By Loud Atlas
"You don't own a TV? What's all your furniture pointed at?" – Joey, Friends
This week, we were square-eared thanks to songs that were defined or redefined by their use on television. Within the medium, music can enhance a scene, change a storyline and create a mood.
Let's flick over to channel 121234: Song Bar TV (MTV missed a trick!).
"Why you playing checkers on a chess set?" – D'Angelo Barksdale
The Blind Boys of Alabama took Tom Waits' 1987 song and made it their own when season one of The Wire (2002-2008) came around. Each new season examined a different part of the dark underbelly (all the Way Down In The Hole) of Baltimore. It's a gritty and crunchy version, just like the series itself. Waits' version would be used in season two, but this is my favourite.
"You can't win anything with kids." – Alan Hansen, ex-footballer and pundit
The long-running series Match of the Day (1964-present) features a Goal of the Month competition for football fans to salivate over. For all the simple tap-ins, there are sometimes 30-yard screamers – something to get very excited about. Throughout most of the 1990s, that two-minute segment was accompanied by The Lightning Seeds' Life of Riley, or to be more accurate, that riff was. Energetic and vibrant – a perfect fit.
"It would be weird to work in a restaurant and not completely lose your mind." – Sydney, The Bear
The Bear (2022-present) follows a chef transforming his brother's sandwich shop into a respectable restaurant. But for all its coarse dialogue and fantastically paced editing, there is an emotional core that digs deep. R.E.M's Strange Currencies makes a few appearances both in original and remixed form – most notably as a theme for Carm (our main protagonist), an emotionally complex character, especially when he gets some alone time in the walk-in freezer.
"[...]" – Shark
Nature documentaries can be a gateway into new unexplored worlds for children and adults alike. Narrated by William Shatner, the Australian series Inner Space (1973) took a deep dive into the subaquatic world of marine life. Sven Libaek's jazzy score features the title track in all its flute-fluttering glory.
"Welcome to life." – President Sebastián Piñera
The Chilean miners' rescue of 2010 was about as dramatic as live news can get over a period of a few months. Trapped in a collapsed gold mine for 69 days, the miners made a miraculous escape thanks to boreholes drilled from the surface. The pictures of their escape in the distinctive Fénix capsule was an inspirational sight and Spanish News reported on events using the suitable sounds of Los Jaivas' Sube A Nacer Conmigo Hermano ("Come Up To Be Born With Me Brother").
"They're heroes because nobody's going to come to a parade on 'We Don't Know What the F- Happened' Day." – Lucy, The Leftovers
The first of our post-apocalyptic shows this week, The Leftovers (2014-2017) is set in a world where 2% of the world's population have mysteriously vanished in an event known as the "Sudden Departure". The Promise by country singer Sturgill Simpson plays during a touching scene between Tommy and Meg on a deserted dancefloor.
"No Peppa Pigs." – Pike, Black Mirror (episode: The National Anthem)
Next is a song that has featured in around 20 TV shows over the years, including five times for its nominated use in the surreal series Black Mirror, where it's become a theme of sorts. Irma Thomas' Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand) provides the quirky heart tugging.
"G'day..." – Donnie Sutherland, Sounds
Continuing the smooth groove, Australian music programme, Sounds (1974-1987), formerly Sound Unlimited, was a three-hour show dedicated to live performances, interviews and music chat. Perfect Saturday morning entertainment, I hear. Barry White and The Love Unlimited Orchestra's Love's Theme was chosen as the show's theme.
"People are making apocalypse jokes like there's no tomorrow. ... Too soon?" – Ellie, The Last of Us
Post-apocalyptic show #2: The Last of Us (2023-present) follows Ellie and Joel as they journey across a hostile society-less America. In a remarkable episode, episode three, Linda Ronstadt's Long Long Time serves as a theme for Frank and Bill, another pair of survivors. Ellie and Joel begin to bond over the song when the cassette tape is found in Bill's car. A brief moment of tenderness to enjoy.
