The Dash & Lily season 1 soundtrack features an eclectic collection of songs. Given the Christmas premise, there are several holiday standards to enjoy, but the romantic comedy series also includes some nostalgic jams that inform audiences about the protagonists' frame of mind. Overall, each episode typically includes four to five tone-setters, with the exception being the penultimate production.
Dash & Lily season 1 stars Austin Abrams and Midori Francis as the respective title characters. Set in New York City, the narrative essentially kicks off at the Strand Bookstore, where Lily awaits someone to find her red notebook entitled "Do You Dare?" Dash ultimately finds the journal full of life challenges, and agrees to a set of rules that allow for a thrilling holiday game with a new friend. The protagonists don't realize that they have mutual friends, which makes some of the late-season party sequences especially entertaining.
The official score for Dash & Lily season 1 was composed by industry veteran Dan the Automator, who recently scored films like Booksmart and Holidate. As for the mainstream music, there's a nostalgic vibe in the opening episode with the inclusion of popular music from two legends. From that point forward, the soundtrack progressively becomes more indie, and includes a variety of holiday covers.
Dash & Lily Episode 1: "Dash"
"Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry: Dash commits to the game of dares presented by "Clue Girl" at the Strand Bookstore in New York City.
"River" by Joni Mitchell: Dash delivers a dramatic public reading of the song, and it makes him even more interested in the game. The line "It's coming on Christmas" establishes the thematic premise, and the moment itself is interrupted by a store employee cutting the mic.
"Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas" by Eels: Dash gets excited by the game of dares and states that he's "hooked."
"We Wish You A Merry Christmas": Dash stands outside Macy's and prepares for a Santa challenge. He's kicked out of the store and discovers that "Clue Girl" is named Lily.
"Santa's Jolly Holiday" by Steve Martin & Henrik Wikström: The song plays over the end credits.
Dash & Lily Episode 2: "Lily"
"Sleigh Ride" by Amy Grant: Lily walks down a New York City sidewalk and explains why she loves Christmas so much.
"Last Christmas" by Wham!: Lily learns that she'll be alone for Christmas - her parents announce that they're going to Fiji, and her grandfather says he's traveling to his winter home in Florida.
"River" by Joni Mitchell: Lili's brother Langston and his boyfriend Benny listen to the song that will be used for a notebook clue.
"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses: Lili brings a Christmas tree home and learns that she has "a bite" for her notebook game.
"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues Featuring Kristy MacColl: Dash agrees to Lili's rules: no sting operations, no last names, no social media stalking, no pressure to meet.
Dash & Lily Episode 3: "Hanukkah"
"Manhattan" by Cat Power: Lily says she wants to know "Notebook Boy" better, and she's eventually sent to Grand Central Station for a clue.
"White Rabbit" by Latin Headbuntrz: Lili has a trippy dream about wearing her new dress.
"Odessa" by Golem Feat. Brandon Seabrook: Lili enters a punk rock venue and has a rough experience.
"Deck the Halls": The song plays over the end credits after Lili's grandfather grounds her "forever."
Dash & Lily Episode 4: "Cinderella"
"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy": Dash attempts to acquire Lily's notebook.
"Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!" by Sufjan Stevens: Dash and Boomer head to Queens to investigate Lily's boot (Operation Cinderella).
"Silent Night": Lily talks to Langston, who is sick in bed from sleeping on the roof. Lily needs help delivering the notebook back to Dash.
"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole: Dash receives the notebook back and checks out a Nutcracker house. Lily urges Dash to keep looking for "the good stuff."
Dash & Lily Episode 5: "Sofia & Edgar"
"Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto: Dash talks about his ex-girlfriend Sofia being back in town while making mochi with Japanese women.
"A Very Very Very Merry Christmas" by Times Square Crooners & Swingers: Dash reads the notebook while wearing a robe and enjoying a beverage. The moment is interrupted by the return of Dash's father.
"Holly Jolly Christmas" by David Archuleta: Lily calls Boomer and vents about not having a red notebook. She then destroys an innocent snowman; a callback to an earlier "Break Room" moment where she refused to break stuff.
"Christmas Wish" by Mark Roberts & Paul Fletcher & Patrick Sturrock: Dash and Sofia speak with Priya at a restaurant.
"That Holiday Feelin'" by Mr. & Mrs.: Dash agrees to attend a holiday party with Sofia.
Dash & Lily Episode 6: "Christmas Eve"
"Quinzhee" by The Voluntary Butler Scheme: Dash and Sofia discuss Lily after a brief Manhattan montage.
"I Wanna Take You Out In Your Holiday Sweater" by Pal & Cal: Boomer meets with Lily and then discovers that Sofia is back in town. He's unnerved by the fact that she doesn't know the movie Die Hard.
"It's Lit" by Friend of Friend: Lily arrives at a Christmas party with Edgar wearing lots of holiday flair.
"Home Alone, Too" by The Staves: Lily leaves the Christmas party and anticipates meeting Dash (who she actually just met at the party). The song title links to a Home Alone 2: Lost in New York reference from earlier in the episode. Meanwhile, Dash and Sofia kiss.
Dash & Lily Episode 7: "Christmas"
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Cat Power: Lily reads the notebook after learning that her family will be moving. Dash writes that it's best to move on, and he says goodbye.
Dash & Lily Episode 8: "New Year's Eve"
"Like It's Christmas" by Jonas Brothers: The Jonas Brothers perform live on New Year's Eve.
"Stay" by Gracie Abrams: Langston takes the notebook, reads Dash's message, and sends a screenshot to Lily. Meanwhile, Dash waits at the Strand Bookstore.
"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by Ella Fitzgerald: Lily arrives at "The Strand" and meets with Dash, who decorated the store with holiday flair. "You gave me New York," Lily says.
"Auld Lang Syne" by Denmark + Winter: Langston reaches out to Benny, and Boomer hangs out with Sofia. Dash and Lily share a kiss to celebrate a new year.