The Music of "Yellowjackets"
90s nostalgia, horror, camp! This show has everything. But the best part for this music blogger is...shocker...THE SOUNDTRACK! Here are my favorite songs from Showtime's "Yellowjackets" (thus far!)
1. The Theme Song - "No Return" covered by Alanis Morissette
Although originally recorded by Craig Wedren and Anna Waronker (who can be heard in the show's intro) I had to include the Alanis version because if a show is going to take place in the 1990s...we can't not include the queen of the era herself! Her voice fits perfectly on this track. The eeriness of the melody and Alanis' raspy vocals make this song an immediate and unforgettable hit in my book.
2. "What's Up?" - 4 Non Blondes
This song can be heard in a modern day scene where we meet adult Vanessa. Although this song is a classic 90s hit, the fact that it's used in the 2020s reflects Vanessa's internal struggles of not moving on and living in the past. She owns and operates a VHS video store for goodness sake!
3. "Song 2" - Blur
No better song to give birth to while you're stranded in the wilderness right...right?
4. "Supernova" - Liz Phair
An underrated 90s queen! This tune comes off of the singer's 1994 album "Whip-Smart". The lyrics can be easily missed because of the sick guitars and Phair's stellar voice, but one line that stood out to me that seems almost too perfect to NOT include in the "Yellowjackets" soundtrack is as follows "And every time the wind blows,/I can smell you in the sky." I know the soccer team can relate to this one...
5. "Miss World" - Hole
This song almost perfectly describes the character of Shauna. "I am the girl, you know I lie, I lie and lie". Courtney Love paying tribute to the Carrie prom queen look on the album cover can almost mirror Shauna's experience of always being in second place, right behind her best friend Jackie. Even at their high school reunion, Shauna dances with Jeff, the homecoming king because Jackie is dead and can't fulfill her duties as homecoming queen. It doesn't matter that Jeff is SHAUNA'S husband.
6. "Down by the Water" - PJ Harvey
Can we take a moment to appreciate all the badass women on this soundtrack!?
7. "Kick It" - Iggy Pop & Peaches
Iggy Pop amen!
8. "Ready to Go" - Republica
9. "Come Out and Play" - The Offspring
10. Kiss From a Rose - Seal
Lottie's version is a funny rendition but the original classic by Seal can be heard at the reunion in 2021.
11. "Seventeen" - Sharon Van Etten
This song was the perfect way to open season 2. Even though "Seventeen" came out in 2019, Van Etten has a classic 90s rock girl sound that fits flawlessly on this soundtrack with the likes of Alanis Morissette and Liz Phair.
12. "Glory Box" - Portishead
The perfect combo of sexiness and eeriness just like "Yellowjackets"!
13. "Angst In My Pants" - Sparks
Sparks is underrated and I for one am obsessed. This song was a nice surprise and I love the use of the 80s and 90s tunes in the modern day scenes! It's a great backing track to Misty and Walter's "angst" while they compulsively clean their respective hotel rooms and do their nightly rituals.
14. "Zombie" - The Cranberries
Because...of course!
Hope you enjoyed! What's your favorite song from "Yellowjackets"?
I want to thank the Yellowjackets' Instagram page for posting the songs from each episode and their Spotify playlist! Listen here:
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