Four Moving Musical Moments on Friday Night Lights

When Friday Night Lights was on NBC, I only watched one episode. But now that it is streaming on Netflix, I have been completely addicted to watching episode after episode until I have to go to bed or go to work. The story is great, the characters are emotionally addictive and the actors are excellent. But the music used in each episode really helps get the story across. Here are four of my favorite musical moments from this underrated show.

1. Dead Man’s Will by Calexico

In the FNL episode entitled “Iron & Wine,” this song plays as the two Riggins boys share a beer following a knockdown, drag out fight between the two of them. The older Riggins boy – Billy – was angry at Tim for going to visit their father. The brothers have physical fights throughout the series but they always make up soon afterwards. The same song is played (on purpose, not accidentally) during an episode in the last season when the brothers get into another fight at The Landing Strip. As such, this song seems to be a way to bookend their relationship.

2. Zero Point by the Kashmere Stage Band

In one of the funnier scenes in the entire series, the entire Dillon Panthers football team dances and strips down to their skivvies at a pep rally planned and designed by Tyra and Lyla. The song was perfect for a fun male strip show with its 1970s funk beat. The band was just a high school band from Houston a couple decades ago but they won a variety of musical competitions and awards to become a fairly big name.

3. Something Good This Way Comes by Jakob Dylan

In one of the more touching scenes of the series and probably the most touching in season 3, this song plays as Matt Saracen goes to the assisted living facility where he placed his grandma. He rescues her from the facility and gives this reason: “You’re the only one who hasn’t left me so I’m not going to leave you.” The song is gentle and redemptive and it’s hard to have a dry eye when watching this scene play out so sweetly.

4. Friday Night Lights Theme by W.G. Snuffy Walden

No list would be complete without mentioning the actual theme song of the show. I get excited when I hear the ringing instrumental at the start of the show and then get anxious to get the next episode started when I hear it when the credits start to roll. It’s simple yet dramatic in its simplicity and I couldn’t think of any other song that would be a better theme song for this great show.