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Send a Compliment at 23:40 PDT, 20 April, 2009
One Tree Hill - The concept of music is a pretty large component of OTH - Peyton's record label, Haley's music career and the incorporation of actual singers and groups into the show's plot (from Fallout Boy to "Mia") - so it's no wonder that the series has a knack for picking out some fantastic music. One Tree Hill has some excellent music supervisors - choosing music that is not so mainstream that you'll groan at hearing the same song on yet another series, but mainstream enough that the show's young audience will embrace it. OTH has also used real life bands in a creative way - once incorporating a "Benefit Concert" into an episode, only to sell an actual benefit CD, with some of the proceeds going to charity.
Some bands used in the series that I'm fond of: Nada Surf, Jack's Mannequin, The Weepies, Citizen Cope and of course, Gavin DeGraw (back when they still played the theme song).
Supernatural - Seriously, would some of the things that the Winchester brothers do seem nearly as badass were it not for the sounds of AC/DC, Kansas, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bon Jovi, REO Speedwagon et al that fill the background? If I ever find myself fighting against forces from Hell, I can only hope that my fights will be set to the same awesome backdrop of classic rock. I would argue that no other show is as faithful to such a specific genre of music as Supernatural, but it's a perfect match. I don't want to know what the music licensing fees are for this one...
Veronica Mars - From the moment that I first heard usage of the Dandy Warhols' "We Used to Be Friends" as the Veronica Mars theme song (which perfectly described Veronica's outcast status in Neptune), I knew that I would approve of the show's music. Much like the character of Veronica and the series as a whole, musical selections tended to be slightly offbeat and slightly alternative. Awesome bands used in the series: Spoon, Tegan and Sara, Stereophonics, Interpol, Old 97's, The Hives, Starsailor and Sparklehorse.
Scrubs - Scrubs probably has the best soundtrack that I've ever heard on a TV comedy. In fact, I'd say that it's the apt musical selections that often contribute to defining both the show's most comedic moments and its most serious ones. The Fray's "How to Save a Life" played at the end of the episode where Doctor Cox lost 3 patients in a single day and decided to quit medicine. It was one of the most powerful episodes of the series and I credit usage of the song for helping to set the tone. Of course, lets also not forget some of the show's lighter musical moments, including Turk's Air Guitaring to Boston and the a capella sounds of Ted's Band.
Grey's Anatomy - You might argue that no show so much as Grey's has had the ability to catapult a previously lesser-known group into musical superstardom. "The Fray" and "Snow Patrol" were once upon a time not household band names, and it was before their songs appeared in key scenes of key episodes of Grey's. In fact, "Chasing Cars" from Snow Patrol has become so closely associated with Izzie bawling over a Dead Denny that I can no longer separate the song from that scene in my head. Love or hate how Grey's can pluck an unknown musical gem from obscurity and make them the next big sensation, there's no denying that the show knows where to find great music.
What shows have the most notable music for you?
last edited by Send a Compliment at 1:22 PDT, 21 April, 2009
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Comments (39 comments)
for grey's anatomy you mean they were not well known in america
i was just about to say the same thing! they have been known in the UK for quite a while!
greys anatomy had awesome music!
but yer also veronica mars, and bones :D
Snow Patrol and The Fray are really well known in the UK but i did always wonder why people associated it with Grey's Anatomy. As for Supernatural i love the music on that show!
Definitely One Tree Hill! I can't even count the number of great artists I learned through this show. (however, not a very big fan of Mia, but that's just me). OTH music is the greatest!
Supernatural has, by far, one of the best T.V soundtracks ever for me anyway, but I have to say, the omission of Buffy from this list is a sin.
I totally agree with all of these, but Friday Night Lights really deserves a spot on this list.
I'm going to chime in and say that Buffy should absolutely be on this list. Not only is the theme song great for setting the tone of the show (and Angel's theme song is even better), but anyone who has seen the season 2 finale, Becoming Part 2, will have to agree that the use of Sarah McLachlan's Full of Grace in the final scene is incredibly moving. It has me in tears every time I watch that episode, and I do not cry easily.
I'll just cite a few more examples of songs I found particularly fitting:
I'll Remember You (Sophie Zelmani) - Ep 1X07 Angel
Spoon (Cibo Matto) - Ep 2X01 When She Was Bad
Transylvanian Concubine (Rasputina) - Ep 2X13 Surprise
My Way (Gary Oldman) - Ep 3X08 Lover's Walk
Chinese Burn (Curve) - Ep 3X14 Bad Girls
Virgin State of Mind (K's Choice) - Ep 3X16 Doppelgängland
This is just what I can think of off the top of my head (okay I had to look up the song titles, so sue me :P). And that is to say nothing of Once More, With Feeling.
...okay, how obvious is it by now that I'm a rabid Buffy fan?
what about weeds and the loop
Oh come on, where's Weeds? By far best music of all of these shows. Every single episode delivered new portion of great tunes :) (Even at times when the show wasn't so great itself).
Probably not a show that most international sidereel users would know but there is a show on BBC called Gavin and Stacey which always has fantastic music that go with the important scenes. Check it out if you can.
But I would have to say Entourage has the best music in it. Definately.
i loved scrubs music
My Occurrence the use of Joshua Radin's Winter was amazing
I'm really surprised House wasn't on the list...there are always good songs going on throughout the episode as well as ones at the end, for those poignant House moments :) Not to mention, House rocking out to The Who is always awesome.
