SEASON ONE
Episode 1: "A Hard Day's Night" -- The famous 1964 song, from the album of the same name (pictured), written and performed by The Beatles.
Episode 2: "The First Cut is the Deepest" -- A song by Cat Stevens, but perhaps better known a recent Sheryl Crow hit (she covered it on her 2003 Greatest Hits CD).
Episode 3: "Winning a Battle, Losing the War" -- A song by Kings of Convenience.
Episode 4: "No Man's Land" -- A song by Billy Joel, from his 1994 album River of Dreams, as well as a song by Souls of Mischief, along with possible others.
Episode 5: "Shake Your Groove Thing" -- A song by Peaches and Herb, a '60s vocalist duo.
Episode 6: "If Tomorrow Never Comes" -- A popular song by Garth Brooks, one of the top-selling artists in the history of music. However, it was actually written by Roman Keating.
Episode 7: "The Self-Destruct Button" -- This is the only episode of the show to date without a known musical reference.
Episode 8: "Save Me" -- A song by the same name has been recorded by Remy Zero, a southern alternative rock band that has not produced an album since 2001. The song is also the theme of "Smallville" on the WB. The title is also that of songs by Queen, Aimee Mann, k. d. lang, and possible others.
Episode 9: "Who's Zoomin' Who?" -- A song by motown legend Aretha Franklin, off her 1985 album by the same name.
SEASON TWO
Episode 1: "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" -- The song by B.J. Thomas that appeared in the feature film Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid in 1969.
Episode 2: "Enough is Enough (No More Tears)" -- The name of a song recorded by both Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.
Episode 3: "Make Me Lose Control" -- A reference to a song by Eric Carmen, better known for hits "All By Myself" and "Hungry Eyes."
Episode 4: "Deny, Deny, Deny" -- A homage to country stars Brooks and Dunn.
Episode 5: "Bring the Pain" -- A song by Method Man and a classic '90s HBO Comedy Special by Chris Rock.
Episode 6: "Into You Like a Train" -- A somewhat obscure song originally by The Psychedelic Furs, and later remade by Jawbreaker.
Episode 7: "Something to Talk About" -- Bonnie Raitt, circa 1991.
Episode 8: "Let it Be" -- The second Beatles track that the show has paid tribute to, also from an album of the same name. It was the iconic foursome's last before disbanding in 1970.
Episode 9: "Thanks for the Memories" -- The episode's title could refer to a number of things, but first and foremost, it is a song by Frank Sinatra. Bob Hope later used it as his theme song, and it was also popularized by Marilyn Monroe, who famously sang it to President John Kennedy on his 45th birthday.
Episode 10: "Much Too Much" -- Track #5 from the The Who's 1965 debut album My Generation, which was renamed The Who Sings My Generation for its release in the United States.
Episode 11: "Owner of a Lonely Heart" -- A reference to the smash 1983 hit by Yes, a progressive rock ensemble that (with this notable exception) rarely produced such simple, FM-radio friendly tracks.
Episode 12: "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" -- The producers ought to be admonished for ever evoking the painful modern Christmas carol written by Randy Brooks and recorded by numerous groups, including The Irish Rovers.
Special Episode: "Straight to the Heart" -- The title of this special, a recap episode highlighting the first two seasons and previewing things to come, is also the name of a song penned and recorded by contemporary Christian rock artist Michael W. Smith.
Episode 13: "Begin the Begin" -- This either refers to a song by R.E.M., or a song by Cole Porter (and later covered by Sheryl Crow) that is curiously titled "Begin the Beguine," though pronounced the same way.
Episode 14: "Tell Me Sweet Little Lies" -- This is an excerpt from the chorus of "Little Lies," a Fleetwood Mac song. Interestingly, the band members were so estranged at the time of its recording (possibly due to sweet little lies?) that some of the song's elements, including the vocals, were recorded separately, then overdubbed. It became a hit in 1987.
Episode 15: "Break On Through" -- The title of the first track on the Doors' eponymous debut album in 1967 (pictured). The full name of the song is "Break On Through (To the Other Side)."
Episode 16: "It's the End of the World..."
Episode 17: "... As We Know It" -- This two-part episode, which began during the Super Bowl and left viewers hanging for a week, takes its name from the R.E.M. song "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)."
Episode 18: "Yesterday" -- A third Beatles reference. Certainly one of the group's best known and most covered tracks.
Episode 19: "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" -- Straight out of a Pet Shop Boys set list. Or Dusty Springfield, possibly.
Episode 20: "Band Aid Covers the Bullet Hole" -- Refers to a song by the band Scarling, a Los Angeles-based indie/psychedelic rock ensemble.
Episode 21: "Superstition" -- A song written, produced, and recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1972, when the blind Motown Records artist was only 22 years old. The album cover is shown at left. Instantly recognizable for its funky opening keyboard riff as well as its use of brass instruments, it is a classic of multiple genres. The late Stevie Ray Vaughan, with whom Wonder shared a mutual admiration, covered the song on his 1986 album Live Alive (and added one of this fan's all-time favorite guitar solos).
Episode 22: "Name of the Game" -- This episode's title refers to a song by ABBA. The song is featured in their Broadway musical, Mamma Mia! It should be noted that the exclaimation mark is part of the musical's title. Having not seen it, we are not all that excited.
