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The best original songs from *inside* TV shows, ranked

Photo credit: BBC / Fox / NBC Universal
Photo credit: BBC / Fox / NBC Universal

From Digital Spy

Music is a hugely important part of our favourite shows, whether it's a badass soundtrack, a beautiful score or a catchy theme tune.

But then there are the times where the shows go the extra mile and create brand new tunes from scratch. And we've selected 17 of the absolute best.

The rules? We're only including original songs written for the show and sung by the cast. We're not including theme tunes, songs that already existed, songs from a whole musical-themed episode (sorry, 'Once More with Feeling'), or songs from a show which is predominantly musically based (sorry, Glee/Empire).

Oh, and only one song per series.

Got all that? Then let's hit it. A-one, a-two, a-one-two-three-four…

17. 'The Road to Rhode Island' (Family Guy)

Family Guy has had many tunes over the years, but this one of the jauntiest. As with all Stewie/Brian scenes, it's particularly impressive as it's essentially Seth MacFarlane duetting with himself.

16. 'Happy Happy Joy Joy' (Ren and Stimpy)

Is there technically a more feelgood tune out there? From the genius mind that is Stinky Wizzleteats.

15. 'This is Outrageous!' (Peep Show)

Jeremy might never have had that huge hit he dreamed of, but surely it's only a matter of time this gets an Avicii remix or something?

14. 'You All Everybody' (Lost)

Charlie Pace's band DriveShaft managed to score a one-hit wonder with this guitar anthem, sounding like a bit of a budget McFly.

13. 'The Pit' (Parks and Recreation)

Chris Pratt's Andy had questionable talents when it came to music, but you can't deny that Mouserat's grunge track 'The Pit' is catchy as hell and sends you right back to 1991.

12. 'Soft Kitty' (The Big Bang Theory)

The first of two cat-themed songs on the list comes from the mind of Sheldon (well, his mum). But we almost had to remove this song due to our strict rules, as it turns out this is technically not an original song. 'Warm Kitty' (with slightly different lyrics) was written by Edith Newlin back in 1937, and a lawsuit was brought against the show for copyright infringement. However, this was later dismissed.

11. 'Smelly Cat' (Friends)

And the second feline tune is Phoebe Buffay's iconic ditty. Too bad she was screwed over by her former singing partner who stole it for a kitty-litter commercial.

10. 'Eels' (The Mighty Boosh)

Of all the Boosh tunes (including all the Crimps), this is by far the one that's most likely going to get stuck in your head all day. And that ain't no bad thing.

9. 'My Lovely Horse' (Father Ted)

Considering Ireland haven't qualified for Eurovision for years, they might as well give this underrated folk ballad (stolen, of course, from Nin Huguen and the Huegen-Notes) a go.

8. 'Hiphopapotamus vs Rhymenocerous' (Flight of the Conchords)

The 'Chords had many great tunes, but this one about a pair of rapping mammals is our favourite. Wonder what Steve's up to these days?

7. 'The Exposition Song' (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

As our arbitrary non-musical episode rule discounted all of 'Once More with Feeling', we've instead plumped for this underrated track performed by Giles from the dream-filled 'Restless'.

6. 'Lisa, It's Your Birthday' (The Simpsons)

There are so many great Simpsons songs, from the StoneCutters song to Troy McClure's Planet of the Apes musical finale, but we've gone for this sweet moment. Come on, Michael Jackson wrote it!

5. 'Chocolate Salty Balls' (South Park)

This funky tune sung by the late Isaac Hayes was so great it reached number one in the UK. We're disappointed Bake Off hasn't had a 'Chocolate Salty Balls' challenge yet. Chef gives us the ingredients and everything.

4. 'Let's Go to the Mall' (How I Met Your Mother)

Wouldn't it be amazing if you found out one of your best friends was actually a teen idol back in their homeland? That's what happened to poor Canadian Robin Sparkles. A genuinely catchy 1980s-inspired tune.

3. 'Chubby Little Loser' (Extras)

Ricky Gervais asked David Bowie to come up with a song as catchy as 'Life on Mars?', and he pretty much did. One of Bowie's finest TV appearances was also one of the funniest cameos in TV history. Even when writing a joke song, Bowie was class. Also, catch this brilliant 'studio' version.

2. 'Tongue Tied' (Red Dwarf)

The 'Arnold Rimmer' song was bloody hilarious, as was young Lister's punk tune 'Om'. But this dream sequence starring Cat in front and centre is a genuinely brilliant '80s pop tune. It was released as a single but sadly it was a re-recording minus Lister and Rimmer's backing vocals.

1. 'Freelove Freeway' (The Office)

Gervais may have done this song to death thanks to Life on the Road, but this little snippet of David Brent's Foregone Conclusion days remains a classic TV moment. It's made even more perfect thanks to interjections from Tim and Gareth.


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