Sweatpants & Coffee is hitting the road, heading for the Supernatural Convention in a black….Acura MDX (I know, I know, we wish it was a ’67 Impala too) and we need traveling music! As part of Supernatural week, we wanted to provide the ultimate SPN playlist for your listening pleasure.
Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
It’s technically not the theme song of the show, but it should be. Every season finale we watch a montage of the year set to this classic, and every year it’s a thrill. Not only is it the perfect song to show “The Road So Far”, the lyrics reflect the boys’ deepest of hopes and most impossible of dreams: “There’ll be peace when you are done.”
Renegade by Styx
I maintain: this is one of two of the best musical cues in television history (you’ll see the other below). In the second season episode “Nightshifter”, the boys are framed by shapeshifter who robs a bank and murders people. They escape the FBI investigators that are hunting them by stealing their uniforms and hoods, retreating to the Impala. The quiet opening strains fade to the boys’ panting for breath until Dean, in defeat, says to Sam, “We’re screwed.” The retreating tail lights set to, “Oh, Mama, I’m in fear for my life from the long arm of the law” perfectly frame the defeat and anxiety of the moment.
Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Originally appearing in the season one episode, “Faith” (but interestingly cut from the Netflix airing of the episode), the tone of this song is perfect for the series, and Blue Oyster Cult has long been established as a favorite band of Dean’s. But really? I just included it to honor Death and his employees. Julian Richings deserves every musical homage that one can muster. He is just that good.
Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon
Okay. I know a lot of Supernatural fans hated Jo Harvelle. We here at S&C loved that adorable little badass, and totally agree with her assessment of this song: “Kevin Cronin sings it from the heart.” Hearing Dean wail it out in the Impala? An ear candy bonus. Want to see Dean croon more adult contemporary classics? Check out his version of “All Out of Love” by Air Supply. Sam wasn’t a fan, but I think Dean Winchester makes a minivan look good.
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
In the season four episode “Yellow Fever”, Dean uses this pump-up track to try to regain his courage by playing air drums to it in the Impala. Sadly? Survivor can’t fight ghost sickness so it is to no avail. In the best outtake ever, Jensen Ackles lip-synchs most of the song, dancing and playing air guitar on his leg. He goes for it with no apology, inspiring hoots and hollers from the crew. It. Is. Magic.
Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
The season three finale. A final moment of bonding for the brothers before they Sam loses Dean to the torment of hell. Dean, knowing Sam is fearful and heartbroken at the thought of saying goodbye to the big brother who always made it all okay, reminds Sam that “Bon Jovi rocks, on occasion.” and encourages him to sing along with him as he belts out the lyrics. Ackles face is at once joyous at being with Sam, and terrified and sad at the separation he knows is coming. The scene is wistful and beautiful and makes Dean’s death and Sam’s devastating tears at the episode’s end all that much more painful.
Beautiful Loser by Bob Seger
Season Six opened with Dean as a new man. A carpenter. A father figure. A sort-of husband and dad that throws barbecues and baseballs and lives a normal life in the suburbs. This track plays as we see the contrast of the hunter he was and the everyday man he has become, and the lyrics illustrate his inner turmoil perfectly. “Beautiful loser, where you gonna fall, when you realize you just can’t have it all?” Bob Seger didn’t write this for Dean, but he may as well have.
You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
Dean Winchester. Love scene. Need I say more? So okay, it resulted in the fathering of a rapidly growing Amazon baby that tried to kill him. But hey, you can’t have everything. We got Dean with his shirt off, and that was enough for me.
Rock of Ages by Def Leppard
The second of the two greatest musical cues in the history of ever. Season Five Finale. Lucifer and Michael about to have the showdown of a lifetime, until Dean slaps this cassette into the Impala’s player and bolsters himself to say to them, “Howdy boys. Sorry. Am I interrupting something?” Dean being there is insane. It’s suicide, and he knows it. But he’s never going to leave his little brother out there alone to die at Lucifer’s whim. A kickass intro to what is arguably one of the most moving scenes in the history of the show.
Heat of the Moment by Asia
Sam Winchester never, EVER wants to hear this song again. Especially not on a Tuesday. In the season three episode, “Mystery Spot”, Sam watches Dean die…until the alarm clock radio goes off, blaring Asia, making Dean bellow, “Rise and shine, Sammy!” A nightmare? Not really. It’s a game for the Trickster, and Sam has to live the day over and over again, watching the person he loves most leave him over and over. Nothing could prompt anyone to declare “Back In Time” by Huey Lewis and the News the most beautiful song in the world, but when it’s not an Asia tune and it wakes you up on a Wednesday to your alive and kicking brother, it is okay to wax sentimental.
