13 Great Songs From "Breaking Bad"

Breaking Bad might be over, but the musical memories remains.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Breaking Bad gave us five seasons of stellar television and now it's all over. Last night, the series finale, aptly titled "Felina," aired and ended the show's incredible run. (We dare not reveal anything that happened in case you haven't seen it yet.) We plan on mourning its absence by re-watching it until the end of time on Netflix or by simply trying to find another show on-air that’s just as good. At least Breaking Bad went out on top thanks to the show’s stellar writing and acting.

But, you know what, Breaking Bad was a well-rounded show. The soundtrack is as equally amazing as its other components. No, it didn’t feature a large amount of current hits like The OC, Gossip Girls or most notably Entourage—but the songs featured on Breaking Bad were great in their own regard. The show used a variety of songs to add an additional dimension to the craft of the show. Plus, often times, the songs lyrics or message would overlap with the themes of the episodes. In honor of the dearly departed drama, we give you the 13 Great Songs Used On Breaking Bad. Yeah bitch! Heisenberg for life! 

Written by H. Drew Blackburn (@hdrewblackburn

RELATED: Complex Conversation: What's the Greatest TV Show of All Time, "The Wire" or "Breaking Bad"? 

Gnarls Barkley "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" (2008)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "A No-Rough-Stuff-Type Deal" Season 1, Episode 7

Gnarls Barkley, a collaboration project between Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green (then known from Goodie Mob, now known from a song called "Fuck You") had a good run with two dope albums. The first album St. Elsewhere gave us "Crazy" and the second, The Odd Couple gave us "Who's Gonna Save My Soul," an eerie gospel tinged track crooned by a bereaved man. The video for this song directed by Chris Milk is equally as harrowing as the music it accompanies. It features Jorma Taccone stabbing himself in the chest and ripping his heart out and his heart replicating the gesture in a true batshit crazy moment.

Yellowman "Zungguzungguguzungguzeng" (1982)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Over" - Season 2, Episode 10
Most reggae sounds the same to the untrained ear. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing because if you like one reggae song then you might like them all. “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng” is one of the most recognizable reggae songs, chances are you’ve heard the gibberish chorus and bouncy ska guitars at least a thousand times. You never knew the name of the song, until now. Thank us later, and please turn up when you click the play button.

TV On The Radio "DLZ" (2008)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Over" Season 2, Episode 10

For years, Dave Sitek has been one of the most arresting and inventive producers in rock. His most delightful work comes by way of his band TV On The Radio's 2008 release Dear Science. "DLZ" is a highlight of the album thanks to vocalist Tunde Adebimpe's coarse falsetto and the dark world Sitek so brilliantly captures.

America "A Horse With No Name" (1972)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Caballa Sin Nombre" Season 3, Episode 2

This band had the audacity to call themselves America, but we'll hand it to them because "A Horse With No Name" is as Americana as deep fried chili cheese nachos and a 44 ounce Coke. From the band's eponymous debut record, "A Horse With No Name" is tale, a desert odyssey of sorts. Folksy acoustic guitar strumming and drum circle percussion provide the instrumentation. But, the most notable aspect of the tune is the "la, la, la la la la, la la la, la, la" refrains throughout. Even four decades after it was composed, the song is instantly recognizable with drunk-at-the-bar-sing-along capabilities.

Vince Guaraldi "Ginza Samba" (1964)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Sunset" Season 3, Episode 6

Vince Guaraldi is best known as the composer behind the on screen adaptation of the comic strip Peanuts. His piano driven jazz outside of what we colloquially call The Charlie Brown Show is just as wonderful. The blissful "Ginza Samba," with its piano strokes that fall like amber leaves at the start of autumn, is among the best work in the entire Guaraldi discography. This is Bill Cosby convulsive-dance-scrunch-face music. Pro Tip: The Stan Getz version of this song is worth a spin.

