TheFalloutTV series was filled with some great old music, but there are still 10 more iconic songs from the games that deserve to be in season 2. A hallmark ofthe world ofFalloutis its big band-era and swing songs. They set both the franchise’s and the show’s tones perfectly, and they instantly conveyed the franchise’s focus on retro-futurism. Along with setting the tone of the story, the music ofFalloutis also just a great selection of classic songs that might have gone unheard by younger generations, if it hadn’t been for the games and the show bringing them back.
Though thesoundtrack of theFalloutshowwas excellent in its own right, it didn’t include all of thebest songs onFallout’s radio. In theFalloutgames, players can listen to the golden oldies via a radio on their pip-boy, the wrist-mounted computer Vault dwellers wear. The radio was included in four differentFalloutgames, however, and each of those games was significantly longer than the show, so the TV series couldn’t include all the great tunes of the franchise.Falloutseason 2, however, could include some of the best songs season 1 didn’t have time to fit in.
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10Butcher Pete
Sung By: Roy Brown
Falloutis filled with violence and gore, but the franchise’s soundtrack often transforms those particularly brutal moments. For example, in theFalloutshow, the song “I Don’t Want to See Tomorrow” transformed the Battle of Griffith Observatory from a terrifying bloodbath into a somber and haunting tragedy.Another song, “Butcher Pete,” could be just as transformative to one ofFalloutseason 2’s action sequences. The only difference between “I Don’t Want to See Tomorrow” and “Butcher Pete” is that while the former added a layer of sadness, the latter would add a layer of fun.
Fallout
Fallout is a post-apocalyptic RPG franchise set in an alternate future where a nuclear war devastates the world. Players explore vast, open worlds filled with mutants, raiders, and advanced technology. The series emphasizes player choice, allowing various approaches to combat, dialogue, and decision-making. Each game follows different protagonists navigating the wasteland to uncover secrets, form alliances, and rebuild civilization amidst the ruins of the old world. The franchise is known for its rich lore, dark humor, and retro-futuristic aesthetic, which has transferred over into its new series on Amazon Prime.
“Butcher Pete” is so upbeat and lively that it would almost seem out of place in one ofFalloutseason 2’s gore-filled action scenes, but that’s what makes it perfect.The up-tempo vocals and music, coupled with the song’s lyrics that talk about a butcher “hackin' and slashin',” make it perfect for a scene where one ofFallout’s heroes mows through enemies with a melee weapon. It would be jarring in the best possible way, and it would be just as fun to hear in theFalloutTV series as it is to hear while fighting enemies in theFalloutgames.
9He’s A Demon, He’s A Devil, He’s A Doll
Sung By: Betty Hutton
One of the most iconic villains in the franchise could make an appearance inFalloutseason 2, and the games already have the perfect song for him.“He’s a Demon, He’s a Devil, He’s a Doll” almost perfectly describes Mr. House, and it would be extremely fitting inFalloutseason 2. Mr. House is one of those rare villains where no one can really decide how bad he is. He was certainly an autocrat with a questionable definition of freedom, but he was also a shrewd leader and possibly the best hope for New Vegas' future.
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It’s precisely because Mr. House is so hard to pin down that “He’s a Demon, He’s a Devil, He’s a Doll” perfectly describes him.Mr. House did some terrible things inFallout: New Vegas, but he was also charismatic and persuasive, and he won over quite a few players. The man in “He’s a Demon, He’s a Devil, He’s a Doll” perfectly matches Mr. House’s unique reputation, as he often managed to win over the very people he was hurting. It would be the perfect song to introduce such an iconic character.
8The Wanderer
Sung By: Dion
Though “The Wanderer” was a relatively late addition toFallout’s music library (it was first included inFallout 4), it has become one of the best songs in the franchise. It’s a light, jaunty, and catchy tune, and it’s perfect for the long walks between settlements in the Wasteland.“The Wanderer” would also be perfect for theFalloutshow, as it could play over scenes of Lucy and the Ghoul making their way across the Mojave Wasteland. The song’s upbeat nature could be a perfect bit of irony for a particularly bleak part of their journey, which would perfectly fit the franchise’s sense of humor.
