17 Super Songs Discovered on Our Favorite Shows

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When it comes to setting the tone in either movies or television, music is a vital tool.

Sometimes a character need not speak a word in order for the viewer to understand exactly what the mood is for the scene.

Whether the soundtrack is built from contemporary hits, classical instrumentals or simply a vibrant score, music coupled with a wrenching television scene burrows deep into the viewer's heart.

We all have a song (or three or five) that we have discovered from watching our favorite shows. Here are 17 of the best tracks we found from watching our most addictive shows.

1. Atlanta - Billy Paul "Am I Black Enough For You"

This song could just as easily be the entire show's theme, but it's particularly on the nose for this episode. It’s an extended parody Justin Bieber that slyly lampoons his exploitation of black culture, while also poking fun at his music and antics.

2. Big Little Lies - Alabama Shakes "This Feeling"

Chloe's musical skills are pretty magical on this show. After Abigail decides to move out, Chloe tries to console her mother by uploading this track to her iPhone. Later, as Madeline gazes at the ocean following a car accident, the song reprises.

3. GLOW - Queen "Under Pressure"

This song is a bit on the nose for the scene where Ruth takes her pregnancy test. But regardless of context, this song is a banger!

4. The Handmaid's Tale - Jay Reatard "Waiting For Something"

This song does a wonderful job of portraying the rage that Oglen feels at realizing the mutilation she has been subjected to in this episode. It’s the soundtrack to inside of her gut, her heart, and her head.

5. Justified - Fontaine "Running on Empty

This song is so hauntingly beautiful. It plays during a scene where Boyd shows Mara his tattoos and absolutely adds a bit of sexual energy to the tone.

6. Grey's Anatomy - The Fray "How To Save A Life"

This episode shared its title with The Fray song which scored it. This song is also an eerily perfect accompaniment for an episode which saw the death of one of the show's most beloved characters, Derek Shepherd

7. The Leftovers - Five Blind Boys of Mississippi "I Never Head A Man"

In this episode, a group of women, led by Grace kill the wrong police chief named Kevin just as Kevin Garvey's (possibly immortal?) father Kevin Sr emerges. The spiritual track adds a sense of foreboding to the entire episode.

8. Insecure - SZA "Quicksand"

What makes Insecure so unique is the fact that most of the music is so closely curated by Issae Rae. The show was even able to procure an exclusive SZA track for the second season and continues to focus on finding exclusive sounds as well as up and coming artists to feature on the show.

9. The Americans - Fleetwood Mac "The Chain"

The only Fleetwood Mac song written by all five members is focused on the group's tempestuous romantic relationships. It also serves as the ultimate car chase theme as we see in this episode!

10. The Outpost - Thirty Seconds to Mars "America"

This new fantasy revenge series literally never runs out of energy. That's why the use of angsty rock song "America" is so ideal for the episode 2 trailer. You can literally feel the heroin, Talon's, anxiety.

11. Grownish - Ghloe and Halle "The Kids are Alright"

It seems fitting to mention this song, which plays during the season premiere. The song is sung by Chloe and Halle who actually star as Jazz and Sky Forster on the show itself.

12. Dear White People - DeJ Loaf "Changes"

This song is ideal for setting the tone for the upcoming season. The second season begins where the first left off with the first integration of the predominantly black AP house and the negotiation of space between the two demographics.

13. iZombie - Dead Boy and the Elephantmen "Stop, i'm already dead"

For a television series about zombies to use a song called "Stop, i'm already dead" might be a bit cheesy... if the song in question weren't so gosh darn catchy!

14. Reign - The Lumineers "Scotland"

Reign was always a mix of 16th Century France coupled with Gucci and 21st-century music. Which is why the Lumineers cover of "Scotland" was such an ideal choice for setting the tone of the show.

15. The Originals - Aisha Badru "Bridges"

This doleful tine plays during one of the most dour episodes of the 5th season. The episode centers around love lost and as the characters mourn, so do the viewers to the sounds of Badru's melodious vocals.

16. Portlandia - Washed Out "Feel It All Around"

So much of this show is influenced by its musical guests. So, of course, their theme music would be a reference to a Replacements song. However, it is not the Replacements who sing this song, rather the band Washed Out, AKA Ernest Greene.

17. Queen of the South - Kanye West "Power"

The ideal song to score a show about women in power, fighting for power and taking that power. Inspiring and addictive.

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Tags:
Photo Galleries, Multi-Show, Dear White People
Shows:
Big Little Lies, GLOW, The Handmaid's Tale, Justified, Grey's Anatomy, The Leftovers, The Americans, iZombie, Reign, The Originals, Queen of the South
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