Good on Paper

    The creatives behind your favorite Netflix content share the music that inspires them.

    Photo by Christopher Patey
    25 June 20213 min read

    In her Netflix catalog alone, Iliza Shlesinger has five stand-up specials, a sketch comedy show, and roles in the action flick Spenser Confidential and the family drama Pieces of a Woman. She’s making sure there’s something for everyone, and this June she’s got a little something for the rom-com fans.

    Good on Paper, written by and starring Shlesinger, is a “mostly-true” story about Andrea (Shlesinger), a career-first comic who finds the man of her dreams — a guy named Dennis (Ryan Hansen) — only to discover, with help from her best friend Margot (Margaret Cho), that Mr. Right is not quite what he seems. Directed by Kimmy Gatewood, the rom-con kicks off the summer with a potent dose of the same boundary-pushing comedy that never stops pulling in new Shlesinger fans.

    Queue asked Shlesinger to give us a taste of the music that soundtracked the making of the film. No surprise, it was as eclectic as her résumé. Whether you’re looking to dance your heart out or cry your eyes out, Iliza’s annotated playlist is here with something just for you.

    The band Yellowcard performs on a smokey stage. At the front of stage is the guitarist, and in the background is a man standing by a drumset and the drummer.

    Miikka Skaffari / FilmMagic

    “Ocean Avenue”

    BY YELLOWCARD

    I was in Boston and took a meeting with Paul Bernon where I pitched the Good on Paper idea, then a few hours later I played two sold-out shows. Me and my touring team listen to this song before shows to get pumped up. That moment was the beginning of years of writing this film on the road.

    Tim McGrawn stands on a stage holding a mike with outstretched hands. THe background is purple and blue, with neon turquoise lights. You can catch a drummer in the background.

    Jason Kempin / Getty Images

    “Just to See You Smile”

    BY TIM MCGRAW

    I was in Nashville to film my fifth special, Unveiled, when I found out we had lost funding for our movie. We went out that night after the taping and got drunk listening to country, but all I could think about was Good on Paper and how to move forward and get it made.

    Bonnie X Clyde in a closeup shot. The background is completely gray. Bonnie is in the foreground, wearing black mesh and big earphones. Clyde is in the background wearing a black hat and shirt.

    FilmMagic

    “So High”

    BY BONNIE X CLYDE

    This was a needle-drop moment that we spent some money on for the scene before Andrea falls for Dennis. It was a favorite of mine, and I thought it encapsulated the mood perfectly.

    Lana Del Ray stands coyly against a blue background. Her left side is lit by green light, and she wears a lacey white dress.

    Michael Kovac / WireImage

    “Love Song”

    BY LANA DEL REY

    This song makes me emotional. I found it very useful during the scene when Andrea and Margot are fighting on the street and I needed to cry. I felt like a maniac listening to it 10 times in a night but hey, it worked!

    Francis and the Lights does a split in front of a large crowd. He wears all black, and his glasses lie next to him on the stage. The sky is whitish blue.

    Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic for Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival

    “See Her Out”

    BY FRANCIS AND THE LIGHTS

    I left the comfort of the Good on Paper set and went straight into another movie that was really emotionally hard to film. I would listen to this song to bring some levity to my day. I love the synthesizer at the beginning and throughout.

    WATCH GOOD ON PAPER ON NETFLIX NOW.