The Last of Us Season 2: Complete Soundtrack List & Songs by Episode

on

Music plays a powerful role in The Last of Us—just like in the games, the HBO series uses its soundtrack to drive emotional beats and deepen its characters. With Season 2 now underway, fans are once again asking: What’s that song playing in that scene? Whether you're trying to find the haunting track during a quiet moment in Jackson or the tune that plays during a tense flashback, we’ve got you covered.

🎧 Note: We'll be updating this list with every new episode, so bookmark this post and check back each week!

🎵 Episode 1 – “Future Days”

“Future Days” – Pearl Jam

This is the most iconic track of the episode. Originally released in 2013 on Pearl Jam’s Lightning Bolt album, “Future Days” became emotionally tied to Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us Part II. In the game, Joel sings it to Ellie on guitar—a moment that defines their bond.

💡 Fun fact: In the show, we get a touching callback to that scene with the song playing as part of the emotional thread between Joel and Ellie. You can also check out Troy Baker's version here on YouTube where Joel sings it to Ellie.

“Love Buzz” – Nirvana

This raw, grungy track adds intensity to the episode. It’s actually a cover—Nirvana released it in 1988 as their debut single, originally performed by the Dutch rock band Shocking Blue. The aggressive tone fits the gritty atmosphere of the post-apocalyptic world.

“Little Sadie” – Crooked Still

An American folk ballad with deep Appalachian roots, “Little Sadie” tells the story of a man who murders a woman and faces consequences. Crooked Still’s version blends traditional bluegrass with haunting cello, which mirrors the show’s dark, often morally complex themes.

“Ecstasy” – Crooked Still

This track leans heavily on haunting strings and slow, emotional pacing—perfectly setting the tone for slower or more reflective moments in the episode.

“Longing” – Gustavo Santaolalla

Gustavo Santaolalla (center), the composer of the music for The Last of Us games, on the set of season 2, surrounded by Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Isabela Merced ( Dina )


Gustavo Santaolalla (center), the composer of the music for The Last of Us games, on the set of season 2, surrounded by Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Isabela Merced (Dina)

Composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, who also did the music for both The Last of Us games, “Longing” adds a melancholic yet hopeful undertone. The version used in the series echoes many of his ambient, acoustic pieces from the original game scores.

🎵 Episode 2 – “Through the Valley”

  • “Through the Valley” – Originally written and performed by Shawn James, this haunting folk song is covered in the episode by Ashley Johnson, who voiced Ellie in the original video games and portrayed Ellie’s mother, Anna, in Season 1 of the HBO series. Her rendition plays during the episode's closing moments, underscoring the emotional weight of Joel's death and Ellie's grief. This cover blends Johnson’s original performance from the game’s 2016 teaser with a new recording made specifically for the show, adding depth and continuity between the game and the series. ​

🎸 Fun Easter Egg in Episode 1!

During Jackson’s community party scene, you might’ve spotted a familiar face on guitar—that was Gustavo Santaolalla himself! He composed the soundtrack for both games and is now making cameo appearances in the HBO adaptation. How cool is that?

🧠 Why the Music in Season 2 Matters

The Last of Us series doesn’t just use music—it weaves it into the soul of its storytelling. From Joel and Ellie’s connection to “Future Days” to the choice of indie folk and classic grunge, every song enhances the world-building and emotional weight of each scene.

As the season continues, we expect even more powerful music moments. Whether they’re nods to the game or fresh emotional layers added for the show, we’ll keep this list updated with all the new songs, episode by episode.

🫶 Get Involved with the TLOU Music Community

If you’re as obsessed with The Last of Us soundtrack as we are, check out these awesome fan communities:

✅ Final Thoughts

Music is more than just background noise in The Last of Us—it’s part of the storytelling. From Pearl Jam’s “Future Days” to Gustavo’s haunting original scores, every track tells its own part of the story. Season 2 is shaping up to be just as musically rich as the first, and we’re totally here for it.

💬 Found a song we missed? Let us know in the comments or tag us on Twitter!

Want to explore more character deep dives or game-to-show comparisons?

👉 Check out our other posts:

Comments

Post a Comment