Arcane: League of Legends – Every Song, Ranked

Arcane is such a blast that it’s quite shocking to remember it’s a videogame adaptation, especially considering how those usually go. One of Riot’s trademarks that made its way into the series is their penchant for integrating some fire soundtracks into gorgeously animated sequences.

Riot has deemed it fit to add lyrical songs by some iconic musicians, and it was a great decision. From bar brawls to emotional endings, the songs in Arcane are a surefire way to add some intensity to already fantastic scenes.

“Enemy” feat. Imagine Dragons & JID

The series starts with a high-energy opening that sets the tone for the rest of the series. From the song’s title alone, “Enemy”, and the beautifully animated opening sequence, you can already feel how much rivalries and bitterness will fuel the series’ plot.

So much original animation for this song’s music video was made that doesn’t even show up in the actual show, and yet it fleshes out Ekko and Jinx’s relationship a lot more. Plus, the diegetic inclusion of it in the show was also fantastic.

“Snakes” feat. PVRIS, Miyavi

There’s a lot of “fight music” in Arcane, but this is the very first to feature Jayce, who spent most of his time inventing things. It’s a high-octane song full of aggression and intense beats. This pumping thriller is a perfect accompaniment to the fight. Plus, there’s the pure fanservice as you see Jayce and Vi use their in-game ultimates to these tunes.

However, what makes Snakes a great song is what happens right as it cuts off. Snakes put you in a righteous mood, fighting against Silco’s goons who are out for Piltover blood. Suddenly, the adrenaline wears off in an instant when Jayce shockingly hits a child in the middle of the crossfire. It’s a great scene that brings all of the hype down to the realities of war.

“Dirty Little Animals” feat. Bones UK

Arcane excels at setting a gritty tone, and “Dirty Little Animals” is a brief but awesome sequence showcasing how much Shimmer has spread throughout Zaun ever since Vander’s disappearance. The lyrics could not be more blatantly applicable to the effects of Shimmer.

The intense EDM also fits the perpetual nightlife aesthetic of Zaun, with its smoky streets, neon lights, and shady inhabitants. Where Playground was a fantastic setup for entering Zaun during Vander’s reign, Dirty Little Animals best encapsulates what it’s like living under Silco’s reign.

“When Everything Went Wrong” feat. Fantastic Negrito

This is one of the most fun songs in Arcane, and it’s thanks to how different it is from the rest. It isn’t rap, heavy EDM, or a melancholy rock ballad. Instead, we get a completely different western flavor, fitting for this all-out knuckle-dragging brawl.

What makes this song awesome is is how well it fits Sevika and Vi. They are both rough and tumble women with a preference for talking with their fists instead of their words. Finally, it’s all diegetic, because the song is playing in-universe from a jukebox, which just adds so much to the vibe of this scene.

“Playground” feat. Bea Miller

The very first song we get to hear in the series proper, it’s our first taste of the AMV- like sequences to come. Playground immediately puts the viewers in a gritty mood, showcasing the appeal of Zaun as well as its inherent dangers.  It’s a song that doesn’t just accompany the scene but actively welcomes you into it.

It’s a great showcase of how Arcane uses songs within the story. It’s all about helping set the mood for the location, and also acts as a subtle exposition for what kind of a place Zaun is. Not to mention, seeing how each of the four react to the streets around them subtly shows what their personalities are like.

“Misfit Toys” feat. Pusha T, Mako

“Misfit Toys” is the only song in the show that acts almost purely as a music video. Still, the song works great in-universe.  It’s a cool way to finally introduce the Fireflies as an opposing force within Zaun. The lyrics already fit their philosophy perfectly too, anti-authoritarian kids who fight for the poor and downtrodden.

The sequence itself is also visually striking. The use of animals masks to hide their identities helps the viewer recognize them as a unified force, completely focused on their goal. The color motif of green is also in sharp contrast to the color of Shimmer,  indicating that they are the true children of Zaun.

“Goodbye” feat. Ramsey

It’s only appropriate that the ending song of such a dark episode would be somber, and Goodbye delivers on that front well. The song’s title, “Goodbye”, is a perfect word to describe the feeling of this entire episode. The zooming out from Silco as Powder cries in his arms gives viewers a taste of what’s to come.

It’s a goodbye not only to the characters that died but also to the world they live in. The Zaun and Piltover that we saw in the first Act no longer exists. The time skip changes so much that it’s only appropriate to say goodbye. It’s a heartwrenching end, and yet, it makes you want to see more.

“Guns For Hire” feat. Woodkid

One of the more harrowing songs in Arcane and yet it’s also one of its most beautiful sequences. The song is the calm before the storm, a heartwrenching ballad that perfectly informs the audience that “Yes, things are looking really bad for everyone involved”.

The contrast of the slow song to how stressed Silco, Caitlyn, and Vi are during their scenes, only barely escaping death. Yet, it also fits perfectly with the methodical Enforcers arming for war, and Jinx’s desperate last call for help. It’s a fantastic sequence that gets the viewers ready for some gut punches.

“What Could Have Been” feat. Sting, Ray Chen

In perhaps the most shocking acquisition, Riot managed to get the iconic Sting himself to pen a song for their show, and we immediately remember why he’s such a musical legend. The somber song isn’t just to drive home the fact that it’s a downer ending, but as an active reminder to the audience of what Jinx has done.

“What Could Have Been” refers directly to the future that Jinx has prevented. On the cusp of Zaun and Piltover finally achieving peace, she destroys all of that effort with a single rocket. The happiness of Jayce contrasting with Vi and Cait’s pure terror is so well done. The song paired with the ending makes for a vicious downer of an ending.

“Our Love” feat. Curtis Harding, Jazmine Sullivan

Another song that’s a sharp contrast to the other songs in the show. Instead of being a complete downer or an adrenaline-filled brawl, this song has a melancholy vibe to it that perfectly captures the love the characters in this scene have for each other. It’s a Mo-town song that captures a wholesome tone that we so rarely see in the show.

Despite the scene itself being Vi turning herself over to the authorities, it still manages to tug at the heartstrings and make you respect Vi as a character. After her impulsiveness lands the entirety of her home in hot water, she shoulders the blame. It’s also a great fakeout because most fans would believe *this* was how Vi ends up in Piltover to become who she is in the game proper. Oh, how wrong the fans were.

“Dynasties and Dystopia” feat. Denzel Curry, Gizzle, Bren Joy

Without a doubt, this is the quintessential scene to sell people on Arcane. It manages to integrate every single aspect that makes Arcane great into a single musical sequence. The scene combines the emotional impact and hype that the show excels at. The song’s energy fits perfectly with both of these “gothic underground city” kids, and the lyrics match their fearless attitude towards certain death.

The stylized shifting of their motifs (firefly and crow) as well as the flashback to their childhood game adds so much history and impact to Jinx’s relationship with Ekko in this scene. Lastly, the way it ends the song with a blatant reference to Ekko’s time travel capabilities in the game is the cherry on the top of this kino cake, and fans could not be happier about it.

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