Showtime’s Yellowjackets’ music helps to ground the ambitious show as it works to cross genre lines and combine elements of mystery, supernatural, and thriller into a single TV series. The challenge for the show, which it continually rises to meet, is complicated by Yellowjackets‘ star-studded cast, its split narrative timelines, and its intricate complex relationships across the years. The musical drive behind so many of the show’s key scenes is one of the many factors that help to cement Yellowjackets as one of 2021’s best and most compelling new TV shows. The Yellowjackets soundtrack does a lot of heavy lifting to help define the two timelines at work in the show.
Yellowjackets season 1 begins a story split across 25 years. In 1996, following a plane crash, the Yellowjackets football team is stranded in the wilderness and season 1 follows their struggle to survive up to the first snowfall. Meanwhile, in 2021, a group of survivors are shown as adults who are working to keep the secrets from their 19 months in the wilderness hidden from public view. As well as exploring a female-led narrative, Yellowjackets also provides some important LGBTQ+ representation. From Yellowjackets episode 1, a selection of songs chosen from the early and mid-1990s help to tailor the show’s nostalgic feel. Here’s every song that appears on the Yellowjackets season 1 soundtrack.
Yellowjackets Episode 1, “Pilot”
“Today” – The Smashing Pumpkins: This 1993 song plays as the title card appears, and the camera pans over New Jersey after the team discovers that they’re going to the national championship. It’s the start of the perfect snapshot of ’90s music in the Yellowjackets soundtrack.
“Supernova” –Liz Phair: Liz Phair’s 1994 “Supernova” is the song that Shauna listens to in the car while she waits for Jackie outside her house early in the Yellowjackets pilot.
“Informer” – Snow: “Informer,” Snow’s 1992 single, plays when Jackie ejects the tape from Shauna’s car to listen to the radio instead and continues in the background through the rest of the scene.
“Shoop” –Salt-N-Pepa: As the Yellowjackets prepare for the pep rally in the locker room, the team listen to “Shoop,” the 1993 hit from Salt-N-Pepa.
“Good Vibrations” – Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch: When the Yellowjackets are introduced and run in at the pep rally, the song that plays over it is 1991’s “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch. The Yellowjackets’ equipment manager Misty jumps up and down enthusiastically to the song.
“What If…” –Dore Soul: Dore Soul’s song “What If…” from their 1994 release The New Shit plays as Jackie and Shauna get ready for the party in Shauna’s (Melanie Lynskey) bedroom.
“Let Me Find Out” –POS NEG: As the teens arrive at the keg party in the woods in the first episode of Yellowjackets, POS NEG’s “Let Me Find Out” is playing.
“Miss World” – Hole: This 1994 song from the Courtney Love-led band Hole joins the Yellowjackets soundtrack as Natalie takes LSD and the scene cuts to her older self being picked up from rehab by a cab.
“Counting Backwards” – Throwing Muses: This song by Throwing Muses can be heard in the background of the party scene when Jackie leads the rest of the Yellowjackets soccer team away from the noise so that they can hash out their disagreements about Allie.
“Wishing Well” – Knock-Out Drops: After their argument, the Yellowjackets attempt to make peace with each other, and Shauna and Jackie ask whether their relationship is still okay. “Wishing Well” can be heard in the background.
“Down By The Water” –PJ Harvey: The 1995 song “Down By The Water” by PJ Harvey plays as Natalie feels the effects of the LSD while staring into the fire and thinks that she sees Misty standing by the woods.
“Never Tear Us Apart” – Paloma Faith: The first anachronistic song to appear in Yellowjackets is Paloma Faith’s “Never Tear Us Apart,” which plays over a montage of the morning following the party as the Yellowjackets teen soccer players get ready to leave for the national competition and begin to board the plane destined to crash in Yellowjackets.
Yellowjackets Episode 2, “F Sharp”
“Hold On” – Wilson Phillips: Wilson Phillips’ song “Hold On” plays at two key moments for Misty in Yellowjackets episode 2. First, in Misty’s room in 1992 when she answers the phone and is harassed, and then again towards the end of the episode as Misty and Natalie go on the road together where it plays on the car stereo. The song continues for the flashback to Misty smashing the plane’s black box in the woods in 1996.
“Mother Mother” – Tracy Bonham: “Mother Mother” is the song that plays after Misty has cut off assistant coach Ben Scott’s (Steven Krueger) leg and continues over the title card for Yellowjackets.
“Medusa” – Noonday Devils: Noonday Devils’ “Medusa” plays in the background of the car scene in Yellowjackets as Misty and Natalie explore possible suspects that might have sent the postcards before they’re approached by Natalie’s old friend Kevyn Tan.
“Kick It” – Peaches, Feat. Iggy Pop: Peaches “Kick It” is the song that is playing when Natalie is drinking in her motel room and eventually calls Travis.
