You know the sound. It’s that crisp, synthesized beat, followed by a sudden, glittering swell of electronic pop that signals exactly one thing: drama is about to go down in West Hollywood. For over a decade, the Vanderpump Rules theme song has been the ultimate Pavlovian bell for Bravo fans. It’s called "Raise Your Glass," and no, it’s not the Pink song, though people get that mixed up all the time.
The track is actually by a group called Dena Deadly featuring Memorecks. Honestly, it’s fascinating how a song most people only hear in 20-second bursts has become such a cultural titan. It’s the sound of SUR. It’s the sound of oversized statement necklaces, questionable life choices, and the specific brand of chaos that only Lisa Vanderpump can orchestrate.
But why does it work?
The origins of Raise Your Glass
Back in 2013, when Vanderpump Rules spun off from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the producers needed something that felt different. They weren't looking for the operatic, "glitter-and-diamonds" vibe of the Housewives. They needed something gritty but polished. Something that sounded like a Tuesday night shift at a restaurant where everyone is too attractive for their own good.
Dena Deadly’s vocals bring this sort of nonchalant, cool-girl energy that perfectly matched the original cast. When the lyrics "You know that it's our time, these are the best days of our lives" kick in, it feels aspirational. It’s ironic, too. We’re watching people scream at each other in alleyways next to dumpsters, yet the song tells us these are the "best days."
The song wasn't just a random pick. It was a vibe-check for an entire era of reality television.
That iconic "glitch" and the slow-motion pour
If you’ve watched the show, you can see the opening credits in your head right now. The cast members standing in slow motion, holding martini glasses or cocktail shakers. The Vanderpump Rules theme song hits its peak right as someone—usually Scheana or Jax in the early days—does a dramatic pour.
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There’s a specific technical element in the music—a sort of stuttering electronic glitch—that aligns perfectly with the fast-cut editing of the intro. It’s high-energy. It’s frenetic. It’s exactly how a busy night at SUR feels when the "Pumptinis" are flying off the bar.
Does the song change?
A common misconception is that the song has been re-recorded or updated. It hasn't. While the visuals change every year to reflect who’s been fired or who’s actually "working" at the restaurant (let's be real, none of them have worked a real shift since 2016), the music remains a constant. It’s the anchor. Even during the "Scandoval" era of Season 10 and the aftermath in Season 11, that familiar beat provided a weird sense of stability while the cast’s lives were imploding.
Why we never skip the intro
Streaming services have "Skip Intro" buttons for a reason. Most of the time, we use them. But for Vanderpump Rules, skipping the intro feels like a crime. It’s part of the ritual.
The song creates a specific emotional state. It’s a transition. You’re leaving your boring 9-to-5 life and entering a world where the biggest problem is who kissed whom at Coachella. The music is the bridge.
Interestingly, Dena Deadly, the artist behind the track, has talked about how the song's longevity surprised everyone. In the world of sync licensing—where musicians get their songs placed in TV shows—landing a theme song is the holy grail. It’s not just a one-time paycheck; it’s a permanent association with a brand. Every time that song plays in a bar or a club, someone, somewhere, is thinking about Jax Taylor ripping off his chunky knit sweater to fight someone in a parking lot.
The technical side of the track
If you actually listen to the full version of "Raise Your Glass" on Spotify or Apple Music, it’s a bit different than what you hear on Bravo. The TV edit is highly compressed. It focuses on the hook and the driving bassline.
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- BPM: The song sits at a mid-tempo dance pace.
- Genre: It’s a hybrid of Electropop and Indie Dance.
- Vibe: "Calculated messy."
The production by Memorecks is actually quite sophisticated for a reality show theme. It uses layers of shimmering synths that mimic the "sparkle" of Lisa Vanderpump’s lifestyle, but the driving percussion keeps it grounded in the "working class" (ish) reality of the servers.
What most people get wrong about the lyrics
"You know that it's our time / these are the best days of our lives / raise your glass / it's our time."
People often think the song is about partying. And sure, it is. But in the context of the show, the lyrics have become increasingly melancholy as the cast gets older. Seeing a 40-year-old man cry over a spilled drink while a song plays about these being the "best days of our lives" hits differently than it did when they were 25.
The irony is the secret sauce. The song is joyful, but the show is often a tragedy. That juxtaposition is why the Vanderpump Rules theme song is better than almost any other theme in the Bravo-verse. It doesn't try too hard. It just is.
The "Scandoval" effect on the music
During Season 10, when the Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss affair broke the internet, the theme song took on a new life. Fans started making TikToks and Reels using the song to soundtrack their own "betrayals" or just to hype up the latest episode.
The song became a rallying cry. It didn't matter that the lyrics were the same; the meaning had shifted. "Raise your glass" no longer felt like a toast to friendship; it felt like a toast to the mess we were all about to witness.
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Practical takeaways for the superfan
If you're looking to integrate a bit of that SUR energy into your own life, here is how you actually handle the music:
First, don't look for a "Vanderpump Rules Soundtrack" album. It doesn't really exist in a traditional sense. Instead, find the original "Raise Your Glass" by Dena Deadly. It's the only way to get the full-length experience without the sound effects of ice shaking in the background.
Second, if you're hosting a viewing party, the song is a mandatory opener. But here’s the pro tip: the song actually sounds better on a decent sound system where you can hear the low-end synth. It’s surprisingly bass-heavy.
Finally, acknowledge the "new" era. As the show evolves—and potentially ends or reboots—the song is the one thing fans will fight to keep. You can change the cast, you can change the restaurant, but you cannot change that opening riff. It’s the DNA of the show.
The Vanderpump Rules theme song isn't just background noise. It’s a piece of pop culture history that perfectly captures the lightning-in-a-bottle moment when a group of thirsty servers became the most famous people on cable TV. It’s catchy, it’s a little bit cheesy, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.
Next time you hear those first few notes, don't reach for the remote. Just raise your glass. You know it's our time, after all.
Essential Listen: Search for the "Memorecks Remix" if you want a version that leans harder into the electronic roots of the track. It's the version most likely to be played if you ever find yourself at a lounge in West Hollywood trying to live out your own Bravo-inspired fever dream.