Special Episode: "Under Pressure" -- The well-known hit collaboration of Queen and David Bowie, which (some of you may remember) was sampled by Vanilla Ice for his hit "Ice Ice Baby." The much-maligned white rapper got himself into serious trouble for not paying royalties. "Got Me Under Pressure" is also a song by ZZ Top. They have long beards! Except for the clean-shaven drummer, that is. His name? Frank Beard. Really.
Episode 23: "Blues for Sister Someone" -- A song by Lenny Kravitz. Sources say this episode was originally supposed to be titled "Rhythm of Life," which is the name of songs by Edwin McCain, Prodigy, Paula Cole, Richard Marx and possible others.
Episode 24: "Damage Case" -- Iconic British heavy metal band Motörhead recorded this song on its 1979 album Overkill. Metallica recorded a version of it as part of its Garage, Inc., sessions in 1998, which consisted primarily of covers.
Episode 25: "17 Seconds" - A song, and album of the same name (actually spelled Seventeen Seconds) by The Cure. Released in April, 1980, the album is different than the British alternative-rock band's earlier efforts. It is cohesive and moody, even morose. Rather than being a simple compilation of songs, it tells a story through its mood and lyrics. The record also contains what many believe to be the archetypal Cure song, "A Forest."
Episode 26: "Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response" - The Flaming Lips (right), a group known for its bizarre lyrics and song titles, among other quirks, lay claim to this track. The Oklahoma-based trio have been described as idiosyncratic and alternative, as well as indie rock, post-punk and psychedelic.
Episode 27: "Losing My Religion" - Probably the best-known single from R.E.M., included on its 1991 smash Out of Time. The song is unique in that it features the mandolin as the lead instrument, a rarity for a mainstream pop hit. The title is based on an expression from the Southern U.S., where the band's Athens, Ga., roots are. To lose one's religion is analogous to losing one's civility, like flying off the handle.
SEASON THREE
Episode 1: "Time Has Come Today" - The Chambers Brothers, a soul music group best known for their 1968 hit record, Time Has Come Today, are the inspiration for this episode title.
Episode 2: "I Am a Tree" - Takes its name from a song written by Doug Gillard, and performed by Guided by Voices.
Episode 3: "Sometimes a Fantasy" - This episode's title refers to on a song by Billy Joel.
Episode 4: "What I Am" - The title of the biggest hit by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, and has also been covered by Emma Bunton. The track appears on the hit 1988 album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, one of only two produced by the band. After leaving the group in 1990, Brickell married singer/songwriter Paul Simon.
Episode 5: "Oh, the Guilt" - Long before it had Seattle Grace Hospital, the Emerald City had Nirvana, the grunge rock pioneers that authored a song by this episode's name.
Episode 6: "Let the Angels Commit" -- This episode's title refers to a song by Danielle Howle and the Tantrums.
Episode 7: "Where the Boys Are" -- A song by Connie Francis.
Episode 8: "Staring at the Sun" -- The first single from U2's 1997 release Pop, widely considered one of the band's poorer efforts. Also the name of a song by Wendy and Lisa, and TV on the Radio.
Episode 9: "From A Whisper to a Scream" -- This episode's title refers to a song by Elvis Costello, one later covered by the likes of Robert Palmer, Starsailor, and Icicle Works.
Episode 10: "Don't Stand So Close" -- A hit song by The Police, who soon after recording it, broke up. Another version, "Don't Stand So Close To Me '86" was released in (yes) 1986, and appears on the band's Greatest Hits album.
Episode 11: "Six Days (Part I)" -- Refers to a song by DJ Shadow.
Episode 12: "Six Days (Part II)" -- See above.
Episode 13: "Great Expectations" -- This title refers to a song by KISS. It was originally supposed to be called "Always Something There to Remind Me."
Episode 14: "Wishin' and Hopin'" -- A song by Dusty Springfield that has been covered by Ani DiFranco and Stephanie Macintosh.
Episode 15: "Walk on Water" -- The title of a song by Aerosmith, and of different songs by Milk Inc., Ozzy Osbourne, and Eddie Money.
Episode 16: "Drowning on Dry Land" -- This title refers to songs by Tab Benoit, Fish Soup, and Blues.
Episode 17: "Some Kind of Miracle" -- This episode's title refers to songs by Kelly Clarkson and Girls Aloud.
Episode 18: "Scars and Souvenirs" - A song by Max Stalling. The previous working title for this episode, "Old Wounds," is also the title of a Salem song.
Episode 19: "My Favorite Mistake" - This episode's title refers to a song by Sheryl Crow, the first single from her third album, The Globe Sessions. The song is about a relationship with a man who proves to be unfaithful, and is widely believed to have been written about Eric Clapton.
Episode 20: "Time After Time" - A Cyndi Lauper classic. We love the '80s.
Episode 21: "Desire" - This episode's title refers to songs by Andy Gibb, U2, Talk Talk, Do As Infinity, Geri Haliwell and Savanah.
Episode 22-23: "The Other Side of This Life" - The episode's title refers to songs by David Byrne, Peter, Paul and Mary and Jefferson Airplane.
Episode 24: "Testing 1-2-3" - A Barenaked Ladies song.
Episode 25: "Didn't We Almost Have It All?" - A hit for Whitney Houston.
