‘The Bear’ Season 4’s 10 Best Needle Drop Moments

In the narrative of “The Bear”, carefully chosen needle drops play a significant part. These selections are made by showrunner Christopher Storer, executive producer Josh Senior, who also act as co-music supervisors. Instead of focusing on new music discovery, their approach is more about rediscovering forgotten gems or underrated tracks. Their personal preferences significantly influence the musical style of the series, with recurring favorites spanning all four seasons. Artists from Chicago such as Serengeti and Wilco join forces with regular appearances from Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M., and The Budos Band.

This season maintains the series’ practice of prolonged musical cues, enhancing the storyline significantly. Certain pivotal moments are exclusively supported by music to convey the emotions and actions. In this season, “The Bear” skillfully incorporated a Led Zeppelin feature with their heartwarming acoustic track “That’s the Way,” and other unanticipated song inclusions feature three tracks by The Ronettes — “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up,” “Walking in the Rain,” and “Baby, I Love You” — as well as Elton John’s less popular “Western Ford Gateway” and Manchester’s baggy-era band James, whose song “Laid” was heard in Season 3, making a reappearance here with “Nothing but Love.

Here are the best needle drops from all 10 episodes of this season. Spoilers ahead.

Episode 1: “Groundhogs”

The season 4 opener boasts an impressive lineup of tracks ranging from Led Zeppelin’s “That’s The Way” to The Who’s “Getting in Tune”, but “Diamond Diary” stood out as electrifying. This instrumental piece, played when Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) hires Jessica (Sarah Ramos) from Ever (Olivia Colman’s restaurant), adds a thrilling touch to the storyline. The song seamlessly flows through the cacophony of the kitchen: lockers slamming shut, Sharpies clattering into metal bins, cutting boards aligning, knives being sharpened, dishes rattling, and Chef Syd (Ayo Edebiri) placing asparagus bags on the counter with force. The track accentuates Jessica’s swift instructions and complements the team’s rapid adaptation to the brisk new pace. As the first night’s service commences, the music crescendoes into an inspiring section that amplifies the tension and carries over through the end credits, playing for a prolonged seven minutes.

Episode 2: “Soubise”

In this scene, every song played belongs to the 1980s, one of them being Bob Dylan’s “Most of the Time” from his 1989 album Oh Mercy. This track is heard as character Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) phones his sister Natalie (Abby Elliott), expressing regret for not yet meeting his newborn niece. Initially, she thinks he’s ringing about job cuts at The Bear, but once they sort things out, she inquires about his wellbeing. He responds vaguely at first, then subtly redirects the conversation to her. This exchange turns out to be a heartfelt, authentic interaction filled with soft expressions of support—a poignant, emotionally resonant moment amidst the turmoil. Though the song primarily deals with romantic sorrow, its words perfectly capture Carmy’s inner feelings.

Episode 3: “Scallop”

Dion, “Only You Know”

The evening meal service has become more peaceful now as everyone seems to be finding their rhythm. Meanwhile, Carmy prepares a traditional Original Beef of Chicagoland sandwich on checkered paper for Richie to bring as a surprise supper for a family who are celebrating their daughter’s successful cancer treatment. The song “Only You Know” plays softly in the background, accompanying Richie’s conversation with someone who might be a food critic. In due course, the family steps outside into the cold air, where Richie creates an amusing fake snow setting. It feels like a shared accomplishment as Dion sings, “And only you know where you have been to/Only you know what you have been through.

Episode 4: “Worms”

Curtis Mayfield “So in Love”

In this touching segment, we find Syd having her hair styled at her cousin’s residence, all while growing closer to her cousin’s child, TJ. TJ’s playground predicaments echo Syd’s own internal conflict: whether to remain at The Bear or accept Chef Shapiro (Adam Shapiro)’s proposal for starting a new restaurant. The episode concludes with Syd phoning Shapiro about some documents, suggesting she has made her choice. As the show ends and credits begin, Curtis Mayfield’s “So in Love” plays, its mellow, down-to-earth vibe mirroring the calm assurance of her decision.

Episode 5: “Replicants”

Paul Simon, “Let Me Live in Your City”

Some of the most profound scenes in the series unfold when characters leave the kitchen. As Carmy drives solo, the music of Paul Simon’s “Let Me Live in Your City” fills the air, and the camera captures the undersides of bridges and blurred city landscapes – giving a gritty, realistic perspective. His visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio borders on travelogue, but it instead brings us closer to Carmy’s heart. Without dialogue, Simon’s comforting, conversational voice harmonizes with Carmy’s silent journey, creating an unexpectedly personal and intimate scene.

Episode 6: “Sophie”

Wilco, “I’m Always in Love”

In this revamped narrative:

The renowned band Wilco graces “The Bear” once more, as the team unites to support Syd amid her father’s hospitalization. Matty Matheson and Ricky Staffieri attempt a covert peek at Sophie, baby of Sugar, while Tina inched nearer to achieving her plating time target. Meanwhile, sommelier Sweeps (Corey Hendrix) proposes a streamlined service strategy to Richie. The mid-tempo tune “I’m Always in Love” subtly suggests that for a change, some predicaments may find resolutions.

Episode 7: “Bears”

Everything But the Girl, “Apron Strings”

In this wedding episode that runs longer than typical, you’ll find an abundance of music equivalent to a whole album. However, the most poignant moment occurs during a subtle conversation between Syd and Donna Berzatto (played by Jamie Lee Curtis). The background music for this scene is “Apron Strings” by Everything But the Girl, which intensifies their interaction. Among all the significant dialogues in the episode, this one is unique, as it’s only appropriate for these two characters. The song’s dual significance – both culinary and emotional attachment – mirrors their conversation. This scene serves as a powerful focal point and seems to have influenced the episode’s title directly.

Episode 8: “Green”

Sonny & Cher, “I Got You Babe”

On this occasion, “I Got You Babe” isn’t making its debut. Instead, it resurfaces, echoing its previous appearance in “Groundhogs,” where it played as Carmy awoke to find Groundhog Day on his TV and Bill Murray’s alarm clock playing the tune. In this instance, it reemerges during a series of vibrant scenes showing exquisitely prepared dishes, settled invoices, shopping lists for ingredients, countdown clocks, and skilled preparation of fresh produce. The sequence radiates brightness and energy, mirroring the song’s upbeat and playful vibe.

Episode 9: “Tonnato”

Bruce Hornsby & the Range, “The Show Goes On”

In this penultimate episode, Eddie Vedder’s rendition of “Save It for Later” by The English Beat appears again, along with Refused’s song “New Noise” expressing defiance. However, it’s Bruce Hornsby & the Range’s “The Show Goes On” that evokes strong emotions as Sugar announces the new “best new chefs” for Food & Wine, with Marcus (Lionel Boyce) being one of them. A heartwarming photo montage of The Bear follows, and before you know it, Marcus sends his father a tear-jerking article about the news from Food & Wine. By the time he hits “send,” we’re all emotional too.

Episode 10: “Goodbye”

St. Vincent, “Fast Slow Disco”

In this season finale, the 2018 remix of St. Vincent’s “Fast Slow Disco” serves as the one significant musical moment. Initially played in “Scallop” during the preparation of the dish, it reappears here as the restaurant’s closing time approaches and continues to play throughout the credits. The lyrics of the chorus, “Slip my hand from your hand/Leave you dancin’ with a ghost”, seem to echo poignantly as Carmy is about to depart from Syd.

2025-06-30 23:54