Have you heard of 1960s band The Trashmen? Well-a....Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the funniest and most impressive songs featured on “Family Guy.” For this list, we’ll be looking at both original numbers and covers of other popular hits.
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00:00 "Hey, what do you say we sing a driving song?"
00:02 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the funniest and most impressive
00:08 songs featured on Family Guy. For this list, we'll be looking at both original numbers and
00:13 covers of other popular hits. "Damn it, Griffin, I said no showboating!" "This calls for a victory
00:20 tour!" 20. The Rose "Some say love, it is a river."
00:30 If there's one thing this show excels at, it's niche references. Originally sung by
00:38 Bette Midler in a film of the same name, Family Guy somehow took the ballad and added a fun spin
00:43 to it. After suggesting they sing some driving music, Peter immediately breaks into song.
00:49 "Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed."
01:02 Before long, the family joined in, adding surprisingly haunting harmonies and a dramatic
01:10 flair. It's hard not to feel a little moved by the sheer passion coming from the Griffins.
01:15 "When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long."
01:28 Once the cover is finished, they immediately cut the serious moment by acting as though they were
01:35 recording it themselves, and even referred to a sound engineer on their hood. The witty,
01:40 absurdist ending re-centered the comedy and was a perfect payoff to the bits.
01:44 19. Gotta Give Up The Toad A good lesson, and a hilarious song? Sign us up!
02:10 After Ko-Ong is overcome with psychedelic spiked toads, Peter goes undercover at James Woods High
02:16 to convince the students not to partake. How does he do this? By launching into a Greece-inspired
02:23 bop about the dangers of the drug. Soon, the other students can't help but join in, creating a fun
02:29 group number. "Gotta give it up, give up the toad now, it's no joke, but he gave it up."
02:36 Filled to the brim with comical lines and slightly sensationalized side effects,
02:41 it showcased the writers' chops for comical songwriting. It served as both a PSA and a
02:47 playful homage to an iconic film. It also proved early on that they weren't afraid to tackle
02:57 important issues like underage drug use in the funniest and most ludicrous way possible.
03:02 18. Can't Touch Me The program took us back to the early 90s
03:17 with this rendition of MC Hammer's iconic hits. After realizing his house is technically on
03:23 sovereign land, Peter immediately lets his newfound immunity get to his head. He displays this new
03:29 disregard for the law in this parody, where he lifts off the crimes he can get away with.
03:34 What makes it even better is when he breaks the fourth wall to say that the rapper can't sue him
03:39 due to his indemnity. It's all topped off with a classic quip reminding viewers that despite his
03:52 new leadership role, he's still the exact same guy. It was a fun reference that also helped
03:58 develop the plot, making it a win-win for the story and the fans. 17. Ear Rock Lobster
04:14 Absurdist humor is this show's bread and butter. Several jokes make you wonder just how the writers
04:24 conceptualized them, and this is one of the best examples. Parodying Rock Lobster,
04:30 Peter sings a new rendition about one from Iraq. Simultaneously stupid and genius,
04:41 multiple lines are laugh-out-loud funny. The turban-clad crustacean dancing along to the guitar
04:47 is the cherry on top. The moment also provided a much-needed moment of levity in what's considered
04:53 to be their most tragic installment. While the inclusion of a silly moment during the highly
04:58 emotional story was risky, it ended up being exactly what the audience needed.
05:03 It served as an oasis amongst the darker plot. 16. Come On Home
05:19 In an episode primarily set in South Korea, it only makes sense that they would include
05:24 an impromptu K-pop performance. Combining the key elements of the genre, such as the intense
05:30 choreography and the dynamic instrumentals, it ended up being a near-perfect representation.
05:36 It's sung by the gang as they desperately try to convince Quagmire to return to America with them.
05:47 While the music itself is catchy, it's the visuals that stand out. There's something new to notice
05:53 every time, making it perfect for endless re-watches. They even included a reprise
05:59 at the very end that helped close out the story on a high note. After this,
06:03 we hope they'll continue to experiment and step outside their comfort zone.
06:08 15. This Old Town While Meg's centred stories used to be the
06:27 most hated, the modern seasons have proved that she has plenty of comedic potential.
