The Americans season 1, episode 1 music guide

Music is a major part of The Americans, even at the beginning of the series. Here is the music that appeared in season 1, episode 1.

Music is as much a part of The Americans as anything else, with the show’s creative team using music to help establish the period and create emotional moods for some of the series’ biggest moments.

That was even true going back to the very first episode, which contained several different songs that played across some of the most important moments in “Pilot.” What songs were in the series premiere and who performed them?

Here are all the songs that appeared in The Americans season 1, episode 1:

“Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash

This song was part of audiences’ introduction to the show, as it played in the opening scene where Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) seduced a Department of Justice agent in a bar. It was released in 1981 and reached the third spot on Billboard‘s Hot 100 Singles Chart, the only Quarterflash song ever to reach the Top 10. More recently, you may know it from being covered in the film version of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages by Mary J. Blige and Julianne Hough.

“Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac

Heard multiple times in “Pilot,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” has become one of the songs most closely associated with The Americans. It’s also one of the band’s best known singles and has since been remastered over the years (as below). Mick Fleetwood called the song one of his 11 best recordings of all time, and revealed that one of the sounds heard in “Tusk” is him hitting a leg of lamb with a spatula.

“In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins

Heard as Elizabeth and Philip (Matthew Rhys) drive to dispose of Timoshev’s body after Philip kills him, “In The Air Tonight” was Phil Collins’ first single as a solo artist. Last year, Collins admitted that even he doesn’t know specifically what the song is about, but it’s become a favorite of many pop-rock fans thanks to its iconic drum work. It’s been used heavily in other pop culture sources, such as Miami Vice (both the TV show and the movie), Risky Business, and The Hangover and its sequel The Hangover Part III.

“Roller” by April Wine

Canadian rockers April Wine came together in 1969 and lasted until 1986, though they reformed in 1992. “Roller” was released in 1979 as the fourth single from their album First Glance. It only peaked at number 26 on the Canadian charts and number 34 in America, though it was the one single from the album to appear at all on the U.S. charts.

“Queen of Hearts” by Juice Newton

Newton wasn’t the first artist to record “Queen of Hearts.” The song was first laid down by Dave Edmunds in 1979, and then Rodney Crowell in 1980. But Newton’s 1981 cover was the most successful version, rising to the second position on Billboard‘s Hot 100 Singles Chart for two weeks in September behind only Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’s collaboration “Endless Love.” It also earned Newton a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Female Vocalist.

Next: Actors who need to appear in The Americans season 6

All of the songs featured in The Americans season 1, episode 1 are available on iTunes. As for a soundtrack from the series, we’re still waiting.