Riverdale is not just famous for its storylines, it is also famous for its soundtrack. Sometimes the fans take great pleasure in pop music playing in the background and some enjoyed the weekly performances from the likes of Josie Pussycats. Even Archie was known to sing a tune or two before he stopped to pursue boxing (and his vigilante lifestyle)
But most of all, the fans go crazy for the musical episodes as they always promise drama. However, if you had to pick one song that resonated most with you, what would it be? Would it be the Carrie musical? Josie’s rendition of “Back To Black”? Or something else entirely? Keep reading to discover the 10 best lyrics from the songs in the show.
“They’ll take and break you/ And then they will leave you”
Extracted from “Stay Here Instead”, this song was sung by Alice when she was performing as Carrie’s mother in the school musical. However, the writers made a genius move by having Alice play the mother as the song fits her perfectly.
Alice grew up on the Southside of Riverdale and was seen to have ties to the Serpents. However, she changed her ways after the G&G game and when she found herself pregnant. Hal told her to get an abortion and would later strip her of everything she cared about, including Polly, who they sent to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy (because of his vendetta against the Blossoms). He then walked out on Alice once Chic came into the picture.
“It’s gonna be a night we’ll never forget”
A night no one would have ever forgotten indeed. Also sang in “Chapter Thirty-One: A Night To Remember,” the students of Riverdale High are all preparing to perform in the school’s musical. While they all seem optimistic and excited, the song was a subtle clue foreshadowing the tragedy to come.
As fans know, this was the night that Midge was murdered and the elusive Black Hood made his return. Midge was one of the first people who had initially been targeted by the Black Hood for being a sinner. However, when she was killed, the serial killer left a message behind saying he was coming for those who escaped his wrath the first time. As the song says, it’s a night they won’t forget.
“Can’t we be seventeen? Is that so hard to do”
It’s probably the first thing the fans say when they watch Riverdale. Couldn’t the writers just remember that the characters are seventeen and not twenty-five? As fans know, the show isn’t like the typical teen drama. You have teens investigating murders instead of the police and the teens running successful businesses, all the while trying to graduate from school.
Let’s not forget that crazy cult as well as the Griffins & Gargoyles game. It’s no wonder that Jughead and Betty ended up getting frustrated by the chaos in their lives and just want to have one simple day.
The opening line of Mad World
Performed by Archie, Veronica, and Betty, the song debuted in the season 2 episode “House of the Devil” when Archie and Veronica found themselves at a crossroads in their relationship. Many believe that “Mad World” is a song about an adolescent that is struggling with the realization that there is no purpose to life.
Ironically, this fits in with Archie and Veronica’s relationship, who are at a crossroads after the redhead confessed his love for the businesswoman and she brushed him off. With Veronica admitting that she feels like Archie is rushing their relationship, she calls it off, stating that there is no point in continuing it when he’ll get tired about her not saying it back.
“At the end of the storm/, There’s a golden sky”
In the aftermath of the Black Hood’s return, the town was thrown into chaos again after he killed Midge. When “Chapter Thirty-Two: Prisoners” opened, Archie and the gang attended her funeral, with Cheryl singing a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
In this song, you would be able to find the entry’s line, which was the appropriate choice for this scene. Not only were the residents of the town all grieving for the loss of Midge but they were now running scared from the Black Hood. However, despite this seeming like the toughest time, the line suggests they will make it out to the other side.
“Me and my head high/And my tears dry/Get on without my guy”
Many fans will remember that the famous “Back To Black” song was sung by Josie in “Chapter Fifty-Four: Fear The Reaper”. While the song is often about a person’s residual feelings for their ex, the song was a perfect fit to summarize Josie’s feelings towards her father.
In this episode, Josie makes a decision about her future and calls up her father - who spends most of his time on tour. The line taken is shown to be most relatable for Josie when she is told that her father didn’t pick up a ticket to watch her perform. Once again, Josie had been disappointed that her father had chosen not to take a chance on her.
“I believe in getting even/ […] And I just don’t forgive or forget”
Another part from “A Night We’ll Never Forget” that proved to be most memorable was the lines Cheryl delivered. As fans know, Cheryl was kicked out of the play after her mother refused to give her permission to perform. Cheryl didn’t take this lightly and decided to get revenge on Penelope.
This is not the first time that Cheryl has decided to get even with her opponents, as fans have also seen the Vixen cheerleader get revenge on Mr. Honey and her other family members. Point is, never get into a fight with Cheryl because you’re bound to be on the losing end.
“Every day I just pray/ Every move I make is right”
The song “In” proved to be one of the most relatable songs for our favorite characters, who sang it as they prepared for the school musical. For the opening lines, the writers chose to give the lyrics to Betty, whose storylines have put her through the wringer.
Not only had Betty been battling with her mental health and struggling under the pressure of her parents, but she had also been battling with the Black Hood and Veronica. Every choice Betty has made has had to be carefully thought out to protect herself, her family, and her close friends.
“I don’t worry if I blow my SATs/ I worry at what I can possibly do to fit in”
This entry takes another couple of lines from the song “In,” but this time it’s looking at the lines that Veronica was given. As fans know, Veronica had a hard time fitting into the town when her father made several enemies with the residents. She was making good progress until her Hiram made his return in season 2.
Now that she was back to being a daddy’s girl, her allegiance to Hiram had also caused her to be ostracized by her peers, including Betty, Ethel, Josie, and Jughead. With Hermione running for Mayor, her mother had caused more problems for her. Veronica just wanted to show her friends that she wanted no part in their criminal contacts.
“You hide so much […]/ But I know […] There’s a fire burning so bright”
The most memorable song on the show had to be “You Shine,” which was sang by Veronica, Betty, Toni and Cheryl (Toni & Cheryl in a deleted scene). The writers made a great choice when they chose these characters to sing this song as both Veronica and Cheryl had been going through a tough time at home.
As aforementioned, Veronica had been hiding her troubles at home from Betty and their friends because she didn’t want to appear weak. Cheryl, too, had been struggling with her mother’s abuse and her fallout with Josie. When both teens appear to be down and disheartened, it is Toni and Betty that remind them they are stronger than they think.