06:32 This is most evident in the arc where she temporarily moved to Russia. The subplot
06:38 opens with a reference to Beauty and the Beast, where the teenager croons about the village
06:42 and its quirks. While she is celebrated in the song, it still playfully pokes fun at her. This
06:56 helped create the perfect dichotomy between her past role as an emotional lightning rod
07:01 and her new developments as an independent young woman. The juxtaposition of the light Disney music
07:15 with the dreary visuals was perfectly executed. It allowed her to have her main character moment
07:21 while still maintaining her quirks. 14. This House Is Freakin' Sweet
07:35 While the show had featured shorter original songs in the first season, this number at the
07:50 beginning of the second was the first full-length one to be featured. It immediately set the bar
07:55 high, with clever visual gags and hysterical lyrics about the lengths the staff would go to
08:00 to serve the family. It's a grandiose and ambitious scene that showcased the series' potential early
08:06 on. The musical theatre-inspired bop had a little something for everybody. Pop culture references,
08:25 witty lines, and a genuinely impressive instrumental. The fanfare of the piece being
08:30 cut with deadpan humour afterward was the perfect ending. Without it, we may not have gotten some of
08:36 our favourite Family Guy performances. And so, it deserves nothing but respect.
08:41 13. My Drunken Irish Dad This has it all. An addictive and
09:02 culturally accurate instrumental, clever lyrics, and undeniably fun energy. After travelling to
09:09 Ireland to meet his biological father, Peter bonds with him the only way he can, by drinking. What
09:15 follows is a track that shows exactly where he gets his personality from. It's hard not to dance
09:21 along with the other patrons as they sing Irish surnames with perfect rhythm.
09:25 14. Brian's Sheep Doppelganger The inclusion of Brian's Sheep
09:34 Doppelganger was a clever detail that added a fun visual component. It's no wonder that it ended up
09:40 being nominated for the highest honour in the art form, an Emmy for outstanding music and lyrics.
09:46 While it didn't win, there's no doubt that it's one of the most memorable in the show's catalogue.
09:51 12. Road to Rhode Island This is the piece that kicked off a
10:12 time-honoured tradition. It appears in the very first Road to episode, and has become one of the
10:18 most beloved songs from the show's original era. While travelling home by train, Brian and Stewie
10:24 reminisce on their tumultuous trip before breaking into a jazzy performance, complete with costumes.
10:31 It was the first true development of the characters' friendship and featured their
10:35 acerbic wit and playful insults towards one another. 13. The Pigeon
10:48 There are meta moments sprinkled throughout about their older references and disregard for
10:54 censorship, adding another humorous level to the production. It's full of the funny elements that
10:59 made the program so beloved in the first place, and it holds a place in the hearts of fans everywhere.
11:12 11. Pop-Tart Who would have thought that Peter and
11:19 Quagmire would make the perfect musical duo? Into Harmony's Way provided several bona fide bangers
11:26 in just 20 minutes. Silly ditties like "Everyone from Florida is Stupid" were a constant delight.
11:31 Even the songs during the group's decline, like "Parents are Gross", were the perfect
11:39 combination of amusing and edgy. However, "Pop-Tart" is undoubtedly the standout hit
11:49 in their fictional discography. The catchy tune and lyrics are an instant earworm,
11:54 and it's hard not to get it stuck in your head. The fact that it's Seth MacFarlane harmonizing
11:59 with himself only makes it all the more impressive. With hits like this, it's a shame that
12:04 they broke up before the episode even ended. 10. Surfing Bird
12:19 This is proof that you never know what's going to resonate with fans. It made its first appearance
12:30 in season 7, where Peter rediscovered his love for it and began playing it non-stop.
12:36 It eventually culminated in the record being destroyed. You'd think this would mark the
12:45 end of the song in the series, but its inclusion has actually gone on to become one of their most
12:50 beloved running jokes. They managed to incorporate it in unique ways, even including new variations
12:57 of the dance. It's quickly become one of the staples of the program, and everyone from casual
13:09 viewers to hardcore enthusiasts can't help but laugh along. It's a timeless reference that we
13:14 hope doesn't go away anytime soon. 9. Mr. Booze
13:24 When Peter and Brian convinced their fellow Alcoholics Anonymous members to start drinking
13:44 in secret again, the group is surprisingly well prepared. When the police come a-knockin',
13:50 they launch into a revival-style musical number railing against the dangers of alcohol.
13:54 Besides being a toe-tappingly catchy song, the whole sequence is a loving tribute to a
14:06 near-identical one from the classic Rat Pack film, Robin and the Seven Hoods, in which bootleggers
14:11 pull a similar stunt to avoid suspicion from the authorities. This may be the first entry on our
14:23 list to demonstrate the show's love of older cinema, but it won't be the last. 8. Vasectomy
14:37 Let these guys explain.
14:38 After Peter expresses his unfamiliarity with what a vasectomy is, Brian calls in a barbershop
14:57 quartet that was apparently waiting just outside the door to explain it to him.
