Original music and musical moments have been a part of television for decades. Whether the song is featured in a musical-themed episode or used as a plot device, they are always a treat to hear. However, not all comedic songs are jams, and some are either funnier than others or just better-written songs.
Unfortunately, there are just too many hilarious songs featured on television, and some did not make the cut, including 30 Rock’s “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” and The Office’s “That One Night." The songs included on this list are not only funny, but they are also catchy musical masterpieces, and some may even make you cry. Here are the 10 funniest songs in television, ranked.
“Rosa, Rosa, Rosa” - Brooklyn Nine-Nine
There are a lot of musical moments featured on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Jake Peralta loves to sing, and his recurring best friend and part-time criminal, The Pontiac Bandit, otherwise known as Doug Judy, sings one of the show’s most memorable tunes. During the episode “The Cruise,” Jake and Amy’s vacation becomes detective work as they discover that Doug Judy is the musical entertainment on the ship and is in danger of being murdered.
Knowing that someone is attempting to kill him on the cruise ship, Judy sings to a crowd of people a song with very specific details that helps Jake find the assassin.
Spanish Rap - Community
Thanks to the creative team behind Community and the talents of Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) and Danny Pudi, the show had several funny songs throughout its run. But its simplest one, the “Spanish Rap” featured at the end of the “Spanish 101” episode, is still it’s best. The Troy and Abed duo concocts a catchy rap spoken in Spanish as a way to study for their Spanish class. It’s a hilarious freestyle rap in which they exchange verses while the other beatboxes.
A similar rap is featured again in “Anthropology 101,” this time featuring special guest Betty White and the lyrics centered around Anthropology instead of Spanish.
“It Ain’t Easy Being White” - Arrested Development
According to GOB, this song, which is actually a parody of The Muppet song “Being Green," was designed to “break down racial barriers," but, with GOB singing both his parts and Franklin’s parts, the song ended up just being flat out racist. Franklin, GOB’s puppet which emulates African American stereotypes, is treated like a real person by both the Bluth family and others that encounter the puppet. Both Franklin and his song became signature running gags throughout the show’s run, with each recurrence destined to bring laughter. This song was even featured as a track in the Arrested Development album At Long Last…Music and Songs from Arrested Development.
“Chocolate Salty Balls” - South Park
Chef’s innuendo-filled song first appeared in the 1998 South Park episode “Chef’s Chocolate Salty Balls” but has since become an enduring musical piece of the show. In fact, the song skyrocketed to number one on the UK Singles chart and was even performed by Isaac Hayes (who voices Chef) at one of his concerts. Despite the song’s obvious sexual content, it actually is a brilliant piece of music with an irresistibly funky beat.
“Smelly Cat” - Friends
Phoebe Buffay’s iconic comedy song has been a staple of the television show since its introduction in the episode, “The One with the Baby on the Bus." “Smelly Cat," co-written by Lisa Kudrow and Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde (who also guest-starred in the episode), is simply a song about a smelly cat and was only intended to be featured in one episode. However, its popularity with audiences grew, and soon Phoebe’s song became a jingle for a cat litter commercial and then a means for reconnecting with Phoebe’s estranged father.
“Who Needs the Kwik-E Mart?” - The Simpsons
Who needs the Kwik-E Mart? Well, apparently Apu does. Although Apu sings and dances while telling the Simpson family that he has moved on from his life at Kwik-E mart after being fired, the song is really about Apu lying to himself. Featured in the episode “Homer and Apu," the song “Who Needs the Kwik-E Mart?” is a clear standout in an already great and emotional episode. The song even earned The Simpsons another Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Music and Lyrics”.
“Free Love Freeway” - The Office (U.K.)
Featured in the “Training” episode of the original (U.K.) version of The Office. During a company-mandated training day, David Brent, in typical Brent fashion, slowly hijacks the seminar and at one point pulls out a guitar and starts singing his original tunes.
“Free Love Freeway,” the 80s inspired acoustic ballad, is the clear standout of the episode. Gareth and Tim’s passionate backing vocals make an already catchy song even better. The song is so good that Noel Gallagher of Oasis recorded an official version with Gervais.
“Pinot Noir” - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Thanks to Tina Fey and characters like Titus Andromedon, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has featured numerous memorable musical moments over its four-season run. Even the show’s theme song by The Gregory Brothers is a hilarious song that describes the character of Kimmy Schmidt perfectly.
Yet, the show’s greatest musical performance goes to Titus’ “Pinot Noir” song in season one’s episode “Kimmy Goes to School.” The double entendre song is a catchy, rhyme-filled masterpiece that garnered Titus Burgess an Emmy nomination. Just be careful, this song is bound to be stuck in your head for days.
“Dayman” - It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia
The entire “The Nightman Cometh” episode has several amazing songs to choose from, but its best song is undoubtedly “The Dayman." The song is extremely catchy, hilarious, and its It’s Always Sunny at its best. The song first appeared in the episode “Sweet Dee’s Dating a Retarded Person” and then reappeared in full force in Charlie Kelly’s bizarre Dayman/Nightman musical in “The Nightman Cometh”.
Even with the infectious lyrics and catchy tune, the song’s MVP truly relies on Dennis’ rupturing “ah-ah-ah." Without it, the song would be completely different.
“5000 Candles in the Wind” – Parks and Recreation
This might not be one of the funniest songs on this list, but it still rightfully deserves its place. When beloved town mascot Little Sebastian passes away, the entire town of Pawnee is in deep mourning. Tasked with coming up with a tribute song for the miniature horse, Andy Dwyer decides to reinvent Elton John’s classic, “Candle in the Wind” and add 5,000 more candles.
The result is a funny yet solemn original song that completely encapsulates Pawnee as a town. The song’s reappearance in the Unity Concert in Season six’s “Moving Up" combined an already wonderful song with the musical power of Duke Silver and the hologram of Lil’ Sebastian. Rest in Peace Lil’ Sebastian, you are dearly missed.
