The Last of Us Season 2 soundtrack guide: A complete list of the music in the second chapter of HBO'S post-apocalyptic show

Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin created The Last of Us, an American post-apocalyptic drama television series for HBO. The unique series follows Joel, a survivor, and Ellie, a young girl who may hold the secret to a cure. They travel across a devastated United States.

The show's main leads are Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. The series premiered in 2023, and Season 2 aired in 2025. A third season is currently being developed. The soundtrack to The Last of Us Season 2 combines licensed songs like "Future Days," "Take On Me," and "Fuel to Fire."

This is coupled with poignant Gustavo Santaolalla soundtracks, and each song emphasizes significant character moments. It mainly strengthens the effect of the narrative.

More about the music in The Last of Us Season 2

The music for The Last of Us Season 2 continues to influence the emotional depth of the show’s main plot. Gustavo Santaolalla and David Fleming return to compose music. Their one-of-a-kind music complements the tone of each scene. Their unique composition conveys suspense, sadness, and optimism.

Pearl Jam's "Future Days" has a strong connection to Joel and Ellie's background. It establishes the mood in Episode 1. While Crooked Still's "Ecstasy" and Santaolalla's "Longing" give richer emotional depths, Nirvana's "Love Buzz" and Crooked Still's "Little Sadie" add a gritty, eerie intensity.

As the season progresses, the songs become more closely related to the characters. Episode 4 features an acoustic rendition of "Take On Me," a tribute to both the video game and Ellie's emotional development. In Episode 5, we hear "The Way We Were" by Eleven Five and "Fuel to Fire" by Agnes Obel.

Both of these songs contain great emotional weight and highlight loss. Santaolalla's original songs, such as "All Gone (The Promise)," "All Gone (Seasons)," and "All Gone (Partners)," are included within flashback sequences.

This is mainly done to emphasize significant emotional moments. One of the series' most introspective moments is given a spiritual tone with the traditional "Ruach Elohim (Breath of God)."

Soundgarden's "Burden in My Hand" and Pearl Jam's "All or None" highlight Abby and Ellie's emotional difficulties in Episode 7 and Etta James' "I Got You Babe" softens a rare moment of Ellie and Dina's happiness in The Last of Us.

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