Sometimes the world can feel like a crazy place, but at least we have our comfort shows to take us out of it for a little while. Everyone’s comfort show is a little different. Maybe it’s something like Bluey (which is a really good show) or a classic sitcom you’ve already seen multiple times. For me, Yellowjackets has quickly become my preferred escapist viewing. Sure, it involves cults, murder, and cannibalism, but there’s something magic about it that just makes me feel better.
The Showtime series has great storytelling, directing, and acting (I’m so in love with Melanie Lynskey as adult Shauna). One of the best things about the show is the use of music. Since half of the story takes place in the 1990s, music from that era is heavily—and expertly—used to complement the scenes. Plus, it hits me right in the nostalgia feels. If you’re like me, the Yellowjackets soundtrack is your go-to playlist. Or it will be, once you’ve collected every song featured in season 2 of Yellowjackets.
We’ll be updating this list every week with the songs from each new episode.
Yellowjackets season 2 trailer
“Just a Girl” by Florence and the Machine—Yes, the ethereal Florence covered No Doubt’s ’90s anthem. Teenage me wishes she had this version.
Episode 1: “Friends, Roman, Countrymen”
“Seventeen” by Sharon Van Etten
“Drown” by the Smashing Pumpkins
“A Night in Rio” by Graham de Wilde
“#1 Crush” by Garbage—Every ’90s girl still knows this song by heart. It was secretly dedicated to every crush we ever had.
“Last Resort” by Papa Roach
“Cornflake Girl” by Tori Amos—Who else got emotional when they heard Tori Amos’s iconic song pop up on Yellowjackets?
Episode 2: “Edible Complex”
“No Room for a Nihilist in Hollywood” by Peachy
“Inertia Creeps” by Massive Attack
“Little Queenie” by Sadgirl
“Climbing up the Walls” by Radiohead—The scene and song worked perfectly together.
Episode 3: “Digestif”
“These Are the Days” by 10,000 Maniacs
“Seether” by Veruca Salt
“When I Go Walking” by Popecoke
“Past Not Forgotten” by The Parachute Men
“Take Me Down” by Sonica Disturbia
“Full Time Jack Move” by Larry Thomas West
“Bells for Her” by Tori Amos
Episode 4: “Old Wounds”
“No Return” by Alanis Morissette—For this episode, our angry ’90s goddess Alanis Morissette covered the series’ theme song. They somehow found a way to make a very cool song even better.
“Rainbow Tour” by Evita Original Cast
“Won’t Waste a Day” by James Donald Davies and Martin Jackson
“Angst In My Pants” by Sparks
Episode 5: “Two Truths and a Lie”
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes—If there were an anthem for the angry 1990s girl, this might be it.
“Big Mouth” by Necking
“Stayin’ Alive” by Tropical Fuck Storm
“Mother” by Danzig—One of the hottest songs ever written played during a cliffhanger moment that left me craving more.
Episode 6: “Qui”
“Sorted For E’s and Wizz” by Pulp
“Cinematic Drone” by Alan Fillip
“Pitseleh” by Elliot Smith
“Rescue Me” by Madonna
“Song 2” by Blur—This song is known to give millennials a huge serotonin boost.
“Earth Canticle” by Wendy Smith Howard
“Deep Forest Chant” by Gene Katsuro
“Your Woman” by White Town
“Fuck Tha Police” by N.W.A.—Thank you. Just, thank you.
Episode 7: “Burial”
“Something in the Way” by Nirvana—I worship at the temple of Nirvana and screamed when they played this during the opening.
“6 Underground” by Sneaker Pimps
“Free” by Florence + The Machine
“Sit Right Down” sung by Yellowjackets Cast
“Lighting Crashes” by Live—Yes, we were all crying.
“Sat Nam Mantra” by Jan Pham Huu Tri
“Dream Girl Evil” by Florence + The Machine—Yaaaaasssss.
Episode 8: “It Chooses”
“Not While I’m Around” by Barbara Streisand
“The Music of the Night” by Andrew Lloyd Webber (from The Phantom of the Opera)
“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins—They kept this song up their sleeves to play at the perfect moment.
“Poor Sucker” by Low
Episode 9: “Storytelling”
“Zombie” by The Cranberries—Again, perfecting timing for an iconic song.
“Sad But True” by St. Vincent—Great Metallica cover.
“God Is Alive Magic Is Afoot” by Buffy Sainte-Marie
“The Killing Moon” by Nouvelle Vague
“Street Spirit (Fade Out)” by Radiohead
“The Killing Moon” by Echo & The Bunnymen
(featured image: Showtime)