"Friends don't lie." – Eleven, Stranger Things
A double bill next from two different episodes of Stranger Things (2016-present). A hugely popular show, itself heavily influenced by the culture of the 1980s – perms ahoy! I Melt With You by Modern English appears in the second episode by the pool. Moral of the story, don't bleed!
Perhaps Stranger Things' most influential choice is Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill (Deal With God) used in the fourth season. A new success 37 years after its initial release, the song is used as a device to save Max from the psychic grip of Vecna. Powerfully popular.
Stranger Things happen: Max is saved by a Bush cassette:
"It's too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January." – Lucy, A Charlie Brown Christmas
Linus and Lucy (named after the Van Pelt siblings) was featured on the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). Charlie seeks to find the true spirit of Christmas after becoming depressed with the materialistic element of it. The tune's rhythmic and vibrant spirit echoes the youthful vitality of the child characters. The Vincent Guaraldi Trio jazz it up. Effervescent!
"Hope is kind of like dominos. Once one falls – the rest follow." – Tokyo, La Casa De Papel (Money Heist)
The hit Spanish TV series La Casa De Papel (2017-2021), known as Money Heist, focuses on two fictional heists carried out by a group of misfits. An intriguing show, the series garnered critical acclaim for its complexity. Musically speaking it's filled with a rich tapestry of European tunes, including one particular folk song: Bella Ciao ("Goodbye Beautiful"). Originally sung in the 19th century by protesting rice workers, the song was adopted by anti-fascists during World War 2. Throughout the series the band of thieves sing it at key points as a song of resistance and celebration of battling against the odds. Fonola Band's traditional version is the inspiration.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present, Man Not Caring." – Dr. Cox, Scrubs
The last double bill of the day comes courtesy of US sitcom Scrubs (2001-2010), which follows the lives of junior doctors finding their way in the world. Known for its daydream-like surrealism, the show boasts one of the finest soundtracks ever compiled, and although not featured in these lists, one of the quirkiest barbershop quartets ever.
The first episode of the second season features Colin Hay singing Overkill (acoustic version) at musical interludes whilst following J.D. (Zach Braff) around the hospital, with his health deteriorating with each appearance.
Later, in season three, another act gets some screentime: The Polyphonic Spree. They perform their euphoric song Light & Day / Reach For The Sun to patients with J.D. learning another invaluable life lesson. Memorable and deep!
A trio of endings to, well, end on.
"You can't drink a pint of Bovril." – Mike, Spaced
The British sitcom Spaced (1999-2001), although short-lived, contains a wealth of cultural references from the 80s and 90s whilst creating some of its own - Jaffa cakes in coat pockets, anyone? An astonishing amount of music was packed into its 14 episodes. The last track to feature is The Staunton Lick by Lemon Jelly, which brought the misadventures of Daisy and Tim to a close.
"I am the one who knocks." – Walter White, Breaking Bad
The first nomination of the week, and remarkably the only one to be nominated from the tragic neo-western Breaking Bad (2008-2013): Baby Blue. Without giving anything away, it fits very well. Badfinger rounded off a remarkable set of music from that series.
"Hi-Yo Silver, away!" – Ranger John Reid, The Lone Ranger
And finally, the rip-roaring and gallop-inducing theme to The Lone Ranger (1949-1957). Rossini's William Tell Overture (Finale) has become inextricably linked with that famously masked rider. Yee-haw.
