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The music of Umbrella Academy season two is just as captivating and instrumental to the storyline as it was in season one. While Vanya’s violin is a central part of the story, the tunes and themes around it mold the show into something great. As the siblings are tossed into different moments in time, the music guides listeners through the sometimes confusing story threads.
Showrunner Steve Blackman is still at the helm of picking many of the more iconic song and scene combinations in the show. He possesses an uncanny ability to pair songs and scenes in a way that enhances and makes viewers see the scenes in a new light. Though Blackman pulls songs from many different eras, the music he selects for Umbrella Academy season two has a vein of continuity. It would be impossible to cover all of the impeccable music stylings of the season.
But here are a few of the most influential moments the music of Umbrella Academy season two molds the show. Beware, there are major spoilers for Umbrella Academy season two ahead!
Umbrella Academy Season Two Overview
We begin Umbrella Academy season two with a Brady Bunch style intro where Five helps us recap season one. The siblings are thrust into a different moment in time as they try to stop the apocalypse. Besides their personal problems, the Umbrella Academy is hunted by assassins and dealing with the mystery surrounding their “father,” Reginald Hargreeves.
Though they all end up in 1961, their locations and the way they deal with the times are far apart. Jumping from sibling to sibling and era to era can get hectic. However, sticking with tunes from the 50s and 60s helps tie the timelines together. The show juxtaposes era-appropriate songs with the unbelievable scenarios the narrative takes us through. Even organic songs that play on the radio or are in the background ambiance have a feeling of connection that helps make the show more cohesive.
Umbrella Academy Season Two Themes
The themes of Umbrella Academy season two bring both the seasons and episodes together. While the action is less focused on Vanya and her violin, and more on the siblings’ journey through the 60s, the string-heavy soundtrack fades. The iconic harpsichord for the show’s theme song still plays over creative umbrella shapes for every episode.
Vanya’s Theme
Vanya’s theme plays during the credits of every episode, which not only is reminiscent of the previous season but also reminds us how strong Vanya truly is. When Luther finally sees Vanya again, it triggers the violin theme and reminds viewers that Vanya is not the harmless nanny she portrays. Her anger and potential for destruction still lie beneath the surface. Vanya’s theme intensifies when she uses her powers to save Harlan from drowning. However, the theme is quieter and more soothing, revealing that Vanya can use her powers for life as well as destruction.
When the siblings finally reunite in Valhalla, strands of violin music tie the group together. Vanya’s powers flare when her emotions do, and this is when we hear her theme as the strongest. When Vanya is interrogated by the FBI, the violin solo dances above an orchestra and flows into a more suspenseful and synthesized accompaniment as she delves into her brain.
As she remembers her repressed powers, Vanya’s theme becomes stronger and stronger, once again threatening to bring about the apocalypse. Even as Ben explores Vanya’s sub-conscience, a Bach partita plays in the background, tying us back to Vanya’s season one profession. As Ben soothes Vanya’s conflicted soul, the strings turn soft and take a major turn. Further, they connect Vanya’s powers with Harlan’s. The instrument underlies the main storyline of Umbrella Academy season two and ties everything together even through the crazy adventures along the way.
Fight Scene Tunes
The action scenes are perfectly complimented with high energy songs. The energy makes the action flow and focuses our attention on how the fights move the story along. Again, this contributes to the threads of connection that Blackman weaves for viewers. The levity of many of the songs showcases the violence happening on screen. Although the fight scenes are pretty epic on their own, the selected songs create an ambiance that refocuses viewers on why the action is happening.
I’m A Man By The Spencer Davis Group
As Diego fights his father in a dimly lit warehouse, “I’m A Man” by The Spencer Davis Group accompanies their battle. Upbeat energy frames the darkness of the fight almost like a music video or concert. The song keeps a comic book feel that you get from reading the onomatopoeia in a paper copy. This scene introduces viewers to the alternate timeline where Reginald Hargreeves is still alive and working towards his own agenda. This sets up the rest of the season through the effortless storytelling of music and action.
Bad Guy Cover By The Interrupters
Many of us are familiar with Billie Eilish’s version of this song. However, this rendition of “Bad Guy” by The Interrupters beautifully accompanies another fight scene between Five and Lila. Because Lila’s story intertwines with the siblings’ the song implies the reality that often can’t be sure who is actually the bad guy.
