A Mixtape 20 Years in the Making
This heading conjures images of my youth and what a mixtape means to a 70’s/80’s teenager. More on that later. While I celebrate the genius of this heading, for which I take no credit, it has been coined to kick off a series of podcasts exploring the music of Supernatural. As all fans of the show know, 2025 is the 20th anniversary of the show’s launch, shining well-deserved accolades on every aspect of her production, so this choice in podcast themes could not have been more apt. At the crossroads (no pun intended) of sublime music and out-of-this-world entertainment, lay needle drops designed to render a grown rock-n-roller misty-eyed.
For those of my vintage, the word mixtape doesn’t just describe a now-antiquated medium used to store your favorite tracks. Its very existence underpins why man invented pencils and the best Maxell print-ad ever conceived. A mixtape was a collection of carefully chosen songs designed for yourself, to amaze a friend, or to impress that special someone you were crushing on. Creating one was an act of eager enthusiasm that took hours and hours of patience and dedication. The songs told a story. There was something devotional about the labor of it; hovering over the buttons to capture the exact moment in time when the radio announcer stopped talking and the music began. Some were lucky enough to have a stereo to create cassette tapes directly from vinyl. Those were the days when record stores were as popular as coffee shops and “The Top 40 Countdown” was our King James.
All that nostalgia aside, a mixtape is the perfect metaphor for what Supernatural’s music is to fans. Carefully chosen, expertly curated, an act of love and devotion and a nod to rock-n-roll. What In Defense of Fandom and Denim-Wrapped Nightmares have so artfully done in a collaborative multi-part series of podcasts, is take a deep dive into the music that made Supernatural what it is, the music the show inspired in other artists, and the music that came from the show’s own cast, writers and crew.
I was a little late to the party, having listened to my first of this series on Dec 12/25, so I have some catching up to do. The intent is to recap/review each episode. The short answer? You don’t want to miss these. Let’s dive in to episode one.
Kicking Things Off
The episode starts off with Sadie Witkowski taking her turn at the microphone during the Creation Entertainment 2025 Austin Convention Sunday Panel, to ask Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles if they could speak to the musical legacy of Supernatural and what that has meant to them. Ackles speaks of Eric Kripke’s initial and enduring vision of what the show’s music would be and how that vision set them on a path. Rather than summarize their answer here, lets watch a video excerpt of the convention panel and you can see for yourself:
*Video excerpt courtesy of Robyn Phillips’ YouTube Channel, Links to her Channel and the Full Panel Video are supplied below.
Getting into the Music
Once the series’ hosts share the premise of what the SPN20 Music Extravaganza project is all about, introductions are made for the listeners, with brief summaries on the podcast productions they represent. I have included their Podcast Summary Cards at the bottom of the article for all to see. Our hosts are Denim-Wrapped Nightmares‘ Berly and LA, and In Defense of Fandom’s Sadie Witkowski.
This podcast episode is a must listen. Not only does it launch the entire mini-series, but it also hits some high points you don’t want to miss, which I have teased in the following bullet points:
- Eric Kripke tells the story of how music became the touchstone for the show’s identity. Not only does he share what his music choices represent for the show itself, but the degree to which he was willing to protect that vision at great personal cost to himself.
- Our hosts then take us on a walk down memory lane as they discuss some of the most iconic needle drops from the show. Those listed as the top 5 are the ones most frequently submitted by fans as endearing favorites, followed by some honorable mentions. Listening to these immediately made me want to launch into another Supernatural re-watch. I’ve included video clips below to showcase the most iconic and most loved music choices.
- Our hosts then explain that with the introduction to streaming services, licensing structures changed. As a result, some of the iconic needle drops that were included in the TV version, had to be replaced. One of the best examples of this is S01E12-Faith, where Don’t Fear the Reaper [Blue Oyster Cult] was replaced with Death Riders [Death In The Valley]. The replacement is another fine music choice, but it represents the differences fans encountered between TV, DVD and streaming sources that sometimes got a little confusing.
