Summary
Thebest needle drops in moviesconstitute some epic moments, whileTV shows go on long enough to master the needle drop through many amazing scenes.TV shows often establish a tone early on where other artists' songs will regularly be in use, meticulously chosen throughout the show to highlight powerful moments in the story. These songs are often used alongside the show’s original score, contrasting with shows that only use dramatic scores (likeGame of Thrones).
Needle drops might be used to immerse the audience in a particular settingor highlight a theme of youth with more recent hits. Some soundtrack supervisors constantly favor juxtaposition, where a lively song contrasts with a grim situation. Typically, there are some resonant moments in the song’s lyrics, reflecting what is going on in the show. However, when some of themost intense, unforgettable moments of TVare that way because of silence, choosing how and when to use a needle drop is a delicate process.
The 11 Best TV Show Theme Songs Of All Time
Across genres, decades, and streaming platforms, some TV shows feature iconic theme songs that have forever left a mark on pop culture.
10The Bear (2022-Present)
Best Needle Drops: “Chicago,” “Love Story,” & “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”
The Bearhas some obvious needle drops — like the song named after the city where the show is set and any guitar-riffing song for the chaos of the kitchen — but also some surprising choices. “Love Story” is a strange inclusion for such an intense show, but it ended up being the perfect soundtrack for Richie celebrating his success at work by singing along while driving home. However,The Beararguably does needle drops with some kind of tonal dissonance all the time.
AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” has an upbeat melody, while the lyrics are absolutely perfect for the chefs' usual attitude. Sufjan Stevens' “Chicago” is used for a more melancholic moment, ideal given the song’s title and lyrics.The Bearutilizes a strong combination of songs that are electric, nostalgic, or strange when taken out of context,but all effective in propping up the show’s award-winning storytelling.
9Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
Best Needle Drops: “How To Save A Life” & “Where Does The Good Go”
Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” was probably the most impactful the first time it was used inGrey’s Anatomy, but has since become something of a pop-cultural joke. However, a variety of other romantic and heartbreaking songs from artists including Ingrid Michaelson, Jill Andrews, Bon Iver, Taylor Swift, and many more make their way intoGrey’s Anatomyto turn all the couples' best moments into pure magic. Snow Patrol contributes some other songs to the soundtrack, as the producers can’t ignore the group’s typically heartrending and dramatic style.
However, Grey’s Anatomy’s best songs might actually be the ones that don’t highlight the romantic relationships.
However,Grey’s Anatomy’s best songsmight actually be the ones that don’t highlight the romantic relationships. The Fray’s “How to Save a Life” is used multiple times in the show, which leverages the title ironically to show the doctors physically saving lives, while the lyrics are more about mental health. Yet “How to Save a Life” encapsulates a lot aboutGrey’s Anatomy’s tone and emotional storylines. On the other hand,Tegan and Sara’s accompaniment of Meredith and Cristina’s goodbye is nothing short of breathtaking,capturing all the bittersweet joy in that moment.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
8Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Best Needle Drops: “Should I Stay Or Should I Go,” “Material Girl,” & “Master Of Puppets”
Stranger Things’best needle dropsinclude Scorpions' “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” Peter Gabriel’s “Heroes,” Madonna’s “Material Girl,” Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (Make a Deal With God),” and countless others. The soundtrack showcases a variety of 1980s hits characteristic of the show’s setting and aesthetics.Stranger Things’tradition of needle drops goes back to The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go,“morbidly used in season 1 in association with Will’s disappearance as the initial conflict.
Some ofStranger Things’needle drops are used in more obvious contexts, such as “Material Girl” playing while Max takes Eleven shopping, embracing normal teenage girl life. “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” is also placed in a lighthearted scene, while alluding to Jim Hopper’s name. YetStranger Thingscan also take a classic Metallica song and use it for a character’s death scene,embracing all the darkness and 80s nostalgia of the show all at once.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
7Reign (2013-2017)
Best Needle Drops: “Scotland” & “The Power Of Love”
Reignadmittedly has some weird needle drops; it took the show a moment to truly master the soundtrack choices. Bastille’s “Pompeii” during a sparring scene takes the show completely out of its period setting, feeling like it was only included for the sake of a radio hit.Reign’s best needle drops are subtle and wistful, usually in the overlapping alternative, indie, and folk genres.This is seen in doubtlessly the best song choice in the entire show: The Lumineers' “Scotland,“used in the opening credits.
