From catchy theme tunes to emotional ballads that became unexpected hits, television has given us some unforgettable original music. Join us as we count down our picks for the most iconic original songs created specifically for TV shows! These tunes didn't just enhance their shows—they transcended them to become cultural phenomena.
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00:00Watch all episodes of The Bondsman, now streaming on Prime Video.
00:06Down, down, down the road, down the witch's road.
00:13Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we're counting down our picks for the top 10 original songs from TV.
00:20L to the OG, dude be the OG, and he's playing, playing like a pro.
00:30For this list, we'll be looking at the songs that are instantly recognizable and take us right back to the TV show they were created for.
00:39We won't be looking at any musical shows or special musical episodes for this list.
00:45Which of these catchy TV tunes get stuck on repeat in your brain? Let us know in the comments.
00:52Number 10. Let's go to the mall, How I Met Your Mother.
00:56Nobody can get us excited to hang out at a food court as Robin Schrabatsky.
01:01When Ted's Canadian girlfriend refuses to go to a mall, he and his friends can't resist the mystery.
01:06So you don't think there's any friend from Canada?
01:09Oh, I'm sure there is. Just like I have a friend who wet his bed till he was 10. Use your brain, Ted.
01:14After a number of failed guesses, they're delighted to learn that she was a teenaged one-hit wonder.
01:20The audience has just as much fun bopping with the retro video from her past as Robin's snarky friends do.
01:27Put on your jelly bracelets and your cool graffiti coat. At the mall, having fun is what it's all about.
01:35Her musical history continues to make hilarious appearances throughout the show's many seasons.
01:42Clearly, actor Cobie Smulders was also a fan of her sparkly alter ego.
01:47She even put out a new version of the original hit during quarantine.
01:51Let's go to the mall. Let's go to the mall.
01:57Number 9. Hip Hopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros Flight of the Conchords
02:04During a meeting with their manager, this kooky two-man band from New Zealand decides they want to be called by their rapper names.
02:11Uh, Mario, I was wondering if you could call me by my rapping name. Your rapping name?
02:15Rhymenoceros? Rhy-noseros.
02:17Later, they're approached by two street toughs who try to mug them.
02:21Jemaine and Bret take this opportunity to intimidate their assailants with a rap song that features Hip Hopopotamus and Rhymenoceros.
02:29I'm the mother-flippin' Rhymenoceros. My beats are flat and the buzzer on my back and I'm horny. I'm horny.
02:35Their confident yet contradictory lyrics seem to confuse more than frighten their foes.
02:41The awkward dance moves and hilarious lyrics perfectly sum up the vibe of this offbeat series.
02:47I'm not a large water-dwelling mammal. Where did you get that preposterous hypothesis?
02:51Did Steve tell you that perchance?
02:52Mmm, Steve.
02:54This duo is indeed the mother-flippin', and we don't plan to forget it.
02:59Mother-flippin'.
03:00Number 8. If I Didn't Have You, Bernadette's Song
03:04The Big Bang Theory
03:06It's possible that Soft Kitty might be the most frequently performed song on this popular sitcom.
03:12After all, it seems to make an appearance whenever Sheldon feels sick.
03:16However, it's the love song Howard writes for his anniversary with Bernadette that really sticks with us.
03:22If I didn't have you, life would be blue. I'd be Doctor Who without the TARDIS.
03:28If you're looking for a nerdy, ridiculously romantic love song, then this is the tune for you.
03:34I'd be solving exponential equations that use basis not found on your calculator making it much harder to crack.
03:39Actor Simon Helberg shows off his impressive piano skills that would later make an appearance in other projects to come.
03:46It's a sweet, geeky moment that features the entire cast working together in harmony.
03:51From the moment that we met you, Bernadette.
04:00Number 7. Negro y Azul, The Ballad of Heisenberg, Breaking Bad.
04:05In this mysterious teaser, the Mexican band Los Guates de Sinaloa kicks off this Season 2 episode of Breaking Bad with a ranchera drug anthem.
04:15The song is a celebration of Walter White's persona, Heisenberg.
04:25If you don't understand the Spanish lyrics, you might think it's an upbeat tune.
04:29However, it quickly takes a darker turn as images of drug paraphernalia, money, and bodies become part of the visuals.
04:42This narco corrido ballad describes the anger of the cartels over the popularity of Heisenberg's new stuff.
04:49It's a dark prediction of Walt's future and makes for a memorable deviation.
05:02Do you love music as much as you love TV?
05:05You can catch plenty of great tunes in The Bondsman starring Kevin Bacon as an undead bounty hunter.
05:10Let's go see how good it feels if you put your little hand in mine.
05:15There's no money in DJ time.
05:17Got no money and we're losing time.
05:20Let's go see.
05:21Watch all episodes now streaming on Prime Video.
05:25Number 6. Best Day Ever, SpongeBob SquarePants.
05:29Although we love a rousing stadium anthem like Sweet Victory, it wasn't written exclusively for the show.
05:36Sweet Victory!
05:39Also, can any song sum up SpongeBob's sunny outlook more than Best Day Ever?
05:44The lovable Sponge wakes up determined to have the perfect day.
05:48Mr. Sun came up and he smiled at me.
05:52He has a full day of activities with his friends, all planned, ready to go.
05:57Followed by a vigorous midday session of karate with Sandy.
06:01And an afternoon jellyfishing with Patrick.
06:03When it all goes awry, SpongeBob learns that the best day is actually one spent with friends, regardless of what you're doing.