The Audio-Visual A-List Playlist:
The Blind Boys of Alabama - Way Down In The Hole (from The Wire) (Chris7572)
The Lightning Seeds - The Life of Riley (from Match of the Day) (Uncleben)
R.E.M. - Strange Currencies (from The Bear) (Uncleben)
Sven Libaek - Inner Space (from Inner Space) (Nicko)
Los Jaivas - Sube a Nacer Conmigo Hermano (from Spanish News) (pejepeine)
Sturgill Simpson - The Promise (from The Leftovers) (ParaMhor)
Irma Thomas - Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand) (from Black Mirror) (pejepeine)
Barry White and Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme (from Sounds) (IsabelleForshaw)
Linda Ronstadt - Long Long Time (from The Last of Us) (DiscoMonster)
Modern English - I Melt With You (from Stranger Things) (TarquinSpodd)
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) (from Stranger Things) (Noodsy)
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus and Lucy (from A Charlie Brown Christmas) (BanazirGalbasi)
Fonola Band - Bella Ciao (from La Casa De Papel) (Badu)
Colin Hay - Overkill - Acoustic Version (from Scrubs) (ajostu)
The Polyphonic Spree - Light & Day / Reach for the Sun (from Scrubs) (ajostu)
Lemon Jelly - The Staunton Lick (from Spaced) (happyclapper)
Badfinger - Baby Blue (from Breaking Bad) (Maki)
Rossini - William Tell Overture (Finale) (from The Lone Ranger) (Marconius7)
The Broadcasting B-List Playlist:
The Ventures - Hawaii Five-O (from Hawaii Five-O) (AltraEgo)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand (from Peaky Blinders) (Maki)
Cream - Tales of Brave Ulysses (from Buffy) (Vikingchild)
Alabama 3 - Woke Up This Morning (from The Sopranos) (SongBarLandlord)
Delia Derbyshire - Doctor Who (from Doctor Who) (TarquinSpodd)
The Decemberists - Once In My Life (from Manifest) (Maki)
The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck (from Wednesday) (Maki)
Pérez Prado - Guaglione (from Guinness advertisement) (pejepeine)
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (from Cadbury's advertisement) (Marconius7)
Booker T. & the M.G.'s - Soul Limbo (from BBC's Test Match Cricket) (Maki)
The Bee Gees - I Started A Joke (from Baby Reindeer) (TarquinSpodd)
Oasis - Half the World Away (from The Royle Family) (Shoegazer)
John Williamson - Home Among The Gumtrees (from Burke's Backyard) (IsabelleForshaw)
Blind Faith - Can't Find My Way Home (from 3 Body Problem) (ShivSidecar)
Gen Hoshino - Comedy (from Spy x Family) (ajostu)
Nat King Cole - Orange Colored Sky (from Fallout) (DiscoMonster)
C.C.S. - Whole Lotta Love (from Top of the Pops) (AltraEgo)
Guru's Wildcard Picks:
Fauré - Pavane, Op. 50
Of the modern World Cups some people have Italia 90 and Nessun Dorma seared into their memory. For me it was France 98. This choral version was used as the theme for the BBC's coverage and it's a beauty. I was so obsessed I bought the cassette!
Billy Walker - Funny How Time Slips Away
Better Call Saul (2015-2022), the follow-up to Breaking Bad, uses the first scene of the first episode per season to meddle with time - a bit of a curveball. This song accompanies season two's opening scene and perfectly represents Jimmy's position.
Lola Marsh - Something Stupid
Another Better Call Saul tune - a super cover version this time. This plays during an opening montage of a season four episode showing how Jimmy and Kim function side by side - literally (split screen) - while they go about their separate days.
Beethoven - String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp minor, Op. 131
One of best series ever, Band of Brothers (2000) examined the war through the eyes of soldiers battling through Europe during World War 2. This is played by a quartet amidst the ruins of a German village.
Nina Simone - Stars
Oddly, one of the deepest and most affecting series of recent years is that involving an anthropomorphic horse: Bojack Horseman (2014-2020). This plays during a pivotal scene where Bojack changes the course of his life.
Taalbi Brothers - Freestyle
Lastly, one more Breaking Bad song. Cue joy and elation after that decisive moment in the episode "Face Off" from season four. What a scene.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Station to station: songs and music defined or redefined by television. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
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