Since Smallville first aired in the fall of 2001, the series has featured an eclectic mix of music. While the villainous Luthor family might favor classical tunes, most of the show’s more sentimental moments are set to alternative music. Here are ten of the best songs that have appeared on Smallville:
1. “Superman” by Five for Fighting was featured in a Season 1 episode and captured Clark Kent’s struggle with his identity. Though he wants to be a regular person, he knows that he must accept the responsibilities that accompany his super powers.
2. The song “At My Most Beautiful” by REM was played in Season 3, during a scene when Clark and his love interest Lana Lang meet in the loft of his barn. Many of Smallville’s early episodes focused on their young love and this simple, upbeat song captures their innocence.
3. In Season 4, Lifehouse’s “You and Me” was played at the Smallville prom. Clark and Lana share a sentimental dance to this song after weathering a tough year in their friendship. This sad and beautiful tune captures the complicated nature of their relationship.
4. The Depeche Mode song “Precious” was played at the end of Season 4 following a cataclysmic meteor shower. The edgy tone helps introduce an unknown and dangerous other-worldly character: Professor Milton Fine.
5. The song “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt was played during Season 5 when Clark proposes marriage to Lana. Later that night, when Lana is killed in a car crash, Clark makes arrangements to go back in time to relive the day. During the second playing of “You’re Beautiful,” Clark opts not to propose. Just like in this haunting song, Clark admires a woman but knows that he can’t act on his feelings without disastrous consequences.
6. At the beginning of Season 6, the song “Ache” by James Carrington was played during a scene in which Lex Luthor and Lana acknowledge their feelings for one another. The song relates the hurt and loneliness the two of them share, beginning their romantic relationship on a sad note.
7. The song “Prelude 12/21” by AFI was featured in a Season 6 episode when Lex strode through his 33.1 laboratory where he had been experimenting on people with special abilities. The dark nature of this song, coupled with Lex’s disregard for his locked-up patients, solidified his transition from a lonely young adult to evil villain.
8. “Heavenly Day,” by Patty Griffin was played when Lex and Lana exit the church after their wedding. The lyrics of this song are happy, but the tone is sorrowful, perfectly capturing Lana’s feelings about marrying Lex.
9. Kelly Clarkson’s “Sober” was featured in the Smallville Season 7 Premier. The sad song talks about fear and new beginnings. At the time all of Smallville’s characters were in difficult circumstances and forced to deal with new burdens: Chloe was burning her own death certificate, Lana was hiding in a foreign country, Lex was being arrested, and Kara was leaving Krypton behind.
10. Finally, Smallville’s theme song, “Save Me” by Remy Zero, is a perfect fit for the show. The song, a distress call for a savior, highlights the need for Clark to become Superman.
Sources:
KryptonSite: The Music of Smallville, at http://www.kryptonsite.com/.
