It’s fascinating to see how music and television interact. I say “fascinating,” because such a combination can readily be used for good or evil. For example: Evil = Diane Warren’s “Faith of the Heart” nearly killing the Star Trek franchise; Good = Selections by David Chase used to augment “The Sopranos” (“Thru And Thru,” The Rolling Stones; “Living on a Thin Line,” The Kinks). Today on theFiver, we’re lucky again to have our boob-tube/music expert Kate Stabile hold forth on the music from the CW’s “Supernatural.”

You guessed it, I have a wee bit of a Supernatural addiction. I started watching the series in season 1, episode 1 and have been hooked ever since. Scoff if you will about a show that airs on the CW network, but I won’t even call it a guilty pleasure, because no guilt is needed. It’s actually a really good show. On the surface you’ve got a bunch of fun elements: plotlines filled with ghosts, demons, vampires and other supernatural baddies; two quite attractive lead actors; quirky supporting characters … something for everyone. However, the crux of the series, and what makes it so good, is the interaction between the two Winchester brothers, played by Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. The chemistry between the actors is just perfect, and it’s very difficult to imagine anyone else playing the roles. Another great thing about it, hence this blog post, is the unexpectedly awesome music that is used in almost every episode. Instead of the usual angst-ridden pop that you might find on most other CW shows, Supernatural strategically places excellent classic rock tunes throughout. There’s nothing like watching Dean Winchester peeling out in that 1967 Chevy Impala to the strains of “Back in Black.”

Enjoy some of my favorite song selections from one of my favorite shows!

Top 5 Songs Used for Montages or Key Scenes in Supernatural

1. “Carry on My Wayward Son,” Kansas (“All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2,” Season 2)
This classic tune was first used in a montage for the season 2 finale, and summarizes the entire season throughout the song, gunshots and screams perfectly placed. Best. Use. Of Kansas. In a montage. Ever.

2. “Time Has Come Today,” The Chambers Brothers (“Everybody Loves a Clown,” Season 2)
Making a deal with the devil never turns out how you’d like it to… In this montage recapping the first episode of season 2, John Winchester makes a deal with the yellow-eyed demon: his life, and soul, in exchange for the life of his son Dean. The ticking of the clock with the repeated lyric “Time” accompanying the events at the end of the montage is incredibly effective.

3. “Renegade,” Styx (“Nightshifter,” Season 2)
The brothers escape from a bank in which they have been pursuing a shapeshifter, evading capture by the authorities, with this song playing in the background. A clever choice, and quite possibly the only cool song Styx has ever recorded.

4. “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” Blue Oyster Cult (“Faith,” Season 1)
I almost hesitated to add this one to the list, because of its irresistible association with a hilarious SNL Behind the Music parody (everybody needs more cowbell). It was also used to good effect in the miniseries of Stephen King’s The Stand. However, Faith is one of my favorite episodes of season 1, and despite its appearances in other notable shows, Don’t Fear the Reaper works quite well here. In the episode, a preacher heals members of his congregation, not knowing that each time he heals, another life is taken. This song plays as Death pursues a young woman through the woods while the preacher performs his “magic”.

5. “Rooster,” Alice In Chains (“Folsom Prison Blues,” Season 2)
Another escape from the law, another cool song. It’s an appropriate choice for the end of this episode, and besides, I just really like Alice in Chains.