Far Out 40: The best songs used in The Simpsons
The Simpsons first aired as a short animated segment of The Tracey Ullman Show, but since those humble beginnings in 1989, the yellow-skinned land of Springfield has seemingly spread throughout the globe like wildfire. From the outback of Australia to the desert of Timbuktu, there are few corners of the globe that remain untouched by the four-fingered family.
Over 33 years since its first episode, The Simpsons now holds the title of America’s longest-running animated series and the longest-running sitcom of all time. With nearly a thousand episodes under their belt, there is seemingly no end to the whacky goings-on of Springfield’s finest. Although the show has been criticised in recent years for a serious drop in the quality of storylines and animation, likely owing to fatigue at trying to keep the show fresh and exciting, the ‘golden age’ of the programme still stands out as some of the greatest examples of television comedy.
There have been many attempts to copy or piggyback off of the success of The Simpsons, with various other animated sitcom families springing up throughout the years. However, the likes of Family Guy, American Dad, King of the Hill, and F is for Family, among countless others, never really had a chance of emulating the success of their Matt Groening-created counterparts. The Simpsons broke the mould when it first aired back in 1989, changing the cultural fabric of America indefinitely.
Sprinkled throughout iconic storylines concerning steamed hams, spider-pigs and Homer’s seemingly invincible nature, the show has also witnessed a cast of legendary guest stars over the years. From Stephen Hawking to Simon Cowell, the animated show has featured some truly venerated names across its 35 series. Among those guests, there are a lot of celebrated musicians in the mix.
Popular music has always played a large role in the popular culture that The Simpsons attempts to parody. As a result, the show has seen everybody from Paul McCartney to Smashing Pumpkins rendered in yellow, performing tracks for the archetypal American family. In fact, music had such an influence over the show’s creators that some of their guests managed to change the storyline for years to come; Paul McCartney reportedly only agreed to appear on the episode ‘Lisa the Vegetarian’ if the character remained veggie for the rest of the series – something that later became one of her defining characteristics.
In addition to musical guest stars like R.E.M., the Ramones, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, popular music has also acted as a reference point for many of the show’s gags over the years. One of the most notable examples is Bart’s prank in season seven when he convinces the town church to sing the ‘hymn’ ‘In the Garden of Eden’ by ‘I. Ron Butterfly’.
So, without further adieu, let us get into 40 of the greatest tracks used throughout the 33-year reign of America’s favourite family.
The 40 best songs used in The Simpsons:
- Jefferson Airplane – ‘White Rabbit’
- The Doors – ‘Break on Through (To the Other Side)’
- Bob Dylan – ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’
- The Who – ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’
- Talking Heads – ‘Psycho Killer’
- David Bowie – ‘Heroes’
- Iron Butterfly – ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’
- Patsy Cline – ‘I Fall to Pieces’
- R.E.M. – ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)’
- The Beatles – ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’
- Strawberry Alarm Clock – ‘Incense and Peppermints’
- The Kingsmen – ‘Louie Louie’
- Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – ‘I Put a Spell On You’
- Creedence Clearwater Revival – ‘Bad Moon Rising’
- Black Sabbath – ‘Iron Man’
- Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass – ‘Spanish Flea’
- James Brown – ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’
- Blur – ‘Song 2’
- The Clash – ‘I Fought the Law’
- Blondie – ‘One Way or Another’
- Iggy Pop – ‘Lust for Life’
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers – ‘Give It Away’
- Fatboy Slim – ‘Weapon of Choice’
- The Ramones – ‘Beat on the Brat’
- The Wailers – ‘I Shot the Sheriff’
- The Dave Brubeck Quartet – ‘Take Five’
- Public Enemy – ‘Fight the Power’
- Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin – ‘Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves’
- Beastie Boys – ‘Fight For Your Right’
- The White Stripes – ‘Hardest Button to Button’
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood – ‘Relax’
- Chumbawamba – ‘Tubthumping’
- The Smashing Pumpkins – ‘Zero’
- CHIC – ‘Le Freak’
- Johnny Cash – ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’
- Nena – ’99 Luftballons’
- The Crystals – ‘Then He Kissed Me’
- The Rolling Stones – ‘Start Me Up’
- Billy Idol – ‘White Wedding’
- The Knack – ‘My Sharona’
