Oh, Lorde: The 15 Best Songs To Come From The “Hunger Games” Soundtracks

It was with great sadness (and some rage) that this writer learnt there would be no soundtrack to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.

After three consecutive years of companion OSTs (original soundtracks), why would the makers of The Hunger Games suddenly decide the final entry in their film series would be fine without one? Sure, the last two instalments barely featured any of the songs from their respective soundtracks. But still! For the big finale, they’ve left us high and dry. A Hunger Games movie without its soundtrack is like Katniss without her bow, or Effie Trinket without her wig, or Caesar Flickerman without his ridiculous, hugely suggestive name: not quite as effective.

Hastily cobbled-together cash-in soundtracks are one of the proudest traditions in cinema, yet that’s not why the absence of a Mockingjay Part 2 album disappoints. These things were actually good. They were thematically relevant. The artists seemed to have written songs inspired by the films (as the soundtracks usually claim, despite instead containing whichever song The Killers left off their most recent record).

Unconvinced? In honour of the three fine soundtracks we did get, let us share with you their 15 best tracks.

15. "Lost Souls” by Raury

Lorde produced the soundtrack to Mockingjay: Part 1, which felt more like a 'Lorde and Her Famous Friends' variety show than anything else. ("Who's that knocking on the door? Why, come on in, Charli XCX!") Nobody complained. She recruited buzzy indie rapper Raury for this intimidating march song.

14. “Original Beast” by Grace Jones

Lorde also convinced original #Queen Grace Jones to produce her first new song in years for the franchise. Jones brought with her some disorienting drums and hypnotic chants. Yes, queen.

13. “Ladder Song” by Lorde

Lorde had the (self-awarded) honour of closing out her Mockingjay tribute (geddit?) with this sparse, spooky Bright Eyes cover, which rounds out a number of EDM and hip-hop contributions. Eclectic!

12. "This Is Not A Game” by The Chemical Brothers feat. Miguel

Once again, from Mockingjay: Part 1. Here, Miguel teams up with The Chemical Brothers for what would pass as a club track in the dystopian Districts. (Yes, that’s Lorde’s voice that pops up throughout. Her fingers are pretty much in each of these individual sonic pies.)

11. “Abraham’s Daughter” by Arcade Fire

The opening track off The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond actually plays over the closing credits for the first picture. Arcade Fire, led by Régine Chassagne, retell the Biblical tale by giving it an imposing, revolutionary streak.

10. “The Hanging Tree” by James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence

The most popular single from Mockingjay: Part 1 wasn’t even initially on the soundtrack: Katniss’ haunting rendition of Panem lullaby “The Hanging Tree” (lyrics penned by book author Suzanne Collins). When it was finally released for purchase (and added as an addendum to the OST), composer James Newton Howard and Jennifer Lawrence wound up with a Top 5 hit in Australia, so, add that laurel to J-Law’s already hefty collection of accolades.

9. “Rules” by Jayme Dee

This is just really nice.

8. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Lorde

And this is very much not nice. Lorde sucks the buoyancy from Tears for Fears’ classic anthem, making it a morose, hellish dirge for Catching Fire. I like it. (We can also thank this cover for getting Lorde’s foot in the door and paving the way for that Mockingjay musical smorgasbord. So, thanks, cover!)

7. “Dead Air” by CHVRCHES

We’re back to Mockingjay: Part 1. Here, CHVRCHES deliver a revolutionary manifesto in the only manner that makes a lasting impression: via synths!

6. “All My Love” by Major Lazer feat. Ariana Grande

Finally, the romantic, club-ready banger this series about children murdering each other sorely needed.

5. “Yellow Flicker Beat” by Lorde

The song may have been written from the perspective of an incensed Katniss, yet the dance moves are all Lorde. (Bonus points: Kanye did the remix!)

4. “Dark Days” by Punch Brothers

The mandolin-strumming Punch Brothers really nailed the plaintive tone of the first Hunger Games movie. The soundtrack boasts ditties from “District 12 and Beyond” and this one definitely sounds like it came from the starving civilians of Katniss' home town.

3. “Meltdown” by Stromae feat. Lorde, Pusha T, Q-Tip & Haim

Imagine a world where Lorde can recruit Belgian musician Stromae, former Clipse member Pusha T, A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip and singing sisters Haim to write a song about Jennifer Lawrence. Well, in 2014, we were living in that impossible paradise. This is the magic we’re going without for Mockingjay: Part 2.

2. "Safe and Sound” by Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars

Before Lorde came along, Taylor Swift was the spirit animal of the Hunger Games series. As the movies became more stylish and Capitol-centric (and less about the pallid, peasant dress-wearing residents of District 12), the still-country T-Swift became less relevant. Oh well. She made her impression with the ghostly, beautiful “Safe and Sound”.

1. “Elastic Heart” by Sia feat. The Weeknd

It was forgotten in the wake of its chart success as a standalone Sia single, but “Elastic Heart” is really all about Katniss Everdeen. If that revelation blew the minds of those who didn’t hear the tune back in 2013, this next part will cause the complete detonation of any remaining body parts: The Weeknd sang the second verse on the original too. Though not totally underground at this point, The Weeknd's collaboration with Sia certainly came well before his watershed singles “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills”. Can you imagine if this collabo had been released today? Would we, as a society, have even been ready for it?