Music Supervisor Hub · Curated Playlist
Scene Stealers — 50 Great Songs for Modern TV
Great music for openings, closings, intimate moments, city views, tension, celebration and unforgettable TV scenes.
Creative reference
For Music Supervisors
Browse this ranked creative-reference playlist by opening and closing scenes, love and intimacy, tension and conflict, grief and farewell, city and travel, party and celebration, reflection and transformation, radio or source music, and work or process.
Playlist inclusion is for listening and creative reference. It does not confirm that MRP or MFP owns, controls, represents, or can license the recording or composition.
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MFP can assist with rights and licensing research for a specific production, territory, term, media, and budget. Playlist inclusion is creative reference only and does not imply MRP or MFP controls any rights.
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Get Clearance Help from MFPSongs in this playlist
50 ranked songs
Browse by scene or context
- 1
Wicked GameChris Isaak · 1989
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyReflection & TransformationScene context: Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 2
Fade Into YouMazzy Star · 1990s
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellReflection & TransformationScene context: Intimate scene · Closing · Recurring motif
- 3
DreamsThe Cranberries · 1992
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingLove & IntimacyReflection & TransformationScene context: Opening · Intimate scene
- 4
Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)Kate Bush · 1985
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictCity & TravelReflection & TransformationScene context: City view · Fight / argument · Recurring motif
- 5
Karma PoliceRadiohead · 1997
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingTension & ConflictScene context: Closing · Fight / argument
- 6Exit Music (For a Film)
Radiohead · 1997
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingTension & ConflictGrief & FarewellScene context: Closing · Funeral / death / grief
- 7
Cornflake GirlTori Amos · 1994
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictRadio / Source MusicScene context: Fight / argument · Car radio / source music
- 8
Glory BoxPortishead · 1994
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyTension & ConflictReflection & TransformationScene context: Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 9
Into DustMazzy Star · 1993
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellReflection & TransformationScene context: Funeral / death / grief · Intimate scene · Closing
- 10
Dancing On My OwnRobyn · 2010s
In-page preview unavailableGrief & FarewellParty & CelebrationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Wedding / party · Car radio / source music
- 11
Tainted LoveSoft Cell · 1982
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictParty & CelebrationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Popular culture · Lifestyle · Wedding / party · Car radio / source music
- 12
I Think We're Alone NowTiffany · 1987
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyParty & CelebrationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Wedding / party · Intimate scene · Car radio / source music
- 13
Where Is My Mind?Pixies · 1988
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingTension & ConflictReflection & TransformationScene context: Identity · Chaos · Alienation · Closing · Recurring motif
- 14
Never Tear Us ApartINXS · 1987
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellScene context: Intimate scene · Hospital / reconciliation
- 15
This Woman's WorkKate Bush · 1989
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellReflection & TransformationScene context: Hospital / reconciliation · Funeral / death / grief
- 16
The End of the WorldSkeeter Davis · 1962
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingGrief & FarewellScene context: Funeral / death / grief · Closing
- 17
Take Me HomePhil Collins · 1985
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingCity & TravelReflection & TransformationScene context: City view · Airplane / airport / travel · Closing
- 18No Surprises
Radiohead · 1997
In-page preview unavailableGrief & FarewellReflection & TransformationWork & ProcessScene context: Kitchen / work · Closing · Recurring motif
- 19Linger
The Cranberries · 1993
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyReflection & TransformationScene context: Intimate scene · Hospital / reconciliation
- 20Zombie
The Cranberries · 1994
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingTension & ConflictScene context: Fight / argument · Closing
- 21
Down by the WaterPJ Harvey · 1995
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictGrief & FarewellScene context: Funeral / death / grief · Recurring motif
- 22
Bullet with Butterfly WingsThe Smashing Pumpkins · 1995
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictRadio / Source MusicScene context: Fight / argument · Car radio / source music
- 23
GlycerineBush · 1994
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellScene context: Intimate scene · Hospital / reconciliation
- 24
MayonaiseThe Smashing Pumpkins · 1993
