10 TV Shows That Mastered The Use Of Needle Drops

Summary

• TV shows master needle drops to highlight powerful story moments with carefully chosen songs.
• Juxtaposition is key; using lively songs in contrast to grim situations creates resonance in some scenes.
• Choosing when to use a needle drop is crucial when silence can be just as impactful as music.

The best needle drops in movies constitute some epic moments, while TV shows go on long enough to master the needle drop through many amazing scenes. TV shows often establish a tone early on where other artists’ songs will regularly be in use, meticulously chosen throughout the show to highlight powerful moments in the story. These songs are often used alongside the show’s original score, contrasting with shows that only use dramatic scores (like Game of Thrones).

Needle drops might be used to immerse the audience in a particular setting or highlight a theme of youth with more recent hits. Some soundtrack supervisors constantly favor juxtaposition, where a lively song contrasts with a grim situation. Typically, there are some resonant moments in the song’s lyrics, reflecting what is going on in the show. However, when some of the most intense, unforgettable moments of TV are that way because of silence, choosing how and when to use a needle drop is a delicate process.

10 The Bear (2022-Present)

Best Needle Drops: “Chicago,” “Love Story,” & “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”

The Bear has some obvious needle drops — like the song named after the city where the show is set and any guitar-riffing song for the chaos of the kitchen — but also some surprising choices. “Love Story” is a strange inclusion for such an intense show, but it ended up being the perfect soundtrack for Richie celebrating his success at work by singing along while driving home. However, The Bear arguably does needle drops with some kind of tonal dissonance all the time.

AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” has an upbeat melody, while the lyrics are absolutely perfect for the chefs’ usual attitude. Sufjan Stevens’ “Chicago” is used for a more melancholic moment, ideal given the song’s title and lyrics. The Bear utilizes a strong combination of songs that are electric, nostalgic, or strange when taken out of context, but all effective in propping up the show’s award-winning storytelling.

9 Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)

Best Needle Drops: “How To Save A Life” & “Where Does The Good Go”

Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” was probably the most impactful the first time it was used in Grey’s Anatomy, but has since become something of a pop-cultural joke. However, a variety of other romantic and heartbreaking songs from artists including Ingrid Michaelson, Jill Andrews, Bon Iver, Taylor Swift, and many more make their way into Grey’s Anatomy to turn all the couples’ best moments into pure magic. Snow Patrol contributes some other songs to the soundtrack, as the producers can’t ignore the group’s typically heartrending and dramatic style.

However, Grey’s Anatomy’s best songs might actually be the ones that don’t highlight the romantic relationships.

However, Grey’s Anatomy‘s best songs might actually be the ones that don’t highlight the romantic relationships. The Fray’s “How to Save a Life” is used multiple times in the show, which leverages the title ironically to show the doctors physically saving lives, while the lyrics are more about mental health. Yet “How to Save a Life” encapsulates a lot about Grey’s Anatomy‘s tone and emotional storylines. On the other hand, Tegan and Sara’s accompaniment of Meredith and Cristina’s goodbye is nothing short of breathtaking, capturing all the bittersweet joy in that moment.

8 Stranger Things (2016-2025)

Best Needle Drops: “Should I Stay Or Should I Go,” “Material Girl,” & “Master Of Puppets”

Stranger Things’ best needle drops include Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” Peter Gabriel’s “Heroes,” Madonna’s “Material Girl,” Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (Make a Deal With God),” and countless others. The soundtrack showcases a variety of 1980s hits characteristic of the show’s setting and aesthetics. Stranger Things’ tradition of needle drops goes back to The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” morbidly used in season 1 in association with Will’s disappearance as the initial conflict.

Some of Stranger Things’ needle drops are used in more obvious contexts, such as “Material Girl” playing while Max takes Eleven shopping, embracing normal teenage girl life. “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” is also placed in a lighthearted scene, while alluding to Jim Hopper’s name. Yet Stranger Things can also take a classic Metallica song and use it for a character’s death scene, embracing all the darkness and 80s nostalgia of the show all at once.

7 Reign (2013-2017)

Best Needle Drops: “Scotland” & “The Power Of Love”

Reign admittedly has some weird needle drops; it took the show a moment to truly master the soundtrack choices. Bastille’s “Pompeii” during a sparring scene takes the show completely out of its period setting, feeling like it was only included for the sake of a radio hit. Reign‘s best needle drops are subtle and wistful, usually in the overlapping alternative, indie, and folk genres. This is seen in doubtlessly the best song choice in the entire show: The Lumineers’ “Scotland,” used in the opening credits.

This acoustic number is far away and lonesome, setting the stage for Mary’s tragic tale. The songs used for both of Mary’s weddings three seasons apart are also perfectly chosen, with soprano vocals and piano notes conveying the romance or heartbreak of the events leading to that wedding. Reign blends romance with history, showcasing a fictionalized version of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and all that she sacrificed, highlighted by its delicately beautiful soundtrack.

6 The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024)

The Umbrella Academy also mixes up the times it uses needle drops for completely serious moments, the times when the characters are just goofing off, and the times the song satisfyingly juxtaposes with the action taking place. The show demonstrates such a unique mix of comedy, drama, and action that its soundtrack would be just as distinct. Most interestingly, The Umbrella Academy seems to be well-versed in the art of utilizing songs that have been used for needle drops too many times before and having them still come across well.

