3 of the Most Dramatic Songs From Past ‘Hunger Games’ Soundtracks

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping arrives in the U.S. on November 20. The accompanying soundtrack will feature songs by Ella Langley, Noah Kahan, The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, Stevie Nicks, and others.

So while we wait for the next chapter of the dystopian series, let’s revisit a few standout—and intensely dramatic—songs from previous Hunger Games soundtracks.

“Yellow Flicker Beat” by Lorde

With minimalist production, Lorde details the rise of Katniss Everdeen, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence. Lorde’s voice resembles a buzzing instrument—like a warrior animated by the instinct to survive. Then evolving into an avatar of rebellion. It shares a similar groove to Lorde’s 2013 breakout hit, “Royals”, an alt-pop smash driven by ennui and culture’s obsession with consumerism. From The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1(2014).

I’m a princess cut from marble, smoother than a storm,
And the scars that mark my body, they’re silver and gold.
My blood is a flood of rubies, precious stones,
It keeps my veins hot; the fires found a home in me.
I move through town, I’m quiet like a fire,
And my necklace is of rope, I tie it and untie it.

“Capitol Letter” by Patti Smith

Patti Smith describes “Capitol Letter” as a double entendre. She said, “It’s like a letter to the Capitol, warning them about Katniss, but warning them in a proud way.” But it also warns the Capitol that Katniss is mocking it. The track features Smith’s son, Jackson, on guitar, and daughter, Jesse, on piano. From The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013).

Bird in the hand,
Another role to play.
Mocking as the jay,
Mocking as the jay.

“Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo

Written by Olivia Rodrigo and producer Dan Nigro, “Can’t Catch Me Now” is part survival and part revenge tour. Rodrigo sings hauntingly about refusing to disappear even when she’s not visible. As the track progresses, her voice flickers between a cautionary whisper and a multitude of stacked voices, like an army methodically surrounding its target. From The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes (2023).

But I’m in the trees, I’m in the breeze,
My footsteps on the ground.
You’ll see my face in every place,
But you can’t catch me now.

Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images