Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Sex Education season 3.
Netflix's Sex Education season 3 is now streaming, and it's once again accompanied by a soundtrack full of pop songs and deep cuts. Sex Education dropped on Netflix back in 2019, and immediately stood out from the crowd for a variety of reasons. With an incredibly fresh and likable cast, an aesthetic that blended US and UK schools, and a refreshingly honest and open approach to teenage topics many shows wouldn't know how to begin touching upon, it marked itself as one of the streaming service's best series.
That very much continues to be the case again in Sex Education season 3, which picks up with Otis and Maeve after season 2's ending. The new run of episodes also dives more into the show's other relationships, including Eric and Adam, Ola and Lily, and Jean and Jakob, and along the way the drama is all backed by an eclectic mix of songs. Composers Oli Julian and Ezra Furman do a fantastic job, as do the team behind the musical choices.
The music in Sex Education runs the full gamut, from super modern chart hits to classic numbers spanning a range of decades and genres. At its best, the music in Sex Education elevates the action around it, and there's hardly a misplaced needle drop to be find. Here's every song in featured Sex Education season 3.
Sex Education Season 3,Episode 1
"I Think We're Alone Now" - The Rubinoos: Sex Education season 3 gets underway with a lengthy, explicit montage of various characters having sex, backed to "I Think We're Alone Now."
"Hound Dog" - Big Mana Thornton: This song accompanies Otis' re-introduction to Sex Education viewers, before the then speaks to Jean on the phone.
"Land of 1000 Dances" - Wilson Pickett: When Hope, Moordale's new headteacher, dances her way onto the stage at the assembly to introduce herself, a moment and song that belies her true nature.
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" - C+C Music Factor ft. Freedom Williams: Plays during the flashbacks to the party where Otis and Ruby hooked-up for the first time.
"Hour of Deepest Need" - Ezra Furman: When Otis and Ruby are texting each other.
"Oh Yeah" - Yello: Plays when Dex visits the abandoned toilets and begins freaking out.
"Then She Kissed Me" - Hello: Fittingly enough, this plays at the end of Sex Education season 3, episode 1, when Otis and Ruby kiss.
Sex Education Season 3, Episode 2
"Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps" - Doris Day: The Doris Day song kicks off Sex Education season 3, episode 2's soundtrack, playing when Eric does Adam's make-up in his bedroom.
"Fantastic Man" - William Onyeabor: When Ruby is helping Otis pick out clothes (and dismissing just about everything he owns, ironically enough).
"Piddily Patter Patter" - Nappy Brown: When Otis and Ruby turn up at school together, and the lockers are being painted as part of Hope's new direction for Moordale.
"F**k the Pain Away" - Peaches: The song is the surprise choice performed by the Moordale school choir (and does necessitate some unfortunate Googling to discover what it is).
"Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be Bop)" - Q-Feel: As Ruby and Otis have sex.
"Can I Sleep In Your Brain" - Ezra Furman: As Eric and Adam sleep together.
"Save A Prayer" - Duran Duran: When Ruby and Otis agree to date and Maeve almost calls him
"Sound of Da Police" - KRS-One: As headteacher introduces school uniforms for Moordale's students in Sex Education season 3.
Sex Education Season 3, Episode 3
"Rock Me Gently" - Andy Kim: As Jeffrey and his wife have sex in the caravan at the beginning of Sex Education season 3, episode 3, and do not adhere to the song title's guidance.
"Think About You" - Square A Saw: A montage of Moordale students getting ready for school in their new uniforms.
"Macumba" - Titanic: Ola listens to the record she “borrowed” from Otis.
"Blank Generation" - Richard Hell and the Voidoids: As the couple in the caravan get back at it.
"Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels: - Todrick Hall: The song plays as Eric gets ready for the double-date with Adam, Otis, and Ruby.
"The Man In Me" - Bob Dylan: When Otis, Ruby, Eric, and Adam are bowling
"Your Party" - Ween: As Adam and Eric walking in on Adam’s mother, Maureen, with her new partner, Hugh.
