Since premiering in February, Big Little Lies has done well to back its soapy murder mystery with a stately soundtrack. The score was largely vintage-rooted, ranging from Leon Bridges' achingly gorgeous "River" to the B52's angst-ridden "Dance This Mess Around," and Monday night's finale proved no exception. But amidst a slew of treasured Elvis tunes, it was the closing song that proved most striking: a breathy, slow-burning rendition of a Rolling Stones classic. So, who sang the "You Can't Always Get What You Want" cover in the Big Little Lies finale?
The track comes courtesy of Ituana, an enigmatic band with little internet presence. According to their bio on music database Discogs, they're a "Bossa nova group based in Los Angeles," and that's about the only information available. They do, however, boast a sizable discography on iTunes. Their music is mostly comprised of coffee house ballads in line with bossa nova's jazz-inflected style, which, for those unfamiliar, is a popular Brazilian genre.
But they've also built up a collection of old-school covers, including David Bowie's "Life On Mars," John Lennon's "Imagine," Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and The Doors' "Light My Fire," among others. Their latest album appears to be last May's Back 2 Love, and they more recently unveiled a rendition of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army."
Ituana's mystery aside, the placement of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is both deliberate and powerful. The lyrics serve as a direct response to the episode's title, "You Get What You Need." As the song plays, the women of Big Little Lies frolic amidst Monterey's sweeping, oceanside beach, finally unshackled from Perry's (Alexander Skarsgård) abusive reign.
Much like the song, it's not a happy ending, but it is a necessary one. They may not have the picturesque, idealized lives they once pretended to lead, but at least they're safe and free.
