The best TV show soundtracks of all time

From rock to blues, soul, and plenty of jazz, the soundtrack of 'Suits' is one that deserves a spot on this list. The show includes an eclectic selection of music, including songs from Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Charles Bradley, Nina Simone, Etta James, Jimi Hendrix, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, to name a few.

4 / 31 Fotos

'Sex and the City' (1998–2004) -

The music artists on the show are as sophisticated as the characters. We're talking about the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, Otis Redding, and Nina Simone.

5 / 31 Fotos

'Empire' (2015–2020) -

Being a show about the music business, an emphasis on good music is expected, and 'Empire' certainly doesn't disappoint. Featured artists include Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Courtney Love, and Snoop Dogg.

6 / 31 Fotos

'Peaky Blinders' (2013–2022) -

A gangster family had to have a great soundtrack, right? With artists such as David Bowie, Nick Cave, Arctic Monkeys, Black Sabbath, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, and Idles, we can say it certainly has!

7 / 31 Fotos

'Breaking Bad' (2008–2013) -

This show about a chemistry teacher with cancer who becomes a drug lord has an epic soundtrack. Highlights include Narcocorrido's 'The Ballad of Heisenberg' and 'Baby Blue' by Badfinger.

8 / 31 Fotos

'The Sopranos' (1999–2007) -

Tony Soprano and the gang had songs like Van Morrison’s 'Glad Tidings' as part of their soundtrack. Artists such as The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, as well as Frank Sinatra, Cream, Mazzy Star, and Otis Redding, are also part of the mix.

9 / 31 Fotos

'Gossip Girl' (2007–2012) -

The show has an outstanding soundtrack, featuring artists like Sia, Lana Del Ray, Sum 41, Janelle Monae, Goyte, and many more.

10 / 31 Fotos

'Nashville' (2012–2018) -

Unlike most examples on this list, 'Nashville' has an almost exclusively original soundtrack. Check out the tunes by Rayna James (Connie Britton) and Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere).

11 / 31 Fotos

'The Bear' (2022–) -

From the tension-builder 'New Noise' by Refuse to the poignant 'Disarm' by The Smashing Pumpkins, 'The Bear' has some of the best TV show soundtracks ever.

12 / 31 Fotos

'Lucifer' (2016–2021) -

'Horns' by Bryce Fox is a great theme tune for the main character, but there are many more great songs in the show. Other artists include The Black Keys, Florence and The Machine, Elle King, and The Clash, among others.

13 / 31 Fotos

'Gilmore Girls' (2000–2007) -

The show's theme song is a classic of its own, but there's more than Carole King's 'Where You Lead.' Other great artists on the soundtrack include David Bowie, PJ Harvey, and Sam Phillips.

14 / 31 Fotos

'Sex Education' (2019–2023) -

The show has a rather sexy soundtrack. Some examples include 'Push It' by Salt-N-Pepa and 'Do Ya Think I’m Sexy' by Rod Stewart.

15 / 31 Fotos

'Twin Peaks' (1990–1991) -

David Lynch's cult series features some iconic tracks by American composer Angelo Badalamenti, including the memorable theme song.

16 / 31 Fotos

'Succession' (2018–2023) -

American composer Nicholas Britell is the man behind many great tracks on the show; however, 'Succession' also has other great tunes such as 'Get the Party Started' by Pink and 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' by The Token.

17 / 31 Fotos

'One Tree Hill' (2003–2012) -

The title track 'I Don’t Want To Be' by Gavin DeGraw may be the most popular song on the show, but 'One Tree Hill' has plenty of top artists in its soundtrack. These include Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Eat World, and Keane, to name a few.

18 / 31 Fotos

'Sons of Anarchy' (2008–2014) -

SOA fans can't really complain when it comes to the show's soundtrack, which contains covers of classic songs such as 'Son of a Preacher Man' and 'Fortunate Son.'

19 / 31 Fotos

'Big Little Lies' (2017–2025) -

The soundtrack of 'Big Little Lies' is magnificent. In addition to Michael Kiwanuka’s 'Cold Little Heart', there are songs by artists such as Sade, Elvis, Leon Bridges, and Otis Redding, to name a few.

