A Queer 80s Music Tribute

MAJOR SPOILERS for Netflix’s Boots are ahead!

Netflix’s Boots writes a love letter to queer pop, punk, and rock music of the 1980s with its stellar soundtrack. Based on the true story in The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White, the coming-of-age gay dramedy centers on a teenager named Cam Cope who enlists in the United States Marine Corps in 1990 alongside his best friend despite knowing that his sexuality is a crime.

Considering the Netflix original show centers on a gay teen trying to find himself while hiding his secret, it makes perfect sense that Boots would feature queer music from that era. While not every song in Boots is written by an LGBTQ+ artist/band or ally, the large majority of Boots’ soundtrack serves as a love letter to the queer community.

Many of these pop, punk, and rock hits played in gay clubs or have been claimed by the LGBTQ+ community. This is possibly one of the most relistenable Netflix soundtracks in a long time. Here is when every song plays in Netflix’s Boots.

Boots Episode 1

“The Pink Marine”

Alfonso “Pompo” Bresciani/Netflix

“We Got The Beat” by The Go-Go’s: The song by queer icon band The Go-Go’s plays during the flashback sequence of Cam’s past.

“Hold On” by Wilson Phillips: A brief snippet of “Hold On” plays when Cam mentions that he’s a Cancer with Ares rising who loves Wilson Phillips. Then he listens to it with headphones. The Wilson Phillips song plays again once the drill sergeant calls Cam’s name on Parris Island.

“I Want To Break Free” by Queen: Sung by bisexual icon Freddie Mercury, Queen’s “I Want To Break Free” plays as Cam rides the bus to boot camp. It continues as he and John meet, both of whom want to break free from the expectations placed on them.

“Venus” by Bananarama: Bananarama has had a connection with their LGBTQ+ fan base since the 1980s. Their song “Venus” plays as the barbers shave the recruits’ heads. It continues as Cam and Ray look in the reflection at their freshly shaven heads.

“Run Away (The Escape Song)” by Oingo Boingo: The song “Run Away” plays at the end of the first episode when Sgt. Sullivan is telling the recruits that he’ll turn them into Marines.

Boots Episode 2

“The Buddy System”

Alfonso “Pompo” Bresciani/Netflix

“What We All Want” by Gang of Four: This song plays when Sgt. Sullivan gets his uniform ready and gets dressed for the day. While none of the members are publicly LGBTQ+, some of the Gang of Four’s songs became popular in gay clubs.

“Xtraordinary” by Domestic Violet: “Xtraordinary” plays when the recruits battle each other one-on-one with the pugil sticks, and Sgt. Sullivan supervises them.

“Fast and Frightening (Remastered)” by L7: The punk band L7 has had a massive LGBTQ+ following throughout their career. Their song “Fast and Frightening (Remastered)” plays as the recruits go through the obstacle course for the first time.

“Blue Monday” by New Order: “Blue Monday,” a staple song in gay clubs of the 1980s, plays when Cam Cope starts his final test on the obstacle course.

“You’re All Talk” by The Pandoras: The Pandoras were led by openly gay frontwoman Kim Shattuck, and their song “You’re All Talk” plays when the inner monologue version of Cam makes a snarky remark to the real him after getting assigned as squad leader.

Boots Episode 3

“The Confidence Course”

Courtesy of Netflix

“The Marines’ Hymn” by The United States Marine Band: The official Marines song plays during the slide show about past Marine hero John Basilone. A banjo version plays later in the episode when they’re walking to the tear gas chamber.

“What’s a Girl To Do” by Marcia Ball: The Marcia Ball song plays when the recruits start cleaning up their barracks. It continues as Cam’s mom is having a cigarette after having sex with the recruiter.

“Little Bit O’ Soul” by Ramones: The Ramones’ song plays when the recruits do the Slide For Life in the Courage Challenge.

“I’m Done!” by It’s Dave Init: The instrumental for “I’m Done!” plays when two recruits finish the challenge, Stairway to Heaven.

“Princes of the Universe” by Queen: “Princes of the Universe” plays when Cam does the Stairway to Heaven, but it stops when his boot lace gets stuck.

“Fernando” by Abba: The song “Fernando” plays when Cameron gets out of the tear gas chamber, and it continues as Cameron’s mom writes a card to him. Abba are beloved queer icons who have supported the LGBTQ+ community emotionally and financially.

“Shapeshifter” by Faded Armor: “Shapeshifter” plays when all the recruits write letters home to their loved ones. It ends with Sgt. Sullivan burning his letter in a bonfire.

Boots Episode 4

“Sink or Swim”

Patti Perret/Netflix

“Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today” by Little David Wilkins: This song plays during a flashback when Ray’s dad tells him as a child that his anxiety isn’t really a sickness. He says that he can just overcome it with determination, discipline, and a mission.

“Then” by The Charlatans: “Then” plays when Sgt. Sullivan sits in the bar and secretly meets up with a lawyer in a car.

