One Tree Hill has some of the best music on television today. I have picked what I believe to be the top 25 songs from all five seasons of One Tree Hill. These are not in order by my preference but rather in order of episode. I hope that you are able to discover a few new songs of inspiration from this list. I know that there are many more wonderful songs on One Tree Hill that I was not able to include in this list. Perhaps I should have done a top 50 list! Please feel free to comment and add your favorite song to the list.
1. Rest in Pieces by Saliva
This song was heard in the very first episode of One Tree Hill and was a pretty popular song at the time the show aired. For me, this gave the show bonus points because they played music I could relate to and recognize. The song was played when Lucas made the winning game shot in a game against Nathan.
2. I Don’t Want to Be by Gavin DeGraw
I think we all have to give credit to the theme song of One Tree Hill. I think they did a wonderful job choosing this song as the theme song. It describes everyone’s characters so well; a bunch of high school students trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do with their lives.
3. To Hell with Good Intentions by McLusky
I don’t think I’ll ever forget in the second episode of the first season when Peyton answers Nathan’s apologetic phone call and blares this song through the receiver, “My love is bigger than your love, sing it.” I laughed then downloaded the song and waited for my opportunity to use it in the same situation!
4. Cool Kids by Screeching Weasel
Another song played by Peyton in episode 105. Peyton is driving with her music blaring while Brooke sits in the front seat and covers her ears. It’s definitely One Tree Hill humor and a song that fits perfectly into Peyton’s music style.
5. Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
Could there be a better song for such a romantic scene when Nathan and Haley share their first kiss in episode 107? After I saw that scene I wanted this song played at my wedding for the first kiss as husband and wife. Perhaps this desire has officially confirmed my obsession with One Tree Hill!
6. Run by Snow Patrol
This song is played at the end while the show wraps up all the loose ends in episode 121. My personal opinion is that some of the best songs are played at the end of the shows. The endings are always so emotional and always leave you wanting so much more.
7. She Will be Loved by Maroon 5
I loved this song before I heard it on One Tree Hill so it is just a plus that it was on the show as well. This song appears in the first episode of season two when Nathan has a flashback of when he proposed to Haley.
8. Life is Good by Junk
This is such a fun song to turn up, I dare you to try it! This song was heard in episode 202 when Lucas and Haley are talking about her recent marriage to Nathan.
9. Kill by Jimmy Eat World
One of my all time favorite songs and as I mentioned before it is played at the end of episode 203, where all the good songs are played! The lyrics in this song are so real and touching.
10. Let Me Fall by Bethany Joy Lenz (as ‘Haley’)
This song is heard in episode 206 as Haley begins her big Hollywood music career. I was amazed by Haley’s talent when I heard this song and the lyrics are just as beautiful as she is.
11. Sideways by Citizen Cope
It took me awhile to get used to the sound of Citizen Cope but once I did I fell in love with their music. They’re original and played many times throughout all the seasons of One Tree Hill. This specific song is heard in episode 210 when Lucas has a confrontation with his father, Dan.
12. 23 by Jimmy Eat World
I’m a Jimmy Eat World fanatic so I had to include another song by them. This song is played at the end of episode 210 while the show wraps up and leaves us hanging once again.
13. Mixtape by Butch Walker
This song is heard in episode 221 and is in my top three list of all-time favorite songs. The lyrics are beautiful and it might even make you chuckle once you get to the end.
14. The Good Kind by The Wreckers
The Wreckers were bound to be popular with or without the help of One Tree Hill. This song is played in episode 223 when Ellie, Peyton’s mom, shows up at TRIC to find Peyton for the first time.
15. Feeling a Moment by Feeder
Season three starts out with this song and flashbacks of the following season, Dan’s business up in flames, Haley coming home, and Lucas and Peyton on the beach.
16. Light Years Away by MoZella
Yet another song from the first episode of season three. I love the tone and lyrics of the beginning of this song, it’s amazing!
17. This is for Keeps by The Spill Canvas
The Spill Canvas is a band that I most likely would have never discovered if it weren’t for One Tree Hill and it would have been a shame if I had never heard them. They are an amazing band with deep, thoughtful lyrics. This song is heard in episode 303 when Nathan tells Haley he has looked into the possibilities of divorce.
18. The Mixed Tape by Jack’s Mannequin
Episode 308 debuts the band, Jack’s Mannequin with the song The Mixed Tape. Jack’s Mannequin later appears in episode 315 while playing at TRIC for the “Friends With Benefit” concert.
19. We All Lose One Another by Jason Collett
This song brought so much emotion to the scene in episode 321 when Rachel tries to call Cooper and he fails to answer. It brought me to tears because I could relate to her in that moment even though I never really cared for her character. The song’s title describes the scene so well also.
20. Boston by Augustana
Such a beautiful song! It’s heard in episode 322 when Lucas and Brooke dance at Nathan and Haley’s wedding.
21. Le Disko by Shiny Toy Guns
I must say I thought this was the strangest song when I first heard it on One Tree Hill! After that first time though I kept hearing great things about this band and decided to give it another try. I must say it turned into one of my favorite dance songs; my friends and I would go crazy in the car and it was always a good time. This song is heard in episode 402 when Brooke and Rachel are in a bar.
22. Do It Alone by Sugarcult
This is a fun, upbeat song heard in episode 406 when there is a montage of the Raven’s basketball games.
23. Naive by The Kooks
I love the Kooks and I actually first heard their song, “She Moves in Her Own Way” at a Journey’s shoe store. I like this song equally as well. It’s heard in the opening scenes of episode 412.
24. Lighting Crashes by Live
I have long loved this song and it is an all-time classic. This is played in episode 421 when Haley is rushed to the hospital to have her baby during their high school graduation.
25. The Freshmen by Pipe
This song is heard at the end of first episode in season five. A classic song and a perfect fit to describe the events in the transition from season four to season five.
I used One Tree Hill’s fan website to find all of these songs and I have recently written an article on where you can find all of One Tree Hill’s music either to buy or where to find a specific song in a specific episode.
