Image Credit: 20th Century Fox
The season finale of The Simpsons is this Sunday, and after 28 seasons, there is a lot to be celebrated about the show. One of the best things the show does is musical moments. While their original songs and parodies are some of the best on TV, some of the greatest moments on the show are when the characters lend their voices to existing songs. And though many bands and singers have humorously appeared as themselves and sung their own songs on the show, this list will be excluding those too.
Featured here are six of the best uses of already existing songs on The Simpsons, which range from hilarious to heartwarming and everything in between.
In the Garden of Eden
Season seven’s “Bart Sells His Soul” begins hilariously with Bart tricking the church congregation into singing Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” which Reverend Lovejoy mistakes as a hymn. The 17-minute song, which Rev. Lovejoy introduces as “In The Garden of Eden” by I. Ron Butterfly, is seen clearly taking its toll on the sweaty congregation, as well as the church organist who collapses at the end. While Bart defiling the church organ with his “rock and/or roll” music sets the events of the episode in motion, the episode’s beginning stands on its own as one of the funniest openings to any Simpsons episode. Plus Homer whispering to Marge, “remember when we used to make out to this hymn?” will go down as one of the all time best lines on the show.
The H.M.S. Pinafore
Sideshow Bob shows off his pipes in season 5’s “Cape Feare” when Bart attempts to stall his murder by getting Bob to sing the entire score of the H.M.S. Pinafore. His plan works, and their houseboat floats through Springfield just in time for the police to arrest Bob. While Sideshow Bob’s many failed attempts at killing Bart are a humorous point throughout the series, this is one of the best as it illustrates how Bob’s narcissism always gets the best of him. Plus the costume changes, Bart joining in, and Kelsey Grammer’s vocals make this scene top notch.
The Be Sharps Auditions
“Homer’s Barbershop Quartet,” another of season five’s standout episodes, has arguably some of the best musical moments of the entire series. While everything with the Be Sharps is comedy gold, one of the best and often overlooked moments is the scene where the group is auditioning new members. From Jasper’s confused cover of “Theme from A Summer Place” to a poorly disguised Chief Wiggum singing “Talk to the Animals” there isn’t one audition that won’t make you laugh.
Jazzman
Lisa’s friendship with Bleeding Gums Murphy takes center stage in season six’s “‘Round Springfield.” While Lisa and Bart share some sweet moments in the episode, Lisa’s sadness over the passing of Bleeding Gums is at the heart of the episode, as he had been an encouragement to her both personally and musically. While she is able to honor him by getting the local jazz station to play his record (and a strategically timed lightning strike broadcasts it across every radio in town), the sweetest moment occurs at the end when they duet to the song “Jazzman” one last time.
Krusty’s Comeback Special
Season four’s finale, “Krusty Gets Kancelled,” featured a large roster of hot celebrities at the time. Acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Carson, and Luke Perry had humorous cameos, but Krusty’s duet of “Wind Beneath My Wings” with Bette Midler was one of the episode’s best. Both heartfelt and humorous, it was a perfect way to end his comeback special. The beginning of the special featuring Krusty and Sideshow Mel singing “Send in the Clowns” had a similar effect, starting nicely yet ending with Krusty putting down Sideshow Mel yet again.
Monster Mash
Though none of the characters actually sing “Monster Mash” in season four’s “I Love Lisa,” it would be impossible to make a list like this and not include it. While the episode itself focuses on Ralph Wiggum and his crush on Lisa, the running joke throughout the episode involves the local radio station constantly playing the song “Monster Mash” at the wrong time. It’s played hilariously at the beginning of the episode, which takes place on Valentine’s Day, and again at the end of the episode on President’s Day. The DJ banter is particularly funny, as is the fact that no one else in the episode seems to notice the ill-timing of the song.
There is no shortage of great musical moments on The Simpsons, and they even dedicated an episode to that fact in season nine’s “All Singing, All Dancing.” This list features some of the best “covers” of already existing songs by Springfield residents, but there are even more than this throughout the series. During its 28 seasons, The Simpsons found a way to expertly use music to enhance the show, and as it continues, so will the amazing musical moments.
What are some of your favorite musical moments on The Simpsons? Let us know in the comments!
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