“Glory Box” – Portishead: “Glory Box” by Portishead joins the Yellowjackets soundtrack when it begins to play as Shauna explains that she killed a rabbit for dinner and then connects to 1996. As it continues playing, the surviving Yellowjackets cover up the bodies of the dead in the plane with a banner, Lottie (Courtney Eaton) finds her medicine in her luggage, and the team discusses their survival and plans around the campfire.
Yellowjackets Episode 3, “The Dollhouse”
“No Return” – Craig Wedren and Anna Waronker: “No Return” is the theme music for Yellowjackets. Episode 3, “The Dollhouse,” is the first episode that includes a full credits sequence and this song plays over it for the Yellowjackets soundtrack.
“Mr. Mistoffelees” – Cats Original Broadway Cast: “Mr. Mistoffelees” comes from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Broadway musical, Cats, based on a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot. Yellowjackets’ bird-loving weirdo Misty plays the song in the car while she and Natalie are driving.
“Cambodia” – Kim Wilde: Kim Wilde’s “Cambodia” plays in Yellowjackets on Shauna’s car stereo as she waits outside Jeff’s store when she suspects him of cheating.
“Dreams” – The Cranberries: “Dreams” by The Cranberries enters the Yellowjackets soundtrack when the survivors in 1996 find the lake and run down the beach into it. The song continues playing into 2021 as Yellowjackets transitions from the young Nat watching Travis to the adult Nat arriving at Travis’ house with Misty.
“Vienna” – Ultravox: The final song in Yellowjackets episode 3 is Ultravox’s “Vienna.” The song starts quietly as Natalie and Misty arrive at Willow Brook Ranch and increases in volume as the lyrics start and the camera pans over Travis’ body.
Yellowjackets Episode 4, “Bear Down”
“Mountain Song” – Jane’s Addiction: This 1987 song from Jane’s Addiction plays towards the start of Yellowjackets episode 4 as Natalie dreams about her dead father speaking to her on the plane. It gets a reprise as the song that Nat is actively listening to in 2021 as she is driving.
“Feel The Pain” – Dinosaur Jr.: When Nat starts her stereo in her bedroom with young Kevyn, the song that plays is “Feel The Pain” by Dinosaur Jr.
“Ready To Go” – Republica: When Shauna and Adam jump from the bridge into the water, Republica’s “Ready To Go” starts to play. It continues as the scene switches to the two of them making out by the car.
Yellowjackets Episode 5, “Blood Hive”
“This Is How We Do It” – Montell Jordan: In the cabin in the wilderness in 1996, the Yellowjackets play “This Is How We Do It” on a walkman amplified with a metal bucket and dance along to it, reminiscent of their dancing in the locker room before the pep rally. The song cuts out as the battery in the radio dies and the Yellowjackets music is abruptly silenced.
“Emergency” – Sofi Tukker & Novak & YAX.X: In 2021, as Adam and Shauna arrive at the Halloween party at the club, this song plays in the background.
“Watashi No Sei” – Andrea Monorchio & Gun Kawamura: When Misty and Natalie meet Misty’s contact in the restaurant to get the file on Travis, this song is playing in the background.
“Freak Out” – Nightlapse, feat. Liska: Still in the club, this song plays in Yellowjackets episode 5 when Shauna thinks that she sees Jackie before discovering that it is Callie in Jackie’s old uniform.
Yellowjackets Episode 6, “Saints”
“Munich” – Editors: When Kevyn meets up with Natalie in Yellowjackets outside her motel before going with her to sell her car, this song is playing from Kevyn’s car.
“Love Comes Close” – Cold Cave: When Kevyn is waiting for Natalie outside the car dealership, this Cold Cave song is playing in his car and continues as they talk afterward before they head over to Kevyn’s daughter’s game.
“Overture To The Phantom Of The Opera” – Original Broadway Cast and Andrew Lloyd Weber: The overture to Andrew Lloyd Weber’s famous musical The Phantom of the Opera is playing in Misty’s car when she meets with Jessica Roberts and continues as Misty ties her up in her basement. The song continues the trend of Misty listening to show tunes in her car. The song is also particularly fitting for this point on the Yellowjackets soundtrack as an overture marks the beginning of something and Misty is enacting her new plan. Additionally, the piece echos the title song of the musical which is about someone else pulling the strings behind a figurehead, clearly indicative of Taissa’s control over Jessica.
Yellowjackets Episode 7, “No Compass”
“S P A C E” – Amber Mark: After the Yellowjackets intro credits scene plays with the song “No Return“ played over it as usual, Taissa is seen cutting her hair as she prepares to make her trip south. Amber Mark’s song is heard during this scene before Taissa is interrupted by Van.
“Overture To The Phantom Of The Opera” – Original Broadway Cast and Andrew Lloyd Weber: Echoing the use of the song at the end of Yellowjackets episode 6 when Misty first kidnaps Jessica Roberts, the song plays again as Misty uses her spy camera to watch Kevyn Tan on her iPad as Jessica shouts at her from the basement. Misty remains an enigma of a character, but her certain little quirks remain consistent throughout Yellowjackets.
