The title makes this post sound like a flashy, showy, Broadway sitcom, but instead it’s just a post idea I’ve had on my mind for a while. Personally, I think one of the best and most important things of a television show is its musical résumé. In this day in age, we’re so used to hearing some semblance of melodic sounds in the background of our favorite program it seems weird when the background noise is complete silence. We care about what songs go with what seasons, we observe whether it’s upbeat or slow and assess the scene judging on that, and by all means we analyze the lyrics to no end to see exactly how they fit with whoever’s on the screen at the moment. So here’s my own personal ranking of what shows stand out, music wise.

The OC

Maybe my unfair bias with this show will be exposed within this paragraph, but honestly, The OC has one of the best soundtracks of any television show to date. Aside from the constant Death Cab references from Seth, Rooney has also performed on the show back in their heyday. And have you seen the six CD’s this show made? Imogen Heap was more than known in the music industry after their premire of “Hide and Seek” which spurred an SNL skit. That’s how you know you’ve made it. Their last song of their last episode over admittedly made me weep. And I never cry during television. “Life’s a Song” by Patrick Park just did that for me.

Lost

Lost is another one. Aside from its occasional yet stellar commercial songs (which were featured in epic scenes like “Wash Away”), its original compositions were absolutely magnificent. Critically acclaimed for being “haunting but beautiful,” these are probably the only orchestral pieces I can listen to without falling asleep. If you don’t believe me, just listen to “Life & Death.” Seriously. Weeping. Even if you don’t like non-lyrical music, you wouldn’t mind having their soundtrack playing in the background of you looking out into the deserted water. Or the hatch.

The Vampire Diaries

Though my fervor for finding every song that was played on the last episode might’ve been subdued during the third season, I still can’t thank the geniuses at TVD for filling my iTunes with countless songs that I fell in love with. I can list to you all the mountains of pieces that you have to (legally?) download, or I can also tell you’re on the brink of possibly starting, the music on it is a key reason. And of course, being my pretentious self, I have to give credit where it’s due for picking songs I’ve known and loved, but tried to keep a secret from my peers.We wouldn’t want Poison & Wine to get mainstream.

And that’s it! I’d love to find some more shows with amazing scores, so please please please leave a comment below. Bai now.