In the heart of a New York studio, two musical worlds collided to create something extraordinary. Dominic Lewis, a seasoned composer known for his dynamic film and TV scores, and Hamilton Leithauser, the soulful voice behind The Walkmen, found themselves crafting the main title theme for Apple TV+’s Your Friends & Neighbors. The result? “The Joneses,” a song that not only sets the tone for the Jon Hamm-starring series but also earned the duo their first-ever Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, announced in July 2025.
The story of “The Joneses” began with a call. Lewis, already deep in the world of Your Friends & Neighbors, a darkly comedic drama about a financial titan’s fall into crime among his wealthy peers, needed a voice to elevate the show’s theme. Enter Leithauser, whose raw, emotive vocals were the missing piece. “I came in very late in the game,” Leithauser shared with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen. “They had been working together for a long time, and I was flattered to be asked.” The collaboration was a whirlwind—two days of intense studio sessions, swapping stems, tweaking lyrics, and chasing the perfect vibe. “We got in there together, and I started singing, and Dom had some sweet beats,” Leithauser recalled. “It was a day and a half, maybe two days. That’s how the good stuff happens.”
For Lewis, the process was a refreshing departure from his usual solitary composing. “I’m in solitary, just working away,” he told Salfen. “Getting to bounce ideas off [Hamilton] and just getting stuck into it was always just great.” The duo’s chemistry was immediate, despite meeting in person only after a brief Zoom call. “I met, like, 18 people, and one of them was you,” Leithauser laughed, reflecting on the chaotic introductions. But once they hit the studio, the magic unfolded. The song’s lyrics, initially too on-the-nose, were reshaped with Leithauser’s input, balancing the main title version with a fuller cut. By the end of the first day, a rough mix had everyone buzzing. “We knew we killed it,” Lewis said.
“The Joneses” captures the essence of Your Friends & Neighbors—a mix of drama, quirk, and sharp comedy, underscored by Jon Hamm’s magnetic charisma. “He’s just so charismatic,” Lewis said of Hamm. “How can you not want to watch?” The song’s infectious energy mirrors the show’s allure, drawing listeners into a world of wealth, betrayal, and darkly humorous struggles. For Leithauser, it was a chance to step into a new frontier. “This is more like me stepping into Dom’s world,” he explained. “I do a lot of scoring, but I make records and tour. This was a novelty for me.”
The Emmy nomination is a milestone for both artists, marking their first nod from the Television Academy. For Lewis, a veteran of projects like Bullet Train and The Fall Guy, and Leithauser, whose career spans indie rock anthems to operatic reinventions, the recognition validates their risk-taking. “It’s so nice that it’s been so well received, not just by critics, but the masses,” Lewis said. Their advice to aspiring artists reflects their own journeys. Leithauser’s “Hail Mary” moment came when he ditched screaming for singing, inspired by Roy Orbison’s operatic grace. Lewis’s turning point was bolder: selling his cello to buy a plane ticket to L.A., betting on himself despite no guarantees. “If you want it more than anything and work crazy hard, it’s inevitable,” Lewis advised. “As long as you’re not rubbish.”
As they bask in the glow of their nomination, the duo is already eyeing future collaborations. “I would really enjoy doing more songs with him,” Leithauser said, sparking ideas of a full album. Lewis agreed: “Let’s do it, man. We’ll make it happen.” With Lewis scoring upcoming films like Nobody 2 and How to Rob a Bank, and Leithauser diving into a piano-driven score, their creative fires are far from dimming. For now, “The Joneses” stands as a testament to their shared passion—a song that not only defines a show but also marks a high note in two remarkable careers.
