The Simpsons changed modern television forever. Its impact on pop culture is undeniable, and the fact that it's still running after three decades on the air is testament to that.
However, more than just animated laughter, The Simpsons has also given us a plethora of musical moments to fawn over, complete with all kinds of musical guest stars popping up across the series.
Artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Billie Eilish have made appearances in Springfield at some point, lending their personalities in ways that endear us again and again.
In this article, we look back at the show's history and revisit the best original songs that were exclusive to The Simpsons.
7. "Happy Birthday Lisa"
When Michael Jackson paid a visit to Springfield, he played a character with severe mental health issues—a topic that was way ahead of its time for primetime television.
From that character, we got "Happy Birthday, Lisa."
When Bart forgets Lisa's birthday—even after she expressly reminds him of it on more than one occasion—she becomes upset because his selfishness invades the one day she wanted to celebrate.
However, Michael Jackson's Leon Kompowsky helps Bart make amends for his selfish nature by co-writing a song with Bart. Not only that, he also helps Bart perform it for Lisa!
It's a sweet rendition of how Bart truly feels about Lisa, with a whole lot of fun thrown in for good measure.
6. "Simpson, Homer Simpson"
Even if you aren't a super fan of The Simpsons, you've probably heard this song! "Simpson, Homer Simpson" goes to the theme tune of The Flintstones, except it's Homer singing about himself.
As he exits the power plant from an open window and slides into his car—smashing his own window in the process—Homer sings what he's doing up until he drives into a chestnut tree.
The tree gag is hilarious, but the reason why the song is so good is because it's short, sweet, and memorable. A Simpsons classic.
5. "Do the Bartman"
Written by Michael Jackson for the show, "Do the Bartman" has been somewhat forgotten as the series plows through the 21st century. However, in its era, it was magnificent.
Jackson's lyrics and composition of this simple song are fun, easy, and perfectly representative of how Bart sees himself.
The song was a hit in the 1990s during a time when The Simpsons was still rising to new heights of fame. In later years, it was also referenced in a callback when Bart breaks out the same moves on the school bus, with Ralph telling him, "That was so 1991."
4. "Baby on Board"
When Homer was part of his famous barbershop quartet The Be-Sharps, he became the chief songwriter for the band and wrote the hit song "Baby on Board."
What makes this song great is that it's genuinely catchy and has a solid ring to it. Despite the fact it came from a car sticker meant to stop people from "intentionally" hitting the Simpsons' car, Homer's song is one of the show's greatest musical achievements.
Furthermore, when they sing it atop Moe's Bar—in a parody of the infamous Beatles on the rooftop—the song is played through to completion by Homer, Barney, Principal Skinner, and Apu.
3. "See My Vest"
"See My Vest" mimics the well-known Disney song "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast. However, in the context of The Simpsons, it's so much more than that.
When Mr. Burns adopts the Simpsons' puppies, what they don't know is that he has nefarious intentions: Burns actually wants to make a coat from the puppies! So, Bart and Lisa end up trying to stop him—but not before we get to hear this catchy song.
It's an old-fashioned toe-tapper with a fun twist as Burns reveals how many animals he has as part of his wardrobe. However, his heart gets the better of him in the end and nobody winds up dead for a coat.
2. "Canyonero"
If there's one song with the biggest cult following in the history of The Simpsons, it has to be "Canyonero." This classic tune has a rhythm that still comes flooding back all these years later.
It's an advertisement featuring Krusty the Clown for the show's version of an all-terrain vehicle that's blighted by significant problems, making fun of the issues that many similar cars had during that era.
Few moments in the show's musical history are as significant as the Canyonero song, if for no other reason than its sheer reality found alongside the madness.
1. "Talkin' Softball"
Though all the other original songs that have appeared in The Simpsons range from memorable to excellent, "Talkin' Softball" is the only song that's actually better than the one it was based on.
It was based on "Talkin' Baseball," which was itself a hit when it released. But then the incredible "Talkin' Softball" came along and became something else entirely.
When Homer and the power plant's softball team won their regional competition to become the 1992 city champions, this song kicked off over the credits and immediately became a classic.
Terry Cashman—the original singer of "Talkin' Baseball"—returned for the vocals, and this song became a perfect representation of the episode and how incredible the early seasons of the show were.
