23 TV Show Music Moments That Are So Brilliant, They'll Never Be Forgotten
We asked the BuzzFeed Community which TV music moments were just so brilliant they'll be remembered forever. Here's what they said:
There are major spoilers ahead, and some submissions include topics of addiction and gun violence.
1.On The Last of Us, when "Long Long Time" by Linda Ronstadt plays as Bill plays the song for Frank on the piano, they live out the love story they always wanted, and die together on their own terms. Then, Joel and Ellie learn of their deaths, say their goodbyes, and drive away.
2.On You, when "Exile" by Taylor Swift (feat. Bon Iver) plays as Joe drags Love's lifeless body through their home, and he fakes her confession letter.
This song by itself already makes me go through 57 different emotions, so pairing it with one of the saddest scenes in You really got me. I just couldn't stop thinking about how Love and Joe both grew up with so much trauma that they tried to build a family better than the ones they knew. They really were a perfect match, — true soulmates — but they were always doomed from the start.
Where you can find it: Season 3, Episode 10 "What Is Love?"
3.On Euphoria, when "All for Us" by Labrinth and Zendaya plays as Rue gives in to her addiction, relapses, and hallucinates.
"The scene itself is heartbreaking and raw when we witness Rue relapse. The way she expresses it through song is powerful. Also, Zendaya and Labrinth together equal perfection."
Where you can find it: Season 1, Episode 8 "And Salt the Earth Behind You"
4.On The O.C., when "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap plays as Marissa saves Ryan's life by shooting his older brother Trey in the back.
The combination of the slow-mo and Imogen Heap's multilayered voice just gives me chills. What could've just been a stressful, unfortunate scene becomes an absolutely tragic one because of this song. Also, I love the fact that this scene is so iconic, that an even more iconic SNL sketch was based on it.
Where you can find it: Season 2, Episode 24 "The Dearly Beloved"
5.On This Is Us, when “To Build a Home” by the Cinematic Orchestra plays as we see a montage of the Big Three taking care of Rebecca as her health rapidly declines paralleled with scenes of Rebecca taking care of them as children.
Suggested by: konebu
Where you can find it: Season 6, Episode 16 "Family Meeting"
6.On Bridgerton, when "Sign of the Times" by Harry Styles (covered by Steve Horner) plays as Edwina and Anthony walk down the aisle at their wedding, while Anthony can't stop thinking about his love for Kate.
7.On The Vampire Diaries, when "A Drop in the Ocean" by Ron Pope plays as Stefan calls Elena, but he can't tell her where he is, even though he desperately wants to come home.
There's something about the way Stefan can't say anything to Elena, but this song ends up saying all the words he can't. There's so much passion behind Ron Pope's voice in this song, too, that I literally can't help but tear up when I watch this scene.
Where you can find it: Season 3, Episode 1 "The Birthday"
8.On Six Feet Under, when "Breathe Me" by Sia plays as we flash forward to see just how the entire Fisher family lived out their lives and comes full circle when they all eventually die.
"It elevated an already perfect finale into 'best of all time' territory."
Where you can find it: Season 5, Episode 12 "Everyone's Waiting"
9.On Black Mirror, when "Heaven Is a Place on Earth” by Belinda Carlisle plays when Kelly decides to end her life so that she can be buried with her family, but her consciousness can live happily ever after with Yorkie in San Junipero.
It's like Belinda Carlisle sang this song knowing that one day it'd be used to underscore this happily ever after. It's one of those times, too, where you hear the song begin and feel like, "Yeah, maybe everything is gonna be alright." And then when we get the reveal that Kelly chose to stay with Yorkie forever, you just can't help but explode with excitement. San Junipero is their heaven.
Where you can find it: Season 3, Episode 4 "San Junipero"
10.On Ted Lasso, when "She's a Rainbow" by The Rolling Stones plays as Roy quits Sky Sports News, runs all the way back to Richmond AFC, and steps on the field for the first time since retiring.
I'm such a sucker for this moment. It's like when the main character in a rom-com realizes their true love was right in front of them all along. Roy's first love will always be soccer, and AFC Richmond is his home. There's something so magical that happens when Roy steps onto the field again.
Where you can find it: Season 2, Episode 5 "Rainbow"
11.On The Handmaid's Tale, when "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" by Radiohead plays as the handmaids make their great escape by crossing the train tracks, but only June and Janine survive.
"The train scene in Season 4 was pretty great IMO."
Where you can find it: Season 4, Episode 3 "The Crossing"
12.On Ginny & Georgia, when "Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez plays as Georgia walks down the aisle to marry Paul Randolph and finally seems to get the happy ending she always wanted.
The fact that the first lyric is literally "Georgia..." This song is meant for her. And it's so powerful having known everything she went through to get to this moment, to finally find her Prince Charming.
