A show’s soundtrack is as vital to its story as the plot, dialogue, and other elements because music helps set the mood, enhance the storyline, and bridge more of an emotional connection between the audience and the show’s characters. 

Here are seven shows with the best soundtracks. 

1. Scrubs

First up, Scrubs. Because obviously. Scrubs follows the lives of the quirky, ambitious, and dedicated staff of Sacred Heart Hospital. Narrated by Dr. J.D. (John) Dorian, played by Zach Braff, Scrubs has some of the best music to complement the show including The Fray, U2, Cheap Trick, The Shins, Poison, Howie Day, Nelly, and more. The soundtrack of Scrubs really did add to the show’s story.

2. Bridgerton

Bridgerton, a Netflix Original Series that just released its third season, has an impeccable soundtrack with classical covers of current pop songs including  “Wildest Dreams” by Taylor Swift, “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande, and “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5. In fact, Bridgerton’s music is so amazing that some of the songs were even nominated for various awards, including an MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Moment for Anthony and Kate’s dance to the Midnight String Quartet’s cover of “Wrecking Ball.” 

3. Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is iconic for more than epic fashion; it also has one of the best soundtracks ever. Each season of the hit teen drama series had tons of hits including M83, Vanessa Carlton, Santigold, Sum 41, Florence + The Machine, Young Folks, and more.  

4. Euphoria

The HBO breakout series Euphoria has one of the best original scores ever, all thanks to the work of British musician Labrinth. While Euphoria does have other songs throughout the show, it is the original music by Labrinth that makes this teen drama stand out.

5. My So-Called Life

While we only got one season of My So-Called Life starring Clare Danes, Jared Leto, and Wilson Cruz, the 1994 teen drama has a truly incredible soundtrack including the likes of The Cranberries, Live, Sonic Youth, Violent Femmes, R.E.M., and other essential music that defined the angst that was the 1990s. 

6. Mad Men

Mad Men is a drama about one of the top advertising agencies at the beginning of the 1960s. Focused on the story of Don Draper (Jon Hamm), one of the firm’s top executives, the series featured an understated but smart use of music from the era, enhancing the show’s authenticity.

7. Atlanta

Created by and starring the multitalented Donald Glover, Atlanta is a drama and comedy about cousins Earn (Glover) and Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry) trying to make a name for themselves in Atlanta’s rap scene. So, naturally, the soundtrack to Atlanta is fire. Migos, Kodak Black, Lloyd, Childish Gambino, and more set the tone for this amazing series.