Best Use of Music in Futurama

[on:]

Now, we all know that Christopher Tyng is a very talented arranger/composer, but which episode (and position) do you think was the best use of music in Futurama? How about giving two categories; one for instrumental, and one for song (original or licensed).

IMO, the best instrumental work is in "The Luck of the Fryrish", at the end when Yancy is talking to young Philip about his brother. That theme gets me every time.

And the best use of song would have to be "Fryrish", again, for "Don't You Forget About Me".

[Reply #1 on:]

For me, it'll have to be that moment in A Bicyclop Built For Two when Leela is awakened by Alkazar's crying. I just love the use of string instruments. It made the scene feel real.

[Reply #2 on:]

Don't know about instrumental but for original it would definately have to be "Baby Love Child" at the end of "Leela's Homeworld". I never heard of the song before until I saw the episode, but it really went the plot... as if the song was written for that episode or something.

[Reply #3 on:]

Song- the one at the end of Jurassic Bark.

Instrumental- uh... it's hard to choose, but I liked the music in The Series Has Landed when Fry got into the Lunar Lander.
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We won the Emmy for best animated show a few months ago and I didn't even get a begrudging phone call from anyone at Fox. That's a dark company that they can't even make a fake phone call.
-Matt Groening

[Reply #4 on:]

i love the music that was used in Leela's Homeworld during the scene where her parents were saying goodbye to her on the doorstep of the orphanarium, the music alone nearly made me cry. it's so pretty

[Reply #5 on:]

For songs composed for the show, I think Parasites Lost was best.

I enjoyed the little string theme in GodFellas, when Fry was talking about how Bender wanted to drift through the American Southwest.

Song wise, Luck of the Fryish has been the best.

[Reply #6 on:]

I like the songs by bands that they throw in there, like "Iron Man" in Anthology of Interest I.  That was so awesome! ;D

--Missy

[Reply #7 on:]

Song: "Baby Lovechild" that was unbelivably beautiful in combination with the montage of clips. Magic.

Instrumental: I have to say "Sonata For A Cyclops" in "Parasites Lost".

[Reply #8 on:]

 

Originally posted by McGrady:
I enjoyed the little string theme in GodFellas, when Fry was talking about how Bender wanted to drift through the American Northwest.

That is my favourite too.  I believe it was used in one of the AOIs as well, but I can't remember which one right now. (It was the episode with the 500 foot tall Bender.)  Its only 5 seconds long but it hits the mood of the scene just right and always cracks me up.

"Bender always wanted to drift forever, but through the American Southwest."

As for licensed song, "Mmmmmbop" by Hanson, which was in that same episode I mentioned. 

[Reply #9 on:]

Usually when the Futurama theme is played during an episode (aside from the beginning and ending), something significant is happening.  It might be their way of saying "Hey, this is important!"  Some examples are when Fry realizes he's in the future in "Space Pilot 3000" and after Leela realizes he saved her and revives him "Love and Rocket."

[Reply #10 on:]

The Bells version of the Futurama themetune on the end of Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles.

[Reply #11 on:]

There are probably better examples, but I'm on a season one kick, so screw you:

I love the music in The Series Has Landed, when they are being chased by the farmer after Bender sleeps with the Crushinator. Sort of a sped up version of the theme, but it really sells the scene as a fun chase sequence, and that in turn helps to sell the visual gags.

[Reply #12 on:]

"Iron Man" when the 500ft Bender decends upon Earth.

[Reply #13 on:]

When The Beastie Boys performed.
What a hoot!!

[Reply #14 on:]

The song at the end of "luck of the fryish"

Don't you... forget about me.

[Reply #15 on:]

Like several others before me, I think "Sonata for a Cyclops" is the best use of instrumental piece.  Simply lovely.    Now, if I could find it somewhere...

As far as actual songs, I think Pizzicato Five's "Baby Love Child" was perfect for 'Leela's Homeworld.'  I wonder who discovered that gem. 

[Reply #16 on:]

Don't you forget about "Don't you forget about me"
that was the best song in futurama as far as relevance goes.
The Jurassic Bark song (and episode) was TOO SAD
i can't even watch that episode unless its on TV.

[Reply #17 on:]

the Titanic music when Bender and the Countess are together was great for effect.

don't you forget about me aswell brings me close to tears (i love that whole episode)

[Reply #18 on:]

gotta be the song at the end of jurassic bark and "damn, cant remember the title" garbage ball episode, two good classics well used.

Also , my personal favorite ; Sir mix alot : I like big butts..... (not the real title but more relevent!!)

[Reply #19 on:]

For instrumental, probably the theme in 'A Flight to Remember' with Bender and the Countess on the ships deck (a subtle rip-off of Titanic). For best song, I just love Hermes' song in 'How Hermes Requisitioned his Groove Back'!

[Reply #20 on:]

The 'Ride the Walrus' sting in 'Problem with Popplers'...for novelty value.

[Reply #21 on:]

Like they said in the commentary - A Flight to Remember had some fantastic music.

