24 Best How I Met Your Mother Songs: The Ultimate Soundtrack

1. Forever Young (Alphaville)

Synth-Pop Perfection: Forever Young's iconic synth sounds and driving beat perfectly capture the nostalgic, bittersweet feeling of remembering the past while looking to the future, a theme resonating deeply with *How I Met Your Mother*'s overall narrative.

Marius Müller-Westernhagen's Vocals: The instantly recognizable and emotionally resonant vocals perfectly complement the song's melancholic yet hopeful tone, adding a layer of depth appreciated in the show's often poignant moments.

Timeless Relevance: The song's themes of youth, love, and the passage of time are universally relatable, making it a fitting soundtrack for the show's exploration of relationships and life's journey.

2. Shake It Out - Ceremonials (Deluxe Edition)

Sound: Shake It Out's driving beat and soaring strings create a powerful, cathartic soundscape perfect for moments of both celebration and emotional release, fitting many scenes in How I Met Your Mother.

Vocals: Florence Welch's emotive vocals are captivating, conveying a sense of resilience and letting go that resonates deeply with the show's themes of love, loss, and finding yourself.

Emotional Impact: The song's anthemic quality makes it ideal for scenes requiring a powerful emotional punch, whether celebratory or melancholic, mirroring the complex emotional tapestry of How I Met Your Mother.

3. I'm Gonna Be

Anthemic Quality: "I'm Gonna Be" boasts an unforgettable, uplifting chorus perfect for capturing the optimistic spirit often found in *How I Met Your Mother*.

Relatable Theme: The song's persistent, determined message resonates with the show's focus on perseverance in love and life, making it a fitting soundtrack.

Memorable Hook: Its instantly catchy melody and simple yet powerful lyrics ensure it sticks with you long after the episode ends, just like the show itself.

4. The Funeral

Emotional Resonance: "The Funeral" perfectly captures the bittersweet melancholy of a significant life moment, fitting the pensive and reflective mood often found in *How I Met Your Mother*.

Haunting Melody: Band of Horses' signature blend of indie rock and folk creates a deeply affecting soundscape that lingers long after the song ends, perfectly complementing the show's emotional depth.

Perfect Scene Setter: Its introspective lyrics and understated instrumentation make it ideal for scenes of quiet contemplation or poignant farewells, echoing the show's frequent use of reflective moments.

5. Oxford Comma (Vampire Weekend - 2025)

Upbeat Tempo: "Oxford Comma" boasts a driving rhythm perfect for setting a lively, feel-good mood, ideal for those "How I Met Your Mother" rewatch sessions.

Indie-Pop Charm: Vampire Weekend's signature sound blends perfectly with the show's quirky, yet relatable, vibe.

Nostalgic Vibe: The song's bright, slightly melancholic tone evokes a sense of longing and reminiscence, complementing the show's exploration of relationships and memories.

6. The Airborne Toxic Event (Sometime Around Midnight - 2025)

Sound: "The Airborne Toxic Event" by Sometime Around Midnight features a driving, slightly melancholic sound perfectly capturing the bittersweet moments of *How I Met Your Mother*. The instrumentation blends perfectly with the show's emotional landscape.

Emotional Impact: The song's lyrics evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia, mirroring the show's frequent exploration of relationships and the passage of time. It's a soundtrack to both joyful and heart-wrenching memories.

Vocal Performance: Sometime Around Midnight's vocals are emotive and nuanced, adding to the song's overall impact and making it incredibly memorable within the context of the series.

7. Let Your Heart Hold Fast

Let Your Heart Hold Fast by Fort Atlantic

Sound: The track's mellow, acoustic-driven sound perfectly captures the wistful, romantic moments often found in How I Met Your Mother, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

Emotional Impact: Its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics evoke a sense of longing and bittersweet remembrance, mirroring the show's exploration of relationships and the passage of time.

Vocal Performance: Fort Atlantic's vocals are warm and inviting, adding to the intimate and emotionally resonant quality of the song, making it ideal background music for reflective scenes.

8. Better (2006)

Regina Spektor - Better:

Sound and Rhythm: Spektor's signature quirky piano melodies and unpredictable rhythms create a uniquely captivating soundscape perfectly suited to the show's whimsical yet heartfelt moments.

Emotional Impact: The song's bittersweet lyrics about longing and acceptance resonate deeply with the show's themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, making it a poignant addition to any *How I Met Your Mother* viewing.

Vocal Performance: Spektor's expressive vocals imbue "Better" with a raw vulnerability that enhances its emotional impact, adding to its memorability within the context of the show.

9. The Man in Me (1970)

Sound: Bob Dylan's signature gravelly vocals and harmonica blend perfectly with the introspective lyrics, creating a melancholic yet captivating soundscape ideal for reflective moments reminiscent of the show's emotional arcs.

Emotional Impact: "The Man in Me" evokes a sense of longing and self-discovery, mirroring the complex relationships and personal journeys explored in *How I Met Your Mother*.

Lyrical Content: The song's themes of searching for meaning and acceptance resonate deeply with the show's overarching narrative about finding love and one's place in the world.

10. Let's Go to the Mall

Catchy Tune: "Let's Go to the Mall" boasts an undeniably catchy melody that perfectly encapsulates the breezy, upbeat energy of *How I Met Your Mother*.

Nostalgic Vibe: The song evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, transporting listeners back to the carefree days of shopping sprees and youthful adventures, aligning perfectly with the show's overall tone.

Character Connection: Its lighthearted lyrics and playful rhythm make it a fitting soundtrack for the show's lighter moments and feel-good episodes.