22 Unforgettable Songs From Your Favorite Shows: The Ultimate Soundtrack

From the catchy theme tunes that get stuck in your head for days to the heartbreaking ballads that perfectly encapsulate a show's emotional core, television shows have gifted us with some incredible music. We've all experienced that moment where a song from a show instantly transports us back to a favorite scene, character, or even a specific feeling. That's the power of music in television, and that's why we've compiled this ultimate list of the best songs from shows. Whether you're a seasoned TV aficionado or just looking to discover some new tunes, this carefully curated selection spans genres and decades, showcasing the diverse and unforgettable sounds that have shaped our viewing experiences. Forget scrolling endlessly through generic playlists – dive into this collection of unforgettable tracks and rediscover the magic of music interwoven with storytelling. Get ready to relive your favorite moments and maybe even find your new favorite song!

22 Unforgettable Songs From Your Favorite Shows: The Ultimate Soundtrack
SongArtistAlbumListens
1. Eye of the Tiger Survivor Working Class Dog 1B+
2. Don't You Simple Minds Once Upon A Time (Super Deluxe) 336M+
3. Push It Salt-N-Pepa 188M+
4. Juice Lizzo 130M+
5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme Will Smith 39M+
6. California Phantom Planet 26M+
7. I'll Be There for You The Rembrandts L.P. 18M+

1. Eye of the Tiger (1982)

Iconic Anthem: "Eye of the Tiger" remains a quintessential power ballad, perfectly capturing the triumphant spirit often associated with pivotal moments in film and television.

Unforgettable Hook: Its instantly recognizable rhythm and driving beat make it instantly memorable and incredibly effective in heightening dramatic tension on screen.

Enduring Legacy: The song's use in *Rocky III* cemented its place in pop culture history, making it a go-to choice for moments demanding strength, determination, and a feeling of invincibility.

Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

2. Don't You

Don't You - Simple Minds

Live Energy: "Don't You" translates incredibly well to the live stage; its driving rhythm and anthemic chorus create an unforgettable audience singalong.

Vocal Performance: Jim Kerr's powerful vocals shine in a live setting, conveying both vulnerability and intensity that resonates deeply with concertgoers.

Showmanship: The song's build-up and release are perfectly suited for a dynamic stage performance, making it a highlight of many Simple Minds concerts.

Don't You - Simple Minds

3. Push It

Sound: "Push It" boasts a relentlessly infectious beat, perfectly suited for hyping up a crowd and creating an unforgettable live atmosphere. The bassline is iconic and provides the backbone for the song's energy.

Vocals: Salt-N-Pepa's assertive and confident delivery is what makes the song so captivating; their vocal interplay is dynamic and adds to the show's high-energy feel.

Crowd Response: The call-and-response elements in "Push It" naturally invite audience participation, guaranteeing a lively, interactive experience at any performance.

Push It - Salt-N-Pepa

4. Juice - 2025

Song Title: Juice

Artist: Lizzo

Anthemic Quality: "Juice" boasts an infectious energy perfect for a live setting, its powerful beat and undeniable charisma making it a crowd-pleaser guaranteed to ignite any show.

Vocal Performance: Lizzo's commanding vocals and dynamic delivery shine brightly in a live performance, amplifying the song's already potent message of self-love and confidence.

Stage Presence: The song's inherent showmanship translates exceptionally well onto a stage; imagine the choreography, the crowd participation, the pure exhilaration.

Juice - Lizzo

5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme

Upbeat and Catchy Melody: The instantly recognizable theme song boasts a vibrant, feel-good melody that perfectly encapsulates the show's lighthearted and optimistic tone.

Nostalgic Value: Its iconic status cemented its place in 90s pop culture, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia for many viewers who grew up with the show.

Memorable Lyrics: The lyrics cleverly weave in details about the show's premise and characters, enhancing its memorability and connection to the series.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme - Will Smith

6. California (2002)

Sound: "California" by Phantom Planet boasts a driving, upbeat tempo and a distinct, shimmering guitar riff that's instantly recognizable and perfect for amplifying the energy of a show.

