Hanging Out Soundtrack: 20 Tracks That Should Score Ant & Dec’s Podcast

Hook: If you love Hanging Out but hate boring transitions, this fan-made soundtrack fixes that

Producers, superfans and playlist curators: finding the right music for a podcast is harder than it looks. You want tracks that match Ant & Dec’s warm, cheeky energy; you need short, legal-able stings for ads and intros; and you want lyrics or lyric-snippet teasers that spark social clips without creating copyright headaches. This fan-curated soundtrack solves those pain points with ready-to-use timings, short lyric snippets (for promos) and production notes that a producer or a fan with a DAW can use right away.

Why music matters for Hanging Out in 2026

Ant & Dec’s new podcast, Hanging Out, launched as part of their Belta Box channel in January 2026—built to be platform-native across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and podcast platforms. As Dec said when announcing the show,

"we asked our audience if we did a podcast what would they like it be about, and they said 'we just want you guys to hang out'"

In 2026, industry trends mean:

• Short-form repurposing is mandatory: 8–20 second stings will be clipped for TikTok and Reels.
• Stem-ready assets (separate drums, bass, vocalless beds) are preferred—platforms and AI tools let producers create remixes or adaptive music for listeners.
• Licensing clarity is king: micro-licensing portals and bespoke library tracks are now common to avoid takedowns and monetization blocks.
• Personalization: dynamic music layers that respond to ad breaks or topic shifts are becoming cheap to implement.

How to use this fan-curated pack

This article gives 20 track picks with:

1. Recommended segment (intro, bumper, emotional story, outro, ad transition).
2. Timing suggestion (seconds) to make it editing-friendly.
3. A short lyric snippet (under 8 words) ideal for promos or social—keeps copyright exposure minimal and share-friendly.
4. Production notes: BPM, mood, and whether you’ll want stems or a cover version.

Use these straight in a session as timestamps (00:00–00:12) for intros or as looping cues for transitions. If you’re a fan making a hypothetical soundtrack playlist, each entry includes the vibe and a short caption you can use when sharing on socials.

Quick production rules (actionable, non-negotiable)

• Loudness: Aim for -16 LUFS integrated for stereo podcast masters (platform-friendly).
• Voice ducking: Sidechain music -3 to -6 dB under spoken parts to keep Ant & Dec present but musical.
• Sting length: 6–20 seconds. Use 6–10s for bumpers, 12–20s for full intros/outros.
• Loopability: create 4-bar loops that can be seamlessly extended for longer segments.
• Stem requests: ask labels for instrumental stems or commission a cover to avoid expensive master licenses.

20 Tracks: Fan-curated soundtrack for Hanging Out (with lyric snippets & timings)

1. "Walking on Sunshine" — Katrina & The Waves

• Use: Episode opener (feelgood arrival)
• Timing: 00:00–00:16 (bright instrumental intro, fade under voice at 00:10)
• Lyric snippet: "I'm walking on sunshine" (4 words)
• BPM / Mood: 109 BPM, ecstatic, bright
• Notes: Use a 16s edit with drums softened—fade to a 4-bar ukulele bed for voiceovers. Consider a royalty-free cover for easier licensing.

2. "You Make My Dreams" — Hall & Oates

• Use: Guest intro or celebratory segment
• Timing: 00:00–00:12 (hook looped under quick banter)
• Lyric snippet: "You make my dreams"
• BPM / Mood: 158 BPM (fast-feel), upbeat
• Notes: The piano hook doubles as a memorable sting. Use a muted drum loop to keep speech clear.

3. "Let's Dance" — David Bowie

• Use: Party or showbiz-style segments; short crowd-pleasing bumpers
• Timing: 00:00–00:10 (guitar lick into short vocal shouts)
• Lyric snippet: "Let's dance"
• BPM / Mood: 115 BPM, dance-rock
• Notes: Iconic vocal words work as punchy stings. If rights are difficult, commission an in-house arrangement with a similar groove.

4. "Come On Eileen" — Dexys Midnight Runners

• Use: Nostalgia flashbacks, audience singalong segments
• Timing: 00:00–00:18 (fiddle + chorus snippet)
• Lyric snippet: "Come on Eileen"
• BPM / Mood: 112 BPM, rousing, singalong
• Notes: Use for audience interaction prompts; students of podcasting can mirror the chorus rhythm with claps or live audience audio for authenticity.

5. "Good Times" — Chic

• Use: Light-hearted sponsor reads or upbeat recaps
• Timing: 00:00–00:12 (bass groove + hook)
• Lyric snippet: "Good times"
• BPM / Mood: 110 BPM, funky, warm
• Notes: A bass-led loop sits naturally under read voice. Keep EQ warm and mid-forward.

