
Lanterns Soundtrack Season 1 Guide
New recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops, are drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Bringing a grounded, True Detective-style mystery to the DC Universe, Lanterns pairs veteran lawman Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) with younger recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) in an eight-episode HBO Max original series. Developed by Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King, the crime procedural follows the two intergalactic peacekeepers as they investigate a murder in rural America that threatens to expose a deep extraterrestrial conspiracy. Alongside Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry and Garret Dillahunt, the series trades cosmic battles for muddy tire tracks and small-town tensions, driven by an earthy, vintage soundtrack curated by music supervisor Gabe Hilfer.
Throughout the season, the soundtrack of Lanterns anchors the investigation in classic American rock, Southern hip-hop, and timeless soul. The series sets an energetic pace with seventies favorites from KC and the Sunshine Band and The Stooges' raw anthem "No Fun," before branching into deep-cut soul with Leon Bridges' "Coming Home." Standout episodic needle drops include Atlanta rap royalty Outkast taking center stage with "ATLiens" and "Gasoline Dreams," alongside modern indie rock favorites like Wunderhorse and British post-punk band Pretty Sick.
Episode 1: Pilot (Aug 16, 2026)
Episode 1 Songs: After a fatal shooting, Green Lantern Hal Jordan and new recruit John Stewart set out to prove it was an extraterrestrial event
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In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night (Lanterns Theme) [from "Lanterns"]
Scene Context: Lanterns Opening Music
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Scene Context: Hal arrives late on the street to pick up John.
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Scene Context: In the car, Hal hands the ring to John and then exits.
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Sigue creyendo en mí
Sandhy & Mandhy
Scene Context: At a taco stand, Hal interacts with customers by posing for photographs.
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Scene Context: Hal departs using an aircraft, and John pursues him by regular plane.
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Scene Context: At a bar, Hal discusses receiving his ring with John while they drink.
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Scene Context: At the bar, John engages in conversation with Zoe, while Hal continues to fight.
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Scene Context: John and Hal meet William Macon in his kitchen while he is preparing dinner.
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Knievel
Scud Mountain Boys
Scene Context: John discovers Hal's frozen body in the stands / Lanterns Episode 1 Ending Credits Music
Episode 2: Trust Fall (Aug 23, 2026)
Episode 2 Songs
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Human Condition
Pretty Sick
Scene Context: In Sinestro's prison cell, Hal Jordan interrogates him about the Manhunters as the end credits begin to roll.
Episode 3: OutKast (Aug 30, 2026)
Episode 3 Songs: When his dad misunderstands a contact attempt from the Guardians, John is put forth as the next best option to fulfill the Green Lantern destiny. Then, after a lifetime of preparation, John finally gets his chance to interview for the Guardians.
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ATLiens
Scene Context: In the vehicle, Aaron and Marcus engage in a debate about rap lyrics.
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John Stewart (from "Lanterns")
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Gasoline Dreams (with Khujo Goodie)
Scene Context: Outside his parents' home, John concludes his conversation with Hal about training. As they finish, Hal departs, and the end credits begin rolling.
Episode 4: The Weenie (Sep 6, 2026)
Episode 4 Songs: As the 48-hour deadline nears, John develops a new theory about the Manhunter's location, leading him and Hal to run their next move by Sheriff Kane. Meanwhile, Hal's visit to Sinestro has consequences.
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Walk Away
Scene Context: John is at a gun shop.
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Arpeggione Sonata in A Minor, D 821: III. Allegretto
Scene Context: John is creating a charcoal portrait of nude subject William.
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Open Your Eyes (from "Lanterns")
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Midas
Wunderhorse
Scene Context: Hal exits the vehicle while in motion, causing a collision with a pole as the end credits begin.
Episode 5: Lights Out (Sep 13, 2026)
Episode 5 Songs: As the Macon family's history unravels, Rushville mobilizes in the face of the escalating threat. As John is placed in an impossible position, Hal risks everything in a final attempt to take down the Manhunter.
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I'm Going Home
David Elliott
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Sleepwalker
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THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS
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Away from Home (Rushville's Lament) [feat. Ari Mason & Wayne Ingram] [from "Lanterns"]
Scene Context: Original End Credits Song ‘Away from Home’ from HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ Episode 5
Episode 6: Bad Optics (Sep 20, 2026)
Episode 6 Songs: Now in business with his brother Marcus, John is on the verge of landing a major investor for his innovative take on panic rooms when an unexpected phone call pulls him back to Rushville, and everything he worked so hard to leave behind.
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New Broom Sweeps Good
Clarence Ashe
Scene Context: John confronts Hal at the café to discuss the apology Bernadette promised.
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Love Is Coming Back
Kookie Freeman
Scene Context: Linda contacts John by phone while he is at the market to discuss his father's protest involving a window display at Comfort Cove.
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There's Nothing I Can Do About It
Mike and the Censations
Scene Context: John, Kerry, and Noah discuss John's panic-room business during dinner. Kerry then instructs Noah to go upstairs.