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyReflection & TransformationScene context: Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 25
Only Happy When It RainsGarbage · 1995
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictRadio / Source MusicScene context: Car radio / source music · Fight / argument
- 26
The Killing MoonEcho & the Bunnymen · 1984
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingTension & ConflictReflection & TransformationScene context: Opening · Closing · Recurring motif
- 27
DreamsFleetwood Mac · 1977
In-page preview unavailableCity & TravelReflection & TransformationRadio / Source MusicScene context: City view · Car radio / source music
- 28
Love Will Tear Us ApartJoy Division · 1980
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyTension & ConflictGrief & FarewellScene context: Fight / argument · Intimate scene · Closing
- 29
Don't You Want MeThe Human League · 1982
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictParty & CelebrationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Popular culture · Lifestyle · Wedding / party · Fight / argument · Car radio / source music
- 30
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics · 1983
In-page preview unavailableCity & TravelReflection & TransformationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Love · Relationships · City view · Car radio / source music · Recurring motif
- 31
Every Breath You TakeThe Police · 1983
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyTension & ConflictRadio / Source MusicScene context: Popular culture · Lifestyle · Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 32
Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler · 1983
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellScene context: Love · Relationships · Intimate scene · Closing
- 33
Friday I'm in LoveThe Cure · 1992
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyParty & CelebrationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Wedding / party · Car radio / source music
- 34
You Oughta KnowAlanis Morissette · 1995
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictRadio / Source MusicScene context: Fight / argument · Car radio / source music
- 35Don't Stop
Fleetwood Mac · 1977
In-page preview unavailableParty & CelebrationReflection & TransformationWork & ProcessScene context: Kitchen / work · Wedding / party
- 36
ToxicBritney Spears · 2003
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictParty & CelebrationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Wedding / party · Car radio / source music
- 37
I Only Have Eyes for YouThe Flamingos · 1959
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingLove & IntimacyScene context: Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 38
Every Rose Has Its ThornPoison · 1989
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellRadio / Source MusicScene context: Popular culture · Lifestyle · Car radio / source music · Hospital / reconciliation
- 39
We Built This CityStarship · 1985
In-page preview unavailableCity & TravelParty & CelebrationRadio / Source MusicScene context: City view · Wedding / party · Car radio / source music
- 40
Paint It BlackThe Rolling Stones · 1960s
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingTension & ConflictScene context: Opening · Fight / argument · Recurring motif
- 41
Goodbye StrangerSupertramp · 1979
In-page preview unavailableGrief & FarewellCity & TravelRadio / Source MusicScene context: Airplane / airport / travel · Car radio / source music · Closing
- 42
The ReasonHoobastank · 2004
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyGrief & FarewellReflection & TransformationScene context: Popular culture · Lifestyle · Hospital / reconciliation · Intimate scene
- 43
Somewhere Only We KnowKeane · 2004
In-page preview unavailableGrief & FarewellCity & TravelReflection & TransformationScene context: Airplane / airport / travel · Closing · Recurring motif
- 44
All Is Full of LoveBjörk · 1997
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyReflection & TransformationScene context: Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 45
CreepRadiohead · 1992
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictReflection & TransformationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Fight / argument · Car radio / source music
- 46
Space SongBeach House · 2015
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyCity & TravelReflection & TransformationScene context: City view · Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 47
Save It for LaterEddie Vedder · 2024
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingReflection & TransformationRadio / Source MusicScene context: Closing · Car radio / source music
- 48
Strange CurrenciesR.E.M. · 1994
In-page preview unavailableLove & IntimacyReflection & TransformationScene context: Intimate scene · Recurring motif
- 49
New NoiseRefused · 1998
In-page preview unavailableTension & ConflictWork & ProcessScene context: Fight / argument · Kitchen / work
- 50
Have You Seen Me Lately?Counting Crows · 1996
In-page preview unavailableOpening & ClosingCity & TravelReflection & TransformationScene context: City view · Closing · Recurring motif
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