10 Best Needledrops on Smallville

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The series Smallville, which ran for a decade, was more than just a groundbreaking show; it left an indelible mark in numerous ways. Apart from kick-starting the Arrowverse and offering captivating portrayals of beloved DC characters, the music in Smallville gained legendary status. The series’ music supervisors, Madonna Wade-Reed and Jen Pyken, skillfully created memorable musical moments that have become synonymous with the show. What set Smallville apart musically was Wade-Reed and Pyken’s knack for selecting songs that were either currently popular or on the verge of becoming so, and then seamlessly connecting them to emotionally impactful scenes in the series. Here are the 10 most defining instances where these needle drops truly resonated on Smallville.

10) “Pain” by Jimmy Eat World

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I’ve seen my fair share of epic battles on the small screen, but the one that truly stands out for me is from Smallville’s Season 4, in the “Transference” episode. In this extraordinary sequence, our beloved Clark Kent (Tom Welling) and the formidable Lionel Luthor (John Glover), who was behind bars at the time, found themselves inhabiting each other’s bodies.

During a raging prison riot, the body swap reached its climax. The tension of switching back between these two characters was masterfully portrayed, and it was during this chaos that Jimmy Eat World’s “Pain” played, perfectly capturing the turmoil and culmination of the episode as Clark reclaimed his own body once again. This scene, with its pulsating rhythm and poignant lyrics, remains etched in my memory as one of the most impactful moments in Smallville.

9) “The Scientist” by Coldplay

In the 17th episode of Season 2 titled “Rosetta” on Smallville, there was a significant milestone when Christopher Reeve made his debut on the series. Famous for embodying Superman in a memorable movie portrayal, Reeve later became part of the Smallville ensemble, playing Dr. Virgil Swann. This character is a billionaire astronomer and leader in satellite communication technology. In the storyline, Dr. Swann reveals crucial information about Clark’s home planet Krypton and provides him with an essential glimpse into his future.

In the coffee shop scene where Clark and Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) converse, playing “The Scientist” by Coldplay serves as an effective method for the series Smallville to subtly influence the episode’s atmosphere beyond dialogue and action. The song is significant because it ties into the central theme of Clark encountering a scientist who has a profound impact on his life, as seen in the episode “Rosetta.” By using this popular tune, the thematic connection remains without distracting from the scene itself. Additionally, the music supervisor Wade-Reed demonstrates his ability to recognize and incorporate emerging musical trends. In the DVD commentary for the episode, actor Tom Welling noted that he specifically requested “The Scientist,” which eventually went platinum in nine countries as it was gaining popularity on the charts.

8) “A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix)” by Elvis Presley, Junkie XL

In Season 2 of Smallville, fans recall the episode titled “Heat” as the one where Clark’s adolescent desires resulted in him gaining his heat vision. To fit Smallville’s revamped portrayal of a young Superman, this episode featured a modern take on Elvis Presley’s popular song “A Little Less Conversation,” playing during the scene where Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) assists Clark in controlling his new skill.

As a movie critic, I must say, the masterful integration of Junkie XL’s remix of “A Little Less Conversation” in the pivotal scene of “Heat” is another testament to Smallville’s music supervisors’ knack for weaving chart-topping hits into their narrative. This song not only marks a turning point and tonal shift within the episode but also mirrors Clark’s emotional transformation. Until this moment, our hero had been grappling with fear and confusion regarding his newfound power. However, “A Little Less Conversation” serves as a musical guide, signaling the audience as we witness Clark’s transition from fear to acceptance of his heat vision. Subtly and intriguingly, the lyrics hint at the “little more action” that led to this superpower, enhancing the suspense and intrigue.

7) “Sober” by Kelly Clarkson

In a way no other series can, Smallville masterfully assembles a closing montage at episode’s end. The use of Kelly Clarkson’s “Sober” in the Season 7 premiere “Bizarro” is arguably one of the series’ finest moments. This song serves as an exceptional symbol of the emotional turmoil experienced by all characters following the intense season opener. We witness a transformation in Clark after Lana’s apparent demise, Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) destroys her death certificate upon her literal resurrection, Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) surrenders for Lana’s murder, but later reveals that Lana is alive and disguised in Shanghai. Lastly, we experience a powerful scene featuring the new character Kara (Laura Vandervoort), or Supergirl, taking flight into the night.

The impactful singing of ‘Sober’ by Clarkson harmonizes perfectly with the montage, subtly reminding viewers of the three-month break since we last saw these characters. It also emphasizes that despite each character having faced their individual challenges, they are all determined to face whatever lies ahead.