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“The Wanderer” wouldn’t just be perfect for Lucy and the Ghoul, though. It could also be the best possible song to introduce a new character that they encounter in the Mojave Wasteland.If Lucy and the Ghoul were to meet a wanderer inFalloutseason 2 on their way to New Vegas, it would only be fitting for Dion’s song to introduce them. It’s also extremely likely that they’ll encounter other people on the way to New Vegas, so there should be plenty of opportunities for “The Wanderer” to play.
7Jingle Jangle Jingle
Sung By: Kay Kyser and His Orchestra
Lucy and the Ghoul’s quest to find Hank MacLean will lead them through the Mojave Wasteland, which is the perfect setting for some Western music to play.There are few songs inFalloutthat conjure up images of cowboys and Western plains better than “Jingle Jangle Jingle,” and it could be the perfect tune to set the tone of the Mojave. “Jingle Jangle Jingle” has that unique 1950s sound thatFalloutmusic is known for, but it blends that sounds with lyrics about cowpunchers and spurs so perfectly that it seems like it was made for the franchise.
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Along with being a perfect song for the Mojave Wasteland, “Jingle Jangle Jingle” would also be perfect for the Ghoul. He already has the gunslinger aesthetic going through his bandolier, cowboy hat, boots, and more, and he may as well get the soundtrack to match. It could even help illustrate some of the changesFalloutseason 2 might make to the Ghoul’s character.“Jingle Jangle Jingle” is a decidedly happy and light song, and if the Ghoul continues his path towards redemption and being a better man, the song’s tone would be the perfect way to illustrate that.
6Big Iron
Sung By: Marty Robbins
If “Jingle Jangle Jingle” doesn’t do the trick of illustrating thatFalloutseason 2 is moving into the Wild West, then “Big Iron” certainly will. Marty Robbins' gunfighter ballad is the quintessential Western song. It fits perfectly with the Mojave Wasteland, and it would be the perfect complement to the Ghoul and his massive revolver.Not only would “Big Iron” work at the surface level with the Ghoul’s weaponry, but its message - of an Arizona Ranger who was initially mistaken for a bandit - would also work for the Ghoul’s character arc.
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Though the Ghoul seems purpose-built to fit to the lyrics of “Big Iron,” the song would also work for another character: Maximus. Since he rose the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel at theend ofFalloutseason 1, Maximus is, in effect, the long arm of the law now.Maximus' role as a Knight will also likely give him access to some of the Brotherhood’s bigger and better weaponry, which would be his own Big Iron. The fact that he’ll likely reunite with Lucy and the Ghoul at some point could also mean he’ll have a showdown with an antagonist like Texas Red in “Big Iron.”
5Pistol Packin' Mama
Sung By: Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
Since both the Ghoul and Maximus have clear songs that could suit their character development inFalloutseason 2, it’s only fitting that Lucy MacLean should get one as well.NoFalloutsong illustrates the development Lucy experienced better than “Pistol Packin' Mama.“At the start ofFalloutseason 1, Lucy was a regular Vault dweller: she was polite, naive, and a pacifist. By the end of the season, however, Lucy had started to transform into a true Wastelander. She got disheveled, she was willing to swear, and, most importantly, she was much more willing to use deadly force against her enemies.
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“Pistol Packin' Mama” doesn’t just work for Lucy’s internal character development, though, it also works for the otherFalloutcharacters. Lucy’s dad, Hank MacLean, could easily be interpreted as the man trying to get the gun away from the woman in the song’s lyrics. Lucy is also on the hunt for Hank inFalloutseason 2, which fits with the song’s mention that the man is “on the run.” Lucy’s story just fits too perfectly forFalloutseason 2 to not use “Pistol Packin' Mama.”
4Grandma Plays The Numbers
Sung By: Wynonie Harris
Though the ending ofFalloutseason 1 seemed to indicate that New Vegas wasn’t in working order anymore, the town was once a gambler’s paradise. It’s only fitting, then, that it should have aFalloutsong dedicated to gambling.“Grandma Plays the Numbers” would be perfect for theFalloutshow’s introduction to New Vegas and any establishing shots of the city. Not only does it heavily focus on gambling, but the song also features a distinctively upbeat and showy sound that perfectly fits the vibe of New Vegas.
