When Leigh Bardugo wrote Six of Crows back in 2015, I bet she never imagined the multitude of edits and playlists that would come of the series and its feature in the TV show Shadow and Bone. Songs such as Trouble by Valerie Broussard became known because of the fandom edits, and artists wrote songs inspired by the books — and even the characters themselves.
If you’re looking for a new Six of Crows playlist, check out these twelve songs.
Trouble by Valerie Broussard
Would it be a Six of Crows playlist without Valerie Broussard’s iconic song? From lyrics such as “We wear red so they don’t see us bleed,” “We intend not to sleep till we’re dead,” and “We are revolutionaries tonight,” this song is the anthem of The Crows. No matter which Crow you love, there’s a song lyric in here that’s bound to resonate with you.
I See Red by Everybody Loves An Outlaw
This anger-filled revenge song is perfect for fans of Kaz Brekker, a character filled with hatred and a lust for revenge against Pekka Rollins. Plagued by memories of his brother’s death at the hands of Rollins, Kaz is filled with rage when he finally confronts him. The lyrics, “I see red,” and “But revenge is a dish best served cold,” fit the morally grey leader of The Crows.
UNDERGROUND by NEONI
The sister duo NEONI made a video advertising this song for Six of Crows fans. The song’s overall dark themes of being the criminal underdogs in the Underground fit the energy of the dark, criminal place of Ketterdam. Lyrics such as “We turned wasteland to wonderland and now they’re interested,” and “We’re cutthroats and criminals,” might as well be Ketterdam in a song form.
bad guy by Billie Eilish
This popular Billie Eilish song is a great reminder of the morally grey actions of The Crows. No matter how much the readers love them, they are still criminals. The simple line of “I’m the bad guy, duh,” might be something Kaz Brekker might say with Nina Zenik chiming in with the “duh” at the end. They’re telling you that they’re criminals. Why should you trust them?
Hard to Kill by Beth Crowley
This Six of Crows-inspired song could be Kaz Brekker’s song or any one of The Crows. Lyrics such as “The world owes me a debt, And now I’ve come to collect,” and “I belong to the city, And was raised on the stakes I claimed,” perfectly describe The Crows’ deep ties to Ketterdam and love for money.
Gangsta by Kehlani
This song from the Suicide Squad’s playlist represents the dark parts of each of The Crows’ backgrounds. Each Crow had “…secrets that nobody, nobody, nobody knows,” and would “ride or die” for each other like the song claims gangsters do. No matter the stakes or the circumstances, the six criminals had each other’s backs, always.
Soldier by Fleurie
This haunting song of resilience represents The Crows’ determination to complete the Ice Court heist. This song pairs well with the moment when Inej Ghafa has to climb the incinerator shaft with no ropes or support, and only her skills and resilience. It is a tense moment for both her and the readers, as the readers find themselves rooting for her to make it to the top.
Heathens by twenty-one pilots
The second song on this playlist from Suicide Squad also serves as a reminder of the criminal natures of The Crows. The song offers the warning, “But after all I’ve said, please don’t forget,” then proceeds to remind us that the singer’s friends are heathens. The final lyric, “It looks like you might be one of us,” could pair well with the shy newcomer Wylan finding his place amongst The Crows.
Game of Survival by Ruelle
The Ice Court heist was dangerous, almost impossible, and each member of The Crows nearly lost their lives in the process. It was a literal “wild game of survival,” and this song’s almost battle-reminiscent sounds paired perfectly with The Crows’ high-stakes, fast-paced escape from The Ice Court.
Bones by Imagine Dragons
The character of Nina Zenik would pair well with this song. The one with the power to stop a heart from beating with a flick of her wrist or break bones with a nod of her head, Nina had literal “magic in [her] bones.” Oftentimes, her power was used in times of crisis, where if The Crows couldn’t fight their way out of a situation, they would have Nina rapidly incapacitate their opponents.
Way Down We Go by KALEO
This haunting melody, with its dark undertones, matches the mood of the shady city of Ketterdam and all the secrets that lurk within. The song’s rhythmic beat has been the backbone of many social media edits, including for Six of Crows.
Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
What could better represent The Crows than a song about money? A song about using every penny you have to make sure you look well-dressed, plus the catchy beat, is the perfect addition to a Six of Crows playlist.
We hoped you enjoyed these song recs! What songs remind you of Six of Crows? The full playlist can be found on our Spotify.
For some additional Six of Crows song recs, click here.
Click here to read some popular quotes from the book series.
