Every Song & When It Plays
Attention! The following content contains spoilers for the season 2 finale of The Bear! The second season of The Bear features a lively soundtrack that primarily draws from memorable 90s songs, complementing the restaurant chaos, personal storylines, and Chicago explorations of the characters. The show picks up where the first season left off, with Carmen Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) and Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) preparing to open their new restaurant, The Bear, with the returning staff from The Beef. As the tension rises in season 2, the music selection adapts to the characters’ new subplots and interactions.
The Bear’s season 2 soundtrack impressively builds on its predecessor, featuring numerous 90s rock hits from bands such as Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Counting Crows, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Classic tracks from AC/DC, Van Morrison, and Lindsey Buckingham are also included, along with modern songs from Taylor Swift, tracks from Chicago-native band Wilco, and Christmas classics during a special flashback episode. This diverse and expansive soundtrack is present throughout each episode, from the opening scene to the season finale.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 1, “Beef”
The opening sequence of the season 2 premiere is scored by “The Show Goes On” by Bruce Hornsby & The Range, setting the tone with a 1988 classic. “Handshake Drugs” by Wilco plays during the restaurant renovations, and “Transcendental Blues” by Steve Earle is heard while Richie is fixing Mikey’s poster in the office. “New Noise” by Refused plays during the restaurant staff’s discussion of the three-month deadline to open The Bear, and it also plays during the episode’s closing credits.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 2, “Pasta”
“She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals plays as Sydney and Carmy walk through the construction site, and “Baby, I’m a Big Star Now” by Counting Crows is heard after Carmy gives Richie the hat that Mikey left in his locker. “You Are Not Alone” by Mavis Staples plays after the restaurant ceiling partially collapses on Richie, and “Strange Currencies” by R.E.M. is heard when Carmy reconnects with Claire at the store. The song plays again during the closing credits.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 3, “Sundae”
“Goodbye Girl” by Squeeze plays when Carmy sends Sydney to find inspiration for meals, and “Secret Teardrops” by Martin Rev is heard while Sydney orders food from the Chicago restaurant Kasama. The soundtrack features “Twenty Five Miles” by Edwin Starr over a montage of Sydney going to various restaurants around Chicago, and “Future Perfect” by The Durutti Column plays while Sydney envisions a ravioli meal. “I Like the Things About Me” by Mavis Staples is heard during the end credits after Sydney is disappointed in her ravioli.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 4, “Honeydew”
“Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham plays when Marcus arrives in Copenhagen, and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” by Otis Redding is heard after Marcus finishes his first day of training with Chef Luca. “Tezeta” by Mulatu Astatke plays while Marcus walks around Copenhagen eating sandwiches, and “Welcome” by Harmonia & Eno ’76 ends the episode after Marcus successfully makes a dish he learned from Luca.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 5, “Pop”
“Bastards of Young” by The Replacements plays as Carmy and Richie time and map the layout of the new kitchen, and “Total Control” by The Motels is heard as the episode provides an establishing shot of Chicago’s highways. “Anytime” by Neil Finn is played as Carmy invites Claire to a party, and “Pretty in Pink” by The Psychedelic Furs is heard as they walk into the party. “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” by Freddy Fender is sung by Tina during karaoke, and “Strange Currencies” by R.E.M. returns as Claire and Carmy enter The Bear.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 6, “Fishes”
The episode begins with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams, followed by “All Alone on Christmas” by Darlene Love. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” by Ramones plays during a flashback scene.
The Bear’s season 2 soundtrack adds depth and energy to the show’s already engaging plotlines, making it a must-watch for music lovers and fans of the show alike.
WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Bear’s season 2 finale!The restaurant chaos, Chicago explorations, and personal storylines in The Bear season 2 are scored by a hit soundtrack that largely pulls from memorable songs of the 1990s. The Bear season 2’s characters pick up shortly after the end of the first season, as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) and Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) prepare for the opening of their new restaurant, The Bear, with the returning staff from The Beef. As the tension picks up in The Bear season 2, the FX/Hulu TV show’s music selection adapts to the characters’ new subplots and interactions.
The Bear season 1’s soundtrack was already impressive, and season 2 kicks it up a notch as the killer songs continue to roll in. From the opening scene to The Bear season 2’s ending, the soundtrack includes plenty of 1990s rock hits from bands like Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Counting Crows, and The Smashing Pumpkins, as well as older classics from AC/DC, Van Morrison, and Lindsey Buckingham. The Bear season 2 also mixes in modern songs from Taylor Swift, tracks from Chicago-native band Wilco, and Christmas classics during a special flashback episode, making for an expansive and diverse soundtrack in each episode.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 1, “Beef”
“The Show Goes On” by Bruce Hornsby & The Range: This song from 1988 plays over the opening sequence of the season 2 premiere, scoring the establishing shots of The Bear‘s Chicago setting and montage of The Beef’s old decorations being taken down.
“Handshake Drugs” by Wilco: From Chicago band Wilco, this track is heard in The Bear season 2, episode 1 during the renovations to the restaurant and while Sugar tells Carmy that the IRS requires them to have all debts be current and complete before getting a new business license.
