TV’s favourite tragicomedy is back with kitchen shouting matches, tear-jerking drama, and some unexpected needle drops. Much like its previous outings, The Bear season 4 has been cooking up some eclectic mixes with tinges of sad dad rock, film soundtracks, and even some Beethoven.
Attentive fans will also be glad to see some returning sounds from previous seasons. We are talking Taylor Swift, R.E.M, and the guitar riffs of Refused’s New Noise, a track that has become synonymous with The Bear.
The Emmy-winning series continues the journey of talented but tragic chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) as he and his staff chaotically manage to keep their Chicago restaurant running in business.
While the fancy food presented in The Bear might be hard to prepare at home, you can still sit back and listen to the show’s diverse playlists.
What kind of music does The Bear season 4 use?
Season 4 continues The Bear’s classic rock tendencies with Led Zeppelin’s That’s The Way underscoring the opening episode, a bittersweet interaction between Carmy and his late brother Mikey.
The rest of the season is peppered with tracks by The Who, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, Eddie Vedder. Just in time around the much-awaited Oasis reunion tour this July, the Manchester band’s B-side single Stay Young also plays over the closing credits of episode 6.
A recurring theme in multiple episodes is I’ve Got You, the Sonny and Cher duet that features prominently in the Bill Murray time travel comedy Groundhog Day. From the start of this season, Carmy looks up at the film’s time loop as a metaphor for his own clockwork monotony.
Nine Inch Nails’ haunting piano melody Together doesn’t feature again like that silent season 3 opener but the band’s composer duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross return with the misleadingly-titled The Chill Mix. This is the instrumental that plays over a not-so-chill existential fantasy in Syd’s (Ayo Edibiri) mind.
Syd’s mixed reactions while meeting a potential new business partner are also underscored by Ludwig van Beethoven’s classic composition Für Elise. Yes, even if Beethoven or classical music isn’t your jam, this is that one classic melody you’re bound to have heard in a film, show, or even a phone ringtone.
The musical highlight this season though is the star-studded eighth episode The Bears, that brings back most of Carmy’s family including Jamie Lee Curtis, John Mulaney, and some new faces like Josh Hartnett. Set around the wedding of Richie’s (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) ex-wife Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs), the episode boasts a 13-song mix that changes moods from Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to Tom Petty and Weezer.
As is common with the show’s soundtracks, alt-rockers R.E.M. return with their universal themes of loss and recovery. Out of the two R.E.M. songs that play, Strange Currencies marks an encore as it was last featured in season 3’s penultimate episode.
But all its moody rock and breezy pop sensibilities aside, the most-featured artist in The Bear season 4 is surprisingly the ’60s girl group The Ronettes. The group’s vocal harmonies are sprinkled over three episodes, featuring their quintessential hits Baby, I Love You and (The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up and Walking in the Rain.
What’s on The Bear season 4 soundtrack?
Episode 1
That’s the Way – Remaster – Led Zeppelin
I’ve Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
Getting in Tune – The Who
Diamond Diary – Tangerine Dream
Episode 2
Glow Up – Dina Renee
Rocco And His Brothers – Mi Loco Tango
Life’s What You Make It – Talk Talk
The Chosen One – Bryan Ferry
Most of the Time – Bob Dylan
Mystery Achievement – Pretenders
Episode 3 – Scallop
Slow Disco (Piano Version) – St Vincent
(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up – The Ronettes
Slim Slow Slider/I Start Breaking Down – Van Morrison
Only You Know – Dion
Haunted When the Minutes Drag – Love and Rockets
Finest Worksong – REM
Episode 4
Ante Up – M.O.P
Fur Elise – Ludwig von Beethoven
STUCK– Durand Bernarr
Wood – Duval Timothy feat. Yu Su
Wings of Love – Tsvia Abarbanel
You Will Rise – Sweetback
So In Love – Curtis Mayfield
Episode 5
Let Me Live in Your City – Paul Simon
Slip Away – Lou Reed & John Cale
It’s Magic – Doris Day
Hope the High Road – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Looking Into You – Jackson Browne
Pull the Cup – Shellac
Episode 6
Walking in the Rain – The Ronettes
Remember Me – Otis Redding
I’m Always in Love – Wilco
Stay Young – Oasis
Episode 7
Walls (Circus) – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Suzanne – Weezer
Tenderness – General Public
Nothing But Love – James
Still the Night – BoDeans
Style – Taylor Swift
Apron Strings – Everything But the Girl
My Sad Lonely Eyes – Them
Why Not Me – The Judds
A Beginning Song – The Decemberists
Shelter – Lone Justice
Throw Your Arms Around Me – Ed Sheeran
Tougher Than the Rest – Emmylou Harris
Episode 8
Barefoot Contessa (Theme Song) – Gary Johnson
The Chill Mix – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
I’ve Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
Baby I Love You – The Ronettes
Square One – Tom Petty
Long Ride Home – Patty Griffin
Strange Currencies – R.E.M.
Western Ford Gateway – Elton John
Episode 9
Save It for Later – Eddie Vedder
The Show Goes On – Bruce Hornsby & The Range
New Noise – Refused
Episode 10
Fast Slow Disco – St. Vincent
Where can I watch The Bear season 4?
All 10 episodes are available to watch on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in the UK.
