Soundtracks may not be the most important component of a show, but they sure can make or break a good one. Soundtracks can be the defining element that makes a show a cult classic or a forgettable one-season wonder. The songs chosen to accompany a show, whether original or from the archives, must fit perfectly in order to be successful choices. If the song doesn't fit with the vibe or energy of a show's scene, it automatically throws viewers out of the world they're supposed to be immersed in.
The soundtrack's ability to keep viewers in tune with the characters and story is unmatched, especially if viewers can listen to the soundtrack outside the show and be reminded of the story they love so much. That ability to engage viewers can not be accomplished without a well-curated or well-orchestrated soundtrack. The shows listed below have soundtracks that immerse viewers to a point that each individual song reminds viewers of a specific scene or character.
5 Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is the pinnacle of mid-2000s fashion, language, and obviously music. The soundtrack for Gossip Girl is one that sets the tone for the universe they live in while appealing to the masses. The songs were ones that were popular at the time but also fit with the characters and storylines of the show itself. It is not always important for the shows to be popular at the time the show airs, but with streaming and being able to re-watch a show decades after it airs, television soundtracks feel like a time capsule for us to dig up and see what life was like in the past, and Gossip Girl reveals circa-2007 like nothing else.
The music isn't the only time period-specific element of Gossip Girl, but it is the loudest element. The music of Gossip Girl is able to emphasize specific characters, their emotions, and their actions, all while being certified bops (it's a perfect soundtrack). Gossip Girl's ability to seamlessly integrate story and song is done so perfectly, it's one of the most well-beloved show soundtracks to this day.
4 Dickinson
Dickinson is not one of the shows on this list known for its soundtrack, maybe because it is a historical TV show from a certain period. Dickinson follows the life of poet Emily Dickinson in a pseudo-reality, as no one knows for sure how Emily Dickinson lived. Due to that factor, the show takes her story in a bit of a different direction, choosing to use more modern vernacular and music. This allows the show to be more accessible to younger, modern audiences, so they feel they can relate to the characters instead of like they're watching a movie in history class.
The use of music in Dickinson really helps this modernization of the story, modernizing a woman ahead of her time by incorporating modern sounds and sensibilities. The songs used are all very recent releases and chosen very deliberately, not only to appeal to modern audiences but to set the scene for Emily and her life as a whole. The show serves as a coming-of-age of sorts, and the music of our age only makes that all the more obvious.
3 Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies was one of the biggest shows of the last five years, and it held that position for quite a while. Big Little Lies is definitely a show with many phenomenal aspects, especially its acting; however, Big Little Lies wouldn't be what it was without its perfectly curated soundtrack. The show was able to enthrall viewers to the point where people were creating Facebook groups just to talk about the show.
None of that could have been done without the musical accompaniment. That soundtrack set the tone and the mood for that episode, scene, or for the show as a whole. The timing is also vital to the choice of song. The song chosen for a particular scene must not only fit the mood but must also be placed at the right time in the scene. No show on this list does that specific timing better than Big Little Lies.
2 Euphoria
Euphoria is known as one of the best shows currently on television, one of the many reasons for this title is its fabulous soundtrack. The show uses a mixture of original music produced by Labrinth and popular songs from all over the past 40 decades. This combination of original music and familiar songs makes Euphoria's soundtrack one of the best in recent history. Fans flock to sites like Shazam and Spotify the second every Euphoria episode ends just to relisten to every song that played during the episode.
Not only has this elevated Labrinth's career, but it has introduced this generation to some great music they would have never heard otherwise (another important feature of soundtrack work). The songs from the second season of Euphoria was just released as a soundtrack, giving fans the option to listen to the original music from the season anytime.
1 Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks is the oldest show on this list, and fittingly, its soundtrack features the oldest music, complementing a show set in 1980, and is the combination of all the shows listed above. The show is most definitely a product of its time. The timing of the songs is vital to the story as a whole and feels natural to the show and its characters. Many people don't know this, but some accompaniment for the show is original; while the original music in the show is minimal, it makes an impact on the overall tone of the show and fits perfectly with the great needle drops from the show. Freaks and Geeks has become the poster child for TV soundtracks and that title is well-earned and well deserved. Freaks and Geeks only lasted one season, and of all the shows that have done so in the past, this one has most definitely had the biggest impact.