“Transcendental Blues” by Steve Earle: This tune plays in The Bear season 2 while Richie is fixing Mikey’s poster of Fenway Park in the office.
“New Noise” by Refused: When Sugar, Carmy, and Sydney all return to the restaurant at night and agree that The Bear has to be ready to open in three months, this song plays. “New Noise” also plays during the closing credits of The Bear season 2, episode 1.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 2, “Pasta”
“She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals: This song plays during the opening scene of The Bear season 2, episode 2 as Sydney and Carmy walk through the construction and talk about Sydney’s dad not supporting her.
“Baby, I’m a Big Star Now” by Counting Crows: After Carmy gives Richie the hat that Mikey left in his locker, The Bear season 2’s soundtrack plays this song. It continues playing while Tina and Ebra walk into the culinary school and Carmy and Sydney go to cook at his apartment.
“You Are Not Alone” by Mavis Staples: This song plays after the restaurant ceiling partially collapses on Richie. The 2010 tune continues playing while Ebra is chopping celery, Carmy is cooking dinner, and Sydney has a meal with her dad at a diner.
“Strange Currencies” by R.E.M.: The first time that this song plays during The Bear season 2, it is heard as Carmy reconnects with Molly Gordon’s character Claire at the store. The song plays again into the closing credits of The Bear season 2, episode 2.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 3, “Sundae”
“Goodbye Girl” by Squeeze: This song plays after Carmy sends Sydney to go get inspiration for meals, and continues to play while Tina shows up to class without Ebra and Richie drives his daughter Eva to school.
“Secret Teardrops” by Martin Rev: When Sydney is ordering food from the Chicago restaurant Kasama and reads her Coach K book, this song is playing.
“Twenty Five Miles” by Edwin Starr: The Bear’s season 2 soundtrack features this song over a montage of Sydney going to various restaurants around Chicago for inspiration. The song is also playing while Sydney speaks to real Chicago restauranteur Donnie Madia in his The Bear season 2 cameo.
“Future Perfect” by The Durutti Column: When Sydney envisions a ravioli meal after getting inspiration from fellow Chicago chefs, this song plays.
“Make You Happy” by Tommy McGee: Directly after “Future Perfect” ends, The Bear season 2 leads into this song that is heard while Sydney eats an ice cream sundae and thinks about her mom.
“I Like the Things About Me” by Mavis Staples: Another Mavis Staples song plays during the end credits of The Bear season 2, episode 3 after Sydney is disappointed in her ravioli.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 4, “Honeydew”
“Holiday Road” by Lindsay Buckingham: This Lindsey Buckingham classic plays when Marcus first arrives in Copenhagen and enters the boat he’ll be living on.
“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) [Live]” by Otis Redding: The live version of this 1965 Otis Redding tune is heard on The Bear season 2’s soundtrack after Marcus finishes his first day of training with Will Poulter’s character Chef Luca, and while they try a dessert that they describe as a “minty Snickers bar.”
“Tezeta” by Mulatu Astatke: When Marcus walks around Copenhagen eating sandwiches and taking pictures, this song is playing.
“Beneath the Surface” by Bob Bradley & Mia Bradley: This song plays during The Bear season 2, episode 4 while Marcus is hugging the Danish biker he saved from being stuck in wires.
“Welcome” by Harmonia & Eno ’76: The Bear season 2, episode 4 ends with this song shortly after Marcus gets off the phone with Sydney and successfully makes a dish he learned from Luca.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 5, “Pop”
“Bastards of Young” by The Replacements: When Carmy and Richie are timing and mapping the layout of the new kitchen for “maximum efficiency,” this song from the alternative rock band The Replacements is heard.
“Total Control” by The Motels: As The Bear season 2, episode 5 gives an establishing shot of Chicago’s highways, this song begins to play. The song is still playing as Claire and Carmy drive in the car and when Tina is invited to a bar by her classmates.
“Anytime” by Neil Finn: When Carmy and Claire are talking in the car and she invites him to a party, this song is playing.
“Pretty in Pink” by The Psychedelic Furs: As Carmy and Claire walk into the party with some of their old high school classmates, this song is playing.
“Tonight Tonight” by Smashing Pumpkins: A patron at the bar that Tina goes to is singing this Smashing Pumpkins song on karaoke when she first walks in.
“Before the Next Teardrop Falls” by Freddy Fender: Tina sings a beautiful rendition of this song on karaoke at the bar during The Bear season 2, episode 5.
“Here Comes the Night [Live]” by Van Morrison: When a former classmate comes up to Carmy and calls him “Logan,” this classic Van Morrison song is playing at the party.
“Strange Currencies” by R.E.M.: This song by R.E.M. returns in The Bear season 2 when Carmy asks Claire if she wants to go see the restaurant, with the duo entering as Sugar and Richie are arguing.
