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THE BEST TV shows out there can toy with your emotions like nothing else.
But sometimes that’s just kicked into the next gear with the use of incredible, spine-tingling music. Episodes in our favourite series down through the years have used the perfect music to amazing effect.
They’re the songs that you’ll forever associate with that moment, that character, that twist. Here are some of our favourites.
WARNING! Spoilers abound if you haven’t completed your favourite shows yet.
1. Don’t Stop Believin’ – The Sopranos
The iconic fade to black in the final episode of the Sopranos. What would it be without Journey? Can you imagine this scene put to any other piece of music? Cos we sure can’t.
One of the most emotional montage scenes ever to grace the small screen, in the dying moments of the Six Feet Under finale. It wouldn’t have been half as gut-wrenching without Sia’s amazing soundtrack. Too much. IT’S TOO MUCH.
Triumphant, glorious, surprising, enthralling, satisfying – there weren’t many complaints to be had about the last ever episode of Breaking Bad. Least of all their brilliant choice of final song. Yes, we know it only aired last year, but it’s definitely an instant classic.
In the episode where Dr Cox deals emotionally with the potential death of a patient, could there be a more apt song than this? For such a light-hearted show, Scrubs did occasionally plumb the depths of emotional frailty – and always took us their with the perfect choice of tear-jerking song.
And, of course, we could never forget about the West Wing. Need a refresher on how great the programme was? Look no further. The majestic cathedral, the thundering rain, the clamouring press conference – and Brothers in Arms. It was a glorious, redemptive moment for the Pres.
Johnny Mathis actually refused to allowed his original version of “Wonderful, Wonderful!” to be used in the episode Home of the X-Files, because the content was so disturbing. And he might have been right – many viewers said the song was ruined for them as it was paired with such the creepy, graphic story of the inbreeding Peacock family in Pennsylvania.
The Wire’s theme tune is something of a thorny issue. It changes, and just like the debates about what season of the drama is the best, there are discussions to be had about which version of I Feel Alright is the best. Without giving too much away, the finale achieves a perfect kind of circularity for the whole series.
Monday 23 December, 2024
Monday 23 December, 2024
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7 songs that will always remind you of that TV moment
THE BEST TV shows out there can toy with your emotions like nothing else.
But sometimes that’s just kicked into the next gear with the use of incredible, spine-tingling music. Episodes in our favourite series down through the years have used the perfect music to amazing effect.
They’re the songs that you’ll forever associate with that moment, that character, that twist. Here are some of our favourites.
WARNING! Spoilers abound if you haven’t completed your favourite shows yet.
1. Don’t Stop Believin’ – The Sopranos
The iconic fade to black in the final episode of the Sopranos. What would it be without Journey? Can you imagine this scene put to any other piece of music? Cos we sure can’t.
2. Breathe Me – Six Feet Under
One of the most emotional montage scenes ever to grace the small screen, in the dying moments of the Six Feet Under finale. It wouldn’t have been half as gut-wrenching without Sia’s amazing soundtrack. Too much. IT’S TOO MUCH.
3. Baby Blue – Breaking Bad
Triumphant, glorious, surprising, enthralling, satisfying – there weren’t many complaints to be had about the last ever episode of Breaking Bad. Least of all their brilliant choice of final song. Yes, we know it only aired last year, but it’s definitely an instant classic.
4. How To Save A Life – Scrubs
In the episode where Dr Cox deals emotionally with the potential death of a patient, could there be a more apt song than this? For such a light-hearted show, Scrubs did occasionally plumb the depths of emotional frailty – and always took us their with the perfect choice of tear-jerking song.
5. Brothers in Arms – West Wing
And, of course, we could never forget about the West Wing. Need a refresher on how great the programme was? Look no further. The majestic cathedral, the thundering rain, the clamouring press conference – and Brothers in Arms. It was a glorious, redemptive moment for the Pres.
6. Wonderful, Wonderful! – The X-Files
Johnny Mathis actually refused to allowed his original version of “Wonderful, Wonderful!” to be used in the episode Home of the X-Files, because the content was so disturbing. And he might have been right – many viewers said the song was ruined for them as it was paired with such the creepy, graphic story of the inbreeding Peacock family in Pennsylvania.
7. I Feel Alright – The Wire
The Wire’s theme tune is something of a thorny issue. It changes, and just like the debates about what season of the drama is the best, there are discussions to be had about which version of I Feel Alright is the best. Without giving too much away, the finale achieves a perfect kind of circularity for the whole series.
What was your favourite use of music in a TV episode? Let us know in the comments.
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