This acoustic number is far away and lonesome, setting the stage for Mary’s tragic tale.The songs used for both of Mary’s weddings three seasons apart are also perfectly chosen,with soprano vocals and piano notes conveying the romance or heartbreak of the events leading to that wedding.Reignblends romance with history, showcasing a fictionalized version of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and all that she sacrificed, highlighted by its delicately beautiful soundtrack.
Reign
Reign is a historical fiction drama series that aired on The CW for four seasons from 2013-2017. The show takes place in the late 16th century, and tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, played by Adelaide Kane.
6The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024)
Best Needle Drops: “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Run Boy Run,” “Major Tom,” & “Footloose”
The Umbrella Academyalso mixes up the times it uses needle drops for completely serious moments, the times when the characters are just goofing off, and the times the song satisfyingly juxtaposes with the action taking place. The show demonstrates such a unique mix of comedy, drama, and action that its soundtrack would be just as distinct. Most interestingly,The Umbrella Academyseems to be well-versed in the art of utilizing songs that have been used for needle drops too many times beforeand having them still come across well.
David Bowie’s “Major Tom” and Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” have been used plenty of times before, but the instances inThe Umbrella Academyare still well-planned. Woodkid’s “Run Boy Run” was the ultimate YA dystopia song for a while, but still gives life to a good action sequence. On the other hand, “Footloose” is one of the craziest moments of the show, demonstrating the variety of how it uses needle drops for action.
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The Hargreeves — collectively known as The Umbrella Academy — were born with superpowers, and their adoptive father utilized their abilities. However, as they grew older, the siblings grew apart as they dealt with their trauma. They are brought back together after their father dies and Five returns from the future with grave news: The world will end, and The Umbrella Academy has to stop it before it happens.
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5Bridgerton (2020-Present)
Best Needle Drops: “Wildest Dreams,” “Cheap Thrills,” “Jealous,” & “You Belong With Me”
Birdgerton’s (andQueen Charlotte’s) orchestral covers of the biggest hits of the day are now famous in the cultural zeitgeist. Sometimes the music is just a pleasant background accompaniment constituting a cultural Easter Egg when the viewer pins down where they have heard it before, and sometimes it results in a completely otherworldly moment of the characters' whirlwind romances. This tends to be the case every time the show decides to give the Swifties what they want with another cover.
Bridgerton’s song choices demonstrate the blend of modern and period elements, which has made it a hit.
“Material Girl” comes back around to suggest the opulence of the Ton, whileMiley Cyrus' “Wrecking Ball” makes for a grand confession of love (that has wreaked a lot of havoc) and Gayle’s “abcdefu” suits Penelope’s grand entrance.Every modern song covered in theBridgertonseason 3 soundtrackonly added to four seasons' worth of songs that characterize the two shows.Bridgerton’s song choices demonstrate the blend of modern and period elements, which has made it a hit.
Bridgerton
Bridgerton, released on June 13, 2025, is set in Regency-era England and follows the lives of the influential Bridgerton family. The series explores themes of wealth, lust, and betrayal, portraying societal dynamics through a blend of romance and intrigue.
4Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Best Needle Drop: “Full Of Grace”
Almost universally regarded asthe best needle drop inBuffy the Vampire Slayeris the use of Sarah McLachan’s “Full of Grace.“Buffy the Vampire Slayeris always showing the strain of being a Slayer and how Buffy struggles to balance her regular life with her monster fighting. At the end of season 2, Buffy has had enough and leaves Sunnydale to attempt to start over in Los Angeles. While this doesn’t last long, “Full of Grace” is enough to make anyone cry with how it elevates Buffy’s grief as she leaves her friends and family.