- The music in the show wasn’t (and still isn’t) the only music associated with Supernatural. Our hosts discuss musical experiences at conventions, the bands and singers who share their talents for fan enjoyment, jam sessions, Karaoke, concerts within the convention, post con concerts and music events held at external venues.
- Not only are needle drops a topic of great music, but so is the scoring that was done in the episodes, as our hosts hint at upcoming interviews with two composers linked with the show.
- Finally, listeners are given clues as to what the SPN20 Music Extravaganza will deliver with 20+ interviews conducted to examine every aspect and delivery of music associated with the world of Supernatural. Much to look forward to in the coming episodes.
Top Five Most Iconic Needle Drops
S05E21 Two Minutes to Midnight / O Death [Jen Titus]
S02E12 Nightshifter / Renegade [Styx]
S02E19 Folsom Prison Blues / Rooster [Alice In Chains]
S06E09-Clap Your Hands If You Believe; Space Oddity [David Bowie]
S03E11-Mystery Spot; Heat of the Moment [Asia]
Some Honorable Mentions
S06E04-Weekend at Bobby’s; The Gambler [Kenny Rogers]
S11E20-Don’t Call Me Shurley; Fare Thee Well [feat. Rob Benedict]
S11E04-Baby; Night Moves [Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band]
Our Podcast Hosts
In Defense of Fandom
In Defense of Fandom explores the world of fandom, focusing on creativity, community and collaboration. The show, pulling from interviews with creators and fandom research, illuminates the ways that fandom can be an incredibly positive influence in our lives. In season one, the podcast focused on the creative output of the SPN Family, as Supernatural fans call themselves, a lens to understand fandom activities as a whole. Season two broadened the premise by exploring how the ending of a TV series can affect its fandom. Topics ranged from whether the ending is good/terrible/divisive to whether it matters if the show is cancelled or goes out on its own terms to attempted revivals and reboots. Season three took a step back from television and expanded the scope even further, looking at parasocial relationships. The third season examined how and why we form parasocial bonds, how these bonds can be beneficial (and detrimental), and what a parasocial relationship looks like from the side of the star/musician/creator.
Season four, created in collaboration with Denim-Wrapped Nightmares, celebrates the 20th anniversary of Supernatural by taking a look at the music of the show; the music that made the show, music inspired by the show, and music from the show’s cast, writers, and crew.
Denim-Wrapped Nightmares
Do you like Supernatural Then and Now? Well, one of our guests called Denim-Wrapped Nightmares their “bratty, little sister.” And you know what? Accurate!
Join SPN family newcomers, Berly and LA, as they explore the Warner Bros. CW TV series, Supernatural, episode by episode. Over drinks, they’ll discuss lore, gore, and what they adore about the Winchesters and their adventures.
As a way to keep in touch during the 2020 pandemic, Berly and LA started podcasting with their debut, anything-goes talk show, The Tipsy Exchange. During those discussions, Berly and LA realized that they most enjoy talking humorously about TV/Film, mythology, suspense, and hot guys.
Supernatural seemed a natural fit. It’s a match made in heaven… or hell… you decide! Now, let’s get tipsy! CW/TW for violent and lewd commentary; listeners beware!
Links, Source Material and Credits
For anyone who wishes to follow the links for my source material… knock your socks off! These are listed in no particular order.
- Full Video Supplied by Robyn Phillips – Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki Austin 2025 Creation Con-Main Panel Video
- YouTube Channel Link: Robyn Phillips YouTube Channel
- All Supernatural Scene Clips to Highlight chosen music are Courtesy WB & CW and Amazon Prime Video
- Cassette Tape w/Pencil Pic Courtesy of Pinterest
- Maxell Print ad Image Courtesy IMDb
- Article Feature Banner Pics and Summary Cards Courtesy of Podcasts: In Defense of Fandom / Denim-Wrapped Nightmares
- Apple Podcast Link: Supernatural Music Extravaganza: A Mixtape 20 Years in the Making – Meet your co-hosts
- Apple Podcast Link: In Defense of Fandom
- Apple Podcast Link: Denim-Wrapped Nightmares
- Apple Podcast Link: Supernatural Then and Now
- Article: Supernatural-20 Years of Love