“Firestarter” – The Prodigy: This Prodigy song plays in Yellowjackets during the 2021 scene that sees Natalie, Taissa, and Shauna chase after the anonymous blackmailer.
Yellowjackets Episode 8, “Flight Of The Bumblebee”
“Fade Into You” – Mazzy Star: Mazzy Star’s mournful “Fade Into You” plays in Yellowjackets episode 8 as Natalie leaves the cabin in 1996 after asking Travis to come hunting with her and him rejecting her. The song picks up as the scene cuts to 2021 and sees the adult Natalie applying makeup in her motel room as she drinks, misses Kevyn, and arranges a drug deal before the song fades out as the scene cuts back to Natalie and Ben talking by the river in 1996.
Yellowjackets Episode 9, “Doomcoming”
“The World I Know” – Collective Soul: Collective Soul’s “The World I Know” begins to play in a 1996 part of Yellowjackets episode 9, “Doomcoming,” over a montage. It continues to play as Misty retrieves her stash of shrooms, Jackie applies makeup, and Lottie pulls out Laura Lee’s dress to wear to the Doomcoming party. It fades while Taissa offers Van the matching fashionable headwear to cover her scars and continues as Shauna struggles to zip up her dress on over her baby bump and the rest of the survivors prepare for the party.
“Gepetto” – Belly: As Yellowjackets transitions back to another 1996 scene, “Gepetto” by Belly begins to play while Lottie announces the start of the Doomcoming. It continues to play as the Yellowjackets survivors parade in; the group cheers as Van and Taissa make their relationship public, and most survivors tuck into the drugged stew, fading as Shauna asks Jackie to eat.
“Kiss From A Rose” – Yellowjackets Cast/Seal: After having a moment of silence for Laura Lee, the survivors reflect on the lack of music before Lottie encourages them to start singing “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal. As the survivors begin to dance, the original version of the song begins to play in the background under the facsimile of a high school dance.
Yellowjackets Episode 10, “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi”
“Rump Shaker” – Wreckx-N-Effect: During the first scenes at the Class of ’96 reunion that Yellowjackets season 1 has been building up to, “Rump Shaker” plays while Jeff and Randy talk and are approached by Allie.
“The Haunted” – Dot Allison, Feat. Amy Bowman: As Taissa, Shauna, and Natalie return to their lodgings after concealing Adam’s murder, this melancholic melody plays while they prepare to head out to the reunion and face what they have done.
“Ladykillers” – Lush: When Tai and Shauna arrive for the reunion, the previous song fades out, and “Ladykillers” can be heard playing from inside the reunion as the pair joke and are joined by Natalie.
“Come Out And Play” – The Offspring: The Offspring’s “Come Out And Play” plays as Natalie, Taissa, and Shauna enter the reunion and stride through the parted crowd and Misty joins them.
“All That She Wants” – Ace of Base: As the reunion continues, this Ace of Base song plays in Yellowjackets while Shauna threatens Randy while ordering drinks.
“I Touch Myself” – Divinyls: The Divinyls song is playing at the Yellowjackets reunion as Natalie toasts to “old friends,” presumably reflecting on Travis’s death.
“Only Time” – Enya: The Enya song “Only Time” plays as part of Allie’s presentation of old photos at the reunion and continues to play as the scene cuts back to 1996 as Lottie leads the group in giving thanks for the bear, but Jackie declines to participate.
“Kiss From A Rose” – Seal: When Shauna and Jeff are put under pressure to dance at the 1996 reunion, the song that plays on the Yellowjackets soundtrack is the same Seal song that the group sing at their Doomcoming.
“Vienna” – Ultravox: Ultravox’s “Vienna” is the last song that plays at the end of Yellowjackets season 1. It plays as the scenes switch between Travis and Nat searching for Javi as Travis tells Nat that he loves her, while in 2021 Natalie throws away Travis’ autopsy photos.
What Artists Are In Yellowjackets Season 2?
Season 2’s story picks up where the season 1 finale left off, tracking Lottie’s weird cult and helping the audience understand the rituals from the first episode of the show. It also features an equally varied and dynamic array of tunes on the Yellowjackets soundtrack. 1990s pop and rock remain staples in season 2 of Yellowjackets, and so does Misty’s particular affinity for show tunes.
Smashing Pumpkins and The Cranberries continue to be ’90s favorites in season 2 as well. The Yellowjackets soundtrack does move away from some of the ’90s music in the modern timeline though. Such modern favorites as Florence + The Machine appear multiple times in the season’s music. There are also some great modern covers of classics, like St. Vincent covering Metallica’s “Sad But True” that bridge the two timelines.
Beyond that though, season 2 shakes up the Yellowjackets music a bit. Alanis Morissette even covers “No Return,” the show’s theme song, for one of the episode openings. It’s a great twist on the music the audience already expects from the series, much like Yellowjackets keeps twisting what the audience thinks they know in the next season.
