A Complete Guide to the ‘True Detective: Night Country’ Soundtrack

True Detective: Night Country features several beautiful tracks that complement the critical moments and the eerie theme.

Like its previous seasons, True Detective season 4 introduces us to many new characters and a standalone storyline. Moreover, it also features several easter eggs to True Detective season 1.

True Detective season 4 has a thin line of difference between the supernatural and the material world, as in season 1. The show’s gripping storyline and stellar cast are accompanied by a phenomenal soundtrack, which makes the viewers’ experience more delightful.

1. All Songs In True Detective: Night Country Episode 1

Here’s a complete list of all the songs used in True Detective: Night Country episode 1 and when it plays:

• Twist and Shout by The Beatles – The opening scene of season 4, episode 1, is accompanied by this famous track by The Beatles.

The song also plays a couple more times during the episode: Once when the delivery man arrives and thinks the researchers are still inside.

The second time is when Detective Danvers arrives at the facility to investigate the researchers’ disappearance.

• Sweat (A La La La La Long) by Inner Circle – This track plays when the delivery man’s truck arrives at the research facility to deliver the goods.
• Bury a Friend by Billie Eilish – The Billie Eilish track is the opening theme song of True Detective season 4. It hints at the themes of season 4 and accompanies the opening credits to set the show’s tone.
• Magpie by The Unthanks – The track plays when Danvers comes to the TSALAL facility to investigate more. It also plays during the end credits.
• You Are Amen by Polyester – The song plays when Navarro tries to get to her sister’s apartment after getting an emergency call from another detective.
• Black Sedan by Charlie Crockett – The track plays in the background when Peter, Hank Prior’s son, sneaks into his house to collect Annie’s file.
• Rescue Me by Unions – The song plays when Navarro goes to Eddie’s house to visit him, and they sleep with each other.
• State of the Art by Jim James – It plays while Danvers investigates her evidence to find a link between the researchers’ disappearance and Annie’s murder.

2. All Songs In True Detective: Night Country Episode 2

• “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish: Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend” is the opening theme in True Detective season 4’s episode 2.
• “You’re the First, the Last” by Blue Moment: In the second episode of True Detective: Night Country, Peter expertly unlocks one of the researchers’ phones and uncovers a heartwarming surprise: a video of the researchers joyously singing and dancing to Blue Moment’s hit song “You’re the First, the Last.”.
• “Song to the Siren (Take 7)” by Tim Buckley:

As True Detective: Night Country begins, Navarro strategically visits Rose’s residence in hopes of uncovering the truth behind her mysterious visions of Travis.

Initially hesitant, Rose eventually reveals her otherworldly link to Travis while Tim Buckley’s haunting “Song to the Siren (Take 7)” echoes throughout her room.

• “Wannabe” by Spice Girls: As Navarro happily tunes into a Spice Girls hit while cruising in her car, she can’t resist sharing a snippet with her sister.

But her attention is soon diverted as her vehicle slips on a patch of ice, and she catches sight of her mother’s cherished necklace, jolting memories of her troubled upbringing.

• “Little Saint Nick” by The Beach Boys: As the lifeless forms of the scientists are transported to Ennis’ ice rink, the upbeat tune of The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick” echoes through the arena.
• “Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band: KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight” can be faintly heard in True Detective: Night Country’s episode 2 when Leah makes her way to the skating rink after realizing that Peter may still be there.
• “Pass Them By” by Agnes Obel:

This Agnes Obel track starts playing when Liz asks Leah to help her with Christmas decorations, but Liz pretends to sleep in her room before sneaking out of the house from her window.

• “I Love You Love You” by Johnny Cash:

While texting his fiancé, Hank is drawn to a captivating song in the background of True Detective: Night Country’s second episode.

She requests additional pictures of him, prompting him to retreat to his storeroom and snap a few shots. While there, he stumbles upon his son, who had taken Annie’s case file without permission.

3. All Songs In True Detective: Night Country Episode 3

• “Sing Sing” by The Bones of J.R. Jones: In the third episode of True Detective: Night Country, there is a pivotal moment when Danvers and Navarro delve into the plethora of evidence discovered in Raymond Clark’s van.

As they meticulously comb through the photos of Raymond and Annie, the haunting melody of The Bones of J.R. Jones’ “Sing Sing” echoes in the background, heightening the urgency of their search for crucial leads.

• “Limbo” by Lissom, Julien Marchal & Lowswimmer: Leah’s character journey in True Detective: Night Country significantly turns in episode 3 as she joins a protest.

As her girlfriend leads her to rally against the harmful mine and its environmental impact, the powerful song “Limbo” sets the tone for her personal growth and transformation. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of her symbolic coming of age.

• “I Follow Rivers” by Marika Hackman: This track plays in True Detective: Night Country’s episode 3 when Navarro finds her sister out in the cold and comforts her before taking her back home and tucking her in bed.
• “Like I Do” by Georgina Birch: Danvers and Navarro’s hunt for evidence leads them to a hairdresser, Suzan, who they believe is one of the few people aware of Annie and Raymond’s relationship.

When they enter Suzan’s home, George Birch’s “Like I Do” can be faintly heard as she colors a local woman’s hair.

4. All Songs In True Detective: Night Country Episode 4

“Everybody Dies” by Billie Eilish: As the fourth episode of True Detective: Night Country unfolds, the haunting melody of Billie Eilish’s “Everybody Dies” can be heard in the background.

It sets the tone as Julia, Navarro’s tormented sister, approaches the sea to end her own life. The same song continues to play as tensions escalate between Danvers and her daughter, Leah, resulting in a heated argument and Leah’s dramatic departure from home.

• “Ode to Elf” by Tall Blue Midget: This track can be heard when Hank watches Elf on Christmas Eve while having dinner alone.
• “Experience” by Ludovico Einaudi, Daniel Hope & I Virtuosi Italiani:

As Danvers heroically saves Jules and receives gratitude from both Jules and Navarro, the captivating track sets the tone for the thrilling beginning of True Detective: Night Country.

As Navarro guides Jules to a nearby mental health facility, the music seamlessly carries on, pulling viewers deeper into the story.

• “Into Dust” by Mazzy Star:

In this scene, Peter’s family and Leah prepare to cook dinner for the night. However, when Danvers discovers new leads in the case through Annie’s video, Peter is compelled to visit Oliver, interrupting their plans.

• “Buddy’s Journey” by John Cardon Debney & Hollywood Studio Symphony:

“Buddy’s Journey” is a song from the movie Elf, which plays when Danvers visits Ted in episode 4.

• “Feel First Life” by Jon Hopkins: As episode 4 of True Detective: Night Country relentlessly unfolds, Jon Hopkins’ “Feel First Life” haunting notes fill the air.

Emotions run high as Navarro receives the devastating news of her sister’s passing, and the song serves as a poignant soundtrack to her grief.

But even as Christmas Eve draws to a close and the night darkens, the same melody lingers as Peter returns home, adding an eerie yet fitting touch to the end of the long day.

• “This Wild Darkness” by Moby: In the fourth episode of True Detective, Navarro channels her pent-up anger and grief over her sister’s untimely passing by confronting some local men in a heated altercation.

5. About True Detective

True Detective is an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto. The series, broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States, premiered on January 12, 2014.

Each season of the series is structured as a self-contained narrative, employing new cast ensembles, and following various sets of characters and settings.

A fourth season, set in Alaska and titled True Detective: Night Country, premiered on January 14, 2024. It stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, with Issa López as writer and director.