06:11As a thanks for all of his help throughout the day, his buddies give him the chance to perform the tune for a crowd.
06:17It's the best day ever!
06:25How long are they willing to support him?
06:27Just till his little heart gives out, Squidward. Just till his little heart gives out.
06:32Number 5. The FCC Song, Family Guy.
06:36From its initial airing, this animated comedy has been the center of controversy for its adult language and content.
06:43They will clean up all your talking in a manner such as this.
06:47They will make you take a tinkle when you wanna take a piss.
06:50That's what makes this diddy such a nice sum up of the show's disregard for the rules.
06:55Since the FCC received multiple petitions to have the show shut down for indecency, the song rejoices in including as many troublesome subjects as possible.
07:06So they sent this little warning, they're prepared to do their worst.
07:10And they stuck it in your mailbox hoping you could be coerced.
07:13Each of the show's signature cutaway clips cheekily features something that the FCC would object to.
07:19It's both a commentary and a smack in the face to anyone who supports rampant censorship.
07:25Take a tip, take a lesson, you'll never win by nothing with the Phillips at the freakin' FCC.
07:32Number 4. Kyle's Mom's a Bitch, South Park.
07:36This animated comedy's edgy humor is in full force with this song.
07:41Taking place in the long-running show's first season, it pulls no punches.
07:46Have you ever met my friend Kyle's Mom? She's the biggest bitch in the whole world.
07:49An entire gymnasium of children clap along as Eric Cartman swears out his friend's mother.
07:55In the episode, Kyle's Mom persuades the school district to remove religious symbols from a Christmas play.
08:01Oh good! Kyle's Mom is here to ruin Christmas!
08:04As a result, the angry kids are ready to lay the blame on Thick.
08:08Since this episode also introduces the fan-favorite Mr. Hankey the Christmas Pooh,
08:13it's a tune that will always bring us back to the irreverent series.
08:21Number 3. Dick in a Box, Saturday Night Live.
08:24In 2005, the Lonely Island comedy trio started creating digital shorts for SNL.
08:30Although not their first song on the show, this Christmas-themed tune has become one of their most popular.
08:37Girl, you know we've been together such a long, long time.
08:43Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake fully commit to R&B personas,
08:48who offer their girlfriends what they consider to be the perfect holiday gift.
08:52Although the FCC required they bleep out portions of the video on TV,
08:57it was released unedited online.
09:00The uncensored version was watched more than 320,000 times in less than a week,
09:11while the song won a Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding original music and lyrics.
09:17He went for it immediately, and in fact we're comedians so we were like,
09:21I don't know, this might be stupid, and I pitched him the idea and he was like,
09:24that's great, that's gonna be a hit.
09:26Number 2. Smelly Cat, Friends.
09:29Despite what her friends might think, Phoebe Buffay knew that her song was going to be a hit.
09:35It turns out she was right.
09:36Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat, what are they feeding you?
09:43This feline-themed tune has been performed by a plethora of famous voices.
09:48Chrissy Hind, lead singer of The Pretenders, began the musical journey as Phoebe's replacement at Central Perk.
09:54From there, it's been covered by artists like Chris Isaac, Colby Calais, and Taylor Swift.
10:00Phoebe actor Lisa Kudrow even got to duet with Lady Gaga while performing the song for Friends The Reunion.
10:07You may not be a bed of roses, and you're no friend of those with the noses.
10:16The tune is forever entwined with the lovable Phoebe, and has as much brand recognition for the show as its catchy theme song.
10:24Smelly Cat, it's not your fault!
10:32That was not bad.
10:34Was it okay?
10:35Um, yeah.
10:36Yeah, it was really, really good.
10:38Thank you so much.
10:39Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
10:445,000 Candles in the Wind, Parks and Recreation.
10:48It's 5,000 times better than a song about one candle in the wind.
10:52Bye, bye, Lil Sebastian.
10:57Muffin Top, 30 Rock.
11:00A sassy song from an independent lady.
11:03The muffin top is all that, whole grain low fat, I know you want a piece of that.
11:08I really don't hate Christmas, Phineas and Ferb.
11:11Even a supervillain can't resist this feel-good holiday.
11:15I can work up animosity for almost anything, tell me why I don't hate Christmas.
11:19Bad stuff happens in the bathroom.
11:22Bob's Burgers.
11:23An unfortunate incident in the restroom results in a song of hope.
11:28Be out of here in no time.
11:31I'll be doing interviews and feeling just fine.
11:35Number 1.
11:36Happy Birthday, Lisa.
11:37The Simpsons.
11:44There are so many great original songs from The Simpsons
11:48that it's hard to choose a favorite.
11:50Who doesn't love the sweet song, Baby on Board, by Homer's Barbershop Quartet.
11:55We'll also always have a soft spot for Bart's boy band Party Posse
12:00and their hit song, Drop the Bomb.
12:02However, there's just something special about Bart singing a song for his sister on her birthday.
12:07Lisa, it's your birthday. God bless you this day.
12:13Michael Jackson penned the lyrics to Happy Birthday, Lisa.
12:17And the sound-alike singer voiced Bart's duet partner, Leon Kompowski.
12:22I wish you better than your heart desires.
12:25And your first kiss from a boy.
12:28This touching moment where Bart tries to be a good brother is both heartwarming and memorable.
12:33Lisa, it's your birthday. Happy birthday, Lisa.
12:39Watch all episodes of The Bondsman, now streaming on Prime Video.
12:43The Bondsman, now streaming on Prime Video.