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

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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!

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

This post contains spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2, including plot events and character developments through Episode 6. If you haven’t watched the latest episodes, we recommend catching up before reading further! 

🎡 Episode 1 – “Future Days”  (Aired April 13, 2025)

“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.

πŸ’‘ 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” (Aired April 20, 2025)

  • “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. ​

🎡 Episode 3 – “The Path” (Aired April 27, 2025)

  • “The Path” – Original score by Gustavo Santaolalla
    A somber, instrumental theme underscoring Ellie’s emotional isolation following Joel’s death. The episode’s updated opening credits reflect this change, showing only Ellie.

🎡 Episode 4 - Day One (Aired May 04, 2025)

  • “Take On Me” – Ellie (Cover of A-ha)
    Ellie plays an acoustic version of this 1985 synth-pop classic, echoing a pivotal in-game moment from The Last of Us Part II.

Episode 5 – “Feel Her Love” (Aired May 11, 2025)

  • “Future Days” – Pearl Jam
    Ellie quietly sings this in a haunting moment with her guitar. Though the song’s 2013 release postdates the show’s fictional outbreak, its emotional weight—especially its connection to Joel—is preserved from the games.

  • “The Way We Were” – Eleven.Five
    Plays during a reflective sequence, highlighting characters’ longing for a life before the outbreak.

  • “Fuel to Fire” – Agnes Obel
    This haunting track closes out the episode, emphasizing themes of grief, revenge, and inner turmoil.

Episode 6 – “The Price” (Aired May 18, 2025)

  • “Future Days” – Performed by Pedro Pascal (Joel)
    A flashback scene reveals Joel singing Pearl Jam’s emotional ballad as he gives Ellie her first guitar, echoing key moments from The Last of Us Part II and solidifying their bond.

  • “Never Let Me Down Again” (Cover) – Jessica Mazin
    A raw and haunting version of Depeche Mode’s track plays during a pivotal scene, performed by the daughter of co-creator Craig Mazin. It mirrors Ellie’s conflicted sense of trust.

  • Original Score by Gustavo Santaolalla

    • “All Gone (The Promise)”

    • “All Gone (Seasons)”

    • “All Gone (Partners)”
      These instrumental tracks accompany emotional flashbacks and key quiet moments between characters.

  • “Ruach Elohim (Breath of God)” – Traditional Shofar Performance
    Used in a moment of solemn reflection, this spiritual piece adds depth to the themes of loss and faith.

Episode 7 – “Convergence” (Aired May 25, 2025)

  • “Burden in My Hand” – Soundgarden
    This 1996 grunge anthem sets a somber tone during Abby’s introduction, reflecting her internal conflict and the weight of her actions.

  • “All or None” – Pearl Jam
    A melancholic track that underscores Ellie’s solitude and determination as she navigates the aftermath of recent events.

  • “Take On Me” – a-ha
    The original version of this 1985 hit plays during a flashback, evoking memories of happier times and Ellie’s connection to Joel.

  • “Solvent” – Helicalin
    An ambient piece that enhances the tension during a stealth sequence, mirroring the characters’ anxiety and the looming danger.

  • “I Got You Babe” – Etta James
    This soulful rendition plays during a poignant moment between Ellie and Dina, highlighting their bond amidst the chaos.

  • “Left Behind” – Gustavo Santaolalla
    An original composition that brings emotional closure to the season, weaving together themes of loss, love, and resilience.

These tracks are also featured in the official The Last of Us: Season 2 soundtrack, released digitally by Milan Records on May 23, 2025.

πŸ’Ώ Bonus Note: Pearl Jam is releasing The Last of Us EP, which includes “Future Days” and other music featured in the HBO series. This ties directly into Episode 5’s guitar scene.

🎸 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.

🎧 Official The Last of Us: Season 2 Soundtrack (Released May 23, 2025)

For fans who want to relive the emotional highs and haunting moments of The Last of Us Season 2, Milan Records released the official soundtrack digitally on May 23, 2025. The album features 41 tracks, including original scores by Gustavo Santaolalla and David Fleming, as well as in-show vocal performances by Bella Ramsey, Ashley Johnson, and Crooked Still.

🎡 Featured Tracks Include:

  • “The Last of Us” – Gustavo Santaolalla

  • “Frozen Trail” – Gustavo Santaolalla & Juan Luqui

  • “Pack of Wolves” – David Fleming

  • “Take On Me” – Performed by Bella Ramsey

  • “Through the Valley” – Performed by Ashley Johnson

  • “Ecstasy” (feat. Gustavo Santaolalla) – Crooked Still

  • “Little Sadie” (feat. Gustavo Santaolalla) – Crooked Still

This collection captures the full emotional weight of Season 2, from Ellie’s quiet introspection to the tension of new threats in the post-pandemic world.

πŸ‘‰ Stream the full official soundtrack on Spotify
πŸ‘‰ Listen on TIDAL

A physical CD and vinyl release is also on the way via Milan Records.

🫢 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.

πŸ’¬ 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?

πŸ‘‰ Check out our other posts:

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