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While “Grandma Plays the Numbers” certainly has the gambling themes that New Vegas is known for, it also works on a somewhat deeper level. Wynonie Harris' song is all about a family who finds out that their seemingly innocent grandmother has been gambling under their noses for years.That already sounds extremely similar to Hank MacLean, who had secretly been working for Vault-Tec his whole life under the noses of Lucy and Norm.Falloutseason 2 is sure to reveal more secrets about the MacLeans and the Wasteland, and “Grandma Plays the Numbers” is very close to that idea thematically.
3Way Back Home
Sung By: Bob Crosby & The Bob Cats
There’s a bit of a theme with many of the songs inFallout: many of them feature some ironic lyrics. Several of the franchise’s favorite songs are about nuclear war and energy, which paints the tunes as ironic givenFallout’s nuclear wasteland setting.TheFalloutshow has also set up a new, non-nuclear, song to be the perfect ironic joke: “Way Back Home.“Bob Crosby & the Bob Cats' song could easily be used to add a sarcastic joke on top of scenes of Vault 31, especially given Norm’s discovery ofwhat happened to Vault 32.
Vault 31 is anything but the idyllic homestead “Way Back Home” is all about, which would only make the scene more ironic.
After Norm found out that he and the rest of the Vault 31 inhabitants were basically being used to support and breed with a handful of Vault-Tec executives, Lucy’s former home has become a nightmare.It’s because of that horrifying discovery that “Way Back Home” would be so perfect forFalloutseason 2: it could be used during a particularly unsettling scene set in the Vault to give it the patentedFalloutbrand of dark humor. Vault 31 is anything but the idyllic homestead the song is all about, which would only make the scene more ironic.
2Atom Bomb Baby
Sung By: The Five Stars
If “Pistol Packin' Mama” isn’t chosen as Lucy MacLean’s theme song inFalloutseason 2, then “Atom Bomb Baby” should be. Both the woman featured in The Five Stars' song and Lucy are strong and fiery women, and when they’re set off, they can both be as destructive as a nuclear weapon. Likewise, though she was extremely powerful, she drew in quite a few friends, like Maximus and the Ghoul. “Atom Bomb Baby” also works for Lucy’s story in a much more important way, though.
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In a way, Lucy is also a sort of atom bomb baby, given Hank’s history with Shady Sands. Hank destroyed Shady Sands with a nuclear bomb after Lucy’s mother left the Vault and brought her to the capital of theNew California Republic.Therefore, Lucy’s origins tie her to “Atom Bomb Baby,” but her future inFalloutseason 2 could as well. The coming season will almost certainly have Lucy confront Hank again, and their clash could be well and truly explosive. Even that confrontation will be fueled by Shady Sands, which only makes the song more fitting.
1Uranium Fever
Sung By: Elton Britt
Perhaps theFalloutsong from the games that best fits a character from the show is “Uranium Fever” and Thaddeus. After seeking the help of the Snake Oil Salesman to heal his injured foot,Thaddeus either turned into a ghoul or a super mutant.In either case, Thaddeus will be immune to radiation inFalloutseason 2, and he’ll almost certainly resent his condition, which makes “Uranium Fever” a perfect fit. While the upbeat nature of the song doesn’t exactly fit the horror of Thaddeus' fate, it does work on a more meta level.
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“Uranium Fever” is, with the blessing of hindsight, a fairly humorous song. It compares the rush to find uranium ore to the California Gold Rush, despite the fact that fissile materials would be incredibly dangerous to mine by civilians. Similarly, Thaddeus was mostly a comedic relief character inFalloutseason 1, and there’s no reason to assume he’ll become any less humorous inFalloutseason 2. Like the song, Thaddeus is a character who only gets funnier as time passes.
Cast
Set 200 years after an apocalypse, Fallout follows residents of luxury shelters as they re-enter a post-nuclear world. Confronted with a bizarre and violent landscape, the series explores the stark contrasts between their sheltered existence and the harsh realities of the outside universe.
