The Last of Us soundtrack: Which songs play in The Last of Us episode 1?

The Last of Us has arrived! The premiere episode is now streaming on HBO Max for your viewing pleasure. There is so much to unpack, but in this post, we’re focusing on the soundtrack. If you missed the song that plays at the end of of the episode (and what it means), we have The Last of Us soundtrack here!

Towards the end of the first episode, we learn, thanks to Ellie, that there is a meaning behind each song that plays on the radio, a signal someone else is communicating to Joel. A song didn’t play while Joel and the others were in the room, but audiences can hear a song play in the last few seconds of the episode and as the credits roll.

The Last of Us soundtrack

The Last of Us episode 1 doesn’t feature many songs, but fans are curious to know which song plays as the episode begins. The opening song is “Alone and Forsaken” by Hank Williams. And now for the song that plays through the radio, that would be “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode. Here are the songs again:

• “Alone and Forsaken” by Hank Williams
• “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode

What does The Last of Us song at the end mean?

As Ellie was able to figure out, if a 60s song plays on the radio, it means “nothing in,” and if it’s a 70s jam, it means “new stock.” But 80s only has an X on it, which Joel accidentally reveals means there is trouble, and “Never Le Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode is from 1987, so whoever sent the song through is trying to tell Joel that is trouble brewing (or currently happening).

The Last of Us episode 2 premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 9 p.m. ET. Don’t miss it!