When it comes to Westworld, there are a number of things that can hook you in. Whether it's the theories about what is actually going on, the technological advances that don't seem so crazy in the modern day, or the idea of the kind of escape the titular park could offer were it not for that whole robot apocalypse thing, there's plenty to be intrigued by.
Beneath it all, though, Westworld is a patchwork of familiarity meant to draw viewers into an unrealistic world and never let them go. By mixing sci-fi ideas with western tropes, the HBO series weaves a story that can be incredibly engaging. A big piece of that puzzle, however, is the music bringing Westworld to life.
From the very beginning, this series has made ample use of well-known songs, rearranged to be period appropriate to whatever was happening on the show. This has led to a player piano recreating a number of renowned songs, both classic and modern, creating a creepy and all too memorable feel for the series. While cowboys fight each other in the streets and drink each other under the table at the saloon, it's not uncommon to hear a Radiohead tune or rearrangement of the Rolling Stones in the background.
We went back through all of Westworld's cover songs so far and ranked them, from worst to best. Fair warning, though, they're all pretty great in their own way.
19. "Habanera" from the Carmen Suite No. 2 opera
Season 1, Episode 4
This is the song that plays when Hector and his gang rob the saloon in this episode. While this operatic musical number sets the scene well, it's not the first time audiences witness this moment. When the robbery occurs in the pilot, which we'll discuss later, it's set to an even better cover.
18. "The Man I Love" by George Gershwin and Leon Fleisher
Season 2, Episode 2
Dolores plays this song on the piano at the retirement party for James Delos, but it makes one other appearance in the episode, as well. During Logan Delos' private host demonstration, Clementine plays it.
17. "Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Radiohead
Season 1, Episode 6
The first of several Radiohead songs used on Westworld, "Motion Picture Soundtrack" guides Maeve as she explored the Delos laboratories, learning exactly what hosts are and how they're created.
16. "Sonata No. 2" by Frédéric Chopin
Season 2, Episode 2
This cover comes from Dolores herself, in the real world--probably--as she plays piano at a party celebrating the retirement of James Delos. It's then that William sees her outside of Westworld.
15. "Claire de Lune" by Claude Debussy
Season 1, Episode 5
One of the show's more interesting musical moments, "Claire de Lune" is played by none other than Ford himself in a saloon Teddy and the Man in Black are in. This comes after it can be heard as Dolores and William are walking through Pariah earlier in the timeline--tying the two moments together.
14. "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals
Season 1, Episode 8
Back in the saloon, the piano plays "House of the Rising Sun" while the newly-enhanced Maeve interacts with Clementine, realizing that this version of the host she knows so well is different.
13. "Exit Music (For a Film)" by Radiohead
Season 1, Episode 10
Another well-done Radiohead moment. A cover of "Exit Music" plays as Ford gives his speech in the Season 1 finale. It then transitions into Claude Debussy's "Rêverie," which we'll talk about shortly.
12. "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin
Season 2, Episode 1
An interesting choice for Westworld, for sure. As the beginning of Season 2 played out, showing the death and destruction left in the wake of Season 2, "The Entertainer" played.
11. "A Forest" by The Cure
Season 1, Episode 4
"A Forest" was utilized during the first scenes of this episode, as Clementine malfunctioned in the saloon. Though, like the rest of the covers, this is an instrumental, the lyrics of the original tune somewhat mirror Maeve's point of view as she watches this woman she's close to fall apart.
10. "Back to Black" by Amy Whitehouse
Season 1, Episode 8
This song played in the background as Maeve first exercised her new power over other hosts after being enhanced by the Westworld engineers. She was able to control the actions of both the saloon's bartender, as well as Clementine.
9. "No Surprises" by Radiohead
Season 1, Episode 2
This is Westworld's earliest use of Radiohead, and it's done really well. As Maeve attempts to seduce park visitors, the song plays while she begins to malfunction.
8. "Paint it Black" by The Rolling Stones
Season 1, Episode 1
This cover introduced viewers to Hector and his team of misfits as they made their presence known in Sweetwater, bringing a layer of darkness wherever they go.
7. "Something I Can Never Have" by Nine Inch Nails
Season 1, Episode 5
If you're going to score a wild west robot orgy, why not do it with a Nine Inch Nails cover? This string arrangement brings a creepy vibe to the scene, which matches the tone of Westworld.
6. "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes
Season 2, Episode 3
During the audience's introduction to The Raj--the theme park based on colonial India--a sitar-heavy cover of this White Stripes song can be heard, establishing yet another new locale for the series to visit.
5. "Rêverie" by Claude Debussy
Multiple Season 1 episodes
This is the song heard most often throughout the first season. This particular piece of music was heard four times in the show's first 10 episodes, as hosts slowly became self-aware. It has yet to appear in Season 2, though.
4. "Runaway" by Kanye West
Season 2, Episode 2
While "Runaway" is originally driven by the piano, the complicated arrangement heard while Logan Delos was being pitched the idea of Westworld during a Season 2 flashback was truly beautiful and unique.
3. "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead
Season 1, Episode 6
A piano instrumental of this well-known radio tune greeted Maeve as she awoke back in Westworld, realizing her life and surroundings were entirely fake--how fitting.
2. "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
Season 1, Episode 1
This was Westworld's first use of a popular song cover and is still one of the show's most striking. The use of "Black Hole Sun" went a long way of connecting the real world with the virtual theme park in the pilot and started a trend on the series that keeps fans waiting for whatever music Westworld will feature next.
1. "C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan
Season 2, Episode 5
Westworld's absolute best use of music is also one of the most recent. During Maeve's visit to Shogun World, an instrumental of Wu-Tang Clan's "C.R.E.A.M." (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) can be heard while she dances over the dead body of Sakura.
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