All the songs played on 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 and the meaning behind every one of them
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA : Episode 7 of 'The Last of Us' focused on Ellie's (Bella Ramsey) time at the FEDRA military academy before she met Joel (Pedro Pascal). This tale will be well-known to fans of 'The Last of Us' video game series because it was taken from the acclaimed expansion 'Left Behind'. We get to observe Ellie's friendship with Riley (Storm Reid), a new character who has recently joined the Fireflies. Together, the two have a thrilling night that ends in tragedy.
The episode also had a symbolic soundtrack which is quite crucial to the show's overall narrative. If you're wondering what these songs are and what they meant, we've got your covered.
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1. A-ha’s 'Take On Me'
The song 'Take On Me' is by the synth-pop group A-ha from Norway. Tony Mansfield produced and John Ratcliff remixed the original version, which was recorded in 1984 and released in October of the same year.
Due to its important connections to 'The Last of Us' Part II, this song was included in the official trailer. As a result, the song's inclusion in 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 foreshadows Season 2 in a significant way. First of all, anybody who has played 'The Last of Us' Part II knows that the music is intended to link Joel and Ellie, subtly hinting at major events that will rock the worlds of both these characters. Second, Dina, Ellie's girlfriend in 'The Last of Us' Part Two, hears her play the song. So the song that plays during 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 serves as a subtly constructed link between Ellie and her two main love interests on the series. When this song plays when Ellie is having fun with Riley, viewers will unconsciously associate the song with this pair. As a result, when Ellie sings the song to Dina in 'The Last of Us' Season 2, it will be much more impactful because of the association it has with Ellie's first love.
2. Etta James’ 'I Got You Babe'
The song 'I Got You Babe' was written by Sonny Bono and is performed by the American musical and entertainment duo Sonny & Cher. It was the lead single from their self-titled studio debut (1965). The song was certified Gold and spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in August 1965[2]. It sold over a million copies during this time.
As Ellie and Riley dance one more time in the Halloween shop, the song begins to play towards the end of their time together. 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 features Ellie and Riley's first kiss, and the music plays throughout because it was used for the same scene in the first 'The Last of Us' game, which has since gained fame.The song also begins with the words "People say that we don't know what love is or how to make it grow. Well, I don't know if all that's true, 'cause you got me and baby, I got you". This is exactly how Ellie and Riley's relationship is right now, as they are both just starting to fall in love. In addition to its relevance to Riley and Ellie's in-game plot, this song also works on numerous levels for 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 given that Ellie and Riley are 14 and 16 years old, respectively.
3. The Cure’s 'Just Like Heaven'
'Just Like Heaven' is a song by British alternative rock band the Cure. The majority of the song was written by the group during recording sessions in 1987 in southern France. Robert Smith, the band's frontman, was inspired to write the lyrics by a beach vacation in the past that he had spent with a woman who would become his wife.
A remix of The Cure's 'Just Like Heaven' plays as Riley turns on the carousel in 'The Last of Us' Episode 7. Neil Druckmann, the writer of 'The Last of Us' Episode 7, made a very particular choice for this remix. The opening lines of this song, which are not heard in the episode, are used to underline Riley and Ellie's feelings for one another. Lyrics like "I promise that I'll run away with you" reference Riley's decision to stay with Ellie and away from 'The Last of Us' Marlene and the Fireflies while "spinning on that dizzy edge, kissed her face and kissed her head" relates to the spinning of the carousel and the kiss the two share later. The song ends with the lyrics "I opened up my eyes and found myself alone… above a raging sea that stole the only girl I loved". This relates to Riley being taken away from Ellie, the girl she loved, in 'The Last of Us' episode 7's devastating conclusion, where Ellie finds herself all alone, which is her worst fear.
'The Last of Us' returns to HBO Max with a new episode on Sunday at 9 pm EST.
