there's only one tree hill
and we are sooo back!
Okay I admit that ever since the news broke that One Tree Hill would be getting a reboot/sequel I have been thinking about it. What direction would they take certain characters in? What plot lines would they tackle? And would they touch Naley? (if both Bethany and James aren’t coming back, yes I used their first names they practically raised me I really don’t need the show to even speak their names. just leave them alone.)
But more than anything I’ve been thinking about what songs they would play on this show.
One Tree Hill put me on to Fall Out Boy. And I mean that they made me more than a casual radio listener. They also got me to listen to Jimmy Eats World, so there’s that. (which is all love, the way I wrote that makes it sound like an insult but I like that band!) This show played different genres of music and probably created more fans than any label advertisements did.
It’s music selection is important, is what I’m trying to say.
So important that I’ve got some suggestions! (I have a list)
These songs I feel like would work within the reboot that I have in my mind. So I’m gonna give a song and then create a plot line around it for you to see my vision.
A totally sane person can do this. I’m totally normal.
Birds of a feather - Billie Eilish
Honestly feel like this could be an opener. Maybe Peyton and Brooke’s children walking into their first day at tree hill high, ready to take on the world. The song is the right amount of nostalgic and new that it would work.
Pink + White - Frank Ocean
A great contender for an opener. Round of applause. You’d get a lot of Gen Z. Very quickly. And some Millennials that are on the cusp of Gen Z.
Known you always - The Fray
I can see this playing after one of the main protagonists realizes they are in love with their best friend. I don’t know how this reboot will go but a sapphic relationship would be fun! And this is great way to nod at the show’s use of The Fray in the original show. (while also telling people that the fray are making new music)
It was real to me - Mokita, Dashboard Confessional
This song makes me think about how One Tree Hill was so good at doing those voiceless montages of clips. The characters are struggling, they’re at odds, etc. Rain is pouring, boxes are getting packed and someone is making a life altering decision.(Maybe a mid season finale)
Atom - Medium build
We have to establish the vibe here, and the vibe is small town that’s close to a popular college and everyone knows everyone and secrets are told in the town newspaper.
Forever - Noah Kahan
Noah will have a song in a reboot one of these days. Honestly he just gets it. Like his songs are profound, and pleasing to the ear. So much so that they could play it in the background of a scene and get him some fans.
Background music - Maren Morris
Now that I think about it, I don’t remember this show ever featuring a country song. Which is weird because North Carolina, in my mind, lives between whatever city scene OTH was and the beach vibes of OBX. Therefore I offer Maren Morris with a great song for a graduation /finale vibe.
You give me something - James Morrison
If they ever played this song on the og show, I’ll put my hands up and ask for forgiveness. But this would be great in the new show. It still sounds fresh. I think having this in the background of a prom scene would be cool, but lets take it a step further. A love confession scene.
Ever seen - beabadoobee
Had to feature something a little edgy-er. Get the crowd going. Ya know? This song make me also think of a realization of love scene, between two characters who no one thought would be together.
Mona Lisa - Nat King Cole
Remember when they did that ‘out of time’ episode? Yeah we’re gonna need that in the reboot to prove that even in another time period the main couple would still find each other. Need it on my tv screen, now.
Swing Set Heart Attack - Beatrix
We need something new. We need new singers. And we got one right here. A great song. And I do think a scroll on TikTok every once and again to get a song is good. It’s a win-win because a portion of the young population has probably already heard a clip of it.
Linger (Cover) - Royel Otis
This song was everywhere. Every-where. You couldn’t escape it. And why would we escape it here? I think, with how fast we recycle things, we’re gonna have a song that feels old even though it came out six or seven months ago be placed in this show. And if it has to happen, my ears would like it to be this one.
If Today Was Your Last Day - Nickelback
I just need us to return to one of this nation’s greatest exports, Nickelback. I mean we really just used to be a nation with values. Bands used to mean something in this country! Take us back! I can see this song playing during an intense basketball game.
Here Without You - Three Doors Down
Alternatively if we can’t do Nickelback we can do three doors down. We can totally just do three doors down and act like they’re a new band. I mean lets get the juices flowing. They were on tour not that long ago and people were in the audience singing along. The people have not forgotten! (this song could also be playing during a basketball game, more so a championship game)
mars - YUNGBLUD
I will say this album has stuck with me for a while. It does the thing that pop punk does. It sits in the crevices of your brain and signals to others that you wanted a side swoop so bad. Also, this song just reminds me so much of Peyton and Brooke. So yeah it would fit in well in a reboot about them and their children. I can see this song playing as one of the kids goes through something similar to their moms.
The Wall - Yana
As I said before, we need new singers! we need new songwriters! And Yana is all of that and more! Finding a new artist as they are starting out and seeing how they gain a following is crazy. If you’ve been on TikTok you might have heard one of her songs, if not please do because she sounds great! I would need this song specifically to play during a love confession scene.
Spring Into Summer - Lizzy McAlpine
If they end up playing ceilings on this show you’ll never hear the end of it from me. I’m so serious. I love that song but Lizzy has so many other hard hitters in her catalog. And she has some songs that need more love. Like this one which I think would be a great season finale choice!
Savage - Meghan Thee Stalion
One of these kids is gonna be on the cheer squad. I’m sorry I don’t make the rules but I kinda do, and by god I need it. I haven’t seen a new age show take on cheerleading in a while so I need it, and I need a Meg song to be playing in the background. It can be a training scene or when they finally go to regionals (the deodorant sponsored ones)
When He’s Not There - Kehlani
A cheating era. I’m sorry this show was good at making the other characters stab each other in the back. I don’t think the reboot will give that up completely but I hope they will provide nuance to it. I’ve never seen a good cheating arc be done before but here’s hoping!
*I will say I don’t know if they will have black characters on this show. So it would feel out of place, for me personally, to hear different types of music pioneered by black people if there are no black people in the show. Just something to note, because to me this playlist would hit a lot different if I knew for sure someone’s black kid was going to be in it!
And that’s all for me, I’m going to try and pretend I can be normal about this reboot.