How The Song For Loki Season 2 Episode 5"s Sylvie Music Scene Was Chosen Explained By Head Writer

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Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for Loki season 2, episode 5, "Science/Fiction"!
Summary

The song "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" by The Velvet Underground was chosen for Sylvie's music scene in Loki season 2, episode 5 based on the directing duo's vision and vibe they wanted to create.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has shifted away from using licensed music in its titles, but the success of scenes like the one in Loki and the Guardians of the Galaxy movies suggests a return to licensed music could have a powerful impact.
While composed tracks like the Avengers theme and Loki's theme song are iconic, there is still room for licensed music to enhance the atmosphere and emotion of scenes in MCU projects like the Blade reboot and Deadpool 3.

Proving to be one of the most harrowing moments of the season's penultimate episode, Eric Martin explains how the song was chosen for Loki season 2, episode 5's Sylvie music scene. Failing to repair the Temporal Loom in time, the episode saw everyone but Loki transported to their respective original timelines, their memories of the TVA erased. In the hopes of restoring it all, Loki tries to bring everyone back together, with Sylvie holding out as she retains her memories and doesn't want to help. Sylvie is ultimately convinced when her favorite record shop and timeline becomes spaghettified, narrowly escaping in time to join Loki and the group.
In honor of the episode's premiere, Screen Rant spoke exclusively with Eric Martin to discuss Loki season 2, episode 5, "Science/Fiction". When asked about Sylvie's harrowing music scene and the song chosen for it, The Velvet Underground's "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'", the Head Writer revealed that while there was a lot of discussion about which track to pick for the sequence, it was ultimately directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead who felt it fit the scene perfectly. See what Martin shared below:

Oh, there was a lot of talk about that, and that was Aaron and Justin. That was the vibe they wanted to have in there, and it was funny because I listened to Velvet Underground throughout the writing of the season. I always just put music on, and then I just go at it, but that was never really the conversation. They came to that on their own.

The MCU Doesn't Turn To Licensed Music Enough Close Though the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe saw the likes of the Iron Man movies become unofficial AC/DC soundtracks, the franchise has largely shifted away from the use of licensed music in their various titles. For some, this makes more sense, as the fantastical world of Asgard can seem a little better suited for more traditional musical score over a filmmakers' favorite track. However, there are some examples that show that a return to the use of licensed music should be explored within in the MCU.
In addition to the Loki season 2, episode 5 scene — in which Velvet Underground's 1970 song played hauntingly against the terrifying crumbling of reality — James Gunn has proven across his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy of movies and Disney+ Holiday Special that licensed music can almost be more impactful than a composed track. The first Black Panther movie saw a similar success in this field with its soundtrack composed by Ludwig Göransson while all of its original songs were either performed or curated by Kendrick Lamar.
The Black Panther soundtrack debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Top 200 and was nominated for three Golden Globes, eight Grammys and two Academy Awards. It would win two Grammys for Best Rap Performance for "King's Dead" and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, as well as the Oscar for Best Original Score.
While some may argue that without composed material, audiences would be without such iconic tracks as Alan Silvestri's Avengers theme or even Natalie Holt's energetic Loki theme song, there is still more than enough room for more licensed music to be used in various titles. Sylvie's season 2 sequence shows just how a song's lyrics can resonate with its respective scene, as the Velvet Underground track can be interpreted as embracing living with nothing as much as lamenting over finding one's self without anything, tying nicely into Sylvie nearly enjoying a quiet life before it all spaghettifies. With such projects as the Blade reboot and Deadpool 3 being prime candidates for licensed music to match their atmospheres, one can hope Marvel allows its filmmakers to continue to do so.
The Loki season 2 finale premieres on Disney+ on Thursday.
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