[Reply #22 on:]

As mentioned before "don't you forget about me" in Luck of the Fryrish is great...
I also like the little theme in Godfellas (He always wanted to drift forever...)/AOI1.
But a new favourite of mine is the theme that is played in Teenage M.L.H. when Leela is jumping into the fountain of aging.....aaaahhhh 

[Reply #23 on:]

I'm finding it so hard choosing between the great, fun song 'Intergalactic' in 'Hell is Other Robots' and the emotional song 'Don't You Forget About Me' at the end of 'Luck of the Fryrish'... Hmmmmmm. I also love 'Baby Love Child' at the end of Leela's Homeworld'. I think I'll pick 'Intergalactic' though because it's one of my favourate songs anyway, and it's cool     

For scores in episodes, I have to agree with Venus about the music in 'Leela's Homeworld' where Leela's parents are dropping her off at the Orphanarium and saying bye bye to Leela, very moving     

[Reply #24 on:]

goota love them violins

[Reply #25 on:]

The Beastie Boys' in "Hell is Other Robots" and the rap thing they did at the end. I haven't seen "Leela's Homeworld" yet, so I haven't heard the song  I still love the ending of "Luck of the Fryrish" though  Brilliant song...

[Reply #26 on:]

I'd have to vote A Flight To Remember for background music and Luck Of The Fryrish for songy music.

[Reply #27 on:]

I don't know why, but I love the music when Leela, Fry and Bender are looking for an apartment in "I, Roommate"...it's so catchy...

[Reply #28 on:]

Originally posted by Otis P Jivefunk:
I'm finding it so hard choosing between the great, fun song 'Intergalactic' in 'Hell is Other Robots' and the emotional song 'Don't You Forget About Me' at the end of 'Luck of the Fryrish'... Hmmmmmm. I also love 'Baby Love Child' at the end of Leela's Homeworld'. I think I'll pick 'Intergalactic' though because it's one of my favourate songs anyway, and it's cool     

Yeah I gotta agree with that!!

[Reply #29 on:]

 

Originally posted by Bender5000:
I don't know why, but I love the music when Leela, Fry and Bender are looking for an apartment in "I, Roommate"...it's so catchy...

Oh speaking of catchy themes I loved the Bond-esque theme to All My Circuits: The Movie in Raging Bender.

[Reply #30 on:]

Originally posted by CyberKnight:

IMO, the best instrumental work is in "The Luck of the Fryrish", at the end when Yancy is talking to young Philip about his brother. That theme gets me every time.

And the best use of song would have to be "Fryrish", again, for "Don't You Forget About Me".[/QUOTE]

Yea I agree that was the one n only episode where the music had a real noticeable impact.Im trying to think of other episodes where music was used effectivly but Im not able to think of any others.

[Reply #31 on:]

Not even the use of Baby Lovechild in "Leela's Homeworld"?

::tries to understand that concept, brain explodes::

Welcome to PEEL, Nick. Enjoy it here.

[Reply #32 on:]

Im not good with remembering the names of the episodes, or any names for that matter, though I do remember key events from most of the episodes. Ive probably only missed about two episodes thanks to FOXs crappy timing n I watched all the ones on CN n only one of those they showed before they started over again this week was new to me. So if I have missed two it was three up until about a month ago.
Anyway "Leela's Homeworld"? what season is that with? Im guessing based on the title its the one where that one guy tricks her into thinking hes a cyclopes too only to find out he is a fake n cheating too. If this is the one I must have been tone def at the time because I dont remember any music.

Also thx for welcomen me for the most part it seems like many online message bords people never seem to bother to welcome anyone new who comes n I must confess Ive been guilty of the crime, but Im going to try n change that

[Reply #33 on:]

"Leela's Homeworld" (which is in season 4) is the ep where she finds out she's a mutant. The one where Alkazar tricked her was "A Bicyclops Built For Two".

[Reply #34 on:]

hmmm I know Ive seen that one twice but the music just didnt have near the impact as it did in "Fryish" though now that I think about it I do remember it had music.

[Reply #35 on:]

I can't believe no one mentioned Zapp's wonderful redition of the Kink's "Lola."

Certain shows really know how to use a song to end a show.  WKRP, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Futurama have all done it well.

I think that "Don't You Forget About Me" and "Baby Love Child" were great, but for me the best was "If It Takes Forever" at the end of Jurasic Bark.  It always brings a tear.  And it inspired a great mixed CD.

[Reply #36 on:]

does anyone know if that industrial track they used in obsoletely fab. during the low-tech robot rampage in NNY was an original?

sounds very 'rage against the machine'.

 

[Reply #37 on:]

It hasn't been pointed out in the episode capsule, so I assume it's a Tyng original.

[Reply #38 on:]

My fave moments-Flight to remember-countess theme, AoI1-Hanson song, Ao12-Space invader bit(Rush) BBFT-Alkazar crying.
And I believe I am now a delivery boy. 

[Reply #39 on:]

I like the violin inserts in "30% Iron Chef" when Zoidberg starts feeling guilty after what he's done....heh-heh