Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tick, Tick...BOOM! is packed with musical performances, and here's every song that is on the movie's soundtrack. Following the incredible success of Hamilton on Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda became one of the biggest names in theatre. This led to his other musical In the Heights becoming a movie adaptation in 2021, but Miranda turned his attention towards bringing the story of famed playwright Jonathan Larson to life as a movie.
Jonathan Larson is best known for creating the iconic Broadway musical Rent, which premiered the day after he tragically died at the age of 35. Prior to creating Rent, Larson spent most of his 20s trying to perfect a high-concept musical known as Superbia. Tick, Tick...BOOM! focuses primarily on this portion of Larson's life, with Andrew Garfield playing him. However, the Netflix movie gets its name from Larson's first produced musical, and the performance of Tick, Tick...BOOM! serves as the film's framing device to explore his past. This allows the movie to include many of the songs from Larson's rock musical that contemplates what is left for an aspiring composer in life once he turns 30.
There are 13 songs on Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack that were originally written by Jonathan Larson. These songs are not the entire selection of music available with the soundtrack, though. Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack also includes a few bonus tracks, including some of Larson's other musical works. Here's a guide to Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack and who sings every song in Netflix's movie.
30/90 - The opening musical number of Tick, Tick...BOOM! is Jonathan Larson's first song in the musical of the same name. Andrew Garfield kicks off the movie with this song shortly after Larson begins introducing the musical. Garfield handles lead vocals in the rock ballad about turning 30 in 1990, as a full band accompanies him. "30/90" also features Vanessa Hudgens, Joshua Henry, Robin de Jesús, Alexandra Shipp, and MJ Rodriguez. Hudgens and Henry are part of the actual musical performance, while Jesús, Shipp, and Rodriguez join in as the movie shows Larson's real life.
Boho Days - Larson's creativity and spontaneous singing is put on display for "Boho Days." The song takes place during a house party that Larson hosts and begins once he randomly begins making a beat with his hands. Garfield once again takes lead vocals as he describes what it's been like living in his New York apartment for the last few years. As the song progresses, Vanessa Hudgens, Joshua Henry, Robin de Jesus, and Alexandra Shipp lend their voices as everyone at the party joins in on the song.
Green Green Dress - Once the party is over, Larson and his girlfriend Susan talk on the roof of the apartment. Larson is freezing cold, so Susan gives him her jacket and unveils the green dress she's wearing underneath. "Green Green Dress" starts playing once they make it back inside their apartment and begin kissing. The song plays through a recording and is performed by Joshua Henry. It's the shortest song on Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack with a runtime of 42 seconds.
No More - This song begins when Larson visits the new apartment of his former roommate and best friend Michael, played by Robin de Jesús. The musical number is led by Jesús as Michael sings about how nice the new apartment is compared to where he and Larson lived before. Lead actor Andrew Garfield's voice is also heard throughout the song as they reflect on the conditions of their previous apartment and highlight all of the inconveniences they won't have to deal with anymore.
Johnny Can't Decide - The next song "Johnny Can't Decide" is led by Andrew Garfield as part of the Tick, Tick...BOOM! performance. It focuses on the indecision that Larson feels about what to do about Susan's new job opportunity and contemplating if he should give up his musical dreams like Michael. Joshua Henry and Vanessa Hudgens once again provide background vocals for Michael and Susan.
Sunday - This is one of the biggest musical sequences in Tick, Tick...BOOM! The song takes place during rush hour at the Moondance Diner on a Sunday morning and is once again led by Andrew Garfield. "Sunday" features a star-studded supporting ensemble made up of the Moondance Diner's Sunday morning customers. They include Hamilton stars Reneé Elise Goldsberry and Phillipa Soo, as well as Broadway legends Bebe Neuwirth and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Rent stars Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin Vega, and Wilson Jermaine Heredia are also featured. The ensemble also includes André De Shields, Chita Rivera, Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, Chuck Cooper, Howard McGillin, and MJ Rodriguez.
Play Game - The next song on Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack is "Play Game" performed by Tariq Trotter, the well-known rapper for The Roots. The rap song comes in the middle of the movie and begins when Larson puts some change into the hat of a street rapper. Trotter is the lead performer of the song on the soundtrack, but the movie's version of the song ends with Andrew Garfield finishing the rap.
Therapy - This song begins when Jonathan Larson and Susan begin fighting about whether or not they should stay together. The song is performed by Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens on the stage, and it is interlaced in Tick, Tick...BOOM! with Larson and Susan's fight. As the tempers flare, Garfield and Hudgens' performances become more animated. The version of the song on the soundtrack doesn't have the cuts to Larson and Susan's talk, so the whole song can be heard without those interruptions.
Swimming - As Larson struggled to write the missing song in Superbia, it isn't until he goes swimming that it finally clicks for him. "Swimming" is once again led by Andrew Garfield as he sings through his experience at the swimming pool and worrying about various parts of his life. Vanessa Hudgens and Joshua Henry also lend their voices to the song as it progresses.
Come to Your Senses - The next song on Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack is performed by Vanessa Hudgens and Alexandra Shipp. The song is meant to represent the brand new song Larson wrote for Superbia, which Vanessa Hudgens' Karessa performed in the musical's workshop. However, Larson imagines it as if Susan is singing to him, which is how Alexandra Shipp is involved in the song.
Real Life - Performed by Robin de Jesús, "Real Life" comes at a turning point in Tick, Tick...BOOM! Michael has just told Larson that he is HIV positive. This is when Larson realizes that Michael tried to tell him earlier but he was too busy focusing on the Superbia workshop to notice.
Why - One of the final songs in Tick, Tick...BOOM! comes when Larson runs through the park and ends up at a big amphitheater. He uncovers a piano and begins to play "Why," which Andrew Garfield performs all by himself. The song is about Larson and Michael's friendship and their dreams of making it big in show business. It's this performance that helps Larson realize he needs to be there for the people he loves and immediately goes to Michael's apartment.
Louder Than Words - The final song in Tick, Tick...BOOM! is the close-out song of Larson's musical. Andrew Garfield handles the lead vocals once more, and Joshua Henry and Vanessa Hudgens provide background vocals again. "Louder Than Words" brings together many of the questions Larson has about life and clearly makes its point that a person's actions are louder than words.
Come to Your Senses (End Credits) - The end credits of Tick, Tick...BOOM! also includes a new version of "Come to Your Senses." This rendition is performed by R&B/Hip-Hop singer and songwriter Jazmine Sullivan.
Green Green Dress (Bonus Track) - Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack also includes a few bonus tracks, such as an extended version of "Green Green Dress." This version of the song is performed by Andrew Garfield and Alexandra Shipp.
Out Of My Dreams (Bonus Track) - The soundtrack also includes one of Jonathan Larson's unproduced songs, "Out of My Dreams." The song is performed by Veronica Vazquez, who is married to frequent Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborator Christopher Jackson.
Only Takes a Few (Bonus Track) - Another unreleased Jonathan Larson song featured on Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack is "Only Takes a Few." It is performed by The Mountain Goats and comes from an unreleased demo Larson made about a road trip with his friends.
Where To Listen To Tick, Tick...Boom!'s Soundtrack Online
Netflix released Tick, Tick...BOOM!'s soundtrack in conjunction with the film's debut, and it is widely available for any fans who want to hear it. The soundtrack is available to hear on major music platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Physical copies of the soundtrack are also available for purchase online or at major retailers.