What's That Song on 'Lost' When Michael Tries to Off Himself?

Posted on Mar 21st 2008 3:00PM by Kim Davis
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'It's Getting Better,' by Mama Cass

Last night's episode of 'Lost' was a mind-bender -- even by its own quirky standards. As with many episodes, we get another round of crossing loyalty lines and a blurry perspective of good vs. evil. But we were also treated to some seriously game-changing plot development. We find out that Michael and Walt's departure from the island didn't bode well for their already rocky father-and-son relationship. And in a not-nearly-as-shocking-as-finding-out-that-Tom-is-gay flash-forward, we witness a series of Michael's suicide attempts -- the first of which involves a car, a rainy night and "Mama" Cass Elliot's 'It's Getting Better.'

It's a curiously hopeful song to accompany a suicide attempt. But this isn't the first time the show's creators enlisted the croon of Cass for irony. During the first minutes of Season Two's premiere, just before the hatch is blown, the late ex-Mama's & Papa's singer's 'Make Your Own Kind of Music' flows grandly from the record player as Desmond -- the island's babysitter, who hasn't so much as spoken to another human in ages -- does his morning routine. From whom would he have even needed to set himself apart? Oh, paradoxical pairings!

We won't get into what all these backhanded associations mean, of course. After all, there are myriad blogs out there for those sorts who thrive on speculations and conspiracy theories. We will, however, salute the people of 'Lost' for keeping us on our musical toes each week.

Listen to the song!

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Watch Mama Cass sing 'It's Getting Better' live.