TV-Shows With Music So Good They Will Re-ignite The Imagination You Had As A Child

TV Shows that have amazing music - ranging from glorious 90s pop, full broadway extravaganzas, old Hollywood musical numbers and more.

By Eimear O SullivanMusicngear Editor

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There are some TV-Shows that awaken the curiosity and joy we first felt when we started making music, and can inject the imagination and magical realism of childhood into our everyday lives. This article features shows that have amazing music - ranging from glorious 90s pop, full broadway extravaganzas, old Hollywood musical numbers, and more.


Girls5eva

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If you grew up in the 90s and early 2000s; and you lived and breathed the specific sparkling mixture of RnB and Pop that became the signature sound of that era (with its glistening stacked harmonies, choreography in bubble-gum pink leather pants, and fish-eye lens music videos) - then Girls5Eva will not only transport you back to this time; but may reinvigorate your enthusiasm for life.

Set in New York, Girls5Eva centers around a girl group from the 90s ( Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Paula Pell & Busy Phillips) who get sampled by a popular young rapper; and decide to make a comeback. The music is by Jeff Richmond  (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and ranges from glorious 90s pop, to deeply erotic slow jams; with some truly iconic lyrics such as ‘We’re dream girlfriends /'Cause our dads are dead / So you never have to meet them, and gеt asked why you left school’.

Watching this may also rejuvenate your love for writing and making music; ( bringing back the DIY days of just using a tape recorder and microphone); and to serve as a reminder to not take yourself too seriously, and to just have fun.

Listen to the soundtrack here


Tuca and Bertie

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The music isn't fully the focal point of this show, however, the fusion of the surreal kaleidoscopic world it takes place in, with the imaginative, zany music, results in something truly magical. 

Tuca and Bertie (created by Lisa Hanawalt) is about two female birds who are best friends ( Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong) and has the feel of a world that you would want to live in, had you discovered it as a child. The score is composed by Jesse Novak ( who also did the theme song), with music supervision from Andy Gowan. The music ranges from funkalicious electronic beats, hip-hop with earth shattering bass, and from time to time, glorious musical numbers. One such example of this is when Bertie has a panic attack in a grocery store, and starts to sing a song called Losing My Sh*t, see here.

This show lit up something that had been dormant in my mind; and it may do the same for you. Tuca and Bertie was picked up by Adult Swim (having previously been on Netflix ).


Central Park

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Created by Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith and Josh Gad, Central Park radiates a warmth and familiarity that will weave its way into your everyday life; and inject everything with happiness. 

It is set in New York, and tells the story of the Tillerman–Hunter family, who live on the grounds of Central Park (as their dad is the groundskeeper); who must prevent a gloriously villainous heiress from buying the land and turning it into malls, restaurants and other commercial businesses. 

The music features songwriting from the likes of Cyndi Lauper (check out Rats), Fiona Apple ( New York Doesn’t Like Your Face), Kate Anderson, Elyssa Samsel and more - which results in an eclectic and genre-bending musical.  The unadulterated joy comes from the songs turning ordinary everyday activities into full, heartful, broadway style extravaganzas, and turning inner thoughts of doubt and sadness into gloriously uplifting songs of bravery, all set against the wooden victorian interior of the house, the green trees of the park and the vast skyline of New York. There is a strong chance that after watching this, you will also be narrating your life by singing songs of a similar nature whilst going about your daily activities. 

Full soundtrack here


Schmigadoon!

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A lot of people’s love for music (and indeed the decision to pursue music as a career path) stemmed from watching Golden Age musicals in childhood ( some examples being The Sound of Music and Carousel). An Apple TV original - Schmigadoon! pays tribute to this era; and centers around a couple who go on a backpacking trip through the woods; only to end up in a picturesque magical town taken straight from a 1940s musical. This show has all the magic of old Hollywood; with soaring strings accompanying the bright musical numbers, glittering instruments speckled throughout, and huge group numbers. Not only is the music amazing, (check out Enjoy The Ride) bringing you right back to the days of childhood, but the set and the costumes are gorgeous - making this a feast for the eyes and ears in every way. The music for Schmigadoon! was done by Cinco Paul ( who co-created the show with Ken Daurio), and Christopher Willis; and stars Cecily Strong, Michael Keenan Key, Dove Cameron, Kristin Chenowith and more.

Listen to the soundtrack here


Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

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When Jeff Richmond does the music for a show; you know it is going to be drenched in magical realism, which makes this a perfect entry for this list. Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock - Unbreakable Kimmy Scmhidt focuses on Kimmy Scmidt ( Ellie Kemper), who, upon escaping from an underground bunker (where she was imprisoned by a cult leader) moves to New York to re-start her life; and finds a roommate Titus Andromedon (a flamboyant aspiring Broadway performer) and becomes a nanny for socialite Jacqueline Voorhees (played by Jane Krakowski). The truly incredible musical moments are primarily from Titus Andromedon (played by Tituss Burgess) who has an absolutely amazing voice, some shining examples being a parody he does of Beyonce’s Hold Up ( see here), and a DIY dance pop song called Peeno Noir. These are just a taste of the musical magic present within this show ( a lot of 90s throwback style songs in here too) - so sit back, relax and let yourself be embraced by the weird and wonderful world of this show.


Have you seen these shows? Are there any other shows that had this effect on you? Let us know in the comments!

About Eimear O Sullivan

Eimear Ann O Sullivan is a multi-genre music producer, audio engineer and vocalist. After receiving a Masters in Music Technology from the CIT Cork School of Music, she went on to operate as a producer under the name Blakkheart. Her releases have received critical acclaim from Ireland's biggest music publications, such as District Magazine and Nialler9, alongside receiving heavy commercial radio airplay. She currently works in Cork recording studio Flashpoint CC. Previous clients of hers include the likes of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunt star Candy Warhol, rapper Darce and Outsider YP. (Photo credit @Fabian Boros)

Contact Eimear O Sullivan at eimear.o.sullivan@musicngear.com