All in all, you can’t have a television show without sound. Without music, a television show loses meaning. Background music, whether it be for a time period drama or a procedural gives substance to not only the story, but to the actors and more importantly to the viewers. Music allows viewers to know what to feel when, like playing a slow song for an emotional moment and an upbeat one for action sequences. Music supervisors on shows are the unsung heroes of television, giving us some of the most underrated and undiscovered music and musicians of the current century.
Here is my list of the Top 20 Music Moments of television in 2015.
(Warning: spoilers below…you’ve been warned!!)
20. Ain’t No Future in Yo’ Frontin’ by M.C. Breed & DFC – Fresh off the Boat
Episode: “Pilot”
When it’s heard: Eddie dresses up in “hip-hop” attire and shows his brothers and mother.
19. Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon – Wet Hot American Summer: First Day
of Camp
Episode: “Electro/City”
When it’s heard: Andy and Katie complete the big lift and kiss in the finale of the play.
18. Hunger by Ross Copperman – The Vampire Diaries
Episode: “I’m Thinking of You All the While”
When it’s heard: Marking Nina Dobrev’s final appearance, her character Elena says goodbye to Damon and dances with him one last time.
17. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by The Backstreet Boys – Scream Queens
Episode: “Chainsaw”
When it’s heard: The Dickie Dollar Scholars are being chased by two of the Red Devils with chainsaws. However, they attempt to fight back with baseball bats and the ultimate force: brotherhood.
16. Push It by Salt-N-Pepa – Jane the Virgin
Episode: “Chapter Twenty-Two”
When it’s heard: Michael shows Jane his playlist he made for her when she goes into labor.
15. Holly Holy by Neil Diamond – The Astronaut Wives Club
Episode: “Landing”
When it’s heard: Louise finishes her interview for the documentary and leaves with Alan; the Astro-wives send off Trudy on her next flight and we see the rest of their stories told out.
14. Everything is Lost by Maggie Eckford – Pretty Little Liars
Episode: “I’m a Good Girl, I Am”
When it’s heard: Ali is convicted of killing Mona; the liars are arrested as her accomplices.
13. leaves by Miguel – Quantico
Episode: “Found”
When it’s heard: Shelby and Caleb have sex; Alex, Ryan, Brandon and Raina meet with the CEO of Dystek; Raina wins the night.
12. Get Low by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz & Ying Yang Twins – Grace and Frankie
Episode: “The Bachelor Party”
When it’s heard: Grace and Frankie dance on the bar during their “say yes” night.
11. Heaven by Warrant – The Goldberg’s
Episode: “The Darryl Dawkins Dance”
When it’s heard: Barry runs after Laney to express his true feelings.
10. Running on Sunshine by Golden Age – Grey’s Anatomy
Episode: “You’re My Home”
When it’s heard: Meredith & Co. dancing it out at Richard and Katherine’s wedding in the dream home.
9. Rivers and Roads by The Head and the Heart – New Girl
Episode: “Clean Break”
When it’s heard: Schmidt proposes to CeCe; Coach leaves for New York with May
8. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil-Scott Heron – Scandal
Episode: “Get Out of Jail, Free”
When it’s heard: Mellie tells Olivia she broke her father out of prison, along with Tom; Jake’s wife is killed; Abby gives Fitz the engagement ring; Mellie tells Olivia she’s going to help her run for president.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux4GhzTujTM
7. Forever Young by Rhiannon Giddens & Iron & Wine – Parenthood
Episode: “May God Bless and Keep You Always”
When it’s heard: The final scene of the show, highlighting the lives of all characters, intertwined with a baseball game where the scatter Zeke’s ashes.
6. Keep Your Money by Jussie Smollett – Empire
Episode: “Dangerous Bonds”
When it’s heard: Jamal records a new song; Cookie gives her feedback; end scenes
5. River by Leon Bridges – Suits
Episode: “Faith”
When it’s heard: Flashback to Mike being told his parents have died; him putting their photos into albums.
4. Black by The Soft Moon – How to Get Away with Murder
Episode: “It’s All My Fault”
When it’s heard: Frank is revealed as Lila’s killer; Rebecca is dead.
3. I Lived – Glee Cast
Episode: “Dreams Come True”
When it’s heard: Sue dedicates the auditorium to Finn; past and current New Direction members perform.
2. I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing by The Cola Singers – Mad Men
Episode: “Person to Person”
When it’s heard: Joan and Peggy’s commercial airs; Don meditates
1. Chasing Cars by Sleeping at Last – Grey’s Anatomy
Episode: “How to Save a Life”
When it’s heard: Meredith takes Derek off of life support once he is declared brain dead; a montage of their best memories play and Shonda Rhimes yet again rips the heart out of every fan.