How the Music of Succession Can Change Your Life

Fergus Goodall Smith

Succession, one of the greatest shows to ever grace the pixels of our screens, is about a family. A very fucked up, uber-rich family that runs a multibillion-dollar media conglomerate. It touches on themes of abuse, corruption, greed, and how the human spirit deals with being in a place of immense power and wealth. Kendall Roy is the eldest son of Logan Roy, the head of the family. Logan is loosely based on real life media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Kendall is a drug addict, a music lover, a corporate machine, and his mission in life is to succeed his father as CEO of Waystar Royco. 

What makes this show so great though is the music. The score by Nicholas Brittell, implements strings, horns, punchy snares, and piano to form a Shakespearean melody to accompany the story. Here I will lay out four different tracks from the Succession soundtrack, at different places around our city, to make you feel like Kendall Roy. 

4. Song: Rondo in F Minor for Solo Piano – “Kendall’s Summit” Where: On the Bus

Put your noise cancelling headphones on, max volume, sit back in your comfy bus chair (hopefully not next to someone), gaze out the window and disassociate. You’re the eldest boy now, coming back from a long shift at the top floor of the office, in your own private limousine (bus). As the blissful piano notes caress your ears, let this be a moment to reflect on the work you’ve put in so far, and what the next steps are in the journey towards success. Let all the different folk on the streets pass you by, and feel the glass windowpane you lean against separate you. You’re on a different path. 

3. Song: A Piacere di Nuovo Where: While walking down the street, preferably Willis or Lambton, in a rush. 

Off you go, briefcase in hand, you’ve got meetings to be at, deals to make, and reports that need filing. The board is about to call a vote of no confidence in your psychotic father (you need to meet your attendance requirement for that tutorial) and you need to be there to cast your vote. With every crisp pluck of the harp, and stroke of string, there’s a skip in your step. You’re under a lot of stress right now, but you’ve got your hands on all the buttons, the companies safe in your hands. Pull out a pack of Marlboro Golds (cos you’re rich) and light one up before you enter the office doors. You only need one puff before you chuck it on the ground and stamp it out (once again, cos you’re rich). 

2. Song: Milan – Promenade Where: Sitting on a plane just as you take off.  

Your boss snuffed out your vote of no confidence in him (you got a C+), and your siblings hate your guts (your flatmates have been telling you to do your fucking dishes for a week and you haven’t done them). You’ve decided to hop on the private jet and head down to the Bahamas for a quick detox (you’re going to dunners). You just need to take it easy, you deserve it, there’ll be another opportunity to take over the company, you’re like a calculative panther waiting for the primo moment to strike. Time to get on the piss and let all your worries float away. 

1. Song: Succession (Main Title Theme) – Extended Intro Version Season 2 Where: Descending the library stairs at Kelburn, last assignment done. 

You fucking did it, Dad’s out, you’re in. You’re pretty happy with your efforts, the board likes your new idea to diversify into big tech (you carried the team for the group project and surprised yourself with your last-minute Zoom presentation). You did the mahi and you got the treats. Strut down those stairs like you own the place (cos you do). As the glass doors slide open and you exit the hub, with a flick of the wrist, you check your watch. Fuck yeah, you’ll make it to the World Economic Forum Gala (pres) bang on time. Let those smooth beats guide you home. 

You’re now Kendall Roy, go out there and take on the world.