6. "Valerie" — (Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse version)

• Use: Light interview banter, cheeky anecdotes
• Timing: 00:00–00:14 (horn riff and chorus snippet)
• Lyric snippet: "Valerie"
• BPM / Mood: 121 BPM, soulful pop
• Notes: Use the chorus line sparingly as a meme-able tag. A cover reduces licensing costs and allows stems.

7. "Mr. Brightside" — The Killers

• Use: Heated debate or storyteller confessions
• Timing: 00:00–00:10 (guitar riff or chorus shout as a sting)
• Lyric snippet: "Mr. Brightside"
• BPM / Mood: 148 BPM, urgent, anthem-like
• Notes: High-energy hook for dramatic reveals. Use lower-level loop to avoid masking speech.

8. "Happy" — Pharrell Williams

• Use: Positive recap, end-of-segment uplift
• Timing: 00:00–00:12 (clapped groove + chorus tagline)
• Lyric snippet: "Because I'm happy" (3 words)
• BPM / Mood: 160 BPM, effervescent
• Notes: Works great for montage clips and reposts—keep it short for music clearance ease.

9. "Dancing in the Moonlight" — Toploader

• Use: Weekend vibe promos, laid-back segments
• Timing: 00:00–00:14 (chorus hum + vocal hook)
• Lyric snippet: "Dancing in the moonlight"
• BPM / Mood: 99 BPM, breezy
• Notes: Great for a “calm stories” segment. Consider an acoustic cover for smoother voice blend.

10. "Don't Stop Me Now" — Queen

• Use: Clips of excitement, big reveals or rapid-fire games
• Timing: 00:00–00:10 (piano/guitar fanfare into vocal line)
• Lyric snippet: "Don't stop me now"
• BPM / Mood: 156 BPM, high-octane
• Notes: Powerful as a one-line sting. On platforms that flag big masters, use a re-recorded version.

11. "Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

• Use: Fun sponsor slots, intro to celebrity guests
• Timing: 00:00–00:08 (brass hook)
• Lyric snippet: "Uptown funk"
• BPM / Mood: 115 BPM, party
• Notes: A short brass lick is instantly recognizable—use as a sonic logo for recurring bits.

12. "Alright" — Supergrass

• Use: Late-morning light-hearted segments
• Timing: 00:00–00:12 (guitar + chorus)
• Lyric snippet: "We are young" (2–3 words)
• BPM / Mood: 120 BPM, youthful optimism
• Notes: A feelgood indie pick that sits well under banter; use a stripped instrumental bed when Ant & Dec speak.

13. "Heroes" — David Bowie

• Use: Heartfelt stories, tribute moments
• Timing: 00:00–00:18 (ambient swell, lyric line)
• Lyric snippet: "We can be heroes"
• BPM / Mood: 88 BPM, soaring, cinematic
• Notes: Use sparsely—the emotional weight is high. Commission a subdued re-score to keep voice prominent.

14. "Born to Run" — Bruce Springsteen

• Use: Road-trip episodes, long-form storytelling
• Timing: 00:00–00:20 (guitar build and shout)
• Lyric snippet: "Born to run"
• BPM / Mood: 146 BPM, epic and driving
• Notes: Powerful for montage reels. Consider a Performed Cover to keep episodes monetizable on all platforms.

15. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" — Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

• Use: Supportive, uplifting moments or sign-offs
• Timing: 00:00–00:14 (vocal hook)
• Lyric snippet: "Ain't no mountain"
• BPM / Mood: 104 BPM, soulful and reassuring
• Notes: Great for sign-off or sponsor thank-yous. A duo vocal-sounding bed mirrors Ant & Dec’s rapport.

16. "She’s Electric" — Oasis

• Use: Celebrity gossip, cheeky banter
• Timing: 00:00–00:10 (riff + quick chorus)
• Lyric snippet: "She's electric"
• BPM / Mood: 92 BPM, cheeky Britpop
• Notes: Britpop nostalgia suits Ant & Dec. Use in short stings to avoid expensive master rights.

17. "Relax" — Frankie Goes To Hollywood

• Use: Wild banter breaks, game chaos
• Timing: 00:00–00:08 (punchy synth hit into chant)
• Lyric snippet: "Relax"
• BPM / Mood: 114 BPM, provocative, punchy
• Notes: Short exclamations work well for comedic timing. Use edits to avoid explicit content or platform flags.

18. "The Only Living Boy in New York" — Simon & Garfunkel

• Use: Reflective, sentimental storytelling
• Timing: 00:00–00:20 (acoustic opening)
• Lyric snippet: "Only living boy"
• BPM / Mood: 84 BPM, intimate, reflective
• Notes: Perfect for quieter, confessional episodes—instrumental or soft cover recommended.

19. "Mr. Blue Sky" — Electric Light Orchestra

• Use: Good-news segments and weekend previews
• Timing: 00:00–00:14 (orchestral hook + chorus snippet)
• Lyric snippet: "Mr. Blue Sky"
• BPM / Mood: 104 BPM, upbeat orchestral pop
• Notes: Use strings lightly so voices remain in front; great for montage B-roll or recap videos.