Nostalgia Factor: Its association with the iconic television series *The O.C.* cemented its place in pop culture history, making it a powerful choice for evoking a specific, cherished era during live performances.

Vocal Delivery: The song's vocals are energetic and relatable, fitting seamlessly into the atmosphere of a show and encouraging audience participation.

California - Phantom Planet

7. I'll Be There for You (L.P. - 1995)

Theme Song Status: "I'll Be There For You" achieved iconic status as the theme song for the hit TV show *Friends*, instantly recognizable and deeply associated with the series' lighthearted yet emotionally resonant tone.

Catchy Melody and Lyrics: The song's upbeat tempo and memorable lyrics perfectly captured the essence of the show's themes of friendship and everyday life, making it instantly likeable and highly singable.

Nostalgia Factor: For many, hearing "I'll Be There For You" evokes powerful feelings of nostalgia, transporting them back to the comforting world of *Friends* and the joy it brought to millions.

I'll Be There for You - The Rembrandts

8. Secret Agent Man (1966)

Sound: Johnny Rivers's iconic rendition of "Secret Agent Man" boasts a driving, instantly recognizable instrumental hook, perfectly suited for the high-octane energy of television and film.

Vocal Performance: Rivers's vocals are smooth yet assertive, delivering the lyrics with a cool confidence that enhances the song's spy-thriller vibe, making it a memorable choice for any show's soundtrack.

Pop Culture Impact: Its use in countless films and television shows cemented "Secret Agent Man" as a quintessential theme song, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of intrigue and action.

Secret Agent Man - Johnny Rivers

9. Bad Things (Jace Everett - 2025)

Haunting Melody: "Bad Things" by Jace Everett features a memorable melody that perfectly captures the dark and suspenseful mood often found in television shows, making it instantly recognizable and deeply affecting.

Vocal Performance: Everett's distinctive vocals deliver a raw and emotionally resonant performance, perfectly complementing the song's intense atmosphere and adding to its dramatic impact within the context of a show.

Iconic Placement: Its use in *True Blood* cemented its place in television history, becoming synonymous with the show's tone and significantly impacting its overall cultural resonance.

Bad Things - Jace Everett

10. Love and Marriage

Vocal Performance: Frank Sinatra's smooth, iconic vocals perfectly capture the romantic sentimentality of "Love and Marriage" making it a timeless classic ideal for a show's soundtrack.

Emotional Resonance: The song's heartfelt lyrics and mellow melody evoke a sense of heartwarming nostalgia, perfectly suited for emotional scenes in a television show or film.

Timeless Appeal: Its enduring popularity and association with romance makes "Love and Marriage" a versatile choice for any show seeking to enhance a romantic or sentimental moment, guaranteeing audience recognition and connection.

Love and Marriage - Frank Sinatra
  • Suicide Is Painless
    11

    Suicide Is Painless

    Johnny Mandel

    1970

  • Boss of Me
    12

    Boss of Me

    They Might Be Giants

    2000

  • Twin Peaks Theme
    13

    Twin Peaks Theme

    Angelo Badalamenti

    1990

    Soundtrack From Twin Peaks

  • Where Everybody Knows Your Name
    14

    Where Everybody Knows Your Name

    Gary Portnoy

    1982

  • Doctor Who Theme
    15

    Doctor Who Theme

    Ron Grainer

    1963

  • The X-Files Theme
    16

    The X-Files Theme

    Mark Snow

    1993

  • The Big Bang Theory Theme
    17

    The Big Bang Theory Theme

    Barenaked Ladies

    2007

  • Stranger Things Theme
    18

    Stranger Things Theme

    Michael Stein, Kyle Dixon

    2016

  • Game of Thrones Theme
    19

    Game of Thrones Theme

    Ramin Djawadi

    2011

  • The Office Theme
    20

    The Office Theme

    The Scrantones

    2005

  • Yo Home to Bel-Air
    21

    Yo Home to Bel-Air

    Will Smith

    1990

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme
    22

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme

    Nerf Herder

    1997