YetBuffy the Vampire Slayerused other great songs at emotionally heightened momentsto make them even more impactful. Cibo Matto’s “Sugar Water” is also a fan-favorite moment, with Buffy acting more devious than usual and trying to make Angel jealous. Then the show also pulled off some wistful moments, like with the use of The Sundays' “Wild Horses” during a prom scene. For all its devastating moments,Buffy the Vampire Slayerstill reminds its audience that the characters can occasionally enjoy a normally dreamy teenage moment.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
Best Needle Drop: “Baby Blue”
Breaking Badalso has a defining needle dropthat comes at the very end of the series. There are a multitude of ways to interpret how the lyrics of Badfinger’s “Baby Blue” relate to the events of the show, but it does give the moment a feeling of regretful fondness as this landmark series comes to an end. Even if everything Walt and the others did was horrible, fans must have been a little bit sad that they no longer had new episodes of this show to look forward to.
Some ofBreaking Bad’s other amazing needle drops include Tommy James and the Shondells' “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and Knife Party’s “Bonfire.“Breaking Badoften turns to songs with more positive-sounding tunesto juxtapose the characters' morally depraved actions. Upbeat rock and pop tunes convey Walt’s feelings of adrenaline or just going about business sparked by some of the worst things he ever does.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
2Our Flag Means Death (2022-2023)
Best Needle Drops: “Run From Me” & “Roads To Moscow”
Our Flag Means Death, similar toReign, incorporates a lot of mellow tunes that blend well with the period setting. Also likeBridgerton, this setting is meshed with modern elements, mainly in the way the characters talk. Some amazing moments come in season 2, like the repeated use of Timber Timbre’s “Run From Me,” which makes a harrowing scene of sailing into a storm even more so. The show also includes a great cover of “La Vie en Rose,” performed by Con O’Neill.
Our Flag Means Deathcan be described as a gang of characters who, when they are at their best, are just having a good time with the life of piracy. They drift through raids and relationships, only to be disrupted by internal conflicts and a battle with British soldiers in each season finale. A great selection ofclassic and alternative rock songs capture the feeling ofOur Flag Means Deathall being a good time.
Our Flag Means Death
Created by David Jenkins and starring Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi, Our Flag Means Death blends romantic comedy with period drama on the high seas. Loosely based on real historical figures, the series chronicles the adventures of Stede Bonnet and the crew of the pirate ship Revenge, detailing their often hilarious exploits and encounters, including crossing paths with the infamous Blackbeard. The series received praise for its extensive and positive LGBTQ+ representation upon the first season’s release.
15 Hit Shows With Amazing Soundtracks
TV show soundtracks are very important for a number of reasons. And, these 15 shows definitely had amazing soundtracks.
1The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Best Needle Drops: “Skinny Love,” “Hypnotic,” “Never Let Me Go,” & “Wait”
The Vampire Diaries’best songsinclude a lot of modern hits that give life to Caroline’s rock star fantasies and much more. As another young adult-aimed romance and fantasy franchise,a lot ofThe Vampire Diaries’appeal is in key moments in the action and relationships being backed up by popular songsyounger audience members are familiar with. If the sheer amount of death that happens near the end of season 2 isn’t already overwhelming, the use of Birdy’s “Skinny Love” completes it.
Other slow songs like Ross Copperman’s “Never Let Me Go” and Florence + The Machine’s “Hunger” are vital to these romantic moments, while Dorothy’s “Raise Hell” and Zella Day’s “Hypnotic” are illustrative of the vampires' typical lifestyle. M-83’s “Wait” was also used in a lot of movies and TV shows around the same time, but turned out to be the perfect accompaniment that demonstrates Stefan and Damon’s love for each other despite everything else.TV shows that master needle drops understand how to place a known song in a new contextfor a never-before-seen effect.
The Vampire Diaries
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another’s affection.