20. "Stand By Me" — Ben E. King

• Use: Closing moments, sincere thank-yous
• Timing: 00:00–00:18 (warm bass + chorus phrase)
• Lyric snippet: "Stand by me"
• BPM / Mood: 78 BPM, warm, reassuring
• Notes: A classic closer. Commissioning a stripped piano cover provides license flexibility for global platforms.

Practical, actionable implementation tips

1. Build a 20–30 second intro template

Create a layered intro: 6s sonic logo (unique hook), 8–12s music bed, and the hosts’ vocal tag. Example: 0–6s hook (brass or synth), 6–18s warm bed while Ant & Dec say the episode title, fade to -12dB under the first full voice line.

2. Make 6s, 12s and 18s stems for each cue

Export three lengths of every selected track: short (6s) for quick bumps, medium (12s) for ad intros, full (18s) for opening sequences. Name files like WalkingOnSunshine_intro_06s_v1.wav so editors can drop them instantly.

3. Lyric snippets for promos—keep them short

Use the 3–5 word lyric fragments in teaser captions and 8–12s video clips. Short fragments reduce risk of platform takedowns and keep clearance simpler—but always clear the publishing platform with your legal team when using even short excerpts from masters.

4. Licensing checklist (fast)

1. Decide: master license or cover. Cover versions + publishing sync clears are cheaper.
2. If using masters, request stems from the label; get cue-sheet metadata.
3. Use production music libraries (e.g., Epidemic, Artlist) for low-cost, rights-cleared alternatives.
4. For AI-generated or re-scored pieces, check 2025–26 platform policies and rights around AI-sampled content—platforms are tightening rules but also offering new micro-licensing routes.

Technical checklist for editors

• Export podcast master at 48kHz / 24-bit (or 44.1kHz depending on platform).
• Target -16 LUFS integrated (-14 LUFS if mixing for YouTube music-centric clips).
• Keep music ducked -3 to -6 dB using sidechain or manual automation.
• Tag final exported files with ID3: episode title, show name, music credits (artist, publisher).
• Use transient shaper or gentle compression (2:1) on music beds to fit speech dynamics.

2026 trends producers should leverage right now

• AI-assisted stems: Many labels now offer AI-isolated stems for immediate remixing—great for creating alternate-length cues.
• Adaptive music layers: Use two-bed layering (vocal-less + with-vocals) to automate ducking during spoken segments.
• Micro-licensing marketplaces: Expect faster turnaround and predictable pricing for 8–30 second podcast uses.
• Platform-native clips: Always export square/vertical short clips with the musical hook front-loaded (0–3s) for Reels/TikTok performance.

Fan edits vs. Producer-grade usage — what to know

Fans: build playlists (Spotify/Apple/YouTube) and social promos using the lyric snippets here—label the playlist as "Fan Soundtrack" and avoid monetized uploads. Producers: follow the licensing checklist above and work with labels or production houses to ensure stems and sync rights are cleared.

Sample cue-sheet template (copy/paste friendly)

  Episode: [Episode Title]
  Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
  Cue # | Start | End | Duration | Track Title | Artist | Publisher | Composer | Master Owner | Usage (intro/bumper/etc.)
  001   | 00:00 | 00:12 | 00:12 | Walking on Sunshine | Katrina & The Waves | [Pub] | [Comp] | [Master] | Intro
  

Final production checklist before publish

• Confirm music rights and log them in your content management system.
• Run an export loudness check and confirm -16 LUFS (spot-check across devices).
• Make short-form clips with the lyric snippet pre-approved by the rights holder.
• Upload stems and cue-sheet to your hosting platform to support monetization and reporting.

Actionable takeaways

• Start with three sonic signatures: 6s hook (logo), 12s bumper (ad transitions), 18s intro (full open).
• Use the lyric snippets in this list to build promo captions and social hooks—short is safer and shareable.
• When in doubt, commission a cover or bespoke production music bed; it’s cheaper and more flexible by 2026 standards.
• Prepare stems and cue-sheets before recording to avoid last-minute licensing delays.

Closing thoughts

Ant & Dec’s Hanging Out is built on intimacy and familiarity. The music choices you make will shape how listeners perceive the duo’s chats—funny, reflective or celebratory. This fan-curated pack is designed to give producers and superfans immediate, actionable ideas: short, playable cues; lyric snippets for promos; and a clear production path for 2026’s platform landscape.

Call to action

If you’re a fan: build and share your Ant & Dec playlist on Spotify or YouTube and tag us—use the lyric snippets as post captions. If you’re a producer: download the 6/12/18s template, build stems for one episode and run a clearance check with your legal team. Want our editable cue-sheet & WAV template used by studios? Sign up for our mailing list to get the file bundle and a step-by-step licensing checklist tailored for Hanging Out. Let’s make the show sound as good as it feels to hang out.

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