Why Cobra Kai used The Weeknd's music for its prom scene

Variety

The Weeknd's “In Your Eyes" marked the first time the Netflix series used a current pop song. "We’ve had some moments where we’ve had current music on the show when we’re with the kids, but it is rare to have something that’s a bigger song," says co-creator Jon Hurwitz. "This was the prom — we wanted it to make a splash. We wanted it to feel the way a prom would, which would involve songs that you’ve probably heard before. It played a role in story as well. This was a big moment between two of our lead characters dancing, and for the other leads to be watching them and and getting uncomfortable. So it needed to have that high production value that the feel of that moment has. It’s a big moment on the show and it felt appropriate to have a modern song." Music supervisor Michelle Johnson adds: "I knew the Robby-Tory dance would be the featured moment and that’s what would be on camera, so I pulled together a small list of selects from current pop that the guys might not necessarily know. There’s something about that Weeknd track that has a foot in the ‘80s, so I thought it would feel at home in the show. We built that episode around that song." ALSO: Cobra Kai composers discuss their Easter eggs.