A Musical Guide To Season 2 Of Girls: The Good, The Bad And The Carly Rae Jepsen

Last night was the season two finale of Girls, and I know you guys were all tuning in from your bathtubs munching on cupcakes. Cause I mean, c’mon. This shit is zeitgeisty, and you have an iPhone, so you’re up on all that’s current. You know, like the song that was playing in the credits last night, sung by that band FUN period, the guitarist of which is Jack Antonoff, aka Mr. Lena Dunham. Because just like, DUH, there had to be a Fun. song happening in this show. She had to give her boo some patronage up in her show. And as a result, I might be listening to “Sight Of The Sun” right now… That’s the most private thing I’m willing to admit in this post.

But despite my ambivalence for this show and the whole Girls phenomenon, there were a few tracks that I found stuck in my head on each Monday morning after spending my Sunday night with these fictional friends whom I don’t really like that much but still hang out with. From episodes 1-10, there were tunes that spoke to my nineties nostalgia, some new ones on my radar, and always the reliable “you would listen to this song.” So let’s break ‘em down…

Episode 1: “Sweetie”- Carly Rae Jepsen

Hannah and Elijah preparing for their party is scored by Carly Rae Jepsen, which we will not deny is actually pretty close to real talk. I may have downloaded the whole album on ITunes. I’m about as ashamed about liking this as I am of liking Keri Hilson‘s “Pretty Girl Rock”, which was featured in season one. That is, not ashamed at all.

Episode 2: “I Get Ideas”- M. Ward

The namesake of episode 2, M. Ward’s honky tonk breathy voice is well-suited for Hannah’s life. At least in the moments that it’s kind of a twee fantasy.

Episode 3: “I Love It”- Icona Pop

You may be from the seventies, but Hannah and Elijah are nineties bitches. And whether or not I thought this dance sequence went on way too long, I was willing to let is pass. Because this song, I just love it.

Episode 4: “Stay”- Lisa Loeb

Here’s one of many nods made to popular nineties songs that girls from the aught-generation get nostalgic about. And Hannah is totally that girl. Not to say that I’m not too, but maybe Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch” may have been a bit more empowering.

Episode 5: “Temperature”- Sean Paul

Any excuse for me to try to decipher what Sean Paul is saying in this song is a welcome one.

Episode 6: “Kiss Kiss Kiss”- Yoko Ono Feat. Peaches

This track playing at Booth Jonathan’s bash is aptly chosen. It’s the kind of obnoxious non-melodically catchy track that would be playing at a party of art fucks named Stryker and Booth.

Episode 7: “How Am I Different?”- Amiee Mann

Jessa and Hannah wait for Jessa’s pop to pick them up, but he’s never coming. This is how Jessa is different from Hannah.

Episode 8: “Don’t Know Why”- Norah Jones

We know why Marnie chose to sing this song– because any chick that thinks she has a good voice sings this in the shower or on the street, kinda under her breath, but just loud enough for you to hear and acknowledge. And Marnie is totally this girl. Well played, Leenz. Well played.

Episode 9: “Girls”- Santigold

Before Marnie’s acoustic Kanye cover mental break at Charlie’s MAU party, this song is playing. And it’s the name of the show! META!

Episode 10: “Sight of the Sun”- FUN.

Adam holds Hannah in his muscular carpenter arms, and it appears as if everything will be fine. It’s equally catchy as “Some Nights” and “We Are Young.” And although I don’t want to like it, I kinda do.

(Photo from liaices.com)