The plesiosaur’s playlist: 10 tracks to dive into the depths of the oceans

Still on board? Well, tune in because the team behind our new monstrous exhibition has really put the rock in c-rock-odile with this prehistoric playlist. This aquatic audio experience is flooded with songs that’ll send you to new depths. Hoist the anchor and get ready for an adventure ‘cause this is kriller, kriller night... listen to the full playlist here.

Wellerman by Nathan Evans

Picked by Lucy in our Social Media Team, Wellerman by Nathan Evans is making waves across TikTok. With its steady rhythm, this sea shanty sets the tone and is the perfect way to begin your journey into the watery depths. It echoes the songs once sung by sailors as they crossed vast, uncharted oceans, drawing you into the spirit of discovery as you begin your own underwater adventure to meet ancient marine giants.

Jaws by John Williams

There’s no way this wasn’t making the list! While the sea shanty prepared you for your voyage, the Jaws theme tune by John Williams will make you realise… you’re in deep waters now. What song could be more appropriate when it comes to an exhibition packed with specimens with enough teeth to make a dentist sweat! As the looming sense of dread builds in the track, will you be brave enough to reach out and touch the mammoth jaws of the sea beasts in our exhibition, and will you dare to venture even deeper?

Going Under by Evanescence

You started onboard a boat, then you were surrounded by sharks… now it’s time to go under! Chosen by our Lighting and Design Team, this symphonic rock number perfectly encapsulates their stunning transformation of our Waterhouse Gallery. Bringing the ocean depths to life, an eerie sense of dread fills the space. Visuals of monsters and prey project around every corner while dramatic lighting evokes the tide and sounds of the sea immerse you deeper and deeper.

The Nutcracker Suite from Fantasia by Leopold Stokowski

What track evokes the mysterious depths of an underwater realm for you? For our curator Emma, one of our scientists behind the exhibition, it’s The Nutcracker Suite from the film Fantasia. Beloved by children and adults alike, the animated film transports viewers into a fantasy world. This ethereal track plays during a hypnotic sequence in which fish dance with each other upon the seabed encircled by rippling bubbles. Just like in our exhibition, down in the watery depths, every species plays a role, from the fish at the bottom of the food chain all the way up to the ferocious predators at the top.

Creeping in My Soul by Cryoshell

In the Jurassic oceans, there was no end of fierce and terrifying monsters lying in wait ready to strike. No song better embodies that feeling of something lurking in the dark watery depths than Cryoshell’s Creeping in My Soul, which sings about creeps from the deep. Chosen by our Marketing Team, this track was written to promote LEGO® Bionicle Barraki series – a set themed all around strange underwater creatures, including bioluminescent fish and mantis shrimp. Plus, in nice synchronicity, Cryoshell’s logo is actually based on the shell of an ammonite – the first creature you’ll meet in our exhibition.

The Kraken by Hans Zimmer

When one of the greatest cinematic composers of our time Hans Zimmer scored this music for the blockbuster Pirates Of The Caribbean, little did he know that it would also perfectly fit our exhibition. There were so many pieces to choose from, but for Kate, our exhibition lead, The Kraken was the clear winner. Many underwater myths were passed down by sailors telling of their experiences of creatures never ever seen before. Of these tales, no legend was so bone-shakingly scary as the mighty Kraken – an enormous tentacled creature said to sink ships. Will you tell tales of the monsters you meet in our exhibition?

Chomp by Banky Ojo (Remix)

From the movie Meg 2, this upbeat song sure gets your hairs raised, and that’s no surprise when you’re watching a film about an insanely enormous shark that turns out to be real not fiction. The megalodon, an underwater apex predator, feasted on many other sea dwellers back in the ancient oceans. In our exhibition, you’ll not only get to see this giant’s tooth but also its bite with a whale bone that’s quite literally been chomped! At the start of the film a megalodon comes out of the water and eats a T. rex, though not technically accurate, as they didn’t live at the same time, it’s nice to see sharks reining supreme for once!

Nessie by The Real Makensies

When it comes to monsters of the deep, the line between what’s mythical and what’s real really does blur. The largest skeleton in our exhibition is likely also the inspiration behind a myth many of you might be familiar with. Nessie, also known as the Loch Ness Monster, is enshrined in Scottish folklore and bares a remarkable similarity to a plesiosaur. These giant predators lived millions of years ago, and fossils of them have been found all along the south coast of the UK, but as far as we know there are no live ones inhabiting Scottish lochs!

On The Beach by Caroline Polachek

With that our journey beneath the waves comes to an end, and you’re returned to dry land! Now back on the beach, you can mull over your voyage into the ancient oceans and all that you’ve seen. This reflective song by Caroline Polachek is the perfect backdrop, layering on distant feelings. It mentions “Sanzu, song of sorrow” a Japanese tale of the living and the afterlife that serves as a reminder that our ancient beings have heritage. As you step back into the present remember the modern monsters we share the planet with today are descendants of the prehistoric marvels you’ve just encountered.

Oh, and did we mention Caroline was caught noseying around our museum last year as seen on Instagram… must be a fan!

Mary Anning by Professor Flint

As a bonus track, our lead scientist, Marc, chose Mary Anning by Professor Flint. Our exhibition doesn’t include specimens discovered by Mary – instead these take permanent pride of place in our Fossil Marine Reptiles Gallery – but we still wanted to give her a shout out. A true scientific pioneer, Mary contributed hugely to the discovery and study of Jurassic marine reptiles. This fun and educational ode to her encapsulates a passion for science – one that we share and want to share with you through the wonder of our exhibition.

Did you know we named our members’ rooms after Mary too! When you become a member, not only can you rest and recover in them from your adventure, you can also visit Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep for free!