The Pitt, the riveting HBO hospital show, isn't especially known for its big soundtrack moments. This is not a Grey's Anatomy situation. The show's real-time rhythms are stressful and disorienting, to the point where the end of every episode takes me by surprise. It doesn't need music for its emotional moments, so it never uses music. When a fictional music festival figured heavily into the show's first season last year, it wasn't even remotely clear what kind of music festival it was. But apparently, there are exceptions.
There's a new episode of The Pitt on tonight, and it'll feature a song that Andrew Bird wrote specifically for the show. Bird, the veteran indie singer-songwriter, was last seen on this site when his album Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs turned 20 last year. He worked with The Pitt composer Gavin Brivik to write "Need Someone," a short and evocative track that, per a press release, will "soundtrack a pivotal moment and crucial scene" on tonight's episode. Here's what Bird says about it:
I was approached by The Pitt composer Gavin Brivik about writing for this scene. I really enjoy these projects because the challenge is to respond to the emotion of the scene with melody and lyrics. There’s a bit more clarity of purpose to it, as opposed to writing for myself. I was thinking of all the hardships the characters have endured and how if you are an empathetic, good person you can hope that people will be there for you when it’s your time to pass on. I suppose it’s really about karma. I love how this show champions our healthcare workers and first responders who do what they do for all the right reasons: to help those in need and who are willing to put themselves in harm's way for the greater good. Gavin was a pleasure to work with. All in all — a gratifying experience.
And here's Gavin Brivik's quote:
After I finished watching the episode with The Pitt team and the showrunner, Scott, they gave me an opportunity to write a song for a powerful moment in the season. I immediately started thinking about my dream collaborators. Andrew was at the top of my list, and I felt so lucky that he was interested in working with us. I sent Andrew a sketch of the song and within hours, he sent me back a voice memo of his first pass, which literally brought me and the music editor, Lorena, to tears. It was perfect, and he brought so much depth and empathy to the music.
"Need Someone" is a sweeping, emotional acoustic track about needing someone who is gonna cry for you. Based on what I know about The Pitt, we should expect something very sad to happen on the show tonight. Prepare yourself by listening to the song below.
The "Need Someone" single is out now on Wegawam/Loma Vista/Concord.
