Music supervisor Tom Wolfe, alongside co-supervisor Manish Raval, orchestrated the soundtrack for Hulu's 'Paradise' Season 2, featuring unique covers of Elvis Presley songs as the show transitions to Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis Covers: A Unique Approach
Instead of using original Elvis tracks, Wolfe opted for covers to match the show’s familiar yet altered world. Wolfe explained to Variety, “It’s in keeping with the tone of the show; we’re watching a world that seems familiar but really isn’t.” The covers were split into two categories: reimagined versions and those faithful to the originals, leveraging the ease of licensing since Elvis didn’t write his own songs.
Phil Collins and Counting Crows
Wolfe also curated covers of Phil Collins and Counting Crows songs. For Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise,” Soundwall created an ultra-dark version. Wolfe recalled, “We went out to people to see who might be up for the task, and Soundwall was one of the people we reached out to. A friend introduced us to John Coggins, who delivered a dramatic version loved by Dan Fogelman.”
Ingrid Michaelson's Rediscovery
In Episode 4, Ingrid Michaelson’s cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was featured. After the episode aired, Michaelson sent a note, grateful for the renewed attention to her over-decade-old cover. Wolfe knew it was a “keeper” when paired with the episode’s visuals.
Collaborations with Freedom Fry and Soundwall
For Counting Crows’ “Mr. Jones,” Freedom Fry, an LA-based husband and wife duo, delivered a stripped-down acoustic version. Wolfe noted, “Everyone loved it as soon as they heard it. It’s the opposite to the hyper-dramatic covers, small, intimate, and just voice and guitar.” Soundwall also tackled “The Final Countdown,” with vocals by Amelia McLean. Wolfe detailed how Joey Tempest, the song’s writer, required approval of the version used. After revising a lyric, Tempest approved the rendition.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/paradise-music-elvis-phil-collins-covers-1236782122/
