The Netflix drama Beef dropped in April 2023 and quickly became a talking point for many reasons. But for rock fans, one thing stood out above the rest. The show’s music list is packed with angry, sad, and honest songs from the 1990s and early 2000s. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong play two strangers who get into a road rage fight that gets worse and worse. As their anger grows, the music brings back memories of a time when rock music wore its heart on its sleeve.
Why the Beef Soundtrack Uses So Many 90s Rock Hits
Show creator Lee Sung Jin had a clear idea for the sound of the show. He wanted music that felt raw and real. Music supervisor Tiffany Anders said that Jin had a long list of 90s rock songs ready before they even started working. The two shared music playlists back and forth, bonding over bands like Built to Spill and My Bloody Valentine. Composer Bobby Krlic, who made the show’s score, explained that the 1990s was a special time for music. People were not afraid to show their feelings. The lyrics were direct and honest, which fit perfectly with the story of two very lonely and angry people.
“The ’90s was this golden period where people just had their hearts on their sleeves with that kind of music. They just express things very matter of factly and in a really unique, emotional way.” – Bobby Krlic, Beef composer
The music does more than just play in the background. Each song adds to the scene and tells you something about what Danny (Steven Yeun) and Amy (Ali Wong) are feeling inside.
Every Rock Song on the Beef Soundtrack Listed by Episode
Here is a complete look at all the rock and alternative songs you will hear while watching the show. The music starts in the very first episode and does not stop until the final credits roll.
Episode 1: ‘The Birds Don’t Sing, They Screech In Pain’
- Hoobastank – “The Reason” (2004)
Episode 2: ‘The Rapture Of Being Alive’
- Collective Soul – “Shine” (1993)
- Tori Amos – “Cornflake Girl” (1994)
Episode 3: ‘I Am Inhabited By A Cry’
- Incubus – “Drive” (2000)
- Steven Yeun also sings a full cover of this song.
Episode 4: ‘Just Not All At The Same Time’
- Sugar Ray – “Fly” (1997)
- Limp Bizkit – “Nookie” (1999)
- Morphine – “Cure For Pain” (1993)
- The Offspring – “Self Esteem” (1994)
Episode 5: ‘Such Inward Secret Creatures’
- System of a Down – “Lonely Day” (2006)
Episode 6: ‘We Draw A Magic Circle’
- Paula Cole – “I Don’t Want To Wait” (1997)
- Bush – “Machinehead” (1996)
Episode 7: ‘I Am A Cage’
- Keane – “Somewhere Only We Know” (2004)
Episode 8: ‘The Drama Of Original Choice’
- Grant Lee Buffalo – “Mockingbirds” (1994)
Episode 9: ‘The Great Fabricator’
- Tad – “Jinx” (1990)
- Björk – “All Is Full Of Love” (1999)
Episode 10: ‘Figures Of Light’
- The Smashing Pumpkins – “Mayonaise” (1993)
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Steven Yeun Sings an Incubus Cover for the Show
One of the most talked about music moments in Beef happens when Steven Yeun sings “Drive” by Incubus. In the show, his character Danny sings the song in his truck. The scene is both funny and sad at the same time. Music supervisor Tiffany Anders said that when she saw Jin had written a scene where a character sings a famous song, her first thought was about the cost. Getting the rights to use a song in that way is very expensive. But the team agreed that the scene worked too well to cut it.
Later, A24 Music released a full version of Steven Yeun singing “Drive.” The bonus track came out on June 15, 2023, as part of the Beef: The Bonus Tracks EP. Fans can now hear the full four-minute cover on streaming services.
The Smashing Pumpkins Song That Ends the Series
The final episode of Beef ends with “Mayonaise” by The Smashing Pumpkins. This was not a last-minute choice. Show creator Lee Sung Jin told his team that he wanted this song for the ending before they even started filming. He wanted to shoot the final scene while the song played on set. The camera follows the music, making the song a key part of the storytelling. The track comes from the band’s 1993 album Siamese Dream and is a favorite among fans of 90s alternative rock.
Where to Stream the Beef Soundtrack and Score
The full original score by Bobby Krlic (also known as The Haxan Cloak) came out on April 6, 2023, the same day the show launched on Netflix. A24 Music put out the album. The score has 27 tracks and runs for about 45 minutes. Krlic made all the music himself, playing every instrument and handling the production.
For fans who want just the licensed songs, you can find user-made playlists on Spotify and Apple Music that collect all the 90s and 2000s tracks from the show. Search for “Beef soundtrack” to find them. The show’s music supervisor Tiffany Anders picked songs that she grew up listening to. She saw many of these bands play live in the 1990s.
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