20 / 31 Fotos

'Stranger Things' (2016–2025) -

'Stranger Things' brought back to life some of the coolest '80s songs ever, including Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill,' Metallica's 'Master of Puppets,' 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police, and 'Africa' by Toto.

21 / 31 Fotos

'Russian Doll' (2019–2022) -

Harry Nilson's 'Gotta Get Up' is probably the most famous song from the show, but there are many other good ones, including 'I Go To Sleep' by Anika, 'Cherry Blossom' by ALA.NI, and 'Alone Again Or' by Love.

22 / 31 Fotos

'My So-Called Life' (1994–1995) -

This teen drama has great tunes from great music artists, including The Cranberries, Violent Femmes, Sonic Youth, and Divinyls, to name a few.

23 / 31 Fotos

'Orange Is the New Black' (2013–2019) -

The music at this female penitentiary is pretty good! From Tom Waits to Regina Spektor and Moses Sumney, there are plenty of good tunes.

24 / 31 Fotos

'Skins' (2007–2013) -

The most popular song of the British series about a group of Bristol teens is Gossip's 'Standing in the Way of Control'. But the show had a lot more good tunes from artists such as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Florence and the Machine, and Vampire Weekend, among others.

25 / 31 Fotos

'Scrubs' (2001–2010) -

Rock fans will love the soundtrack of 'Scrubs,' which includes artists such as Death Cab For Cutie, Cheap Trick, and The Buzzcocks, as well as party anthems such as 'Tubthumping' by Chumbawumba.

26 / 31 Fotos

'Schitt's Creek' (2015–2020) -

The show about a wealthy family that loses everything has some fantastic classic songs worth a listen. Artists featured in the soundtrack include Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and The Everly Brothers.

27 / 31 Fotos

'Euphoria' (2019-) -

The HBO series has some really cool tracks by British musician Labrinth, as well as the likes of Arcade Fire, Billie Eilish, Orville Peck, and Lorde, to name a few.

28 / 31 Fotos

'The Vampire Diaries' (2009–2017) -

Green Day, Jet, OneRepublic, and MGMT, among others, are part of the show's soundtrack.

29 / 31 Fotos

'I May Destroy You' (2020) -

The soundtrack of the show includes numerous British music artists like Arlo Parks, Little Simz, Young T & Bugsey, and Greentea Peng.

Sources: (Elle) (NME) (Yeardbarker)

30 / 31 Fotos

Getty Images

0 / 31 Fotos

'Atlanta' (2016–2022) -

Donald Glover's show has some really cool songs, including tunes from Migos and OutKast. There's also a scene where Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) sings along to Cheryl Lynn's song 'Encore.'

NL Beeld

1 / 31 Fotos

'The O.C.' (2003–2007) -

NL Beeld

2 / 31 Fotos

'Friends' (1994–2004) -

The series has one of the most iconic theme songs of all time, but also has plenty of other tunes worth listening to, including Eric Clapton's 'Wonderful Tonight' and U2's 'With Or Without You.'

NL Beeld

3 / 31 Fotos

'Suits' ( 2011–2019) -

NL Beeld

4 / 31 Fotos

'Sex and the City' (1998–2004) -

The music artists on the show are as sophisticated as the characters. We're talking about the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, Otis Redding, and Nina Simone.

Getty Images

5 / 31 Fotos

'Empire' (2015–2020) -

NL Beeld

6 / 31 Fotos

'Peaky Blinders' (2013–2022) -

A gangster family had to have a great soundtrack, right? With artists such as David Bowie, Nick Cave, Arctic Monkeys, Black Sabbath, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, and Idles, we can say it certainly has!

NL Beeld

7 / 31 Fotos

'Breaking Bad' (2008–2013) -

This show about a chemistry teacher with cancer who becomes a drug lord has an epic soundtrack. Highlights include Narcocorrido's 'The Ballad of Heisenberg' and 'Baby Blue' by Badfinger.

NL Beeld

8 / 31 Fotos

'The Sopranos' (1999–2007) -

Getty Images

9 / 31 Fotos

'Gossip Girl' (2007–2012) -

The show has an outstanding soundtrack, featuring artists like Sia, Lana Del Ray, Sum 41, Janelle Monae, Goyte, and many more.