6) “You Could Be Happy” by Snow Patrol

In simpler terms, “Smallville” was skillful at beginning episodes with montages, like the one in Season 6’s “Promise” episode that used Snow Patrol’s “You Could Be Happy”. This montage depicted the start of Lex and Lana’s short, stormy marriage, leading up to their wedding day. As the song played, it showed both a hopeful, joyful Lex and Lana, as well as a sad, resigned Clark. The song seemed so fitting for Clark’s feelings about Lana getting married that it could have been written specifically for this show.

5) “Let Me Go” by 3 Doors Down

In Season 4, Episode 19 titled “Blank”, the scene where the song “Let Me Go” by 3 Doors Down plays is particularly cherished by fans. Interestingly, this song was gaining popularity during that time, and its lyrics perfectly matched the episode’s theme of Clark losing his memory. The song’s play during a heart-wrenching conversation between an amnesiac Clark and Lana, who were discussing their past relationship, added depth to the scene and intensified the characters’ longing feelings. To make matters even more poignant, Chloe overhears their discussion and remarks, “It seems like the heart knows more than the brain,” which further emphasizes the song’s request to “let me go.

4) “My Happy Ending” by Avril Lavigne

In Smallville, it wasn’t just Clark and Lana who experienced a tragic love story; the series largely revolved around Chloe’s unrequited feelings towards Clark, often finding herself in the friend zone. The poignancy of this situation was particularly evident in Season 4’s episode “Facade”. Using Avril Lavigne’s song “My Happy Ending” during the scene where Chloe realizes the growing connection between Clark and Lois was a brilliant choice. Since we all know that Clark and Lois are meant to be together, this song served as an apt representation of the bitterness and crushing disappointment Chloe experiences.

3) “Collide” by Dishwalla

In the fifth season’s episode titled “Hidden,” the standout moment is when Clark, who has lost his powers, is fatally shot by a disturbed character, Gabriel Duncan (played by Johnny Lewis). Later, Jor-El, voiced by Terrance Stamp, resurrects Clark and restores his extraordinary abilities to thwart the nuclear threat posed by Gabriel towards Smallville. Clark manages to prevent the town from destruction, followed by an emotional reunion with both his parents and Lana, his girlfriend at that time.

In the television series “Smallville,” Dishwalla’s songs were frequently featured, and among them, “Collide” particularly shines as it encapsulates and amplifies Lana’s surprise and relief at discovering Clark is still alive. The lyrics of this song also offer a glimpse into Clark’s torment and conflicting emotions following the events of “Hidden.” While he’s undeniably joyful to be alive and proud of his rescue efforts, the euphoria of being an ordinary man has passed. With his powers restored, he must once again hide his true identity from Lana, the woman he adores.

2) “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” by Five for Fighting

In 2001, both “Smallville” and Five for Fighting’s hit song “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” were introduced, leading many fans to anticipate its inclusion in the series. Although using a self-referential Superman song could seem too obvious, “Smallville” skillfully integrated it into their first season’s most emotional and poignant episode titled “Stray”. This episode revolves around Clark Kent and his family taking in Ryan James (played by Ryan Kelley), a young boy with mind-reading abilities who is being mistreated by his step-parents.

In this scene, the song “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” plays as Ryan and the Kents bid a heartfelt, emotional farewell to Ryan, who is moving in with his aunt. This moment, filled with nostalgia for fans due to the song’s inclusion, also serves as a subtle hint for the developing relationships between Ryan, Clark, Lana, and Lex. Clark, true to Superman’s character, declines Ryan’s offer of insight into Lana’s feelings, preferring to uncover her emotions on his own. Similarly, he ignores Ryan’s warning about Lex, choosing to maintain optimism towards others. The choice of “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” in this context is clever foreshadowing, suggesting the complexities that will arise in Clark’s relationships with both Lana and Lex, as well as hinting at the heroic journey he is about to embark on.

1) “Everything” by Lifehouse

Lifehouse’s “Everything” marked the conclusion of the first episode of Smallville, depicting Clark Kent envisioning a leisurely dance with Lana in his loft. The song played a crucial role in establishing the series’ tone and offering an unprecedented glimpse into Clark’s teenage longing, which hadn’t been portrayed so deeply or authentically on screen before Smallville. Although we had caught glimpses of Clark from Christopher Reeve’s Superman movies and Dean Cain’s portrayal in Lois & Clark, nothing compared to the detailed and relatable exploration of young Clark that occurred in Smallville. The song, combined with the final scene of the episode, created a captivating moment that was television gold, instantly making us all enamored with the show when it debuted in October 2001.

Besides “Everything” establishing a high standard for the soundtrack of “Smallville”, it eventually gained such iconic status that it ultimately resulted in Lifehouse appearing on the show several years later. The band performed at Smallville High Prom in Season 4, creating another unforgettable musical scene worthy of mention – Lana and Clark slow-dancing to their hit “You and Me”.

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2025-06-29 02:40