How ‘Euphoria’ Uses Classic Songs to Tell Its Season 2 Story

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Along with its enchanting visuals and thrilling plot, a huge element of the experience of watching Euphoria is the music playing in the background.

Producer Labrinth gained popularity when the show aired in 2019, with the artist’s unique soundtrack memorable for his emotionally inducing experimental style. Loops and excerpts from Euphoria The soundtrack became the most trending TikTok sounds in no time. However, in the wake of Season 2, hits from as far back as the 1960s are similarly revived and popularized.

Here are eight songs to remind you of the good old days and how they cleverly portray certain points in the HBO drama.

“Dirty Work” by Steely Dan (1972)

Episode 1: “Trying to Get to Heaven Before They Close the Door”

In one of the anxious opening moments of Season 2, Rue (Zendaya) is drawn into a risky drug deal with Fezco (Angus Cloud), and the dangers of his job affect and frighten everyone present. When there’s no fear of them getting hurt and they’re willing to do business, Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” plays appropriately, contrasting the intensity with its smooth, positive tune. The lyrics also highlight Rue’s madness at being unnecessarily involved in the situation, and her awareness of how dangerous Fezco’s work is: “I’m a fool to do your dirty work/Oh yeah/I don’t wanna not do your job”. dirty work/no more”

“Look at Grandma” by Bo Diddley (1972)

“Try to get to heaven before they close the door”

Early in the season, we learn Fezco’s backstory. In the first, flashbacks of him as a young child raised by his grandmother (Kathrine Narducci) explain how he got to where his character is now. Bo Diddley’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics about a grandma doing un-grandmother things complete the montage of young Fezco aiding drug deals and more violent and risky behavior: “Grandma, grandma, everybody looking at you/She parked a Rolls-Royce and hopped on a minibike/It wasn’t long before grandma was almost out of sight/She went to a basement where the teenagers hang out/She did the chicken funky and got it all out”

“Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS (1987)

Episode 3: “Ruminations: Small and Big Tyrants”

Most of Cal’s (Eric Dane) flashbacks to his high school days surround his best friend Derek (Henry Eikenberry). The two high schoolers were secretly more than just friends, and after graduating they dance and end up kissing to this song in a bar. “Never Tear Us Apart” was an 80s hit and represents the time when these two fell in love. As Cal’s plot unfolds, it’s apparent that his connection to Derek hasn’t died. Both boys knew their relationship would not be approved by others, so right now they promise to never forget each other and the feelings they share. Key lyrics: “Don’t ask me/What you know is true/I don’t have to tell you/I love your precious heart”

“It’s Not Over Until It’s Over” by Lenny Kravitz (1991)

“Ruminations: Big Bullies and Little Bullies”

In the same flashback of young Cal and Derek, we see snippets of their usual routine: they always did things like drive, go out to eat, and practice wrestling together. This sense of impending doom is present throughout, as they soon graduate from high school and cannot behave the way they do towards each other in front of anyone. Cal and Derek soak up the time they have left for each other and, as the song’s title suggests, nothing’s really over until it is: “As long as Years we’ve tried / To keep our love alive / But baby, it ain’t over ’til it’s over”

“Call Me Irresponsible” by Bobby Darin (1964)

“Ruminations: big and small bullies”

Rue dances and sings on a pillow while she is in her room. Because she shouldn’t have been on drugs, she’s embarrassed when she’s caught by her sister Gia (Stomri Reid). Rue frantically lies, claiming she only smokes weed, and she and her sister argue over Rue’s irresponsibility and selfishness. The song that Rue dances to in ignorance as she thinks no one is watching accurately describes her lack of awareness of Gia’s presence and her lack of respect for her need to stay sober: “Call me irresponsible/Call me unreliable/Throw also unreliable”.

“If” by Jo Stafford (1949)

“Ruminations: big and small bullies”

In a dark ending to Episode 3, Rue walks away, with a suitcase full of drugs, after disrespecting Ali (Colman Domingo). Also, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) leaves her house to meet Nate (Jacob Elordi) in secret, Jules (Hunter Schafer) sleeps with Elliot (Dominic Fike) in bed, and Lexi (Maude Apatow) holds auditions for her play. In all of these cases, the characters engage in what they shouldn’t and in denial of what drives them to seek out what’s wrong with them in the first place. Representing these choices, Jo Stafford plays in the background: “If they made me king, I’d just be a slave to you / If I had everything, I’d still be a slave to you / If I ruled the night Stars and moon so bright / I’ll always look to you for light”

“Drinking Before the War” by Sineas O’Connor (1987)

Episode 4: “You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can”

Cal recklessly drives drunk to the bar he once visited with his high school friend and plays this song on the jukebox. Their story demonstrates a hidden truth about Cal’s sexuality, which leads to his outburst towards his family. Besides this chorus metaphorically translating into several characters drunkenly inciting destruction—Cal to his family, Cassie to Maddy’s (Alexa Demie) birthday—O’Connor’s lyrics represent preparation for the war that will ensue. when the secrets of his life are revealed: “And you live in a shell / You create your own hell” and “Does anyone want to drink before the war?

“My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” by En Vogue (1992)

Episode 6: “A Thousand Little Trees of Blood”

Nate and his mother Marsha (Paula Marshall) reminisce about their family’s past and their relief that Cal has left home. Marsha shares unfavorable memories of her unworthy husband. The scene’s respective song repeats the lyrics indicating there’s a lack of love towards someone who betrayed them: “No, you’ll never get it (Ouch)/I’ll ​​never get it/( No, not this time) / No, you’ll never get it / (Love) “In that case, it’s Cal Jacobs.

Listen to more throwback songs by continuing to watch Euphoria.

EuphoriaSundays, HBO

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