By order of the Peaky Blinders!
Peaky Blinders makes its return to TV screens for its fourth series later this month, bringing with it a new handful of great tunes as part of its beautifully anachronistic soundtrack. Here we take a look at 10 outstanding soundtrack choices from its three-series run so far. Note that the Netflix version loses most of these hits due to licensing issues, and beware spoilers…
1. ‘Red Right Hand’ – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
When it’s used: It’s only the bloody theme tune
Why it’s perfect: It sets a seedy, shuffling tone for this melodramatic tale of Brummie criminals known as the Peaky Blinders (named thus because they kept razor blades in their caps, and with which they used to do a bit of the titular blinding). “Hidden in his coat is a red right hand” is a distinctly apt lyric – and the gothic, inherently dangerous melody has a looming, bluesy gait that opens up the soundtrack to all the possibilities below, despite the show’s 1919 setting.
2. ‘The Hardest Button To Button’ – The White Stripes
When it’s used: Season 1, Episode 2 – After Inspector Campbell carries out a raid looking for ‘Communists’, Tommy responds by burning pictures of the King.
Why it’s perfect: The actual song is about a little boy being ignored by his family, and Jack White’s resentful whine mirrors Tommy’s childish response to Campbell.