I totally agree with one tree hill they have the best music ever. I love all of hayleys songs.
I also agree with the person who said Buffy/Angel theme tunes, they are sooo catchey. Another catchey theme tune is the Big Bang Theory one. i just think it is sooo geeky and nerdy.
One Tree Hill and Srubs definatly have the best music out of all of them! One of my favrioutes which was used in both is Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats, it's really beautiful. I can't remember when in Scrubs but it was used in season 4 of One Tree Hill when they won the state championship and again in a season 5 flashback when Peyton sent it to Lucas.
Oh, I completely forgot, the original BBC series Life on Mars. That soundtrack blew me away. I never get tired of listening to it. Thin Lizzie, Wings, T-Rex and Slade are only some of the jems floating around that show.
I love the music in Supernatural because it is all old rock, which is a nice change from all the poppy songs that some shows play. You definitely can't beat Carry On My Wayward Son and Can't Fight This Feeling.
One Tree Hill has always been a favorite too. I have fallen in love with almost all of the artists they play on the show. The music always fits so well into the story. Season 3 is probably my favorite season for music.
I have to agree with lolabellies137. You totally wrote what I had in mind!
one tree hill definatly i just love all the songs and when i go back and watch some of the episodes wehn im bored i always love all the songs and right after go and download them...so definatly one tree hill
One Tree Hill and Veronica Mars both have amazing songs.
But nothing can beat the Supernatural. The scene with Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" is an unforgettable moment in Supernatural. Dean's contract is almost up, and the boy's might not have any more time together. Watching them belt it out and then Dean watching Sam is an incredible moment.
i don't watch all the shows listed above but would like to suggest the following...smallville, charmed, buffy, angel, big bang theory, what about friends? ugly betty...can i include lost? it's not a theme tune but the effect of the sound is chilling...! Oh and X-Files...I'm mostly thinking of the theme tunes for these, but i love the soundtracks within Smallville, Charmed, Buffy/Angel...Charmed even used to promote the bands by having them appear in P3!!
:o)
Entourage!
I am a huge Buffy and Angel fan and one of the reasons was the music that set the mood. Best was the season finale of season 2 when she killed angel and Sarah McLachlan's full of grace came on I balled my eyes out. But hands down has to be Dawson's Creek, Felicity and Alias. JJ Abrams is the best of fitting a song to the scene. These are the shows that the tv shows you have on this list took after. I Think this is the WB/CW's trademark that began with Felicity and is still going today. Oh and who could forget 90210, 'Peach Pit After Dark' anyone?
Yeah FOTC!! Go the boys. I came to check your list to make sure you'd got Veronica Mars and Chuck - kudos.
I also agree with Scrubs, Grey's and Supernatural, and to others who have included Buffy and Weeds, word.
I'm surprised that noone has mentioned BATTLESTAR GALACTICA! Outstanding music, and All Along the Watchtower still sends shivers down my spine.
Also I agree that FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS deserves a mention. Their soundtrack includes tracks by Death Cab for Cutie, Explosions in the Sky, Stereophonics, Starsailor, Spoon, Iron & Wine, Jose Gonzalez and The Killers.
And for Best Use of Music in a Montage Sequence EVER - Six Feet Under for Sia's "Breathe Me" in their series finale. Now that was frakking epic.
ummmm. Sopranos, Weeds, and let's reward Scrubs for it's most cliche and trite moment in it's musical scores as opposed to it's many uses of more obscure bands that make more interesting scenes ("dreaming of you" by the coral in "my monster" being my favorite.) But seriously, the 1000's of bands that sent in recordings of "Little Boxes" for weeds, and the fact the that Peppers and Eggs was in the top 10 records sold of that year should put both of these shows in the top 10 for notable music.
i also agree with the person who said CHARMED. they used to have loads of bands perfonrming in P3
And for the person who said "however, not a very big fan of Mia" YOU should be ashamed both the character (Mia) and her in real life (Kate Voegele) are FANTASTIC singers. She should have her own star on the Hollywood walk of fame.
I totally agree with the person who said CHARMEND because they always had wicked bands on at P3
And for the person who said, "however, not a very big fan of Mia" should be ashamed because both the character Mia AND her in real life Kate Voegele are FANTASTIC singers. i think she should get her own star on the hollywood walk of fame.
HUGE MIA FAN :)
sorry for repeating
Having computer difficulties
In Germany Snow Patrol was really esatblished by the Tv adds for Grey's Anatomy...to my mind...:-D
you forgot one notable song in scrubs:
drumroll please
Guy Love
why would you not include LOST?.... Michael Giacchino is amazing.
one tree hill is by far the best. some of the songs they put with some scenes just make you wanna cry (in a good way). i totally cried my eyes out when they won state championship, and it was just because of the song
One three Hill has music all the time, some of the music is great don't get me wrong, but having music almost all the time is really annoying. sometimes i just turn down the volum and wait for it to stop.
- Mia fan <3
what about Freaks and Geeks? I loved the rock music in there... really set the mood
Has no-one mentioned 'Life'?
That show had fantastic music - in fact I saw people regularly posting on these boards to ask what the tune playing during a particular scene was.....
I think all of the CW shows have fairly good music. And no doubt--OTH is a music hotbed! I just wish they'd feature more people...Peyton needs more than just Mia D:
u forget skins and true blood
Weeds has amazing music, Buffy and Dawson's Creek from back in the day were awesome too.