Top 10 Musical TV Moments That Will Make You Sing

What’s a TV show without a killer soundtrack? Sometimes, a musical moment in a series becomes so iconic, it takes on a life of its own. These are the scenes that get stuck in our heads and have us hitting replay. Get ready to sing along as we count down 10 unforgettable musical moments from TV shows that truly stole the show!

Star – “I Don’t Know Why”

The FOX musical drama Star followed the ambitious Star Davis (Jude Demorest) and her girl group as they chased fame in Atlanta’s competitive music scene. Across its three seasons, the show was packed with original pop and R&B tunes.

A truly powerful moment from the first season is Star’s performance of “I Don’t Know Why.” This gripping R&B ballad was a raw and intense response to the physical abuse Star suffered from her boyfriend, Hunter (Chad James Buchanan). The song vividly portrays the heart-wrenching struggle of being stuck in a toxic, abusive relationship and feeling unable to leave. It was a scene filled with emotion that hit home for many.

Nashville – “Sanctuary”

Nashville was a musical drama that dove into the world of country music, focusing on the rivalry between country queen Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) and rising star Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere). The show explored the drama and dreams of Music City. In season five, Rayna’s character tragically died after a car crash, leading to some deeply emotional musical tributes.

One of the most moving moments occurred when Rayna’s family gathered to sing her song “Sanctuary” at the CMT Awards to honor her memory. Her oldest daughter, Daphne (Maisy Stella), became overwhelmed with emotion while singing. Her father and sister joined her on stage, offering comfort and helping her finish the song. This raw, heartfelt performance had viewers reaching for the tissues right along with the family.

Galavant – “Galavant”

Airing in 2015, Galavant was a delightful two-season medieval musical comedy on ABC. The series chronicled the adventures of the dashing hero Galavant (Joshua Sasse) as he tried to rescue his love, Queen Madalena (Mallory Jansen), from the clutches of the evil King Richard (Timothy Omundson). With music by the legendary Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, catchy tunes were a guarantee.

Perhaps the catchiest of them all is the theme song, “Galavant.” It was the very first song Menken and Slater wrote for the series, and it perfectly established the show’s fun, whimsical tone. It cleverly laid out the basic plot with a melody so infectious, you just couldn’t help but hum it all day long.

Smash – “Let Me Be Your Star”

Imagine a TV show all about creating a Broadway musical. That was Smash, an NBC musical drama that, though short-lived, captured the hearts of theater fans. It followed two playwrights crafting a musical about Marilyn Monroe, and focused on the intense rivalry between actresses Ivy (Megan Hilty) and Karen (Katharine McPhee) vying for the lead role. Filled with covers and original songs, Smash even sparked talk of bringing its fictional musical to a real Broadway stage.

One song, “Let Me Be Your Star,” truly stood out. Performed in the pilot episode by both Ivy and Karen in competing verses, it powerfully set the stage for the series. The song beautifully expressed the dreams and determination of countless aspiring performers, making it an instant classic.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series – “All I Want”

When High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (or HSMTMTS) was announced, it had big shoes to fill, following the Disney Channel’s massive High School Musical trilogy. However, HSMTMTS carved its own path. The show is set in the real world at the high school where the original movie was filmed, following a new group of theater students as they stage their own production of High School Musical, complete with all the backstage drama and budding romances.

While many songs are from the original movie, the series features some fantastic original tracks. One of the most popular from the first season was “All I Want,” performed by lead character Nini (Olivia Rodrigo), which even hit the Billboard Hot 100. Nini pours her heart out in this anthem about boy troubles, betrayal, and the longing for lasting love. With lyrics like, “All I want is love that lasts / Is all I want too much to ask?” it’s a song that resonated with teens and adults alike.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist – “I Lived”

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist was an NBC musical dramedy about Zoey (Jane Levy), a smart computer coder who suddenly starts hearing people’s innermost thoughts as elaborate musical numbers. While this newfound power brought challenges, it also became a gift, especially in connecting with her father, Mitch (Peter Gallagher), who suffered from a neurological disease called PSP and couldn’t communicate verbally.

