2020s

Soundtracks of Television: ‘City on Fire’

City on Fire Soundtrack - Every Song in the Apple TV+ Series

The City on Fire soundtrack includes music by The Walkmen, The White Stripes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This info article contains spoilers and song details for Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s Apple TV+ series. Visit the Soundtracks of Television section for more Vague Visages music guides.

City on Fire stars Jemima Kirke as Regan, a Manhattan native who reunites with her estranged sister. Wyatt Oleff co-stars as Charlie, a Long Island resident who befriends an NYU student. The storyline explores the events that led to a Central Park shooting in 2003. Composer Jason Hill (Mindhunter) scored the Apple TV+ series; music supervisor Jonathan Leahy (A Million Little Things) handled the featured needle-drops. Here’s every song in City on Fire, an adaptation of Garth Risk Hallberg’s 2015 novel.

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City on Fire Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1 “We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us”

City on Fire Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 1

  • Helmsman” by Ambulance Ltd (00:01): Charlie meets with Dr. Atlschul. The City on Fire soundtrack song scores a flashback sequence. Charlie recalls wandering around in Manhattan.
  • “We’ve Been Had” by The Walkmen (00:04): Charlie hangs out with Sam (Chase Sui Wonders). The music continues during a transition scene. Charlie remembers his “real education.”
  • “City of Fire” by Ex Post Facto (00:06): Charlie wears headphones and listens to music. Sam reacts with excitement. The track plays again at 00:21, 00:40 and 00:57.
  • “When the Curtain Calls for You” by Jonathan Fire Eater (00:09): A record store sequence begins. The City on Fire soundtrack song plays from a speaker system. Charlie receives a phone call from Sam.
  • “America the Beautiful” by Cast (00:11): The music is featured during an interior scene. Children perform at a public event. Regan sits next to Keith (Ashley Zukerman).
  • “Brass Tactics” by Ex Nihilo (00:35): Charlie and Sam attend a concert. Nicky (Max Milner) performs with his band. The music drops during a cab scene.

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City on Fire Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2 “Scenes from Private Life”

City on Fire Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 2

  • We’re Going to Be Friends” by The White Stripes (00:02): The City of Fire soundtrack song accompanies the opening sequence. Sam exits her home. She hangs out with Charlie.
  • “House of Jealous Lovers” by The Rapture (00:06): The music plays during a street sequence. Charlie walks with Sam. He leaves to find water.
  • “Maybe Not” by Cat Power (00:09): Nicky hypes up a crowd. He vows to burn the city to the ground. Sam asks Charlie to undo her top.

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City on Fire Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3 “The Family Business”

City on Fire Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 3

  • Black Tongue” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs (00:02): The City of Fire soundtrack song accompanies a concert sequence. The Yeah Yeahs perform live. Sam dances by herself.
  • “Come Together” by Spiritualized (00:26): Charlie finishes a conversation with Sewer Girl (Alexandra Doke). The music continues during a transition scene. Charlie moves band equipment.
  • “Too Many Creeps” by Bush Tetras (00:31): Nicky shakes a bottle of spray paint. He hangs out with friends. Charlie talks to Sewer Girl about receiving “an eyeful.”
  • “Radio America” by The Libertines (00:42): The City of Fire soundtrack song plays during an exterior scene. Keith ends a phone call with Tony. He arrives at a building.

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City on Fire Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4 “Land of a Thousand Dances”

City on Fire Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 4

  • “2000 Miles” by Pretenders (00:02): The City of Fire soundtrack song accompanies a bookstore sequence. Sam shops with Charlie. They discuss The Hierarchies of Cuckoldry and Bankruptcy by Charles Fourier.
  • “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest (00:04): An exterior sequence begin. Sewer Girl hands out flyers about gentrification. Music plays from a speaker system.
  • “Wolf Like Me” by TV on the Radio (00:07): Williams runs from a cop. Charlie spots a wanted poster. He leaves a bookstore with Sewer Girl.
  • “Fight ‘Em Off” by Ex Post Facto (00:10): The City of Fire soundtrack song plays during a hospital scene. Sam’s father decorates her room. He holds his daughter’s hand.
  • “Hands Away” by Interpol (00:13): Sam cuts Charlie’s hair. Music plays from a speaker system. Charlie stresses out about his recent behavior.
  • “Untitled #1” by Sigur Rós (00:21): Detective Parsa looks at a research wall. The music continues during an animated sequence. Sam reads from her zine.
  • “I Might Be Wrong” by Radiohead (00:46): Nicky announces a new plan. Charlie exits a building. The music plays again at 00:51 and continues during the end credits.

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City on Fire Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5 “Brass Tactics”

City on Fire Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 5

  • “Nyc” by Interpol (00:03): The City of Fire soundtrack song accompanies the opening sequence. Charlie walks with Sam. The characters hold hands during a slo-mo scene.
  • “Open Your Eyes” by Laszlo Bencker (00:05): Charlie pays to get photos developed. Music plays from a speaker system. Charlie inquires about a “doctor-patient confidentiality thing.”
  • “Lunatic Fringe” by Red Rider (00:11): A bar scene begins. Music plays over images of 9/11 signs and clothing. Detective Parsa hangs out with Detective McFadden.
  • “Salad Days” by Minor Threat (00:15): Sewer Girl and company talk about Sam’s books. The City of Fire soundtrack song continues during a transition scene. Sewer Girl surprises Nicky.
  • “Rise” by Public Image Ltd. (00:19): William paints at his studio. Music plays from a speaker system. William receives a visit from Bruno (Felix Solis).

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City on Fire Soundtrack: Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6 “Annus Horribilis”

City on Fire Soundtrack on Apple TV+ - Every Song in Season 1, Episode 6

  • “The Knife” by Ex Post Fact (00:07): Sewer Girl and company knock at Nicky’s door. The City of Fire soundtrack song plays from an apartment as Charlie arrives. The music amplifies and then drops as Nicky turns off a record.
  • “Age of Consent” by New Order (00:15): William wanders outdoors. Distorted music aligns with a memory. The track plays again at 00:21 during a flashback sequence.
  • “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston (00:24): A flashback sequence continues. William attends an engagement party with Regan. Music plays from a speaker system.
  • “This Is the Day” by The The (00:24): William hangs out with Regan during a flashback scene. He drinks a shot of alcohol. The siblings talk about a friend.

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City on Fire airs weekly on Apple TV+. New episodes premiere every Friday through June 16, 2023. This article about the City on Fire soundtrack will be updated as the series progresses.

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.