Prince Fatty "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" (2009)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "I See You" Season 3, Episode 8

You're reading Complex so you're probably quite familiar with the Ol' Dirty Bastard version of this song. Prince Fatty, a producer from London, made a cover of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" with reggae artist Horseman in 2008. The Prince Fatty and Horseman version mashes up the distinct ostinato piano licks from the Ol' Dirty Bastard OG track with the patented off-beat reggae skank guitar rhythm. It's not as raw (we do like it raw), but we still enjoy it. 

The Association "Windy" (1967)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Half Measures" Season 3, Episode 12
“Windy” sees The Association, a pop-rock band from the '60s and '70s, throwing in a sublime example of the sunshine-rock sound of their time. Happy melodies, twinkling bells and a strident beat fill the song to the brim. “Windy” is a signifier of a simpler time and a happier folk and the start of rock. This is the genesis.

Quartetto Cetra "Crapa Pelada" (1945)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Full Measure" Season 3, Episode 13

Quartetto Cetra was an Italian quartet who found themselves with the opportunity to dub the Italian release of Dumbo back in the day. Rumor has it that Walt Disney himself sent a congratulatory note to the guys because he was so impressed with their work. "Crapa Pelada" has the quartet scatting and harmonizing in barbershop style with a brass band to back the magic. It's in Italian but you know, expand your horizons. Drink pinot grigio with your pinkie up for this one.

2 Live Crew "Hoochie Mama" (1995)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Thirty-Eight Snub" Season 4, Episode 2

If there was no 2 Live Crew there probably wouldn't even be no twerking. They're basically the foundation for a handful of disrespectful hip-hop tunes, too—so about 95% of hip-hop tunes. Pay homage.

Thee Oh Sees "Tidal Wave" (2010)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Salud" Season 4, Episode 10

Thee Oh Sees are a psych-garage rock band out of The "OC." Yeah, "Oh See," like their name. We'll leave that one alone. "Tidal Wave" is a hyperactive and contemporary take on danceable retro-surf rock complete with distorted vocals. Thee Oh Sees are one of the most entertaining bands out right now because thankfully, they always come to fuck shit up and we need that in rock music. Pro Tip: See this band live as soon as humanely possible.

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi f/ Norah Jones "Black" (2011)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Face Off" Season 4, Episode 13

Danger Mouse and Italian composer Daniele Luppi spent five years making the collaboration album Rome, which features Norah Jones and Jack White singing the tracks. The album was inspired by spaghetti westerns (read: Ennio Morricone, the GAWD of all sounds Western) but with Danger Mouse at the helm, the album has a decidedly modern sound. Think: A Silver Lake, Los Angeles hipster avenges being fired by an old manager at Urban Outfitters. Said hero rides a horse named Ford out of irony. "Black," one of the tracks to feature Norah Jones, follows the aforementioned model well with production that channels a brightly lit dystopian atmosphere. Jones is casted perfectly as she croons with little effort of a world gone asunder.

Knife Party "Bonfire" (2012)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Fifty-One" Season 5, Episode 4

Electro House duo Knife Party's "Bonfire" from their 2012 Rage Valley EP is loud and rambunctious. The song takes a reggae tinged sound and grinds it away with a grandiose electro drops. Dubstep isn't going away anytime soon, so the robot soaked bass warping of duo's like Knife Party are a good place to start if you're reticent.

Tommy James & The Shondells "Crystal Blue Persuasion" (1968)

Not Available Interstitial

Episode: "Gliding All Over" Season 5, Episode 8

This song has the distinct soul tinged sound that might spark your drunk uncle to yell "Oooh, this my shit! You ain't know nothing 'bout this," at a summer cookout. The baseline two-steps, bongos shimmy about and harmonies glisten. The song however, is perfect for Breaking Bad because it's absolutely about drugs—either LSD or meth. A lot of songs made in the late '60s and late '70s have a drug theory perpetuated by fans and critics alike. But this song is absolutely about drugs. And since it's about Blue Crystal, Walter White's signature product, it fit the show so perfectly.  

Latest in Music