Super Soundtrack: “The Morning Show” on Apple TV+ [Season 2]

The Morning Show makes its return to Apple TV+ this week, and this new second season couldn’t be more timely and relevant. If you thought that last season punctual and fitting for the season we were living in, you’re in for a real surprise this go around.

While the first season centered on the #MeToo movement, gross sexual misconduct, and the pursuit of gender and racial equality in the workplace, this season takes on COVID-19 (I know, I know, but I promise they do it in a really interesting approach that ties it into the news’ coverage of the pandemic in its earliest stages), sexuality, sexual orientation, the 2020 election, the opioid crisis, and cancel culture. It’s a lot, and there’s controversy around every turn.

With one of the most star-studded and supremely talented casts on television right now, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell (his character is baaaack), Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Néstor Carbonell, Greta Lee, Karen Pittman, Desean Terry, Holland Taylor, and Marcia Gay Harden. Julianna Marguiles steps into a pivotal new role that shakes things up (as if the show was in need of any additional drama), and she adds a lot of chaos into the mix. Will Arnett makes a surprise small appearance as Alex Levy’s (Jennifer Aniston’s) agent. Valerie Golino also jumps into the cast as Paola, and she’s a major part of Mitch Kessler’s (Steve Carell’s) storyline this season.

Between all of the constant controversy and chaos, there are some songs thrown in for good measure. Kicking off with New Year’s Eve 2020, the night we all thought was going to kick off a great new year. Boy, were we wrong. Let’s get into the music featured this season…

Episode 1: “My Least Favorite Year”

“Nemesis” by Benjamin Celementine

Heard playing over the intro credits of each episode

“Return to Me” by Dean Martin

Heard when we see the empty streets of New York due to onset ofthe COVID-19 pandemic

“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald

Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) and new news anchor Eric (Hasan Minhaj) sing the song together on the show to advertise the New Year’s Eve special

“Something’s Rattling (Cowpoke)” by Benjamin Gibbard

Heard as Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) arrives to a New Year’s Eve Party at a friend’s house

“Road Less Traveled” by Lauren Alaina

Lauren Alaina performs the song live on UBA’s New Year’s Eve TV special

“French Food” by Elephant Castle

Heard while Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) is waiting on the valet driver

“Aud Lang Syne” by Guy Lombardo

Heard when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, officially kicking off 2020

“Theme From New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra

Heard playing while we see Times Square celebrating that it is a new year. 2020 has to be better than last year, right? Right?

Episode 2: “It’s Like The Flu”

“Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” by Bing Crosby

Heard when we see Mitch Kessler (Steve Carrell) for the first time this season, now living in a foreign beach town

“Via Con Me” by Paola Conte

Heard while Mitch Kessler (Steve Carrell) is eating at the Gelateria

“Tropicalia” by Beck

Heard at the dinner party while everyone waits on Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) and Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) to arrive

“Comin’ Home Baby” by Mel Torme

Heard when Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) arrives to the dinner party with the rest of The Morning Show crew

“Nothing But A Heartache” by The Flirtations

Heard playing in the background at the dinner party

“Wigglin’” by Freddie Redd

Heard as Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) leaves the party

“Presentimiento (Brother, Can You Spare A Dime)” by Slim

Heard playing over a montage of scenes featuring multiple characters

“Very Fine Fellow” by Barbara Moore & De Wolfe Music

Heard playing over the end credits

Episode 3: “Laura”

“Angel of the Morning” by Juice Newton

“Love” by Unloved

Episode 4: “Kill the Fatted Calf”

“Making A Fire” by Foo Fighters

Heard when the Foo Fighters are the musical guests on The Morning Show to perform the song as part of “Welcome Back Alex” week

“America” by Neil Diamond

Heard when Daniel (Desean Terry) sings the song live on television when he goes off script to make a stance

“The Whole World In His Hands (He’s Got)” by Dion

Heard when Paola (Valeria Golino) is on the phone with Mitch Kessler (Steve Carrell)

Episode 5: “Ghosts”

“God’s Song (That’s Why I Love Mankind)” by Randy Newman

Heard when Cory (Billy Crudup) is seen leaving the bar after talking to Hannah’s dad (David Paymer)

Episode 6: “A Private Person”

There were no songs featured in this episode 

Episode 7: “La Amara Vita”

“I Want To Know (Part 1)” by Adriano Celentano

Heard during an extremely pivotal scene at the end of the episode

Episode 8: “Confirmations”

“Sixteen Tons” by Jerry Reed

Heard at the beginning of the episode when we see what all of the characters are up to as they wake up

“The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel

Heard while Bradley’s brother pays her a surprise visit on set of The Morning Show

Episode 9: “Testimony”

“Save The Last Dance For Me” by Harry Nilsson

Heard while Alex is seen walking out onto the set of The Morning Show

“The Science of Imaginary Solutions” by Autolux

Heard while Bradley reads Maggie’s book about Alex

“Never” by Tele Novella

Heard during the crucial final scene of the episode and plays on into the end credits

Episode 10: “Fever”

“One Way Glass” by Innerspace Orchestra

Heard playing while Alex is seen preparing to tape her special

“If Only I Could Live My Life Again” by Jane Morgan

Heard playing over the end credits

Season two of The Morning Show is now streaming on Apple TV+. Stream the series here.