The 10 Best Musical Moments On TV In 2013

2012 was a great year for music on TV. There was Megan Draper shimmying and shaking her way through “Zou Bisou Bisou.” The Dean and Jeff Winger making sweet, beautiful, musical love with “Kiss from a Rose.” HIS NAME IS JAMES, JAMES CAMERON, THE BRAVE PIONEER. But 2013 has been better, because 2012 didn’t have “Getaway,” and “Getaway” is probably the greatest song that ever was or will be. This one’s for you, Mark Cherry.

1. “Electric Love” by Megan Mullally and Kevin Kline (Bob’s Burgers)

There are literally dozens of songs from Bob’s Burgers that could have made this list, from “Harry Truman” to last week’s Ta-Ta’s. But only one musical masterpiece TRULY belongs, and it’s the show’s best song since “Lifting Up the Skirt of the Night”: “Electric Love,” if only for, “They’ll say, ‘Aw, Topsy’ at my autopsy.”

2. “Baby Blue” by Badfinger (Breaking Bad)

No matter your opinion of the finale — “IT WAS TOO PERFECT, WHICH MEANS IT WASN’T PERFECT” — you have to admit Vince Gilligan picked the right song to play over Breaking Bad‘s final scene. Especially because “the special love I have for you, my baby blue” is less on the nose than, “And it’s all over now, Baby Blue” or “Blue are the feelings that live inside me.” Sorry, Eiffel 65. Maybe for Mad Men?

3. “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” by the Hold Steady (Game of Thrones)

A bunch of hyper-literate drunks obsessed with bears? The Hold Steady is every Game of Thrones fan.

4. “Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac (The Americans)

TUSK. Also, so many wigs. But mostly: TUSK.

5. “The Name Game” by Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Asylum)

“The Name Game” aired on January 2nd, so it counts. Good thing, too, because 2013 couldn’t end without watching Jessica Lange sing a 1960 novelty hit with a bunch of freaks in a mental ward at least once more.

6. “Majestic” by Wax Fang (American Dad!)

This year was a great one for American Dad!, with multiple why-don’t-more-people-watch-this-show episodes, including “Blood Crieth Unto Heaven,” “Spelling Bee My Baby,” and best of all, “Lost in Space.” I’ve already waxed poetic about the episode, so just listen to Wax Fang again. (Also, Steve didn’t sing as much in 2013.)

7. “All the Faces” by Creed Bratton (The Office)

The words “Creed original” have been known to cause explosive vomit-rrhea, but in the context of the final episode of The Office, it’s a good thing. Real-life rock star Creed Bratton wrote “All the Faces,” and it’s a perfect capper on an often-perfect show about people person’s paper people.

8. “Farewell Daddy Blues” by Margot Bingham (Boardwalk Empire)

Oh, but Boardwalk Empire ended on such a happy note, you say. F*ck you, I say.

9. “Time After Time” by Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, and Retta (Parks and Recreation)

This clip also appears on my Favorite Things to Happen in 2013 list. (There’s a lot of Donna on that list.)

10. “Getaway” by Mark Cherry (Arrested Development)

For two years in college, “The Final Countdown” was my ringtone. For the rest of my life, “Getaway” is my soundtrack for everything. Ringtone, alarm clock, the noise the TiVo makes. All of it.

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