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Rivals is back. And in its second outing, the shoulder pads are bigger, the hair is pouffier, the countryside is steamier, and the tunes are more epic than ever.
The Rivals season 2 soundtrack is filled with what can only be described as total '80s bangers. Which kind of makes sense. The hit Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel of the same name sets the scene in the glamorous, riotous world of 1980s Cotswolds, where the old-money elite rub shoulders with wealthy newcomers amid a heated battle for the local ITV franchise. It's world of excess (think big parties that rage within the walls of country manors and wild affairs that sprawl across the rolling hills.)
In the second season of the show, things are heating up even more. David Tennant's Tony Baddingham is trying to cling onto his franchise, Corinium, getting his claws into the American producer Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams). Meanwhile, his sworn rivals, Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), leftie TV presenter Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) and tech millionaire Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) are heating up their plot to take over.
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And, of course, various romances add plenty of complication. The somewhat reformed cad Rupert is in love with Declan's daughter Taggie (Bella McLean), while also trying to maintain a relationship with Cameron out of a sense of duty. Freddie's in love with Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson), who's married to pompous, narcissistic Corinium presenter James Vereker (Oliver Chris).
As you can imagine, there's plenty of room for mess, drama and high emotion.
Of course, this wild, crazy, sexy good time wouldn't be the same without the killer, rip-roaring soundtrack that is absolutely filled to the brim with '80s anthems.
- Simple Minds - “Alive And Kicking” (1985)
- Yazoo - “Only You” (1982)
- Della Reese - “It's So Nice to Have a Man Around the House” (1960)
- Sade - “Your Love Is King” (1984)
- David Bowie - “Let's Dance” (1983)
- The Go-Go's - “We Got the Beat” (1981)
- Bananarama - “Venus” (1986)
- Bucks Fizz - “Making Your Mind Up” (1981)
- Spitting Image - “The Chicken Song” (1986)
- Joy Division - “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
We kick things off with Simple Minds' 1985 banger “Alive and Kicking.” It's groovy, the synths are reverberating — and we so back. This song plays in the opening moments of episode 1 as we catch up with our faves after the first season. Things come to a grinding halt when Rupert comes across a bloody Cameron following her encounter with Tony at the end of season 1. But yes, it seems Tony is still “alive and kicking.”
As we fly through the fields of the Cotswolds, we get this absolute tune. If this doesn't get you amped up for more countryside shenanigans, what will?
We take it back a few decades with this cute, jazzy little number, which plays during the pool party scene when Taggie is caught ogling Baz in the pool.
Maud and Declan's tortured relationship continues to crackle on this season. Declan visits Maud in London where she's got a tiny role in a play. In a dimly lit bar later that night, this sultry, saxy and sexy tune plays as they stand up to dance. Swoon.
The boys are on horseback in funny hats playing polo. Let's dance!
Another big, bold banger to get us in the mood at the start of episode 2. Enough said.
The Strattons are hosting a dinner party. We get a hilarious clip of Paul happily prepping in the bathroom as “Venus” (yes, the razor ad song) plays.
In the third episode, it's election time and Rupert is in hot water following a Corinium exposé. It's getting serious, but the bops keep coming.
Somehow, Rupert secures a win despite the bad press. His team parties Rivals style by going absolutely wild in the village hall as “The Chicken Song” blares. Champagne flies around, ties adorn heads – it's iconic stuff.
The third episode ends with a bit more of a melancholy note. Rupert has been forced to resign despite his win – and what could be more appropriate to evoke his state of mind than the gloomy banger “Love Will Tear Us Apart”?
The Tokens - “In the Jungle” (1961)
Tony Baddingham has another trick up his sleeve — Maud O'Hara is on board as Titania in Corinium's Midsummer Night's Dream.
Mental As Anything - “Live It Up” (1985)
Freddie is devouring Lizzie's raunchy novel by the pool. Enough said.
Aretha Franklin and George Michael - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (1986)
Now Freddie is devouring Lizzie by the pool. Again, enough said.
The Bangles - “Walk Like an Egyptian” (1987)
Taggie enjoys a rare night out amidst pining for Rupert. And for once, she's with, gasp, some people her own age.
Nena - “99 Red Balloons” (1984)
Taggie's big night out continues and she bumps into… Baz, who is, wouldn't you know it, another someone who is not her age.
