Hazbin Hotel Season 1 has taken Prime Video by storm with its hilariously dirty humor, endearing characters, stunning pink-and-red-infused aesthetics and immersive lore.
Created by Vivienne Medrano, the first season (with a second one in production) focuses on Charlie Morningstar, the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith, as she fights to save Hell from Heaven’s slaughtering of demons in the Pride ring. She tries to redeem “sinners” at her “Hazbin Hotel,” hoping this can flip the script by allowing them to ascend to Heaven.
This heartwarming and cheeky tale of redemption boasts 16 fabulous musical tracks that elevate the narrative and provide much-needed insight into these fascinating characters.
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I’ve been listening to the soundtrack on a loop for the past two weeks. So, in honor of this show’s success, I compiled a list of my favorite tunes from Season 1. (Note: I love them all, but these lil earworms get stuck in my head for days.)
“Hell Is Forever”
What better showcase for the D*ckmaster, aka Adam (Alex Brightman), than a rockin’ tune where he puts the personification of sunshine, Charlie Morningstar (Erika Henningsen), in her place? Not only is this track a bona fide earworm, but it also introduces us to how awful yet entertaining Adam is. Plus, it sets the stage for the Season 1 narrative’s central conflict: Charlie redeeming sinners and persuading Heaven to cease the Exterminations.
I love the jarring transition from Henningsen’s gorgeous, Disney princess-esque, musical theater ingénue tone to Brightman’s rough-around-the-edges, rockstar voice. Adam vocalizing a guitar solo when there’s no actual guitar solo always cracks me up. On an unrelated note, Brightman deserves all the credit for voicing Adam and Sir Pentious, even altering his singing voice for both characters this season.
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“Stayed Gone”
If you also found yourself attracted to Vox because of Christian Borle‘s performance, you’re not alone. I don’t know about you, but I felt the lyric, “Turn the TV ooonnn…”
The punchy opening piano chords are perfect for this duet between archenemies. Like “Hell is Forever,” we get a crash course in Alastor and Vox’s rivalry. Amir Talai is also great as Alastor with his smooth, radio-friendly voice and is a fun contrast to Borle’s unbridled anger. I love the delicious wordplay, such as “Now his medium is getting bloody rare,” “I’m visual; he’s barely audible” and “I’m afraid you’ve lost your signal.”
I always giggle when Alastor remarks that Vox is “pissy, and that’s the tea.” Our “ace in the hole” Radio Demon is nothing if not sassy.
“Respectless”
Daphne Rubin-Vega makes everything infinitely better. That’s not an opinion; that’s a fact. I love this insult “sing-off” between Velvette (Lilli Cooper) and Carmilla Carmine (Rubin-Vega). It’s a bouncy, super catchy track that allows these powerhouse vocalists to show off their pipes. The classical guitar chords throughout are a nice touch, too.
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Carmilla plays a crucial role in the remainder of the season. She provides the key to killing the angels when Adam leads them in another Extermination. “Respectless” also shows how Velvette considers her a formidable threat. At that point, nobody else had slaughtered an angel.
“Poison”
My sweet baby Angel Dust (Blake Roman) gets the spotlight in this irresistibly toe-tapping, techno-infused tune. “Poison” is deceptively upbeat — at face value, it’s a track perfect for dancing. However, Angel is singing about the abuse he receives from Valentino (Joel Perez), making “Poison” utterly heartbreaking.
Roman’s voice suits this song to a tee. There’s a young, vibrant energy to Angel, and “Poison” gives us insight into that “performance” facade he maintains to mask his pain.
Side note: Angel standing up to Valentino later in the season is so gratifying.
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“Loser, Baby”
Keith David is a voiceover legend, so it’s apropos that he gets a track to showcase his vocal prowess. “Loser, Baby” is a vital step in the formation of Husk (David) and Angel’s burgeoning relationship. We know Huskerdust is on the way, folks. It’s a slow burn, and I’m here for it.
“Loser, Baby” injects levity into this season’s Angel-centric episode. The lyrics are hilariously relatable. We’re all losers, baby. Additionally, it puts Husk and Angel’s delightfully playful back-and-forth on display. “Loser, Baby” is an anthem for all of us doomed-to-fail misfits.
My favorite lyric is Angel’s “Coked-up d*ck-sucking ho?” It’s more Roman’s delivery of posing it as a question and that Angel has this precise description of himself at the ready.
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“Hell’s Greatest Dad”
Is this a safe space?
I love Lucifer (Jeremy Jordan). He’s not even in half of the season, but he has become my favorite character. Jordan’s swoon-worthy Broadway tenor is perfect for a literal angel. “Hell’s Greatest Dad” shows how silly Jordan can be as a vocalist. In the first 37 seconds of the song, he delivers multiple vocal stylings in rapid succession and seamlessly transitions between each one. My compliments to the chef. (Also, “Thanks, Dad!” always makes me giggle and kick my feet.)
It’s interesting how two of my favorite tracks from Hazbin Hotel consist of Alastor squaring off against a rival. He’s beefing with everyone in Hell at this point. Anyway, the visuals for this song are hysterical, from Alastor dressed as a nun to Lucifer aggressively fiddling for a “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” reference.
In addition, I love how this builds steadily toward that abrupt conclusion, with the arrival of Mimzy (Sarah Stiles) taking everyone by surprise. Lucifer’s “Who?” is reminiscent of Korath’s “Who?” when introduced to Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy.
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“More Than Anything” (Including the Reprise)
I love “More Than Anything” and “More Than Anything – Reprise,” so I thought I’d combine them for one entry. For the first one, Jordan and Henningsen’s voices melt for a dreamy duet. Seriously, they sound so good together. This track is vastly different for Jordan, too, and we get to hear him at his full vocal power.
I’m a Daddy’s girl, so “More Than Anything” always makes me a bit weepy (my dad raised me). I love that we’re privy to Charlie and Lucifer’s adorable relationship and how much they genuinely love each other. It subverts our expectations of Lucifer as a father. The sweeping orchestral sounds and strumming acoustic guitar make this feel like a Broadway ballad.
“More Than Anything – Reprise” finally gives us a Chaggie kiss. Henningsen’s Charlie and Stephanie Beatriz‘s Vaggie deliver a gorgeous declaration of their love in this short tune. Their voices blend beautifully, too. Vaggie’s reassurance to Charlie and the reminder of how much she’s changed Vaggie’s life for the better are a balm for the soul.
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“You Didn’t Know”
“You Didn’t Know” is the song you’d hear right before the end of a musical’s second act as the curtain drops for intermission. It’s got the jaw-dropping bombshell that Vaggie is a fallen angel and a former Exterminator. Jessica Vosk boasts a powerful voice as Lute that fits her serrated-edge personality. Patina Miller and Shoba Narayan are terrific as Sera and Emily, respectively. Narayan and Henningsen sound like identical vocal twins with their warm musical theater tones, so hats off to the casting department.
I also love it when Charlie and Emily get their “Hell is Forever” moment and direct that anger toward Adam/Heaven. Their voices together give me goosebumps.
It’s such a pivotal character beat for both of them, especially as Emily learns the truth about the Exterminations and Charlie realizes she has an ally. Plus, the music for Vaggie’s reveal feels like something plucked from a revelatory moment in an opera. It’s perfect.
What’s your favorite song from Hazbin Hotel Season 1? Sound off in the comments below!
Hazbin Hotel Season 1 is now streaming on Prime Video.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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