David Bowie’s “Major Tom” and Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” have been used plenty of times before, but the instances in The Umbrella Academy are still well-planned. Woodkid’s “Run Boy Run” was the ultimate YA dystopia song for a while, but still gives life to a good action sequence. On the other hand, “Footloose” is one of the craziest moments of the show, demonstrating the variety of how it uses needle drops for action.

5 Bridgerton (2020-Present)

Best Needle Drops: “Wildest Dreams,” “Cheap Thrills,” “Jealous,” & “You Belong With Me”

Birdgerton‘s (and Queen Charlotte‘s) orchestral covers of the biggest hits of the day are now famous in the cultural zeitgeist. Sometimes the music is just a pleasant background accompaniment constituting a cultural Easter Egg when the viewer pins down where they have heard it before, and sometimes it results in a completely otherworldly moment of the characters’ whirlwind romances. This tends to be the case every time the show decides to give the Swifties what they want with another cover.

Bridgerton’s song choices demonstrate the blend of modern and period elements, which has made it a hit.

“Material Girl” comes back around to suggest the opulence of the Ton, while Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” makes for a grand confession of love (that has wreaked a lot of havoc) and Gayle’s “abcdefu” suits Penelope’s grand entrance. Every modern song covered in the Bridgerton season 3 soundtrack only added to four seasons’ worth of songs that characterize the two shows. Bridgerton‘s song choices demonstrate the blend of modern and period elements, which has made it a hit.

4 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Best Needle Drop: “Full Of Grace”

Almost universally regarded as the best needle drop in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the use of Sarah McLachan’s “Full of Grace.”Buffy the Vampire Slayer is always showing the strain of being a Slayer and how Buffy struggles to balance her regular life with her monster fighting. At the end of season 2, Buffy has had enough and leaves Sunnydale to attempt to start over in Los Angeles. While this doesn’t last long, “Full of Grace” is enough to make anyone cry with how it elevates Buffy’s grief as she leaves her friends and family.

Yet Buffy the Vampire Slayer used other great songs at emotionally heightened moments to make them even more impactful. Cibo Matto’s “Sugar Water” is also a fan-favorite moment, with Buffy acting more devious than usual and trying to make Angel jealous. Then the show also pulled off some wistful moments, like with the use of The Sundays’ “Wild Horses” during a prom scene. For all its devastating moments, Buffy the Vampire Slayer still reminds its audience that the characters can occasionally enjoy a normally dreamy teenage moment.

3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Best Needle Drop: “Baby Blue”

Breaking Bad also has a defining needle drop that comes at the very end of the series. There are a multitude of ways to interpret how the lyrics of Badfinger’s “Baby Blue” relate to the events of the show, but it does give the moment a feeling of regretful fondness as this landmark series comes to an end. Even if everything Walt and the others did was horrible, fans must have been a little bit sad that they no longer had new episodes of this show to look forward to.

Some of Breaking Bad‘s other amazing needle drops include Tommy James and the Shondells’ “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and Knife Party’s “Bonfire.” Breaking Bad often turns to songs with more positive-sounding tunes to juxtapose the characters’ morally depraved actions. Upbeat rock and pop tunes convey Walt’s feelings of adrenaline or just going about business sparked by some of the worst things he ever does.

2 Our Flag Means Death (2022-2023)

Best Needle Drops: “Run From Me” & “Roads To Moscow”

Our Flag Means Death, similar to Reign, incorporates a lot of mellow tunes that blend well with the period setting. Also like Bridgerton, this setting is meshed with modern elements, mainly in the way the characters talk. Some amazing moments come in season 2, like the repeated use of Timber Timbre’s “Run From Me,” which makes a harrowing scene of sailing into a storm even more so. The show also includes a great cover of “La Vie en Rose,” performed by Con O’Neill.

Our Flag Means Death can be described as a gang of characters who, when they are at their best, are just having a good time with the life of piracy. They drift through raids and relationships, only to be disrupted by internal conflicts and a battle with British soldiers in each season finale. A great selection of classic and alternative rock songs capture the feeling of Our Flag Means Death all being a good time.

1 The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)

Best Needle Drops: “Skinny Love,” “Hypnotic,” “Never Let Me Go,” & “Wait”

The Vampire Diaries’ best songs include a lot of modern hits that give life to Caroline’s rock star fantasies and much more. As another young adult-aimed romance and fantasy franchise, a lot of The Vampire Diaries’ appeal is in key moments in the action and relationships being backed up by popular songs younger audience members are familiar with. If the sheer amount of death that happens near the end of season 2 isn’t already overwhelming, the use of Birdy’s “Skinny Love” completes it.

Other slow songs like Ross Copperman’s “Never Let Me Go” and Florence + The Machine’s “Hunger” are vital to these romantic moments, while Dorothy’s “Raise Hell” and Zella Day’s “Hypnotic” are illustrative of the vampires’ typical lifestyle. M-83’s “Wait” was also used in a lot of movies and TV shows around the same time, but turned out to be the perfect accompaniment that demonstrates Stefan and Damon’s love for each other despite everything else. TV shows that master needle drops understand how to place a known song in a new context for a never-before-seen effect.