Especially when viewed from different vantage points, both parties could be acting on reasonably “good” motives while performing “bad” deeds.
Dancing With Myself By Generation X
Five’s iconic duel with his older but younger self is set to literal titling. Luther’s inability to control the situation, despite his size, completes the humor. Defining the fight as a dance emphasizes the ridiculousness of the conflict. The tete a tete is so equally matched that we are distracted for a moment from the peril the president is in. Though there were plenty of fights and scuffles during Umbrella Academy season two, each was memorable because of the songs paired with them.
Character Development Songs
Since the siblings are so separated at the start of the season, we hop around the decade. Finding out how each deals with their new surroundings shape the way they deal with the final conflict. With so much ground to cover in both the story and character development, Blackman uses carefully placed montages and themes to fill in the gaps. The songs surrounding their stories help move the viewer’s understanding along without the story feeling rushed.
Sunny By Boney M
Boney M’s “Sunny” introduces us to Klaus in 1960 conning the rich acolytes that he encounters. His partnership with Ben has helped him become a respected hippie icon who travels the world and garners a cult-like following. His fame does not agree with him, and he again runs from his followers. Klaus’ journey of sobriety to find Dave and stop his own life crisis from happening is accompanied by positive and funky tunes. However, when he falls back into alcoholism, a harder-hitting rock song brings him back to a low place.
Klaus is one of the most musically based siblings of the season, using quotes and song lyrics to fuel his cult. Throughout the season, Klaus uses his connection with Ben to survive. This tie proved instrumental in saving the world from another Vanya-triggered apocalypse.
Major Tom By Peter Schilling
In Valhalla, Pogo gets his own backstory explained, accompanied by Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom.” Pogo’s intelligence and ability to easily comprehend how the space probe works impressed Hargreeves. Though the chimp is celebrated, the intensity and suspense of the song’s narrative warn viewers of Hargreeves’ ulterior motives. As we learn about Pogo’s trauma and why he became a being of human intelligence, “Major Tom” carries our understanding forward.
Twistin The Night Away by Sam Cooke
The three siblings dance together once again to “Twistin The Night Away.” Though pretty drunk, they enjoy themselves just as they did as kids together and briefly forget the troubles they have thrust upon them. The episodes around this scene show various couplings of three of the seven siblings. From the three dancing in the 60s to Klaus, Diego, and Alison attempting to stop Vanya. Even to the old and young Five and Luther attempting to correct the timeline. Though the dynamics are different with the different pairings, we find that when the siblings come together, they can eventually work together for positive change.
Hold On, I’m Comin’ By Sam & Dave
When Allison finally tells her husband of this timeline about her powers, “Hold On I’m Coming” plays with their adventures. With such a powerful ability, Ray and Alison could easily change the world in unimaginable ways. Thankfully, they realize the magnitude of her powers and stop at reeling in the ability to shop at stores that would otherwise refuse them service. Displaying her true self and dysfunctional family to a “normal person” brings the action back down to earth and focuses on the relationships that are built and broken throughout the show.
*Spoilers*
A final note of interest lies in one of the biggest reveals of the season. As Reginald Hargreeves strips himself of his human mask in the penultimate episode 743, there is no music in the background. Because of the rich music throughout the episodes, this adds to the utter shock value and mystery surrounding the scene. Amid the viewer’s questions and the screams of those Hargreeves is slaughtering, we only hear an eerie whine as we contemplate the mask. Just as the music plays an important role in how we take in the story, so does well-placed silence.
Here Comes The End Of Umbrella Academy Season Two
As “Here Comes The End” by Umbrella Academy comic author Gerard Way plays in the final episode, we reflect on the overall impact the music of Umbrella Academy season two has on the show. Season one set the bar high with its delectable music choices and originality. Once again, it blows us away with its power, charm, and storytelling capabilities. Blackman and composer Jeff Russo use the music to support the arcs of both characters and the story emotionally. While songs often tell stories themselves, Blackman uses tunes with their own stories to help shape the drama he creates.
The music of Umbrella Academy season two does not distract from the story. Rather, it enhances the viewer experience. From classic songs to original soundtracks to the more indie tunes, the soundtrack molds the season. The music and story complement each other in a magical way. This leaves us enamored and ready for what season three holds narratively and sonically.