15 Shows with Brilliant and Catchy Soundtracks
Olivia Popp
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Many shows have talented composers who craft hours worth of original music for shows, while others rely more heavily on existing songs or original songs written by outside artists.
Like scores, stand-alone songs often set a mood and tone for an episode or series, especially if a certain genre of song is selected to represent a series. A show may have a tendency towards selecting songs from a few artists or sample from a variety of artists.
Read on to discover 15 shows containing great songs that make up catchy soundtracks -- and maybe even check out some of the songs yourself!
1. Killing Eve
Killing Eve features a variety of songs as well as a large quantity from the artist Unloved. The soundtrack includes many contemporary songs in French and other European languages, which typically set the ambience for the show's many locations, while the songs from Unloved often set a darker undertone for the dramatic moments, especially those including Villanelle.
2. Quantico
Quantico is known for having a soundtrack filled with bumping pop and alternative rock songs, often accompanying training montages or agent-associated activities. It's a fast-paced soundtrack that helps keeps the audience engaged and sets the intense and eager tone for the series. Some favorites include Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness' "Canyon Moon" and Beck's "Dreams."
3. Wynonna Earp
Wynonna Earp has a now-iconic folk and country soundtrack, starting with an incredibly catchy theme by Jill Andrews, "Tell That Devil." Each episode is even named after a folk or country song and contains a plethora of songs -- but not just in those genres. Songs on the show are featured from artists I M U R, Vibrolux, and Jayde Wolf.
4. Insecure
Insecure's hip-hop soundtrack is a very visible part of the show, but the series also uses this to its advantage. Blending shorter rap sequences with songs that meld right into the show's content, Insecure promotes contemporary hip-hop artists while seamlessly setting a precedent for using socioculturally important music in shows with relevant material.
5. Black Lightning
Like many superhero shows, Black Lightning has a soundtrack that will get your blood pumping. However, Black Lightning's soundtrack is unique because, like Insecure, it also infuses some hip-hop songs into its soundtrack, especially with fight scenes. The show has been lauded for its representation of strong, multifaceted black characters onscreen, and this is complemented by the equally fully fleshed-out soundtrack.
6. How to Get Away with Murder
The soundtrack to How to Get Away with Murder takes on a very unique quality, as it heavily features by electronic music artist IAMX. Rather than setting a tone of mystery with the narrative's many reveals, it crafts more of a thriller feel with the music which accompanies the emotionally dense scenes as well as fast-paced editing. If you need new party beats, make sure to check out IAMX.
7. Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks' soundtrack should be iconic by now, considering that the show used almost one hundred famous 70s and 80s songs in its one season run. Featuring songs by Van Halen, Styx, Billy Joel, the Jackson 5, and so many more, the soundtrack recreates the feel of the era from the angle of the students in high school -- angsty, rebellious, and ready to rock and roll.
8. Supergirl
Supergirl's soundtrack is very pop-infused, catering to younger viewers audience with The CW. However, this doesn't mean it doesn't work -- in fact, the soundtrack typically complements the scenes particularly well. In addition, the soundtrack also sets a more lighthearted tone for the show. Some favorites include Paloma Faith's "Ready for the Good Life" and Kaleo's "Way Down We Go."
9. Orphan Black
The Orphan Black soundtrack draws from an extremely wide variety of artists and genres -- from hip-hop to electronic and from pop to alternative, Orphan Black has it all. Because of the variability in the content in the clones' personalities and environments and the unpredictable nature of the show, the music helps to facilitate these changes in tone for the viewer.
10. Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones's score by Sean Callery is amazing, and it's only complemented by the hard rock and occasionally heavy metal soundtrack that accompanies it. With songs from Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more, the music perfectly matches Jessica's gritty, explosive nature.
11. Sense8
Sense8's ethereal score is often accompanied by a variety of songs from global cultures and communities, facilitating the showcasing of a diversity of individuals and stories onscreen. The show also includes a lot of throwback hits that tie all the characters together, including "What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes.
12. UnREAL
The soundtrack to UnREAL features artists alt-J and Unions, especially during pivotal moments and ending scenes that leave the viewer with a haunted feeling. However, other songs on the show also infuse the series with lighter vibes, especially during party scenes -- or they infuse the series with even more somber tones, such as Rachel's or Quinn's quiet moments alone.
13. Agent Carter
Although Agent Carter is somewhat of an everyday superhero type of show, it's also a period show. Thus, the Marvel series includes many catchy and era-specific songs, including jazz and big band songs. If you're looking for a throwback soundtrack that pulls you back to a different time, look no further than the Agent Carter soundtrack (and the series itself!).
14. Orange is the New Black
Orange is the New Black frequently features new artists with alternative or rock vibes, pairing them with prison fights or intensity-filled moments. However, the show also includes contemporary songs and very effectively includes songs from a variety of eras while still keeping the more indie/alternative feel of the music. The show is unique in its content and storytelling, and it rightfully deserves a great, unique soundtrack -- which it gets.
15. The Deuce
The Deuce takes place in the 70s, and the show is jam-packed with songs from the era. They come from a variety of genres -- from R&B to rock -- but they're all tied together by the iconic era. The soundtrack to The Deuce also plays an important function as a way to get the viewer acquainted with the period content they're watching, even if the visual material is also informing the audience.
