One thing that can completely change the way we consume visual media – television, movies, even a commercial – is music. Whether it’s a composed film score or an indie band soundtrack, music alters the way we interpret a scene. It sets the tone and mood.
If you’re like me, you can probably name notable film scores (Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean) just from hearing them. I can sometimes hear a song and remember a specific scene from a movie or show it was played in. I personally love watching movies and television for their soundtracks. That’s one of the ways I’ve discovered new bands that I now love! Even commercials these days have great songs. I find that television series’ have some of the best soundtracks because they’re long-form entertainment.
So below is a list of television series’, either current or from the 2000’s that had really great soundtracks. I mean soundtracks that you wish you could have shazaamed back in the day. Most of them are or were shows for young adults or teens. (Just remember I’m 26 and I was a teenager at the height of indie rock and emo band popularity in the 2000’s.)
6 TV Shows with Awesome Soundtracks:
Teen Wolf – MTV (2011-Current)
The show itself suffers ups and downs of supernatural teen angst. The soundtrack is a mix of indie rock, ambient, or electronic music. While it’s definitely not mainstream there is an array of bands and sounds that truly make the show what it is. It might not be everyone’s taste but if you’re into that kind of thing, it’s a great show to watch for new music.
Notable Songs: Like Real People Do by Hozier, Jungle by X Ambassadors, Wild Ones by Bahari, War of Hearts by Ruelle, Illuminate by The Kite String Tangle, Running With the Wolves by Aurora
Girlboss – Netflix Original (2017)
Girlboss recently came out but it begins in 2006. Therefore, all the songs and themes are reminiscent of that time as well as early 90’s rock. It was like a flashback to my own teens for some of this music.
Notable Songs: The Wild One by Suzi Quarto, Gold Lion by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lake Michigan by Rogue Wave, Nasty Gal by Betty Davis, Float On by Modest Mouse
Supernatural WB/CW (2005-Current)
If this list is in any order at all, Supernatural is number one. This show is all about two brothers road tripping the country to the sounds of classic rock while fighting supernatural villains. The entire tone of the show is set by the music. It’s practically infused into the storylines. This is a show where I can hear one of these songs anywhere and can picture a scene from Supernatural.
Notable Songs: Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas, House of the Rising Sun by The Animals, Back in Black by AC/DC, Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi, The Weight by The Band, Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival, (Don’t Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult, Renegade by Styx
Reign – CW (2013-Current)
Reign is a period drama, which makes it an interesting show to have a great and current soundtrack. But it is on the CW. I have found so many wonderful indie bands through this show. I stopped watching after the 2nd season but continued following the soundtrack.
Notable Songs: Back to You by Twin Forks, Love Like This by Kodaline, Riptide by Vance Joy, My Lair by Bear’s Den, Crystals by Of Monsters and Men, Charlie Boy by The Lumineers
House, M.D. – Fox (2004-2012)
House was such a popular show in the late 2000’s but I didn’t watch it until recently on Netflix. The soundtrack provides a very eclectic mix of popular current songs (for the time) and oldies but goodies.
Notable Songs: You Can’t Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones, Feelin’ Alright by Joe Cocker, Gravity by John Mayer, Highway to Hell by AC/DC, Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
The O.C. – WB (2003-2007)
This show was the epitome of rich kid drama in the early 2000’s. It took place in Southern California (hence the name) and the age of indie beach rock was born. I can’t help but associate these songs with seagulls and sandy beaches. Music was a big part of this show too, featuring emerging artists at the time to play at their faux club. (I’m getting serious flashbacks creating this list.)
Notable Songs: California by Phantom Planet, Just a Ride by Jem, Blueside by Rooney, Girl by Beck, Forever Young by Youth Group, A Lack of Color by Death Cab for Cutie, Smile Like You Mean It by The Killers
Honorable Mentions:
Riverdale CW (2017)
Gossip Girl WB/CW (2007-2012)
13 Reasons Why Netflix Original (2017)
Related: 13 Songs for 13 Reasons Why
Just creating these lists takes me back to the time I first watched these shows. That’s what I love about music associated with stories and entertainment. I’ll never again listen to Phantom Planet’s California without thinking of The OC. Or listen to Carry On Wayward Son without thinking of Supernatural. Music has the ability to leave an imprint. And if you can’t tell already, I am a big music lover. Cultivating and finding new music to listen to is a hobby of mine; watching TV shows and listening to music helps me do that.
Let me know in the comments below what you thought of my list. Have you seen any of these shows? Did their soundtracks have the same effect on you? What are some other shows with great soundtracks?
Christina is a twenty-something living with her beagle, Mash, and husband, Nate in their van. She loves traveling, shopping, art, and photography. She’s also a vegetarian, pop-culture enthusiast, book-lover, and Dave Matthews Band fanatic. Catch her somewhere around the country in a converted camper van or at home in Florida for a visit.
I’ve been wanting to watch Girlboss, and I’m always a sucker for a show that has a good soundtrack! I used to really like the show Scrubs, but I think mostly it was because I liked the music they used in it 🙂
I forgot about scrubs! They had a great soundtrack for sure! Girlboss is good though, give it a shot. It’s fun and quippy. And has a good soundtrack 😉
hahaha, good one. I remember House’s soundtrack like I’ve just seen it.
Omg yes I feel like we have the same taste in shows! I love Reign and Teen Wolf. I was so so sad when Francis died.
I feel like if you like all these shows you would like Riverdale, too. I just started watching this on Netflix and it is really good!
We totally do have the same taste haha. I watched Riverdale last weekend, all in one weekend. It was so good. You’re going to looove it. It also made the honorable mentions for a good soundtrack. But it only has one season so it wasn’t as much as the other shows on this list. But it’s still really good.
I would also add Grey’s Anatomy to this list. They always have some great songs on there! Teen Wolf is a great one.
I totally forgot about Grey’s! I haven’t watched that show in years but I remember it was kind of like House, where it always has pretty current music. Good call!
The O.C. and Supernatural definitely caught my attention, everytime I hear those tunes I get flashbacks!
They have such iconic soundtracks and so completely opposite of each other. I love them!
Haha! This is something I don’t usually think about until there is no music or the music is really bad! Thanks for sharing!
There is an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer where the entire episode has no music at all. It has no background music or sound, no songs, nothing. It was the creepiest thing ever! Music definitely plays a huge role in shows whether you realize it or not. And it’s even worse when it’s bad haha.
I LOVE the OC soundtrack! California here we come! My husband and I blast that in our car!
It really was a great soundtrack!
I haven’t seen some of these series. Will check out Girl Boss when I have time hopefully soon!
It was a fun show to watch for sure.
I haven’t seen a lot of these shows but i totally agree with the Gossip Girl mention. I’ve been meaning to watch girl boss since it came out, hopefully I’ll start it this weekend.
It’s definitely a fun show! I recommend it 🙂
Omg, when I watched Girlboss, I was always wondering about the music! Totally agree with these!
Loved the soundtrack in Girlboss.
Have you ever heard of The Wonder Years??? It was in the 90s but set in the 60s. AWESOME soundtrack if you’re into older music!
I remember that show from when I was a kid! It did have a great soundtrack!
It’s so true that music makes such an impact and can leave such an impression. I love the music in House, I haven’t watched it for awhile so I almost forgot how good it was!
House had such a great range of music too! It had all kinds of classics like the ones I mentioned but also stuff like Ben Howard! I love that show.