Television and music have always shared a powerful synergy. A great soundtrack can elevate a dramatic scene, while a carefully curated playlist can define the entire identity of a show. For music lovers, certain television series offer more than just background noise; they place music at the absolute center of the narrative. From deep dives into music history to fictional bands that feel entirely real, television has mastered the art of sonic storytelling. Here are thirty of the top television series that every music enthusiast needs to watch.
Iconic Dramas Driven by SoundSome of the greatest dramas in television history are inseparable from their soundtracks. Miami Vice revolutionized the medium in the 1980s by treating music videos as a blueprint for television production, integrating contemporary pop and rock hits directly into the narrative pacing. Decades later, The Sopranos used its closing credits to feature eclectic musical choices that served as psychological commentary on the characters. In Breaking Bad, music supervisor Thomas Golubić utilized obscure international tracks and dark electronic beats to mirror the moral descent of the main characters.Period dramas rely heavily on sonic authenticity to transport viewers back in time. Mad Men spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to secure the rights to original tracks by The Beatles, ensuring the cultural shift of the 1960s felt entirely genuine. Similarly, Stranger Things turned nostalgic 1980s synth-pop and heavy metal into a cultural phenomenon, famously sending classic tracks back to the top of modern music charts. In Peaky Blinders, the deliberate contrast of 1920s Birmingham gang warfare with modern alternative rock from Nick Cave and PJ Harvey created a uniquely anachronistic aesthetic.
Fictional Bands and Musical ComediesCreating a fictional musical act that audiences genuinely want to listen to is a difficult feat, but several series have achieved legendary status doing just that. Daisy Jones & The Six successfully captured the turbulent energy of 1970s stadium rock, releasing a companion album that topped real-world charts. On the satirical side, Flight of the Conchords followed a hilarious New Zealand novelty folk duo navigating New York City, blending witty deadpan humor with genuinely catchy parodies of various musical genres. Girls5eva provides a sharp, fast-paced comedic look at the music industry by following a washed-up 1990s girl group attempting a modern comeback.Traditional musical theater has also found a brilliant home on the small screen. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stands as a masterpiece of the genre, featuring over one hundred original songs that span every musical style imaginable, from classic Broadway showtunes to modern hip-hop, all while tackling complex themes of mental health. For fans of camp and vocal talent, Glee became a massive pop culture juggernaut by introducing musical theater and reimagined pop classics to a brand-new generation of viewers. Smash took a more dramatic approach, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the fierce competition involved in creating a Broadway musical from the ground up.
Deep Dives into Genre and HistorySeveral series focus on specific musical eras, subcultures, or genres with incredible historical detail. The Get Down explored the birth of hip-hop, punk, and disco in the Bronx during the late 1970s through a visually stunning, mythic lens. Exploring a similar era from a different perspective, Vinyl dove headfirst into the drug-fueled, chaotic world of the 1970s New York City record industry. Moving into the late 1980s and early 1990s ballroom culture, Pose featured an incredible soundtrack filled with house music and disco anthems that defined the LGBTQ+ underground scene.The American South has also served as a rich backdrop for musical television. Treme offered an authentic, deeply respectful look at post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, focusing heavily on the city’s legendary jazz, blues, and marching band traditions. Empire brought the high-stakes world of a modern hip-hop mogul to life, featuring original music produced by hitmaker Timbaland. For country music fans, Nashville blended soap-opera drama with authentic singer-songwriter performances that showcased the mechanics of the country music capital.
The Power of Curation and SubtextIn many contemporary masterpieces, the music acts as an unspoken narrator. Atlanta used its soundtrack to showcase underground hip-hop, indie rock, and old-school R&B, perfectly matching the surreal, avant-garde tone of the series. Insecure became famous for highlighting independent, underground Black artists, turning every episode into a highly anticipated playlist of contemporary R&B and neo-soul. High Fidelity gender-flipped the classic story of a record store owner, delivering a dream viewing experience packed with deep-cut vinyl discussions and an impeccable soundtrack.Even animated and teen-centric series have set gold standards for musical curation. Beavis and Butt-Head became cultural arbiters in the 1990s by critiquing actual music videos between animated segments. The O.C. practically defined the 2000s indie rock explosion, using its venue “The Bait Shop” to feature live performances from rising bands. In the streaming era, Euphoria utilized a haunting, atmospheric score by Labrinth alongside a diverse mix of hip-hop, trap, and retro pop to capture the chaotic intensity of modern adolescence.
Unconventional Sonic JourneysRounding out the essential viewing list are shows that use music in completely unexpected ways. Reservation Dogs utilized an incredible indie and Indigenous rock soundtrack to ground its rural Oklahoma setting. The Umbrella Academy became famous for setting complex, violent action sequences to upbeat, ironic pop hits. Dave
offered a meta-comedic, surprisingly introspective look at the modern rap industry through the eyes of a neurotic independent artist. Finally, British series like Skins and I May Destroy You utilized cutting-edge electronic, grime, and garage music to perfectly capture the raw energy of contemporary UK youth culture.Whether exploring the gritty realities of the recording industry, celebrating the joy of live performance, or using carefully selected tracks to enhance a emotional storyline, these thirty series demonstrate the immense power of music in television. They prove that when a show treats its soundscape with the same respect as its script, the result is an immersive masterpiece. For anyone who lives life with a constant soundtrack running in their head, these shows provide the ultimate television viewing experience.
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