A thousand ingredients make a terrific TV show, but music is basically the butter: Even if you don't necessarily notice it, it makes everything seem richer. When it comes to TV music, it's nice to have a great theme song (as so many shows do), but episode-by-episode song choices that can really elevate things to the next level. Because as well-written as these shows are, sometimes melody just works when language will not.
The following eight shows feature(d) some of OUR favorite soundtracks (we've included a sample track from each). But you tell us: What are YOUR picks for TV series—past or present—with the best music?
Friday Night Lights
Anyone who's seen a single episode of this show knows just how fantastic Explosions in the Sky's opening theme song is. Anyone who's seen more than a single episode of this show will probably forever have a Pavlovian, teary reaction to just hearing the first few notes of that theme song. That's how inextricably linked Friday Night Lights' music is to its storytelling. But in addition to the show's instrumental scores, FNL's song choices struck a perfect combination of unimpeachable indie rock taste and soulful alt-country emotion. In other words, perfect mood music for falling in love with these awesome characters.
Sufjan Stevens, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
Revenge
Now that Revenge is a certified watercooler hit, it's easy to look back and see all the things it did right to elevate itself beyond the elephant graveyard of failed primetime soaps. While it has certainly trafficked in low-budget camp, the show's often shockingly tasteful music selections have helped keep Revenge within the realm of the respectable. Also, at some point these characters who began as cartoonish cardboard cutouts started seeming more human. I think it's safe to say that terrific songs like these played a huge role in that:
Kurt Vile, "Baby's Arms"
The O.C.
The O.C. is pretty famous for its soundtrack; the show's bright, shining first season coincided almost perfectly with the sudden ubiquity of indie rock. But it's not merely famous for being one of the first TV series to heavily incorporate indie music, but also because it had pretty killer taste. Mixing bigger bands like Modest Mouse and The Killers with unsigned, more out-there bands, for a brief moment The O.C. was about as legitimate a source of pop music as MTV was in its heyday. Add to that a string of best-selling soundtracks, and The O.C. still stands as one of the primary music tastemakers of the early '00s.
Electric President, "Insomnia"
The Secret Circle
As a newborn baby show, The Secret Circle didn't quite find itself as quickly as many of the others on this list. But over the course of nine episodes, its most unwaveringly confident element has always been its music. There's a buzzy, melodic vibe to the song choices, which manage to capture the Pacific Northwest (via Vancouver) locale while neatly summing up what it feels like to be a teenager: All untapped power and useless beauty. Plus, any show that sets a slowdance to M83 is a show after our own hearts.
M83, "Wait"
The Adventures of Pete & Pete
The further away from the early '90s we get, the more it just seems stranger and stranger that a show like The Adventures of Pete & Pete ever existed. How could something so good, so clever, so heartfelt have gotten on the air, let alone on a children's network? The mind continues to boggle when you think about how amazing its celebrity guest stars and soundtrack were: Rock icons like Michael Stipe, Iggy Pop, and Debbie Harry swung by for cameos while The Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt graced the soundtrack in almost every episode. However this happened, the existence of The Adventures of Pete & Pete was truly a blessing and its music is still worth humming about.
The 6ths, "Falling Out of Love (With You)"
How To Make It in America
Many comparisons have been drawn between How To Make It in America and Entourage, but at least one huge thing separates these two series about young people trying to get rich: One has MUCH better music. It's almost astonishing just how many songs an average episode of HTMIIA squeezes in, let alone just how good it all is, and like those on Revenge, the song choices tend to humanize the characters better than the characters' decisions do. The show crosses multiple genres to expertly mix familiar tracks with under-the-radar stuff that regularly sends us straight to Google or Shazam to seek it out; it probably also doesn't hurt that Kid Cudi is part of the cast.
Wild Nothing, "O, Lilac"
Grey's Anatomy
While neither soap operas nor doctor shows were anything new when Grey's Anatomy arrived on the scene, Shonda Rhimes' megahit nonetheless distilled the strengths of both into one undeniably addictive package and sealed it all together with some great music. After eight seasons Grey's Anatomy has certainly seen its ups and downs, quality-wise, but few can dispute that its music supervisors remain the hardest working (and most talented) in town.
Emiliana Torrini, "Today Has Been Okay"
Gilmore Girls
In the few moments where frantic, elliptical banter couldn't say everything, it was usually music that said the rest (often in the form of "la la la's"). But the best part about the average Gilmore Girls soundtrack listing was how it perfectly described life in Stars Hollow: classic, quirky, edgy, and comfortable.
XTC, "Earn Enough For Us"
Now it's your turn to weigh in: Which past or present TV show has the best soundtrack?
GREYS ANATOMY WOOOOHOOOOOOO
It was one tree hill for a while. But after the characters graduated from high school and the show started to suck, I found a lot of good music on Chuck. I love how diverse the tracks in Chuck are. My favorites are Kettering by the Antlers, One October song by Nico Stai and Feeling Good by Nina Simone. Whoever chooses the tracks in Chuck must be my musical soulmate or something.
Vampire Diaries! Skinny Love- Birdy, Drop in the Ocean-Ron Pope
Aside from The O.C. (which formed most of my musical taste in my teenage years) and Grey's Anatomy, I think more of my iTunes consists of songs from Gossip Girl, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries than I should probably admit.
