Top 10 Musical Moments in TV Shows That Give Us Chills

“Sense8” (2015-18)

The prematurely canceled Netflix series about strangers who become aware of their mental and spiritual connection to one another is full of synergy. They experience these moments of perfect harmony with each other, despite being separated by great distances. In the first season, this is communicated through the entire cast singing along to 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?” Parallel editing turns it into a sing-along. It’s a moment that made many fans fall in love with the show and what it was trying to say about human connection and empathy. The song itself, while over two decades old at the time, would almost become synonymous with the show.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

“Buffy” was never one to shy away from a risk. But doing a musical episode when the season’s storylines were reaching an emotional climax is a risk almost unparalleled in genre TV. It paid off big-time. The final number, “Where Do We Go from Here?,” finds the characters dealing with all the emotional fallout of the previous season and the secrets that have been brought to light. Friendships are broken, confusion is rampant, and Buffy and Spike’s ending kiss jump-starts a whole new storyline. The song drives home the fact that this is no filler episode. It’s Season 6’s emotional climax.

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” (2020-21)

In a twist on two different genres, this short-lived musical dramedy is about a woman who can hear people’s thoughts, but they appear to her as songs. In the pilot episode of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” Zoey uses her newfound ability with her father, who has progressive supranuclear palsy. His song, “True Colors,” is the first time they’ve been able to fully communicate since the disease has progressed. She finally has her dad back. Even if it is just for a song, the look of happiness on Zoey’s face is proof that it’s just what they both needed.

“Stranger Things” (2016-)

The right song can make your whole day better. And, on “Stranger Things,” it can give you the strength to fight off an evil, interdimensional monster called Vecna. A traumatized Max spends most of Season 4 distancing herself from her friends. Music became her escape. Her favorite song, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” becomes the one her friends use to try to free her from Vecna’s influence. She makes her daring escape from Vecna as the Upside Down crumbles around her, with the music. Nearly four decades after “Running Up That Hill” was released, it dominated the charts like never before largely thanks to “Stranger Things.”

“The O.C.” (2003-07)

Full of eerie vocoder effects and layered harmonies, Imogen Heap’s semi-a cappella breakup song soared to popularity on “The O.C.” In the show’s second season finale, Ryan confronts his brother, Trey, after he attacks Ryan’s girlfriend, Marissa. The two end up in a dangerous struggle on the floor, and Marissa shoots Trey to save Ryan. Heap’s haunting “Hide and Seek” underscores the dramatic scene. While the scene’s melodramatic slow-motion and its accompanying song were memorably spoofed by The Lonely Island, seeing it in context is still a really powerful experience. The song became an instant classic as a result.

“Glee” (2009-15)

Star Cory Monteith’s tragic death already made the emotional sendoff for his character that much more agonizing. In one scene, cheerleader Santana Lopez covers “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry in tribute to him. Sad enough at the time it aired, Santana actress Naya Rivera’s death in Lake Piru in 2020 made her musical tribute to him that much more prescient and profound. In retrospect, her performance now feels like her own farewell, a heartbreaking glimpse into the future. Fans returned to the clip of the song on YouTube when news of her death broke, leaving tributes to her memory.

“Scrubs” (2001-10)

Some of the medical comedy’s most emotional moments came courtesy of its surliest doctor. In the classic episode, “My Lunch,” the irascible Dr. Cox blames himself for the deaths of three patients who received rabies-infected transplanted organs from another patient. The Fray’s “How to Save a Life” plays as the three patients pass away one by one. The shock and grief of so many deaths at once shatters Dr. Cox’s practiced professional distance from his patients. Even more, it causes him to break down in front of his subordinate physician, J.D., who tries to help his mentor through it.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)

Shonda Rhimes’ medical drama helped popularize several contemporary songs. Anna Nalick’s “Breathe (2 AM)” assisted with one of the show’s most memorable episodes, but “Chasing Cars” will forever be associated with one of its most devastating deaths. Izzie Stevens had fallen in love with transplant patient Denny Duquette, only for him to die after receiving his new heart. This song by Snow Patrol played as the weeping Izzie was pulled from his hospital bed and carried out of the room. When “Grey’s” was at its height, few shows could compare when it came to drama, emotion, and great soundtrack choices.

“The Last of Us” (2023-)

HBO’s post-apocalyptic series produced a more powerful romance in just one hour than a lot of shows can do over multiple seasons. Episode three of “The Last of Us” was a two-hander bottle episode starring Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman as Frank and Bill. The episode chronicles their meeting and falling in love. Their love story plays out over 20 years until the two die together. In the episode’s most famous scene, Bill plays and sings “Long, Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt on his piano. The song instantly becomes their theme, reappearing at the close of the episode to make sure we’re weeping through the credits.

“Six Feet Under” (2001-05)

The Fisher family’s funeral home business kept them and us constantly surrounded by death throughout the series. At the close of “Everyone’s Waiting,” the series finale of “Six Feet Under,” Claire Fisher tearfully drives away from her home in Los Angeles and the family she’s leaving behind. As she does, we’re treated to vignettes and glimpses of each character’s future and eventual death. Under this, Sia’s poignant and heartbreaking “Breathe Me” plays. It’s an unforgettable sendoff for an unforgettable show. This ethereal and moving conclusion is widely considered one of the best closing scenes ever.