“When the Rainbow Comes” by World Party: This song plays in the car when Sgt. Sullivan looks at his re-enlistment papers. It continues during the flashback of him getting a tattoo that says “Semper Fi.”

“Retreat” bugle call: Sgt. Sullivan faces the flag pole and salutes as the flag is being lowered and “retreat” is playing.

“Reveille” bugle call: This song plays first thing in the morning.

Boots Episode 5

“Bullseye”

Patti Perret/Netflix

“Wild Wild Life” by Talking Heads: “Wild Wild Life” plays when the title shows up and Barbara Cope cooks at an MLM party. The Talking Heads had a massive LGBTQ+ fanbase, though front man David Byrne said in 2018 that he was genuinely unaware during their active years (via Metro Weekly).

“Waiting for the Night” by Depeche Mode: The song starts playing when Sgt. Sullivan tells Cam that Ochoa is done training and continues into the credits.

Boots Episode 6

“The Things We Carry”

Patti Perret/Netflix

“The Sweetest Taboo” by Sade: The singer Sade is an outspoken LGBTQ+ ally whose son is transgender. Her song “The Sweetest Taboo” plays in the flashback when Sgt. Sullivan meets up with an officer with whom he’s having a romance.

“Stop” by Jane’s Addiction: The song “Stop” plays when the recruits get into a food fight in the middle of the kitchen. It continues as Cody and Santos fight each other. Jane’s Addiction member Perry Farrell openly supported trans singer Laura Jane Grace, and Dave Navarro wrote an open letter of support and encouragement to lesbian, bisexual, and gay youth.

“Angel of Mercy” by David Kauffman: “Angel of Mercy” starts playing when Santos is in the shower alone, and it continues as Cam takes all of Ochoa’s equipment back.

“A Better Way” by Johnny Smith Congregation: This song plays when Captain Fajardo goes to visit Sergeant McKinnon at his home. They discuss McKinnon’s family’s long-standing military history.

“We Are The Champions” by Queen: This homage to 80s LGBTQ+ music includes multiple songs by Queen, which makes sense considering Freddie Mercury is a bisexual god. This one comes as the recruits are drunkenly singing in their barracks. It continues in a flashback of Sgt. Sullivan cleaning his rifle and talking to Sgt. Maitra about rumors.

“Elegia” by New Order: The New Order song plays while Sgt. Sullivan runs shirtless through the forest, recalling memories of sleeping with Major Wilkonson.

“1, 2, 3, 4, United States Marine Corps” by Armed Fitness: This workout song is sung by Sgt. Sullivan and the recruits as they’re jogging, and it sets the pace for them.

“Luv Dancin’ (feat. Jasmine)” by Underground Solution: The Underground Solution dance song plays when Cope meets Jones for the first time at their racks.

Boots Episode 7

“Love Is A Battlefield”

Patti Perret/Netflix

“Here and Now” by Luther Vandross: At Sgt. Maitra’s wedding, Sgt. Sullivan sings “Here and Now” as the first dance song after his best man speech. This beautiful song is a treat for two reasons. Firstly, Luther Vandross was a closeted gay man, according to his loved ones. Additionally, Max Parker, who plays Sgt. Sullivan in the cast of Boots, really does sing!

“U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer: The song plays during the reception of Maitra’s wedding.

“Bad News” by J Shaw: “Bad News” plays as Jones and Cam leave the office and go back to their racks.

“Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles: The song “Black Velvet” plays when Cam decides to masturbate and then follows Jones into the bathroom, thinking they’re going to hook up. It ends when Jones starts to pee in the shower, since he’s sleepwalking. The Alannah Myles song has been adopted as a Sapphic song, even though it’s technically about Elvis.

“The Passenger” by Iggy Pop: Queer icon Iggy Pop is known for his queer-coded persona, his gender non-conforming expression, and his rumored relationship with David Bowie. His song plays in Boots when Cam gets up after being knocked down by Sgt. Sullivan. It continues as the recruits practice fighting.

“No Big Deal” by Love and Rockets: This song plays when Sgt. Sullivan is at the bar and attacks a man with his mug.

Boots Episode 8

“The Crucible”

Patti Perret/Netflix

“Know Your Rights” by The Clash: “Know Your Rights” plays when Cam’s platoon is doing the Crucible challenge.

“The Marines’ Hymn” by The United States Marine Band: The graduating class marches forward.

“Changes” by David Bowie: While the newly graduated Marines are celebrating, one of them sings the song “Changes” by queer icon David Bowie.

“Hold On” by Wilson Phillips: Cam’s favorite song plays in the bar while the Marines celebrate.

“Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie: The perfect song for the end of Netflix’s Boots is “Under Pressure,” which combines the vocals of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. It also fits the storyline, which introduces the Gulf War via a newscast.

Boots Trailer

“Freedom! ‘90” by George Michael: Although it’s not in the show, the song “Freedom! ‘90” by gay artist George Michael appears in the trailer for Boots, and the rendition is sung by the San Diego Gay Men’s Choir (via CBS8). The choice of singers is significant since San Diego is a military town.

Release Date

October 9, 2025

Network

Netflix