When I watch TV shows, I can’t help but think about what songs the characters would listen to.
For this week’s “Liv Listens,” I’ve selected a few of my all-time favorite shows and found songs I associate with the show’s characters, relationships and overall feelings.
If you’re a TV show connoisseur, and we have the same taste, I hope this serves as a helpful guide for some songs to add to your library. If you spot one of your favorite songs but have yet to see the show I associate it with, I hope this encourages you to give it a watch as well.
“Normal People”
“Normal People” is a 12-episode emotional rollercoaster.
If this is one of your favorite shows, you’ll love “’tis the damn season” by Taylor Swift, a song about hometown lovers that keep running back to each other.
If you love Marianne Sheridan or see yourself in her character, you also might like “Matilda” by Harry Styles and “august” by Taylor Swift. If you love Connell Waldron, I’d recommend listening to “reckless driving” by Lizzy McAlpine, and if you relate to his college arc at all, “this is me trying” by Taylor Swift, might be a comforting listen for you, too.
“Gilmore Girls”
“Gilmore Girls” is my go-to comfort show. If you love this show too, you probably love fall weather, feeling cozy and reading a good book.
“You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon is the song I associate with “Gilmore Girls” the most. “Add Up My Love” by Clairo, “Cherry” by Harry Styles and “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls are a few others that give off the same cozy Stars Hollow feeling.
“Succession”
For “Succession” lovers, I want to recommend all the songs I associate with everyone’s number one boy, Kendall Roy. If you’re a fan of the show, you know Kendall is a mess, but he’s our mess.
Although the show opens with him listening to the Beastie Boys, I bet he’d relate a bit more to “Crash” by Charli XCX, “Material Girl” by Madonna, “I Love It (Feat. Charli XCX)” by Icona Pop, “The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA and basically anything by Mitski. If you find yourself in a Kendall Roy-esque mood, give those songs a listen.
“New Girl”
When seventh-grade me started watching “New Girl” for the first time, she had no idea what she was getting into. Almost eight years later, I’ve rewatched the show in its entirety at least 10 times.
The song I associate the most with “New Girl” is “Still Into You” by Paramore — a classic, and everything about “New Girl” just screams fun 2010s throwbacks.
“Let’s Get Married” by Bleachers, “Nobody” by Hozier, “Assumptions” by Sam Gellaitry and “Run Away with Me” by Carly Rae Jepson are a few more picks that have the same upbeat, heartwarming energy as “New Girl.” And, of course, “Green Light” by Lorde is the iconic “New Girl” song.
“Severance”
If you’ve been hearing about “Severance” but have assumed it’s overrated and avoided watching it, you’ve made a grave mistake. It really is as excellent as everyone says it is.
If you need some songs to get you through waiting for season three, “Mirror” by Kendrick Lamar, “Night Shift” by Lucy Dacus and “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” by Tame Impala all remind me of the show’s offbeat, intense and a little bit whimsical vibe.
“Fleabag”
“Fleabag” is the most well-written show I’ve ever watched. I could talk about it for hours, but I’ll restrain myself. At the very least, it’s funny, heartbreaking and incredibly beautiful.
Fleabag is such a complicated character, but I think she’d find solace in listening to “Cinnamon Girl” by Lana Del Rey, “Graceland Too” by Phoebe Bridgers and “Fallingforyou” by the 1975. So, if you love her, you’ll probably love those songs too.
“Derry Girls”
If this article gets you to watch any of these shows, I hope it’s “Derry Girls.” It’s a painfully underrated, hilarious show about high schoolers living in Ireland in the 1990s.
If you already love the show, I’d recommend anything by The Cranberries, but I’ll specifically highlight the song the show opens up with, “Dreams.”
You might also love “Hanging” by Spacey Jane and “Sex” by the 1975. Both songs capture the angsty but bittersweet coming-of-age feelings of the show.
“Sex and the City”
What better way to end than with a classic?
Whether you’re Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte, if you love “Sex and the City,” you’ll love “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan, “Money, Money, Money” by ABBA, “Lovefool” by The Cardigans and “More Than a Woman” by the Bee Gees. They all give off glamorous New York City energy.
