to seal the deal.
Lily is prepped and ready, like, really ready—”I’m here to fornicate,” she tells him—but Otis is not quite there yet. She asks him to put on mood music and he does, putting on some soft jazz after accidentally playing the whalesong that helps him sleep.
Otis is moving at a glacial pace so Lily steps up her game and changes the music to Tone-Loc’s “Wild Thing.” It definitely fits her mood and she shows off her sexy dance moves and her supply of condoms to Otis who is on his way to having a full-blown panic attack. Needless to say, this is not the moment of passion that either of them imagined.
3. “Asleep” by The Smiths
On Sex Education Season 1 Episode 3, Maeve (Emma Mackey) gets an abortion. “Asleep” by The Smiths plays as she gets ready for the procedure. The melancholy melody is imbued with the loneliness and fear that Maeve is probably feeling.
But in the song and in the bookends to this scene, there is a sense of comfort. There’s the support of the other woman who is going through it and from Otis who we know is waiting for her. It’s an emotional moment and the song adds to the sad and heartfelt sentiments of it.
4. “Let’s Talk About Sex” by Salt-n-Pepa performed by Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson)
Having a sex therapist mum can be a bit embarrassing as we see in the first season. In the second season, Otis’ mother, Jean, works with the school on their sex education curriculum, and thus, the opportunity for more embarrassing moments increases considerably.
Her introduction at the school’s assembly does not go well and she scrambles to connect with the kids by singing lyrics from Salt-n-Pepa’s 1990 sex anthem, “Let’s Talk About Sex.” It really is kind of a perfect song for her situation …in theory. In practice, it’s actually the worst idea, and it results in utter humiliation for Otis and the first of many setbacks for Jean.
5. “Seventeen” by Sharon Van Etten
Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) has an emotional story arc on Sex Education Season 2. After being sexually assaulted, she is unable to get back on the bus. She goes through the difficult phases of overcoming trauma, mostly dealing with it on her own.
On Sex Education Season 2 Episode 7, she tells the other girls in detention about it and her subsequent fears and anxieties.
Viv: So you can’t get on the bus because you think that man’s gonna be on it again?
Aimee: No. It’s more that he had this really kind face. I remember because he smiled at me, and he didn’t look like some wanking psycho killer. So it’s, like, if he could do something like that, then anyone could. I always felt safe before, and now I don’t.
This experience is a loss of innocence for Aimee, and, sadly, a very common one for young women and girls all over the world. “Seventeen” by Sharon Van Etten speaks to this, vividly capturing that sense of loss but with strength behind it.
Watching this scene with Aimee’s newly formed emotional support group helping her to get on the bus while this empowering song plays is one of the most beautifully moving scenes of the series.
6. “Origin of Love” by Stephen Trask performed by Ezra Furman
It’s the night of the big dance on Sex Education Season 1 Episode 7. Eric is still dealing with the aftermath of his assault and Otis’ selfishness, but he is working on healing and loving himself. He shows up to the dance looking so fabulous, expressing his beautiful soul outwardly with no more shame.
Otis had let Eric down by ditching him for Maeve instead of celebrating Eric’s birthday with their tradition of going to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch together. These two have such a great friendship that it is painful to see them fight.
At the dance, while Furman as the singer of the band covers “Origin of Love” from Hedwig, Otis apologizes, they make up, then freakin’ kill it on the dance floor together, and all is right with the world.
7. “Mystery of Love” by Sufjan Stevens
As if watching Gillian Anderson play a character who breaks down and cries isn’t soul-crushing enough, they put this emotionally-wrought track over it so we can be haunted by it forever.
It is a pretty song, but so incredibly sad and kind of bleak. With its plucky mandolin notes and Stevens’ soft, lullaby-esque crooning, it is quite deceiving—sounding calm and serene but with a storm of emotion in every word. It describes the overwhelming and helpless feeling of loving someone.
Jean has been having a tough go of it on Sex Education Season 2, and Jakob’s gentle rebuffing on Episode 7 shakes her resolve to be stoic through it all. Anderson perfectly portrays Jean’s inner turmoil while the lyrics go about ripping your heart to shreds.
“Mystery of Love” was written by Stevens for the 2017 film Call Me By Your Name. There was a bit of an uproar from fans of the film when the song was used on Big Little Lies Season 2 Episode 1 when Jane dances on the beach since they had deemed it to be Elio and Oliver’s song.
It is a beautiful song with such emotionally-charged lyrics that can apply to many situations in drama and love and tragedy. I think it is used effectively in all three instances, adding a poignantly powerful punch to some fantastic scenes. The usage of it on Sex Education creates one of the most heartbreaking moments of the show.
8. “Love Really Hurts Without You” by Billy Ocean performed by Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling)
On Sex Education Season 1 Episode 4, Jackson asks (and pays for) Otis’ help in wooing Maeve. Since Otis is in love with Maeve he tells Jackson that she loves big, grand gestures, knowing full well that she hates them.