15:02 Sung to the tune of "Goodbye My Coney Island Baby", vasectomy alternates between a detailed
15:08 medical explanation on how it's done and an explanation on how the procedure somehow
15:12 diminishes one's manhood. The song also goes on a significant tangent, with the quartet
15:21 suggesting that Peter could have an affair and disparaging sexual harassment seminars,
15:26 all in perfect unison. Family Guy tends to run jokes into the ground in very amusing ways,
15:39 and this was a perfect example of that. 7. Christmas Time Is Killing Us
15:53 Peter and Brian discover that Santa Claus and his elves are strung out and overworked
16:05 from their grueling schedule. St. Nick and company then deliver an incredibly grim and
16:10 dour song in which they reveal the less than jolly side of the Christmas season.
16:20 While we were tempted to include the other Christmas-themed song from the episode,
16:25 "All I Really Want For Christmas", ultimately we had to go with this
16:28 Grammy-nominated tune for its more memorable, darker tone.
16:41 6. I Need A Jew When Peter is in need of financial advice,
16:56 he sings about his wish to have someone, namely a stereotypical Jewish person, help him sort out
17:02 his money, and a number satirizing "when you wish upon a star". Besides being offensive, if rather
17:09 funny, "I Need A Jew" got the show in hot water in the form of a lawsuit, but not for the reason
17:15 you'd think. The Bourne Company, who owns the rights to "When You Wish Upon A Star", filed the
17:25 suit, claiming that the lyrics damaged the original's integrity and infringed upon copyright.
17:30 However, parody falls within fair use, so Family Guy won the case, so this outrageous song continues
17:37 to run in syndication. 5. It's A Wonderful Day For Pie
17:54 The multiverse is full of musical possibilities, which Brian and Stewie discover on their journey
18:07 through alternate realities. In one such locale, the duo encounters a version of their family that
18:13 spontaneously bursts into a song about pie in a musical moment inspired by Disney. Accompanied
18:27 by visuals like the anthropomorphic animals and objects, "It's A Wonderful Day For Pie" pokes fun
18:32 at the typical Disney musical style, but it's just as catchy, enchanting and enthralling as the
18:38 material it lampoons. 4. You Have AIDS
18:49 It must have taken a special kind of demented genius to come up with this cutaway song gag.
19:00 After Peter claims to be good at delivering bad news, the scene cuts to him leading a barbershop
19:05 quartet that's serenading a poor AIDS patient about the fact he has the terrible, incurable disease.
19:12 The song is catchy, upbeat and in the worst possible taste, which caused several AIDS
19:27 support organisations to protest it. However, the fact that the song is so ironically thoughtless
19:34 is what makes it so effectively cringeworthy and hilarious. 3. Bag Of Weed
19:56 Ryan's attempts to get people excited to legalise marijuana at a park go strangely unheard,
20:01 so Stewie offers to spice up his presentation with an improvised musical number.
20:06 What follows is a cheerful and incredibly catchy song, backed by a marching band and accompanied
20:11 by creative choreography and fancy footwork. In yet another example of Family Guy using a
20:20 tune from film, A Bag Of Weed is based on the song Me Olde Bamboo from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
20:26 This counter-cultural melody blazes its own unique trail though.
20:42 2. Shapoopy When Peter joins the New England
21:00 Patriots football team, he shows off a bit after making a touchdown. On one occasion, however,
21:05 he manages to take it to another level entirely, launching into a rendition of Shapoopy, a song
21:12 from the classic musical The Music Man. He is readily joined not only by the other players,
21:22 but also the audience, referees, band and even viewers watching on TV in an elaborate,
21:28 utterly spontaneous extravaganza of song and dance.
21:35 This is one high-stepping, show-stopping, unforgettable moment in the show's history
21:40 that we still can't get out of our heads.
21:42 1. The FCC Song
22:10 After Peter creates his own TV station,
22:19 Lois calls in the FCC to censor him when his programming gets a bit too risque.
22:24 However, Peter is ready with a rebuttal and launches into this song, which is set to the
22:29 tune of Volunteer Fireman's Picnic from the stage musical Take Me Along. Peter, accompanied by Stewie
22:43 and Brian, sings about America's censorship bureau and their draconian attempts to enforce decency
22:49 upon television, complete with clips of the many times Family Guy has given decency the finger.
22:55 With its infectious melody and funny visuals, this song is a hit with everyone,
22:59 even the FCC itself, who, unfortunately, hasn't taken the hint.
23:03 What song from Family Guy do you think is the most clever? Let us know in the comments below!
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23:26 Thanks for watching!