Where you can find it: Season 2, Episode 10 "I'm No Cinderella"
13.On Wynonna Earp, when "Common" by Robyn Dell’Unto plays as Nicole spots Waverly in an alternate reality, and immediately falls in love with her all over again.
Suggested by: l49c7feaae
Where you can find it: Season 2, Episode 11 "Gone As a Girl Can Get"
14.On The Crown, when "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks plays as Diana celebrates her engagement to Prince Charles, not knowing just how challenging their marriage will be.
"A young, innocent Diana celebrates her engagement to the future King of England with her friends. The song is so well-fitted for a joyous and youthful occasion, knowing what the future will hold for her. May she rest in peace."
Where you can find it: Season 4, Episode 3 "Fairytale"
15.On The Umbrella Academy, when "I Think We’re Alone Now" by Tiffany plays as five of the umbrellas reunite for the first time in years after their father's death.
This is the first time we actually catch a glimpse into who these characters are. This whole dance sequence humanizes them in a way that any dialogue just couldn't do. After years of not seeing each other, they're bound to be different and almost like strangers. But when we see them in this moment, we realize just how alike they all really are.
Where you can find it: Season 1, Episode 1 "We Only See Each Other at Weddings and Funerals"
16.On Greek, when "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap plays as the Kappa Tau house celebrates the "end of the world" and Cappie realizes he rejected the girl he's been in love with for years.
Suggested by: thatshot21
Where you can find it: Season 2, Episode 22 "At World's End"
17.On Lucifer, when "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors plays as Lucifer drags his mother out of hell and back to the real world, all while Linda and Maze try to revive him.
"There's so much anxiety, heartache, and stress in one scene. The song just made it that much more powerful."
Where you can find it: Season 2, Episode 13 "A Good Day to Die"
18.On Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when "Goodbye to You" by Michelle Branch plays as Willow's spell wears off, everyone's memory comes back, and they all must go back to their sadder realities.
"The whole episode is hilarious, and then, the mood of it completely changes as the song begins and everything starts to fall apart for the characters. If you need a good cry, this moment will do it for you — it's achingly beautiful but heartbreaking."
Where you can find it: Season 6, Episode 8 "Tabula Rasa"
19.On Daisy Jones & the Six, when "Gold Dust Woman" by Fleetwood Mac plays as Billy tells Daisy about her overdose, and she realizes that she deserves so much better than her husband Nicky, who left her there to die.
It was such a bold move putting a Fleetwood Mac song into this series, and yet, it was the best thing I've ever seen. Years ago, Stevie Nicks shared that this song was about ending her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham and her own experiences with drug use, so seeing that paralleled with Daisy's overdose and breakup with Nicky... pure chills.
Where you can find it: Season 1, Episode 9 "Track 9: Feels Like the First Time"
20.On Westworld, when "Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Radiohead (covered by Vitamin String Quartet) plays as Maeve realizes that she's not human and her entire life has just been manufactured in a lab.
"It’s a string instrumental cover. The context is Maeve learning that her entire reality is a lie, built for other people’s enjoyment. That her memories of life or love are manufactured, and her suffering is orchestrated on purpose. It’s devastating."
Where you can find it: Season 1, Episode 6 "The Adversary"
21.On The Wilds, when "Epiphany" by Taylor Swift plays as the girls recount what happened when Rachel and Nora were attacked by a shark, and rush to save them.
Another instance where it was like Taylor knew she was writing this song for this moment. "Epiphany" is about soldiers giving literally everything to each other, to save each other. And in this moment, we see the girls putting aside all of their differences to really come together. After this moment, they've become bonded for life.
Where you can find it: Season 2, Episode 1 "Day 30/1"
22.On Grey's Anatomy, when "Cosmic Love" by Florence + the Machine plays as Cristina runs after Teddy and begs her to stay at the hospital, saying she'll give her whatever she wants, including Owen.
"A ton of early episodes of Grey’s Anatomy have great music moments, but my favorite is when 'Cosmic Love' plays while Cristina is running after Teddy to make her stay at the hospital. It introduced me to Florence + the Machine, and that song still gives me chills."
Where you can find it: Season 6, Episode 11 "Blink"
23.And finally, on Stranger Things, when "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)" by Kate Bush plays as Max escapes Vecna's grasp in the Upside Down.
There's something so truly gut-wrenching about this song being "Max's song." Like, yes, it's such a great jam, but when you really listen to the lyrics, you understand just how heartbroken Max was when Billy died. And then, when she's given the chance to let go, she realizes she's not ready to die just yet. It's such a perfect example of portraying grief onscreen.
Where you can find it: Season 4, Episode 4 "Chapter Four: Dear Billy"
Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
Not all examples are user submissions.
