So, you're looking for the ultimate soundtrack to your next binge-watching session of How I Met Your Mother? You've come to the right place! Finding the best songs HIMYM has to offer can be a quest in itself, sifting through years of catchy tunes and nostalgic moments. This isn't just about listing songs; it's about reliving the laughter, the heartbreak, and the unforgettable moments that defined this iconic sitcom. From upbeat anthems that perfectly capture the gang's youthful energy to soulful ballads reflecting their deeper emotions, the music in How I Met Your Mother is an integral part of its charm. This carefully curated list dives deep into the show's soundtrack, highlighting the tracks that resonate most with fans, ensuring you'll rediscover old favorites and unearth some hidden gems. Prepare to have your HIMYM nostalgia levels skyrocket!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Forever Young | Alphaville | Forever Young | 400M+ |
| 2. Shake It Out | Florence + The Machine | Ceremonials (Deluxe Edition) | 124M+ |
| 3. I'm Gonna Be | The Proclaimers | Sunshine on Leith | 122M+ |
| 4. The Funeral | Band of Horses | 52M+ | |
| 5. Oxford Comma | Vampire Weekend | Vampire Weekend | 20M+ |
| 6. Sometime Around Midnight | The Airborne Toxic Event | 17M+ | |
| 7. Let Your Heart Hold Fast | Fort Atlantic | 12M+ |
1. Forever Young (1984)
Synth-Pop Perfection: Forever Young's iconic 80s synth-pop sound perfectly captures the nostalgic, romantic vibe often associated with *How I Met Your Mother*.
Timeless Lyrics: The song's hopeful message about enduring love and youthful spirit resonates deeply with the show's themes of friendship, relationships, and finding your person.
Perfect Montage Music: Its dreamy atmosphere and soaring melody make it ideal for those heartwarming, bittersweet HIMYM montages that tug at the heartstrings.
2. Shake It Out
Anthemic Quality: "Shake It Out" possesses a powerful, uplifting quality perfect for moments of catharsis and emotional release, fitting many of *How I Met Your Mother*'s pivotal scenes.
Florence Welch's Vocals: Welch's soaring vocals and passionate delivery are incredibly emotive, adding a layer of depth and resonance that elevates the song beyond a typical upbeat track. It's a song that can move you.
Dynamic Arrangement: The song's build-up and release perfectly mirror the emotional rollercoaster of relationships, making it a relatable and impactful choice for a show about love and friendship.
3. I'm Gonna Be (Sunshine on Leith)
Anthemic Quality: "I'm Gonna Be" possesses a powerful, uplifting anthem quality perfectly suited to the celebratory and optimistic spirit often found in *How I Met Your Mother*.
Memorable Melody: The instantly catchy melody and repetitive chorus are incredibly earwormy, making it a song that gets stuck in your head – in a good way!
Relatable Themes: The lyrics about perseverance and determination resonate with the show's themes of finding love and achieving your goals, fitting seamlessly into many *HIMYM* moments.
4. The Funeral (Band of Horses)
Emotional Resonance: "The Funeral" captures the bittersweet ache of loss and acceptance, perfectly fitting the poignant and reflective moments often found in *How I Met Your Mother*.
Melancholic Melody: Its slow, deliberate rhythm and Ben Bridwell's emotive vocals create a soundtrack for quiet contemplation, ideal for those introspective HIMYM scenes.
Scene-Setting Potential: The song's atmospheric quality makes it a powerful tool for setting a specific mood, enhancing emotional impact in key *How I Met Your Mother* moments.
5. Oxford Comma (2008)
Catchy Melody: "Oxford Comma" boasts an undeniably catchy melody that gets stuck in your head, perfectly complementing the lighthearted tone often associated with *How I Met Your Mother*.
Upbeat Tempo: The song's upbeat tempo and driving rhythm create an energetic vibe, ideal for background music during fun moments in the show or while hanging out with friends.
Nostalgic Vibe: Its indie-pop sound evokes a specific era, adding to the show's overall nostalgic charm and making it a perfect soundtrack for reminiscing.
6. Sometime Around Midnight (The Airborne Toxic Event - 2025)
Heartbreak and Nostalgia: "Sometime Around Midnight" perfectly captures the bittersweet ache of a relationship ending, a feeling many HIMYM fans will readily relate to, mirroring the show's own exploration of love and loss.
Anthemic Quality: The soaring vocals and driving rhythm create an emotionally resonant experience, making it ideal for those reflective moments HIMYM often evokes.
Scene-Setting Potential: Its melancholic yet hopeful tone lends itself to creating the perfect soundtrack for a quiet night in, reminiscing on past loves or simply enjoying a moment of pensive reflection, much like the show encourages.
7. Let Your Heart Hold Fast - 2025
Uplifting Melody: "Let Your Heart Hold Fast" features a bright, major-key melody that perfectly captures the optimistic spirit often found in *How I Met Your Mother*.
Relatable Lyrics: The lyrics explore themes of hope and perseverance, resonating with the show's focus on finding love and happiness amidst life's challenges.
Perfect for Montage Scenes: Its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it ideal background music for a heartwarming *HIMYM*-style montage.
8. Better
Regina Spektor's "Better": A quirky yet heartfelt track from the *How I Met Your Mother* soundtrack, "Better" perfectly encapsulates the show's blend of whimsicality and emotional depth.
Sound & Rhythm: Spektor's distinctive piano melodies and playful vocal delivery create a uniquely captivating soundscape, perfectly complementing the show's often bittersweet moments.
Emotional Impact: The song's introspective lyrics resonate with the show's themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships, making it a perfect soundtrack for both joyous and melancholic scenes.
9. The Man in Me (Bob Dylan)
Lyrical Depth: Bob Dylan's signature poetic storytelling shines through in "The Man in Me" crafting a narrative that resonates deeply with the introspective moments of *How I Met Your Mother*.
Nostalgic Vibe: The song's mellow acoustic sound evokes a sense of longing and reflection, perfectly complementing the show's themes of friendship, love, and the passage of time.
Emotional Resonance: Its melancholic beauty creates an atmosphere ideal for those quiet, reflective scenes that *HIMYM* is so well-known for, enhancing the emotional weight of pivotal moments.
10. Let's Go to the Mall
Upbeat Tempo and Catchy Melody: "Let's Go to the Mall" boasts an undeniably catchy melody and a relentlessly upbeat tempo perfectly suited for the lighthearted tone of HIMYM.
Nostalgic Vibe: The song evokes a strong sense of nostalgia for the carefree days of youth and shopping sprees, aligning well with the show's overall themes of friendship and simpler times.
Robin Sparkles' signature sound: The song showcases Robin Sparkles' signature blend of bubblegum pop and quirky lyrics, adding a fun, unexpected element to the HIMYM soundtrack.
11Cigarettes and Coffee
Otis Redding
1966
The Soul Album
12Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit
Barney Stinson
2010
13Sandcastles in the Sand
Robin Sparkles
2008
14Super Bon Bon
Soul Coughing
1996
15This Modern Love
Bloc Party
2005
16Murder Train
The Foreskins
2007
17The World At Large
Modest Mouse
2004
Good News For People Who Love Bad News
18Hey Beautiful
The Solids
2005
19Rewind
Goldspot
2007
20Sea Green, See Blue
Jaymay
2006
21Mother of Pearl
Roxy Music
1974
22Prophets
A.C. Newman
2009
23Downtown Train
Everything But The Girl
1996
24Bang Bang Bangity Bang
Barney Stinson
2010