"Never My Love" - The Association: Otis and Ruby hang out with Ruby’s dad and Jeffrey who are smoking weed
"Frying Pan" - Ezra Furman: The song plays near the end of the episode, as Jackson brushes his teeth, and Adam and Eric text.
"Tender" - Blur: The song closes out Sex Education season 3, episode 3 as Ruby tells Otis she loves him, and he doesn't say it back.
Sex Education Season 3, Episode 4
"Don’t Sweat The Technique" - Eric B And Rakim: During the sex montage that opens Sex Education season 3, episode 4.
"So Much Love To Do" - Scout Niblet: Plays when Maeve and Isaac are messaging to arrange going for dinner and then Maeve leaves for school.
"Stormy Weather" - Etta James: As Jean is at yoga and Jakob builds the treehouse
"Mysterious Power" - Ezra Furman and the Harpoons: When Michael finds out Maureen is dating someone new, and then Adam sees him from the window.
"Shake Body" - Skales: This song plays when Eric packs for Nigeria and dances in his room
"La Ballad des Gens Heureux" - Gerard Lenorman: Plays when they’re going in the bus to
Sex Education Season 3, Episode 5
"Mon Amour Mon Ami" - Marie Laforet: This song plays when Viv is in the coach toilet sexting her boyfriend.
"Hot Topic" - Le Tigre: Maeve puts her earphones in on the bus when Kyle is talking to her.
"Zou Bisou Bisou" - Gillian Hills: When Jackson and Cal are tripping out on the bus.
"Allez Donc Vous Faire Bronzer" - Sacha Distel: Song when the car and bus are crashing into each other after Rahim's bathroom incident.
"Pump Up The Jam" - Technotronic: The kids and teachers sing it on the coach.
"I Wanna Love" - Scout Niblett: As Jackson and Cal kiss on the coach.
"The Breeze/My Baby Cries" - Bill Callahan: When Otis repeats his message to Maeve at the gas station.
"When I Live My Dream" - David Bowie: As the coach gets back to the school.
"Your Young Voice" - King Creosote: Eric arrives in Nigeria and Adam waits for a message back off him.
Sex Education Season 3, Episode 6
"Under Pressure" - Queen and David Bowie: Beginning of Sex Education season 3, episode 6 during the Lily flashback
"Oyejo" - Fela Ransome Kuti & His Koola Lobito: When Eric is with his family
"Sweet Mother" - Prince Nico Mbarga: Eric is dancing in his room and his mother comes in to talk to him
"Short and Sweet" - Brittany Howard: As Michael cooks and Adam emails Eric
"Joro" - Wizkid: Song in club when Eric cheats on Adam
"Attention" - Tiwa Savage: Eric tells his grandmother about Adam and then leaves for the airport
Sex Education Season 3, Episode 7
"F**k The Pain Away" - Peaches: Performed by the Moordale School Choir after the sex school open day presentation
"Hand Clapping Song" - The Meters: As Michael prepares dinner
"Oogum Boogum Song" - Brenton Wood: After Otis visits Lily
"Going To Brighton" - Ezra Furman: Michael makes his big apology to Maureen and they kiss.
"Breathe Your Name" - Sixpence None The Richer: As Maeve and Otis kiss in the rain
Sex Education Season 3, Episode 8
"Summer Wine" - Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood: As Layla tapes themselves up at the beginning of Sex Education season 3, episode 8.
"Milkshake" - Kelis: When Viv turns up at school with her boyfriend, Eugene.
"I Get Along Very Well Without You" - Chet Baker: During Adam and Eric's breakup.
"Save Me" - Aimee Mann: As Adam competes in the dog contest and his poem is read out in voice over alongside the montage of characters
"Moanin’" - Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: As Michael prepares dinner and messages Maureen
"The Ballad of El Goodo" - Big Star: This song closes out Sex Education season 3.