“Can’t Hardly Wait” by The Replacements: Another song by The Replacements is featured on The Bear season 2’s soundtrack at the end of episode 5 as Carmy and Claire finally kiss in the restaurant.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 6, “Fishes”
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams: The Bear season 2, episode 6 opens with this Christmas classic playing in the background while Carmy, Sugar, and Mikey are talking outside the house.
“All Alone on Christmas” by Darlene Love: When the episode transitions into the Berzatto home and reveals that this event takes place five years ago, this Christmas song is playing.
“Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” by Ramones: This iconic punk rock band’s Christmas song plays when Carmy’s mom Donna is first introduced.
“Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison: This song plays while members of the Berzatto family tree are fighting in the kitchen and Mikey makes Carmy say “I love you.”
“Still the Night” by BoDeans: After Richie leaves Tiffany’s room and Donna drops her artichoke on the floor, this song plays.
“Citta vuota” by Mina: This Italian tune is heard while Fak and his brother are discussing their sister, Francie.
“The Little White Duck” by Dorothy Olsen: When Donna explains the story about how Natalie earned her nickname “Sugar,” this song is playing on The Bear season 2’s soundtrack.
“Dominick the Donkey” by Lou Monte: Richie briefly films Fak and his brother Ted dancing to this song during The Bear’s Christmas episode.
“I Want You” by Lindsey Buckingham: When Donna tells Sugar that nobody would miss her if she was gone, this song is playing in the background.
“A Marshmallow World” by Dean Martin: As Bob Odenkirk’s character Uncle Lee interrupts a story that Mikey has already told several times, this Christmas track plays.
“Something So Wrong” by Crowded House: Sarah Paul’s character Michelle Berzatto asks her cousin Carmy to stay with her in New York while this song plays.
“When I Fall” by Steve Earle: When Uncle Jimmy tells Richie’s wife Tiff a story about his father and a chocolate banana, The Bear season 2 plays this song.
“The Things We Did Last Summer” by Dean Martin: This song plays when Carmy finds Donna crying in the kitchen and she states that nobody makes things beautiful for her.
“The Christmas Song” by Weezer: The Bear season 2’s tragic Christmas episode ends with this Weezer cover playing over the closing credits.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 7, “Forks”
“Glass Concrete & Stone” by David Byrne: This song plays over the montage of Richie waking up and cleaning forks at another restaurant during The Bear season 2, episode 7.
“Diamond Diary” by Tangerine Dream: When Richie is finally able to put on a suit and learn about running the front of the house at Chef Terry’s restaurant, this song plays.
“Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift: Richie gleefully sings this Taylor Swift song as he drives home from a successful day of staging. The song plays again during the closing credits of The Bear season 2, episode 7.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 8, “Bolognese”
“Lay My Love” by Brian Eno and John Cale: When Ebra sees Tina washing the sandwich window at the start of the episode, this song plays.
“Stop Your Sobbing” by Pretenders: The Pretenders’ music returns during The Bear season 2, episode 8 after Carmy, Sydney, and Marcus decide on a cannoli for the restaurant.
“The Crane Wife 3” By The Decemberists: This song plays when Carmy finds Fak hiding in the walk-in freezer and the two decide that Claire is Carmy’s girlfriend.
“Throw Your Arms Around Me” by Neil Finn & Eddie Vedder: After The Bear finally passes their fire suppression test, this song plays at the end of the episode and into the closing credits.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 9, “Omelette”
“The Day the World Went Away” by Nine Inch Nails: This 1999 alternative rock song is featured in The Bear season 2’s penultimate episode during a montage of Claire and Carmy in bed.
“Strange Currencies” by R.E.M.: This song returns yet again when Carmy begins panicking and having visions of bad moments, Sydney’s encouraging words, and Claire.
“New Noise” by Refused: This song also plays again when the kitchen prepares the meat for the opening and Carmy becomes angry over the pots being on the wrong side.
“Come Back (Live)” by Pearl Jam: While Carmy and Sydney fix a table together and finally apologize to one another, this song plays.
“If You Want Blood” by AC/DC: As the tempo picks up and the restaurant opens, this AC/DC song plays right after Sydney says, “Let it rip.”
The Bear Season 2, Episode 10, “The Bear”
“Supernova” by Liza Phair: When the first dishes are brought to tables on opening night, this song is playing on the floor.
“Velouria” by The Pixies: This song plays when Richie brings the focaccia out to tables and Sugar realizes she has to fix the toilets.
“Vega-Tables” by Brian Wilson: When Fak walks in on Sugar plunging the toilets, this song is heard during The Bear’s season 2 finale.
“Spiders (Kidsmoke)” by Wilco: Chicago band Wilco returns to The Bear’s season 2 soundtrack when Carmy apologizes to Sydney for yelling and Sydney apologizes to Carmy for letting the fish get cold.
“Animal” by Pearl Jam: Another Pearl Jam song plays in The Bear’s season 2 finale once Sydney says “drive” and Richie starts the five-minute timer.
“Half a World Away” by R.E.M.: The final moments of The Bear’s season 2 finale are scored by this R.E.M. song after the kitchen smiles at their success and Sydney wins the approval of her father.