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Waves Of Nostalgia
Simon Webster
Scene Context: At Hal's funeral, John and Guy discuss Hal's suit and a ring he was wearing.
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Heartbroken, In Disrepair
Scene Context: John activates the ring to display a Hal-o-Gram during the end credits.
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In the Dirt (from "Lanterns")
Episode 7: The Jordan Boys Legacy (Sep 27, 2026)
Episode 7 Songs: Finding themselves on another planet, Hal and John must put aside their fractured past to solve a murder. Along their journey, both men are forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts...and the ways their childhoods shaped who they are today.
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Father To Son
Scene Context: Martin confronts Hal's coach and subsequently hands a key to young Hal, explaining the significance of the Jordan legacy.
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Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Scene Context: Young Hal throws a baseball and later attends Martin's funeral. In 2026, an adult Hal is depicted.
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(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty
Scene Context: During Bernadette's voicemail message, a hologram appears in the car and remains projected even after John removes the ring.
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Scene Context: John sings an Outkast song while driving to avoid answering the Halogram's questions regarding Guy Gardner.
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Father To Son
Scene Context: Young Hal retrieves his baseball during the end credits.
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An Alien World (from "Lanterns")
Episode 8: Dirt and Stars (Oct 4, 2026)
Episode 9 Songs:
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Scene Context: Kerry and Hal are dining at a restaurant, with other patrons observing them.
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Cruel to Be Kind
Scene Context: Earl expresses dissatisfaction as Hal prepares the meal.
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Scene Context: John recites an oath, activates the Lantern with his ring, and then flies away as the end credits begin.
Lanterns Season 1 Trailer Songs
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State Trooper
Drop the Lime
Lanterns HBO Max Teaser Music
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Beside You In Time
Lanterns HBO Max Official Trailer Music
Grammy-winning composer Stephanie Economou (Assassin's Creed Valhalla) provides the haunting original score, highlighted by the sweeping series theme "In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night" and the evocative Episode 5 end credits piece "Away from Home (Rushville's Lament)." As the season drives toward its emotional conclusion in "Bad Optics," the final stretch delivers powerful placements from The Kinks, Bon Iver's "THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS," and Dan Auerbach's soulful rocker "Heartbroken, In Disrepair" during Hal Jordan's funeral and the closing credits.
Main Cast
- Aaron Pierre John Stewart
- Kyle Chandler Hal Jordan
- Kelly Macdonald Sheriff Kerry
- Garret Dillahunt William Macon
- Poorna Jagannathan Zoe
Official Trailer
Complete Soundtrack List - All Songs Played in Every Episode
| Episode | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night (Lanterns Theme) [from "Lanterns"] | Stephanie Economou |
| E1 | Boogie Shoes | KC and the Sunshine Band |
| E1 | Get Down Tonight | KC and the Sunshine Band |
| E1 | Sigue creyendo en mí | Sandhy & Mandhy |
| E1 | No Fun | The Stooges |
| E1 | Brand New Key | Melanie |
| E1 | Coming Home | Leon Bridges |
| E1 | Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| E1 | Knievel | Scud Mountain Boys |
| E2 | Human Condition | Pretty Sick |
| E3 | ATLiens | Outkast |
| E3 | John Stewart (from "Lanterns") | Stephanie Economou |
| E3 | Gasoline Dreams (with Khujo Goodie) | Outkast |
| E4 | Walk Away | James Gang |
| E4 | Arpeggione Sonata in A Minor, D 821: III. Allegretto | Franz Schubert |
| E4 | Open Your Eyes (from "Lanterns") | Stephanie Economou |
| E4 | Midas | Wunderhorse |
| E5 | I'm Going Home | David Elliott |
| E5 | Sleepwalker | The Kinks |
| E5 | THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS | Bon Iver |
| E5 | Away from Home (Rushville's Lament) [feat. Ari Mason & Wayne Ingram] [from "Lanterns"] | Stephanie Economou |
| E6 | New Broom Sweeps Good | Clarence Ashe |
| E6 | Love Is Coming Back | Kookie Freeman |
| E6 | There's Nothing I Can Do About It | Mike and the Censations |
| E6 | Waves Of Nostalgia | Simon Webster |
| E6 | Heartbroken, In Disrepair | Dan Auerbach |
| E6 | In the Dirt (from "Lanterns") | Stephanie Economou |
| E7 | Father To Son | Queen |
| E7 | Don't Think Twice, It's All Right | Melanie |
| E7 | (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty | KC and the Sunshine Band |
| E7 | SpottieOttieDopaliscious | Outkast |
| E7 | Father To Son | Queen |
| E7 | An Alien World (from "Lanterns") | Stephanie Economou |
| E8 | Right Back to It | Waxahatchee |
| E8 | Cruel to Be Kind | Nick Lowe |
| E8 | Hero | Michael Kiwanuka |





