The Hunger Games fans worldwide are almost ready to take their seats for the new instalment of the franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping, which is set to hit UK cinemas on 20 November. Having feverishly read the book as soon as it was released, I cannot wait to see this movie on the big screen, but simultaneously, I am not ready to witness what might be the most heartbreaking movie of the series.
In anticipation of the movie’s release, its accompanying soundtrack, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Album), is set for release on 13 November and includes contributions from artists such as Stevie Nicks, Lizzy McAlpine, and Lewis Capaldi. Get the tissues ready — this could be the most emotional soundtrack of all time. The lead single of the project is Noah Kahan’s ‘Draw You Out.’ The song feels as though it could have been written from the perspective of main character Haymitch Abernathy himself, with lyrics such as “I’ve been caught in some old boring joke / The only punchline’s how long it goes.”
Like Sunrise on the Reaping, each movie in the series has historically been coupled with a companion album which is loaded with songs inspired by the movies. These songs are often used in promotional campaigns as well as in the end-credits rolls.
The credits of the first movie feature the one and only Taylor Swift, with her song ‘Safe and Sound.’ It conveys the vulnerability of Katniss in the arena with stripped back vocals and an acoustic melody. The lyrics “just close your eyes… you’ll be alright / No one can hurt you now” reflect Rue’s heartbreaking death, and the images of Katniss laying her to rest. It represents holding on to hope in the most difficult times, just as Katniss does.
A memorable addition to the soundtrack for the second movie — Catching Fire — is a cover of ‘Everybody Wants To Rule the World’ performed by Lorde. Moody and intense, the single captures the dark atmosphere of the movie and the looming revolution. Lorde also provided the end credits song for Mockingjay: Part 1. ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’ has an eery tone and represents the mental state of Katniss at this stage in the franchise, as well as the misery of the war.
Music also plays a big part within the stories themselves. It links Katniss with her heritage and the memory of her father. The song ‘The Hanging Tree’, a key component in the books, took on a life of its own when Jennifer Lawrence sang it as Katniss for Mockingjay: Part 1. While many club remixes and house edits of the ‘The Hanging Tree’ are ironic given the message of the song in the series, it nevertheless allows fans to share their love for the franchise.
A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is interwoven with songs by Lucy Gray Baird and the Covey. Rachel Zegler performs the folk-style songs of the books for this movie, bringing them to life with the passion and steeliness of Lucy Gray herself. The movie also had a lead single by Olivia Rodrigo, ‘Can’t Catch Me Now,’ which peaked at number 12 on the UK Official Single Chart. Its lyrics capture the elusiveness of Lucy Gray and her omnipresence throughout the series.
Music is an integral part of The Hunger Games, as part of both the plots of the books and the movie franchise. It is a key narrative device and shows how music can connect people, feelings, and history. The accompanying singles often become intertwined with the movies, and listening to them allows fans to relive the emotions they felt when watching the Games unfold onscreen. As anticipation builds for the new movie, so does excitement about the soundtrack that comes with it.
Illustration by Conon Walsh @kurehaww.jpg for The Student.
