Music can make or break a comedy, but the music in Bad Moms didn't just support the jokes—it basically acted as the fourth lead character. Honestly, it's rare to see a studio comedy from 2016 still getting play on Spotify playlists specifically curated for "rage cleaning" or "school run hype." Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the minds behind The Hangover, clearly knew that if you're going to make a movie about suburban burnout, the needle drops have to feel like a shot of adrenaline to the heart of a minivan-driving, PTA-hating rebel.
It works because it’s relatable.
We’ve all been there, stuck in a loop of nursery rhymes or Kidz Bop, and then suddenly, a bass-heavy track kicks in and you remember who you were before you became "Amy’s Mom." That’s the psychological hook of this entire soundtrack.
The sonic architecture of the music in Bad Moms
The soundtrack is a weird, glorious mess of trap, pop, and 80s nostalgia. You’ve got Icona Pop’s "I Love It" sitting right next to Walk the Moon and Foreigner. It shouldn't work. It’s chaotic. But motherhood is chaotic, so it fits perfectly.
Christopher Lennertz, the composer, had a specific task. He had to bridge the gap between the "perfect" orchestral sounds of a pristine cul-de-sac and the absolute disaster of three moms getting drunk in a grocery store. The score itself is subtle, but the licensed tracks are where the movie finds its soul. Take "Tightrope" by Janelle Monáe. It’s funky, it’s fast, and it perfectly mirrors the high-wire act of balancing a career with a kid’s bake sale.
Most people don't realize how much the music in Bad Moms relies on "pre-party" energy.
The grocery store slow-motion sequence is probably the most iconic use of music in the film. When the trio—Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn—decide to stop caring and start trashing the aisles to "I'm Anythin' You Want Me To Be" and eventually "Cake by the Ocean" by DNCE, it’s pure catharsis. It’s the visual and auditory representation of every mom’s fantasy: dumping the cereal, drinking the milk straight from the carton, and ignoring the judgmental stares of people in cardigans.
Why "I Love It" became the anthem of the movie
You can’t talk about the music in Bad Moms without mentioning Icona Pop. Even though the song was a few years old by the time the movie hit theaters, it found a second life here.
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"I don't care! I love it!"
It’s the thesis statement of the film.
When Amy Mitchell finally hits her breaking point and decides she’s done being the perfect PTA treasurer, the music shifts. It moves away from the polite, background noise of a "civilized" life and into high-BPM rebellion. It’s loud. It’s abrasive. It’s exactly what she needs. Interestingly, the music supervisor, Julia Michels, has a history of doing this—she worked on Pitch Perfect and The Devil Wears Prada. She knows how to pick songs that empower female characters without making it feel like a cheesy "girl power" montage from a 90s sitcom.
The weirdly perfect inclusion of Foreigner
Then there’s the 80s rock.
Using "Cold as Ice" during the scenes with Christina Applegate’s Gwendolyn is a stroke of genius. It’s a literal interpretation, sure, but the way it’s mixed into the scene makes Gwendolyn feel like a final boss in a video game rather than just a mean mom. It creates a tonal contrast. You have the modern, bass-heavy tracks for the "rebel" moms and the stiff, classic rock or pristine pop for the "perfect" moms.
It’s subtle storytelling through audio.
- The Modern Hits: DNCE, Demi Lovato, Icona Pop. These represent the "New" Amy.
- The Throwbacks: Foreigner, Cyndi Lauper. These are the nostalgia anchors.
- The Score: Christopher Lennertz’s original work that ties the emotional beats together.
The movie also utilizes "Girls Will Be Girls" by Sophie Beem and "Bad Girls" by M.I.A. to hammer home the point that being a "bad mom" is actually just being an autonomous human being with a pulse.
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The emotional weight of the end credits
The music doesn't just stop when the plot ends. The most "human" moment of the whole film happens during the credits.
The actors sit down with their real-life mothers.
The music here shifts again. It’s softer. It’s more reflective. We hear "I Like Tush" by Todrick Hall earlier in the film for laughs, but the credits bring in a more sentimental vibe. This is where the movie admits its own secret: it’s not actually about being "bad." It’s about the impossible standards of being "good."
If you listen closely to the music in Bad Moms, you’ll notice the tempo fluctuates with Amy’s stress levels. When she’s rushing to the school, the music is frantic. When she’s hanging out with Carla and Kiki, it’s mid-tempo and relaxed. It’s a rhythmic map of a nervous breakdown and the subsequent recovery.
How to use these tracks in real life
If you want to recreate that Bad Moms energy, you have to curate the playlist with zero shame. Start with something aggressive to clear the mental cobwebs, then move into the dance-pop stuff that makes you feel like you're 22 again and don't have to pack a lunch for anyone but yourself.
- Morning school run: "I Love It" by Icona Pop. (Volume at 10, windows up if you’re shy, windows down if you’re Amy Mitchell).
- Work-from-home focus: The Christopher Lennertz score. It’s upbeat without being distracting.
- The "I'm done" moment: "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner.
- Kitchen dance party: "Cake by the Ocean" by DNCE.
The music in Bad Moms works because it doesn't apologize for being "basic" or "mainstream." It embraces the fact that sometimes, a catchy hook and a heavy beat are the only things keeping you from losing your mind in the carpool lane.
Actionable insights for your own "Bad Mom" soundtrack
Don't just listen to the soundtrack on repeat; use the logic behind its curation to fix your own mood.
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Identify your "Power Song": Every character in the movie has a moment where the music defines them. Find the one track that makes you feel invincible. If it’s M.I.A., play it when you have to deal with the PTA.
Contrast your tasks: Match high-energy trap music with the most boring chores, like folding laundry or emptying the dishwasher. It’s exactly how the grocery store scene was filmed—mundane environment, high-octane sound.
Embrace the nostalgia: The inclusion of older tracks proves that you don't have to stay "current" to be cool. If your version of a rebel anthem is 90s grunge or 70s disco, lean into it. The soundtrack's success lies in its lack of pretension.
Watch for the beat drops: In the film, the biggest laughs often land right on a beat drop. Use that timing in your own life. If you're going to make a grand entrance (or just walk into the office), do it when the chorus hits.
The real takeaway from the music in Bad Moms is that your life deserves a score that reflects how hard you’re working. Whether it's the pulsing bass of a club hit or the soaring vocals of an 80s power ballad, use it to drown out the noise of expectations. Stop listening to what you "should" like and start playing what makes you feel like you've actually got this.
Go build that playlist. Start with the Icona Pop track and don't look back. Your sanity will thank you.
Next Steps for Your Playlist: Search for the official Bad Moms soundtrack on your preferred streaming platform, but pay attention to the "Inspired By" playlists too. They often contain the grittier tracks that didn't make the final cut but carry the same rebellious energy. Also, check out the Bad Moms Christmas soundtrack if you need a holiday version of this same chaotic vibe.