Jackson summons the school to the cafeteria where he sings the Billy Ocean tune with the help of Moordale’s swing band (sans Eric) to the unsuspecting Maeve. And it works.
Jackson: Will you please be my girlfriend?
Maeve: You dickhead.
They kiss and the crowd goes wild, much to Otis’ chagrin.
9. Masturbation Montages
Otis’ adventures in self-love are a big part of his storyline throughout both seasons. He begins Sex Education Season 1 unable to masturbate and by the final episode, he finally overcomes it. “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by Devo play over unsuccessful attempts.
After making out with Ola on Season 1 Episode 8, Otis has a breakthrough. It’s the final scene of the season, and it is shot very creatively making it look like Otis is suspended in the euphoria. “Love Missile F1-11” by Sigue Sigue Sputnik seems to encourage and cheer him along.
And the synth-pop sounds feel very fitting as we reach the end of the first season.
Sex Education Season 2 begins with a rather lengthy montage of Otis wanking. Now that he’s done it, he can’t stop, and it’s more of an inconvenience than an achievement.
It is a hilarious way to start off the sophomore season. And while “I Touch Myself” by Scala & Kolacny Brothers might be the obvious choice, it pairs perfectly with how the montage is cut together and Butterfield’s excellent performance.
10. “Can I Sleep in Your Brain” by Ezra Furman
On Sex Education Season 1 Episode 5, Eric and Otis get into a huge argument and Furman’s anguished track plays over the aftermath as both boys struggle with their sadness and anger.
Fighting with your best friend can feel catastrophic and this song seems made for that type of situation (even though this is from Furman’s back catalog). Who do you turn to when the one person you need is causing the pain?
Can I sleep in your brain tonight, stranger?
Can I rest my bones in your head?
I won’t make too much noise while I stay here.
I just need some kind of shelter.
This is, personally, my favorite of the Ezra Furman songs used on the show. The first half is sorrowful and slow then it picks up its momentum—upbeat with its punk rock rhythms but still with so much desperation.
11. “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off” by Jermaine Stewart performed by Asking For Treble
The second season of Sex Education kicks off the school year with a chlamydia outbreak—a student from Moordale’s a cappella group, Asking For Treble, being patient zero. Their performance is a rendition of the 80s R&B hit, and Eric is not a fan.
Eric: Oh my God. They are butchering Jermaine Stewart.
Not only that, but a fight breaks out among three of the singers and turns the assembly into a hot mess.
12. “Boys Don’t Cry” by The Cure
On Sex Education Season 1 Episode 8, Otis and Jean are at odds over her potential book focusing on his sexual issues. He storms up to his room and locks the door, putting on “Boys Don’t Cry” and cranking up the volume. She literally busts through his door so they can discuss it. (Side note: It is such a bad ass move.)
The song becomes a device in the scene as they battle over the volume, ending with Jean unplugging the stereo and hugging it in her arms—adorably, I might add—as they continue to argue.
13. “Freed From Desire” by Gala
Sex Education Season 2 shows a lot of new friendships forming. One of those is between Jean and the headmaster’s wife, Maureen Groff (Samantha Spiro). To Mr. Groff’s dismay, the two women develop a bond and become friends.
On Episode 6, they go out for drinks and then dancing. Their drunken conversation over the loud music is delightfully subtitled. With the difficulties they’ve recently had in their personal lives, it’s really nice to see them having fun.
They deserve it.
14. “Nancy Drew” by Sløtface
Jackson puts Otis’ advice to good use, trying to win over Maeve’s affections by showing interest in her interests. On Sex Education Season 1 Episode 4, he puts a punk song on loud in his earphones so she can overhear.
Maeve: Are you listening to Sløtface?
Jackson: Oh, what? Sløtface? Yeah, their new album is incredible.
Maeve: Since when do you like punk?
Jackson: Oh, wait, do you like punk?
Maeve: Among other things.
Jackson: Ah!
15. “On The Radio” by Chip Taylor
Chip Taylor’s cover of Regina Spektor’s “On The Radio” closes out Sex Education Season 2.
Otis and Maeve’s terrible timing strikes again as they just miss each other at the caravan park. Isaac (George Robinson) plays Otis’ message where he professes his love to Maeve and it is cut together with Maeve walking under a dark, starry sky. Isaac deletes the message, giving the finale a devastating cliffhanger element.
Spektor’s original song is a cheery, winsome tune, and the lyrics really work for the general concept of the show. Using Chip Taylor’s cover plays to the moodiness of this final scene, leaving the audience with expectant wonder about what might happen next.
Honorable Mention: The original music from the erotic space rock opera, Romeo and Juliet, written by Lily Iglehart (Tanya Reynolds)
How amazing was that production (even with all the interruptions)?! I think Shakespeare would be proud.
What are your favorite music moments from Seasons 1 and 2 of Sex Education? Share with us in the comments below!
Sex Education Seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Netflix.
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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.