NL Beeld

10 / 31 Fotos

'Nashville' (2012–2018) -

Unlike most examples on this list, 'Nashville' has an almost exclusively original soundtrack. Check out the tunes by Rayna James (Connie Britton) and Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere).

NL Beeld

11 / 31 Fotos

'The Bear' (2022–) -

From the tension-builder 'New Noise' by Refuse to the poignant 'Disarm' by The Smashing Pumpkins, 'The Bear' has some of the best TV show soundtracks ever.

NL Beeld

12 / 31 Fotos

'Lucifer' (2016–2021) -

NL Beeld

13 / 31 Fotos

'Gilmore Girls' (2000–2007) -

The show's theme song is a classic of its own, but there's more than Carole King's 'Where You Lead.' Other great artists on the soundtrack include David Bowie, PJ Harvey, and Sam Phillips.

NL Beeld

14 / 31 Fotos

'Sex Education' (2019–2023) -

The show has a rather sexy soundtrack. Some examples include 'Push It' by Salt-N-Pepa and 'Do Ya Think I’m Sexy' by Rod Stewart.

NL Beeld

15 / 31 Fotos

'Twin Peaks' (1990–1991) -

David Lynch's cult series features some iconic tracks by American composer Angelo Badalamenti, including the memorable theme song.

NL Beeld

16 / 31 Fotos

'Succession' (2018–2023) -

NL Beeld

17 / 31 Fotos

'One Tree Hill' (2003–2012) -

NL Beeld

18 / 31 Fotos

'Sons of Anarchy' (2008–2014) -

SOA fans can't really complain when it comes to the show's soundtrack, which contains covers of classic songs such as 'Son of a Preacher Man' and 'Fortunate Son.'

NL Beeld

19 / 31 Fotos

'Big Little Lies' (2017–2025) -

NL Beeld

20 / 31 Fotos

'Stranger Things' (2016–2025) -

NL Beeld

21 / 31 Fotos

'Russian Doll' (2019–2022) -

NL Beeld

22 / 31 Fotos

'My So-Called Life' (1994–1995) -

This teen drama has great tunes from great music artists, including The Cranberries, Violent Femmes, Sonic Youth, and Divinyls, to name a few.

NL Beeld

23 / 31 Fotos

'Orange Is the New Black' (2013–2019) -

The music at this female penitentiary is pretty good! From Tom Waits to Regina Spektor and Moses Sumney, there are plenty of good tunes.

NL Beeld

24 / 31 Fotos

'Skins' (2007–2013) -

Getty Images

25 / 31 Fotos

'Scrubs' (2001–2010) -

Rock fans will love the soundtrack of 'Scrubs,' which includes artists such as Death Cab For Cutie, Cheap Trick, and The Buzzcocks, as well as party anthems such as 'Tubthumping' by Chumbawumba.

NL Beeld

26 / 31 Fotos

'Schitt's Creek' (2015–2020) -

The show about a wealthy family that loses everything has some fantastic classic songs worth a listen. Artists featured in the soundtrack include Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and The Everly Brothers.

NL Beeld

27 / 31 Fotos

'Euphoria' (2019-) -

The HBO series has some really cool tracks by British musician Labrinth, as well as the likes of Arcade Fire, Billie Eilish, Orville Peck, and Lorde, to name a few.

NL Beeld

28 / 31 Fotos

'The Vampire Diaries' (2009–2017) -

Green Day, Jet, OneRepublic, and MGMT, among others, are part of the show's soundtrack.

NL Beeld

29 / 31 Fotos

'I May Destroy You' (2020) -

The soundtrack of the show includes numerous British music artists like Arlo Parks, Little Simz, Young T & Bugsey, and Greentea Peng.

Sources: (Elle) (NME) (Yeardbarker)

NL Beeld

30 / 31 Fotos

The best TV show soundtracks of all time

Which one is your favorite?

12/11/24 | StarsInsider

TV Music

Like movies, some TV shows have great soundtracks. Music can really have an impact on a scene, and directors know it. This is why many use music to emphasize certain aspects, evoke certain emotional responses, and add an extra layer to their work.

We've talked about the best TV theme songs of the 21st century before, and now it's time to delve a little deeper and find out which shows have the best soundtracks overall.

Click through and discover the best TV show soundtracks of all time.

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The best TV show soundtracks of all time

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