Music and tv

I largely consider music and television my greatest loves. I like to say that I was born on the internet and raised by television. While my love of television came first, my love of music came not long after. For today’s flashback Friday, I’m going to be talking music--specifically music on tv.

2003 was a great year. The Nokia 3200 was the height of technology, B. Spears and Madonna were doing the girl/girl on tv, and possibly the two greatest teen dramas of all time was born. The O.C. and One Tree Hill had initial air dates one month apart and competed in identical time slots (9:00 pm on Tuesdays on Fox and the CW, respectively).

The O.C. became known for its ability to launch a band’s entire career. Famed music supervisor Alexandra Pastavas soon became synonymous with great music and went on to work on Gossip Girl and Chuck. From the O.C. I learned about bands like Phantom Planet, Rooney, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, The Raveonettes, Modest Mouse and more.

The O.C. was unceremoniously cancelled after four seasons and I refocused my attention to One Tree Hill. I now had a void in my life which could only be filled by binge watching Chad Michael Murray’s abs. The show’s resident music expert Peyton Sawyer (played by Hilarie Burton) became my source for all things music. One Tree Hill’s decision to write a character who had a genuine interest in music was one of the best examples of organically introducing music to a show. From One Tree Hill I was able to continue my musical growth, discovering bands like  Tegan and Sara, Travis, Jack’s Mannequin, Civil Twilight and loads of others. Coincidentally enough, One Tree Hill and Peyton Sawyer specifically were the two things that actually got me writing music reviews and making playlists in the first place (and I have my myspace profile to prove it).

Alexandra Pastavas was able to duplicate her success on the O.C. with shows like Gossip Girl and Grey’s Anatomy. While I fell off the GG bandwagon, the incredible soundtrack wasn’t far from my radar. The same thing applies with Grey’s Anatomy. While it legitimately is one of the best shows on television, I would miss a couple of seasons but still be amazed at how amazing the soundtrack was.

In modern times Misfits and Made in Chelsea have had outstanding soundtracks. Misfits was able to find the balance between classic 80s music and modern musicians while Made in Chelsea is almost always current and trendy. Anyone looking for great examples of great music on British television needn’t look further than these two E4 drama.

Music and tv will always be my favourite marriage. Think I’ve missed out anything? Let me know your favourite music on tv. In the mean time, check out my spotify playlist for some of the best music from the shows that I have mentioned.

California//Phantom Planet (The O.C.)
Gold Guns Girls//Metric (Grey’s Anatomy)
Echoes//The Rapture (Misfits)
When Did Your Heart Go Missing (Gossip Girl)
The Mixed Tape//Jack’s Mannequin (One Tree Hill)
Girl//Beck (The O.C.)
Moth’s Wings//Passion Pit (Made in Chelsea)
Pictures of You//The Cure (One Tree Hill)

I wont be left//Tegan and Sara (Grey’s Anatomy)
Re-Offender//Travis (One Tree Hill)

Whatever You like//Anya Marina (Gossip Girl)
Gold Lion//Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Grey’s Anatomy)

Wraith//Peace (Made in Chelsea)
Say Aha//Santigold (Misfits)

Mr.Brightside//The Killers (The O.C.)