The Party Soundtrack Season 1 (2026) Guide
The Party is a gripping ITVX psychological thriller that dissects the toxic dynamics of a lifelong obsession, centered on the uneasy bond between a middle-class outsider, Martin Gilmour, and his aristocratic school friend, Ben Fitzmaurice. Decades after their formative years at an exclusive boarding school, the cracks in their relationship turn fatal during a high-society birthday celebration at Ben's country estate, just as his political career is taking off. Driven by a tense police interrogation that pieces together a dark university-era scandal, the series masterfully strips away the glamorous facade of the British elite to reveal how far one man will go to protect, or destroy, the object of his devotion.
Adapted from Elizabeth Day’s bestselling psychological thriller, ITVX’s The Party explores the dark, suffocating obsession between middle-class outsider Martin Gilmour and his charismatic aristocratic school friend Ben Fitzmaurice. Set against the opulent backdrop of an elite 40th birthday gathering at a lavish country estate, the five-part British drama unravels a web of privilege, toxic loyalty, and a buried university scandal. Driven by intense police interrogations and flashback revelations, the series exposes the lethal cost of social climbing among Britain’s upper crust.
The soundtrack for The Party captures the nostalgic tension of the characters’ shared past with an irresistible blend of 80s new wave, 90s Eurodance, and timeless stadium pop. Standout needle drops include Queen’s 'Don’t Stop Me Now', Elton John’s 'I’m Still Standing', David Bowie’s 'Let’s Dance', and a-ha’s synth-pop classic 'Take On Me'. The show also prominently weaves Whigfield’s 1993 dance anthem 'Saturday Night' across multiple episodes as a poignant, haunting motif of their wild youth. Below is our complete episode-by-episode music guide with verified scene context and streaming links.
Episode 1 Songs (Oct 11, 2026)
Journalist Martin Gilmour arrives for the lavish birthday party of his lifelong friend, charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice.
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Girl from Mars
Ash
Scene Context: Martin, a young student, is standing in a dorm room while other students walk by outside.
Episode 2 Songs (Oct 11, 2026)
Martin struggles to contain the fallout from Ben's shock announcement as the tragedy from their shared past is finally revealed.
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Saturday Night
Scene Context: At a previous gathering, guests participated in a drinking game; subsequently, Ben vomited.
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I'm Still Standing
Scene Context: At a party, Phoebe's friends cheer and plan to attend a forest rave.
Episode 3 Songs (Oct 11, 2026)
Under emotional pressure from a frantic Ben, Martin must decide how far he's prepared to go to bury the secret from their past and save his best friend.
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Saturday Night
Scene Context: Martin performs singing while under custody.
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Mozart Turkish March Electro Remix
Joseph Odet
Scene Context: At the Fitzmaurice party, guests socialize and applaud
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Scene Context: During a party dance, Clarissa becomes visibly distressed after Serena makes cruel remarks.
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Scene Context: Ben and Martin prepare food in their shared flat and discuss aspects of their domestic life.
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Conga!
Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine & Miami Sound Machine
Scene Context: Lucy engages in an uneasy conversation with Jarvis at the party.
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Saturday Night
Scene Context: Ben encourages Martin to appreciate the song, after which they discuss Lucy and Amina.
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Dancing Freaks
Scene Context: Martin interrogates Amina regarding her visit to Jarvis Conrad prior to questioning his loyalty to Ben at the party.
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Scene Context: Martin informs Amina that his deceased father had a romantic relationship with a schoolmaster from Burtonbury who assisted in securing his scholarship.
Episode 4 Songs (Oct 11, 2026)
The news that Amina is going to publish sends Ben spiralling. Martin tells Ben he has to tell Katherine the truth before the story comes out. In the past, we see how Serena orchestrated Martin meeting Lucy and their subsequent engagement. On Martin's stag do, Ben and Martin share a final night together, but when Ben reveals that Serena is pregnant, Martin has to accept their relationship is over. At the party, Lucy's health deteriorates and she needs to go to hospital. Ben wants Martin to stay and help him confront Amina, but when Martin refuses, a fight ensues and Martin leaves with Lucy. Newly resigned party leader Elinor arrives at Denby Hall with bad news for Ben – she won't back his leadership bid. Serena is furious with Ben – he's sacrificed both their futures. Ben accuses her of being a drunk. Ben goes to Katherine but can't face telling her the truth about Phoebe. As Ben confronts his grief, he receives a call from a furious Martin. He wants to meet him in the outhouse.
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Scene Context: Martin meets with Amina Bates to discuss her upcoming exposé.
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Scene Context: Martin and Lucy introduce themselves, discussing her career in publishing and making light-hearted comments about her hairstyle.
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Dark & Long (Dark Train)
Scene Context: During Martin's stag party in Spain, guests express dissatisfaction with the dance club and discuss arranging a partner for Dafydd.
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Forget
Patrick Topping
Scene Context: Ben and Martin participate in a game called "pass the cherry" at Martin's stag party.
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La Bamba
Ritchie Valens
Scene Context: Martin is singing while preparing himself.
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La Isla Bonita
Scene Context: Ben informs Serena that Elinor's comments constitute support for Serena's candidacy for party leadership.
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They Don't Make 'Em Like My Daddy
Scene Context: At Denby Hall, Ben's daughters prepare and present a musical birthday surprise for him.
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Scene Context: Ben receives a call from Martin, who requests a meeting at the outhouse during the birthday celebration.
Episode 5 Songs (Oct 11, 2026)
Martin confronts Ben with a gun in his hand. Years of pain and anger spill out. But Ben grabs the gun and reveals the depths of his own despair. A gunshot rings out. Serena discovers Martin covered in Ben's blood and tells the police she saw Martin with the gun. Martin once again finds himself in custody. With the evidence mounting against Martin, Ben fights for his life in hospital. In the chaos of the party aftermath at Denby Hall, Jarvis's stash of cocaine is found by the police and he is arrested. Only Ben can save Martin, but will he recover? And will he tell the truth?
Main Cast
- Luke Evans
- Tom Cullen Ben Fitzmaurice
- Caitlin Richards ICU Doctor
- Joanna Scanlan Sylvia Gilmour
Soundtrack Crossovers
Complete Soundtrack List - All Songs Played in Every Episode
| Episode | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Girl from Mars | Ash |
| E2 | Saturday Night | Whigfield |
| E2 | I'm Still Standing | Elton John |
| E3 | Saturday Night | Whigfield |
| E3 | Mozart Turkish March Electro Remix | Joseph Odet |
| E3 | Don't Stop Me Now | Queen |
| E3 | Skinny Love | Bon Iver |
| E3 | Conga! | Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine & Miami Sound Machine |
| E3 | Saturday Night | Whigfield |
| E3 | Dancing Freaks | Tele Music |
| E3 | Let's Dance | David Bowie |
| E4 | Take On Me | a-ha |
| E4 | Sukiyaki | Kyu Sakamoto |
| E4 | Dark & Long (Dark Train) | Underworld |
| E4 | Forget | Patrick Topping |
| E4 | La Bamba | Ritchie Valens |
| E4 | La Isla Bonita | Madonna |
| E4 | They Don't Make 'Em Like My Daddy | Loretta Lynn |
| E4 | Dancing In the Moonlight | Toploader |