So, SPN fans, is your favorite song from the show included? What are we missing? Let us know in the comments below!
Jo Heckel
The Road to Nowhere, Ozzy Osborne
Liz
Oh Death by Jen Titus!
Chris Martin
Better than Ralph Stanley’s version?
Natasha McGreal
She’s not there – Santana or Highway to Hell AC/DC xxx
Tara
Crazy Train
Barb
I would add “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Kayla
Yes, or the Shinedown version of it
Shannon
Back in Black by AC/DC, when Dean got the Impala rebuilt in second season, awesome and so perfect!
Sherlock
And season 10. He definitely comes back in back.
Lisa
Man in the Wilderness by Styx
niccolyte
my favorite music cue is O Death, but i agree Renegade is the 2nd best in TV history. Simple Man and Back in Black are definitely on my SPN playlist.
Nikolay
Blonde – One way or another
Tesia Sloan
I’m all out of love, Hot blooded, Cold as ice, Back in time, and A well respected man, just to name a few.
Lucilla
Silent Lucidity by Queensryche, Back in Black by AC/DC and O Death by Jen Titus … my favourite from SPN too …
Marie-Michèle Ricard
Spirit in the Sky
Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Connie
In da Gadda da Vida
Patty
Back in Black by AC/DC
Dianne Hallman
Hells Bells-AC\DC
Mirza
Maybe the BEST song to go would be Night of the Hunter (30 secs. to mars)…..has anyone wonder why this song hasn’t been used in the show????
Kjpshifter
Because its not classic rock. Don’t get me wrong. I love 30stm. They r one of my favorite bands but they aren’t classic rock…yet.
Dana Lee
I have about a 30 song set list. Some of my favorites not listed: “We’re an American Band” (Ghostfacers episode), “Fly by Night” (Pilot), “Hey Man Nice Shot” (Skin), “Rock and Roll Never Forgets” ( Swap Meet), “Bad Moon Rising” ( Devils Trap ), and “Space Oddity” ( Clap Your Hands if You Believe).
catherine anderson
“Gives you Hell” by All American Rejects
NB
Not in the show, but : Cherry Pie (by warrant). Complete Dean song.
danamac448
Cherry Pie was totally on the show in The Song Remains the Same, when Dean wasdreaming of being in the strip club with three girls dressed like an angel and a devil and Anna interrupted his dream.
Tabitha
Actually it is in the show (I know because I agree with you- it says Dean Winchester all over it) but it’s only there for one short scene when he is dreaming.
Britt Winchester
Famous final scene. Bob Seger
Nikki
Silent lucidity
10 More Songs to Listen to While Saving People & Hunting Things
[…] Summer’s here, and that means that no matter what you drive (’67 Chevy Impala preferred, natch) you’re probably going on a road trip. To help you survive Hellatus, I have compiled a second volume of Supernaturally awesome tunes to sing, and in some cases cry, along with as you cruise the open road. Reminder: BEFORE you yell at me for not including ten of the most obvious songs (come on, people, would I really leave “Carry On Wayward Son” out of the mix?) please check out Volume One here. […]
Patty
Fell on Black Days by Soundgarden…used in a couple episodes but used beautifully in the episode “Southern Comfort” by far my favorite montage ever!!
Michelle Caroline
You’re missing “Shambala”, by Three Dog Night. In season two (episode two), “Everybody Loves A Clown”, you can hearing the song blaring from a radio while Dean fixes the Impala.
Ngrim21
So I think Bullet in my hand by Redlight King would be perfect for Supernatural.
Shanon
I was wondering , under You Shook Me All Night, the post says Dean fathered a rapidly growing baby, out to kill him. I absolutely cannot remember this. What season or episode was this?
Manda candy
Boulevard of broken dreams~ Green Day
Mikayla
“Carry on my Wayward Son” hit me right in the feels when I started playing it and i started crying. this is what happens when you watch 3 seasons of Supernatural in 2 days.
jen
totally, cried… lip trembled, omg .
Rachel
I’ve always wondered why they haven’t used Mr. Crowley by Ozzy Ozbourne. Can you imagine Crowley having this as a ringtone. 🙂
jen
Bad Company Ready For Love, season 4 ep 10 Anna stole his best line.
jen
episode Heaven and Hell
jen
Blind Faith Can’t find my way home.The Weight by The Band. Animals House of the Rising sun, Bennie episode. American Woman The Guess Who. Heartbreaker Pat Benatar. Gimme 3 steps Lynyrd Skynyrd