4 Emotional Songs From ‘The Bear’ Season 4 Soundtrack

There are many reasons why I love The Bear, but creator Christopher Storer’s music placements have kept my attention on Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, his life, family, friends, and “The Beef.” I’m admittedly biased, but I think music remains art’s most powerful tool for elevating the emotional upheavals of the human condition. If every hammer seeks a nail, then songs must aim for the heart.

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Because Season 4 is new, I’m avoiding spoilers here and instead focusing on the songs themselves. Here are four of my favorite tracks from the latest season of The Bear.

“I’m Always In Love” by Wilco

Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is famous for being the band’s masterpiece. But it’s also led music-minded tourists to religiously snap photos of the Twin Towers at Chicago’s Marina City complex as seen on the album’s cover. Wilco and the group’s iconic Loft are forever knotted to The Windy City, and The Bear does an excellent job of using Chicago-centric music to score Carmy’s chaotic life. Like “I’m Always In Love” from Wilco’s Summerteeth.

“Pull The Cup” by Shellac

Steve Albini, the late genius engineer and prolific curmudgeon, became known for his work recording iconic albums by Pixies, Nirvana, PJ Harvey, and many others. But he also fronted the Chicago noise rock group Shellac. “Pull The Cup” appears on Shellac’s 1994 debut, At Action Park, released on Chicago indie label Touch And Go Records. A roomy groove pushes and pulls the jarring instrumental, resembling the emotional peaks and valleys of the show’s characters.

“Finest Worksong” by R.E.M.

I’ve written before about how I think R.E.M. is America’s greatest rock band. And upon revisiting “Finest Worksong”, I stand by those words. This is a working-class anthem, and its propulsive groove gives some kind of hope and momentum to the hard lives of restaurant workers trying to survive the cold, harsh winds of Chicago and feeling like a win is just making rent each month. This track isn’t explicitly about restaurant workers, but the beauty of Michael Stipe’s abstract lyrics is how pliable they remain to anyone facing an unrelenting uphill struggle. 

“Slow Disco” by St. Vincent

A slow disco doesn’t seem like it could be a thing. Discos are places for people to dance. Not just dance, but party. When you think of Studio 54, you don’t imagine tender waltzes. But Annie Clark’s gorgeous tune ends with this: “Don’t it beat a slow dance to death?” If you’re hooked on this show as I am, you’ll understand how this relates to Carmy’s behavior. Not only in his kitchen but also within the personal relationships he seems destined to destroy.

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