6 Most Important Songs From 'Orange Is The New Black' Season 3

The track plays as Poussey (Samira Wiley) cleans up the yard after the prison's Mother's Day celebration. "This gorgeous little tune was written by 13-year-old Miss E on a family camping trip," Gilbert says. "Her mom, 'OITNB' creator Jenji Kohan, thought it might work beautifully over the final scenes of this Mother's Day episode. She was right."

"A dreamy drugged-out waltz scores Nicky's heartbreaking descent," he says, of the track that plays while Nicky (Natasha Lyonne) gets carted to maximum security after being accused of harboring heroin. "I've been a fan of this band from day one and this song was the very first one that came to mind when I watched this sequence."

Red (Kate Mulgrew) may not seem like a classic Riot Grrrl right off the bat, but Bikini Kill's anthem plays as she reclaims her apron in the kitchen. It's a triumphant moment, made even more assertive by its score. "A badass song by a badass band for a badass character," Gilbert says.

"This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands but I never thought in a million years I'd have an opportunity to place it anywhere. Thank you, 'Orange Is The New Black,' for being the Riot Grrrl of TV."

Alex (Laura Prepon) spends most of this episode terrified that Lolly (Lori Petty) is trying to kill her. During the credits, it seems like she may be right, as the camera shows Lolly chronicling Alex's every move.

"The juxtaposition of Alex's paranoia under Lolly's obsessive gaze (Lolly turns out to be equally, if not more, paranoid than Alex) with this heartfelt number is reminiscent of some of our cheekier moments from back in the 'Weeds' days," Gilbert explains. "In this season of 'Orange,' we have not one but two show tunes that close episodes. The other is 'Do You Hear The People Sing' from 'Les Mis' in Episode 11."

"Speaking of 'Weeds,'" Gilbert says, "The Womenfolk, who recorded this cheery ditty were featured in one of our many revolving main titles spots with their cover of 'Little Boxes.' Here, in disturbing counterpoint they score an excruciating scene in which one of the guards forces himself on Pennsatucky."

The moment is made more traumatic after watching Episode 10, which reveals Pennsatucky's backstory. We find out she's had horrific sexual experiences, once trading sex for Mountain Dew. The Womenfolk's lyrics are an obvious nod.

Episode 12 ends in tragedy, as Sophia (Laverne Cox) is taken to solitary confinement because she was the victim of a hate crime. "For all of its comedic moments, there are also so many heartbreaking moments in this show," Gilbert says. "This scene and story had a profound effect on me as did this song from the minute I heard it. Here's another example of my very first instinct turning out to be the best fit for the spot. It's one of the greater joys of this job when it works out like that."