Zoey’s relationship with her father was the heart of the show. Their performance of One Republic’s “I Lived” is one of its most touching moments. After Mitch passed away in season one, he returned in a dream sequence in the series finale to sing to Zoey, encouraging her to embrace life and take chances. It was a scene that had everyone reaching for their tissues.

Empire – “You’re So Beautiful”

When Empire burst onto FOX in 2015, this hip-hop drama became an instant sensation, with its first season finale drawing over 17 million viewers. Produced by Grammy-winner Timbaland, the show revolved around the Lyon family: music mogul Lucious (Terrance Howard), his formidable wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), and their three sons, all vying for control of Empire Records. Each episode promised music and high-stakes drama.

One of the most unforgettable musical moments came in season one with the performance of “You’re So Beautiful.” Fans will remember the shock and tension as Lucious’s middle son, Jamal, performed his father’s song, changing the lyrics from “this the kind of song that makes a woman love a man” to “man love a man,” bravely coming out. Jamal’s strained relationship with Lucious, who struggled to accept his son’s sexuality, made this moment of defiance and pride incredibly powerful, earning cheers from viewers.

Julie and the Phantoms – “Unsaid Emily”

Netflix’s Julie and the Phantoms, directed by Kenny Ortega (of High School Musical and Descendants fame), is based on a Brazilian series. This musical comedy-drama follows Julie (Madison Reyes), a 15-year-old grieving the loss of her mother and her passion for music. Her spark reignites when she meets three teen ghosts from 1995 who used to be a band in her garage. While only Julie can see them, everyone can hear them play, leading them to form a band and treat viewers to a song each episode.

Despite its quirky premise, the show has surprising emotional depth, especially in its music. “Unsaid Emily,” sung by the band’s lead singer, Luke (Charlie Gillespie), is a poignant ballad about his estranged relationship with his mother and all the words he wished he’d said before he died. It’s a very touching moment for a kids’ show, reminding us all to cherish our loved ones.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – “The End of the Movie”

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was a brilliant satirical musical comedy that featured original songs in every single episode. The show chronicles the life of Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom), a lawyer who impulsively leaves her successful New York life to move to West Covina, California, after a chance encounter with her childhood summer camp boyfriend. The series skillfully balanced comedy with serious topics like mental illness, making it incredibly relatable and heartfelt.

One of the more somber, yet profound, songs comes from season three, when Rebecca hits rock bottom. Grammy-nominated singer Josh Groban makes a cameo, performing “The End of the Movie.” The song reflects on life’s randomness and how things don’t always wrap up neatly like they do in films. While specific to Rebecca’s situation, its message about life’s unpredictability resonates broadly—though Groban’s advice to “never bang your ex-boyfriend’s dad” is pretty solid, too!

Glee – “Don’t Stop Believin’”

Anyone watching TV in the 2010s knew about the cultural phenomenon that was Glee. Its impact was undeniable, inspiring many shows that came after it, including some on this list. Glee was a massive hit from the start, earning 19 Emmy Awards and 4 Golden Globe nominations in its first season alone. Beyond the music, the sometimes outlandish musical comedy was praised for its inclusivity, tackling topics like LGBTQ+ youth, teen pregnancy, and bullying.

With over 700 songs performed throughout its run, picking just one is tough. However, the clear winner has to be their rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” It was the show’s first official hit and held such a special place that they performed it four times! The most memorable performance was at the end of the pilot episode. Seeing the group sing together successfully for the first time, with their teacher Mr. Schue (Matthew Morrison) watching proudly, signaled the beginning of something truly special.

These musical moments did more than just entertain; they became part of television history. They made us laugh, cry, and, most importantly, sing our hearts out. Music in TV shows can turn a good scene into an unforgettable one, and these performances are proof of that magic.

Which of these musical TV moments is your favorite? Or is there another one that always gets you singing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!