WHY THE MUSIC IN THE TRAITORS WORKS

In a tricky era for the TV industry, the stratospheric rise of The Traitors has given execs something to celebrate. Developed by Studio Lambert from a format originating in the Netherlands (where it’s known as De Verraders), the UK version of the gameshow debuted in November 2022, and had viewers immediately hooked on its whodunnit-inspired gameplay and grandiose Scottish setting. The celebrity spin-off proved a ratings hit, averaging 14.8 million viewers per episode, while comedian Alan Carr’s winning antics continued to dominate digital water-cooler discourse long after broadcast.

But The Traitors’ success is down to more than just concept or casting: it lives or dies by its world-building and narrative storytelling - both factors that music plays an integral part in shaping. But what music was played in The Traitors? Why does The Traitors soundtrack hit so hard? And where can you find cinematic tension music for your next production? We reveal all below.

Music in The Traitors

Music has been central to the show’s identity from the outset. We're pleased to say that music from Audio Network has been used in The Traitors, helping to establish the programme’s distinctive sense of tension and drama. Some standout examples from our catalogue used on the show include Soaring Horizon, Spy Master, Identity Crisis and Decisive Intervention.

Much like the game itself, music in The Traitors is dramatic, tense and camp, and usually features a gothic twist. The Guardian witheringly described its soundtrack as being made up of “absurdly melodramatic cover versions of songs that are already plenty dramatic.” However, NME leant into that playful approach, publishing a piece entitled ‘In praise of The Traitors and its terribly brilliant cover songs.’

Some of the songs covered in the inaugural Celebrity Traitors series include Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’, performed by Colorado folk-pop outfit SHEL and INXS’ ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ as interpreted by swiftly ousted contestant Paloma Faith. Elsewhere, LA-based Brit RAIGN provided a reverb-drenched, church organ-powered version of Soul II Soul’s 90s hit ‘Back To Life’, while a super moody, orchestral take on Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ was delivered by German duo 2WEI.

Of course, it’s not all about covers when it comes to The Traitors’ music. The instantly recognisable theme is a big part of that sonic world-building too. Composed by Sam Watts, it sets the tone from the opening moments, underlining how strong, characterful theme music can elevate a show and anchor its emotional identity.

Music supervisors set sweeping landscape shots to Nina Simone’s ‘Sinnerman’, created swagger with The Who’s 1971 classic ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ and built momentum using driving indie-rock of The Cardigan’s ‘My Favourite Game’.

But the reason The Traitors’ music hits so hard is that it’s a masterclass in delivering dramatic soundtrack music.

Dark strings meet dramatic pulses, percussive hits, risers, eerie pads and swelling tension beds, all building a sense of anticipation, manipulating pace and heightening drama.

Traitors-Style Music for Brands

The psychological impact of building suspense via background music is that it increases an audience’s focus and retention. So it’s a no-brainer that brands should consider employing tension music. Ideal for trailers, reveals, teasers, high stakes campaigns, product launches, social edits and more, tension tracks create instant emotional stakes, even in short-form content. And in crowded feeds, this strong cinematic identity helps brands stand out.

But where can brands find music like The Traitors TV show, you wonder? Well, at Audio Network we offer a huge selection of dark, atmospheric music for TV, brands and film, taking the headache out of how to license suspense music. Created by the world’s leading artists, musicians and composers, our tension tracks are of cinematic quality, lovingly performed by real players, real orchestras and genre specialists - and are all easily licensable and cleared for global use.

To inspire you, you can browse our Tension Code collection, which is brimming with dramatic tension, from light peril to suspenseful, dark tracks to transport the audience to the edge of their seats. It’s packed with curated playlists, helpfully divided into tools like drones, percussion and beds, as well as production genres including reality TV, prime time scores, documentaries and much more. There are also a heap of albums to help you create Traitors-style tension in your branded content. Here are some selected highlights:

Banshee

Dramatic gothic hybrid orchestral score with demonic choral incantations from Lorne Balfe.

The Last One

Forward moving hybrid orchestral score with big driving drums from Lorne Balfe.

Starting Lineup

Hybrid orchestral tension builder with forward moving strings from Mark Petrie.

Torsion Remix 2

Hard hitting hip hop orchestral hybrid with aggressive hip hop beats from Konrad Abramowicz and Mark Petrie.

Discover More

So now you know why the music in The Traitors works, why not dig into some more of our blogs, from what brands will sound like in 2026 and how world-class recording studios bring your campaigns to life and neurobranding vs sonic branding, and why it matters for your brand.

There are plenty of  expert guides too, from our music licensing 101 to selecting the right music for your brand, how to license a song for video and how to find music for YouTube videos,  TikTok or Instagram.