Pearl Jam's Future Days and the opening lyrics, "If I ever were to lose you / I'd surely lose myself" were a big part of the video game The Last of Us Part II, with thematic weight. In the game, the outbreak happened around the time the song was actually released, 2013, and live versions of the song were available.
In HBO's The Last of Us TV show, they changed the outbreak to 2003, so some say it doesn't make sense to use a song that wasn't around until a decade later. I don't think it matters. Joel could have heard it somewhere. It isn't like we've had a fungal outbreak, so who cares what year a song is from?
Still, if they want to replace it, there are plenty of good song. I thought Johnny Cash's version of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt would be a good choice. Johnny Cash passed away September 12, 2003. Outbreak day in the show was September 26, 2003. That seems fitting. And the lines, "I hurt myself today / To see if I still feel" and "What have I become / My sweetest friend / Everyone I know / Goes away in the end" also fit with the themes of the second game and second season.
This is just a quick mock-up with a bad midi guitar and vocals by Solaria, one of the vocal instrument Synthesizer V's voices, because it is past my bedtime! I don't think it sounds too bad. I might even dig out my guitar and finish it.
I think Ashley Johnson should do a version, even if it isn't for the game or show.

Hurt (as if sung by Ellie from The Last Of Us)

Send Your Music for Promotion: hugesongspromo@gmail.com

Hurt (as if sung by Ellie from The Last Of Us)

auralaurora