Based on the number of songs I've downloaded the second I heard them in the show, in order of most to least: Grey's Anatomy, Vampire Diaries, Scrubs, Six Feet Under, Supernatural
Dawson's Creek, Supernatural, One tree Hill, The Vampire Diaries. I really feel that a show has done it's job when you are out and you hear a song and immediatley think of the scene it was played in.
i do love TSC's music but I really think you should have included Supernatural. In my opinion is has one of the best soundtracks. They go for poignancy over current/hip. The music enhances the show, that is the point of soundtracks. If we are going theme songs Firefly and True Blood. Other good soundtracks are Veronica Mars, Charmed and Nickelodeon's Doug, who can forget Banging on a Trashcan?
This is absurd. No Dawson's Creek?! You have to be nuts not to add this show on the list. It was the originator of today's slew of teen drama series filled with pop and indie music. It had this concept down long before anyone else. Mix poignant moments in a tv show with a slow catchy tune and you'll come up with a winning scene. Put Dawson's Creek on the list so I can take this seriously.
One Tree Hill's music was legendary!
I really like NCIS for it's soundtrack but it's hard to top House. "You can't always get what you want."
Hands down Friday Night Lights!
Chuck in the first couple of seasons had some great music!
Come on, how could you have left House off that list?? Not only is Hugh Laurie an accomplished musician, who can show many emotions through playing a few simple notes on the piano, but all the other music on the show has always been superb.
The OC.
Smallville.
One Tree Hill.
There were also shows which had good music playing, but those 3 definately had the right music for the right time.
one tree hill :D of course oh and freaks and geeks
Of the listed shows, The O.C.! It had the best soundtrack. Then Gilmore Girls. Of the unlisted, definitely Gossip Girl.
Supernatural...classic rock all the way. Back in the day, Smallville also had some great music
VampIre dairies and sons of anarchy
Chuck has had a great indie rock soundtrack.
The OC !!! Great soundtrack !! with indie rock and great bandas like Imogen Heap and Jeff Buckley definitly the past !!
Supernatural and I really like Hawaii 5-0s rendition of the original theme song.
Life, although it was just for 2 seasons, had a really good soundtrack. Especially the last track of the last episode hit me really hard!
Forgot to add Supernatural....gotta love that old school R&R....when hangin with Angels and demons
The best, in my opition, are: Hawaii Five-O (2010), Magnum PI, JAG, NCIS, NCIS-Los Angeles
A note on the side: Why the hell are tv-show intros getting shorter and shorter? In the 80s it was one minute, in the 90s it was 45 sec, These days it's 30 sec at best. What about shows like 24, lost or even Terra Nova. Those are no intro's. So there can't be a great music theme.
I have totally noticed this as well. I have to say I'm conflicted because while I love a great theme song I find the shorter intro gives us more show time.
Nip tuck had pretty decent music.
Not that it was the best....but the music on Gilligans Island was outstanding. You know that some serious '60's drugs were used there.
Both versions of 'Life on Mars'....had great '70's tunes. The sequel "Ashes to Ashes", had good british '80's stuff. "Person of Interest" ....loved hearing "Massive Attack". Strike Back also gets a nod...especially love their theme song......No Time
FNL, 1st season of Buffy, OTH-no way-wuss music!
The O.C. has the best music ever...most featured songs are timeless and some even made the artist a bit more famous
Okay, apparently there is still some confusion about the theme to Friday Night Lights. While Explosions In The Sky is heavily featured throughout the series, it's not their music in the opening credits. The opening theme is done by W.G. Snuffy Walden.
one tree hill , chuck and grey's anatomy
I would have to vote for Hawaii 5-O. They have used some great music in this season. The Best 5 minutes of TV this month was during the episode "Ike Maka" where Lori went undercover to flush out some car thieves. Hot cars, and beautiful women all set to the new Black Keys single, "Lonely Boy"
Another vote goes to the use of music in "Person of Interest." Some great selections especially The XX, "Intro."
I can't believe I'm saying this but I definitely love Gossip Girl's soundtrack from Season 1 to 3. They were good in a way it really fit their characters. Season 4 and this season? Not so much.
AND!
Veronica Mars!!!
Scrubs!!!!
Chuck!!!
I completely forgot about Veronica Mars, that had an awesome soundtrack.
When it comes to music, Supernatural wins hands down with the awesome classic rock selection. I also agree with the quirky selection of Gilmore Girls... Awesome tunes.
But when it comes to soundtrack trend setters, I would go back to the nineties, when Dawson's Creek had a fab selection of pop and indie music; but maybe it's just because I'm THAT generation. :)
Exactly what I said. Thank you! Dawson's Creek was the trailblazer for this.
The music of Revenge is the epitome of GA. Every time they choose a song, it reminds me of Seattle Grace so much. You can totally tell the same music team does both shows.
true blood has a pro main theme
ONE TREE HILL
Definitely LOST. The music of Raising Hope is surprisingly delightful. Also Doctor Who.
I'd say Fringe and Once Upon a Time are really good at setting the mood musically.
Also, Bones!
Are you serious? Supernatural!
One Tree Hill
Supernatural
The O.C.
Charmed
Scrubs
Grey's Anatomy
Bones
I'm 100% with you on Supernatural, I forgot about Charmed :o)
Out of your list, Scrubs just rocked with such an eclectic list of great songs! One Tree Hill, The O.C., and Grey's Anatomy were/are so awesome, too!
one tree hill duuh !
None of them.
Battlestar Galactica (Bear Mgreary is a genius) and Lost have incredible soundtracks.
One Tree Hill, obviously!