The O.C.

At one point in my life a few years ago, I am not ashamed to admit that I was a “The O.C.” fanatic. I loved that show so much I wasted a month of my life watch reruns of it on the Soap Network (yes, the Soap network) after school. It also wasted lots of room on our DVR (hour long recordings really kill space). Some people will call The O.C. a “girl show” but I would have to say Seth Cohen is one of the funniest, in tune to pop culture, clever characters on TV in the last 5 years.

Due, to Seth’s love of good music, the shows soundtrack reflected that. Weekly you heard stuff from Death Cab (who’s status with me is still up in the air), Modest Mouse, Spoon, Radiohead, Sufjan, Mates of State, and oh so many other great bands. The OC also for the first time debuted a Coldplay song. They used Fix You for the end of one of their episodes before X&Y was released.

Also, look at what The O.C. has created. Shows like Laguna Beach, The Hills, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl all owe The OC for creating the “Teenage Drama” genre that we all know and love. Had they not killed off Marissa, The OC would still be alive and kicking, but for some odd reason the producers killed off the second most popular character (behind Seth of course), but that is material for another blog post later down the road.

At the end of every season, you could always count on them putting out a mix tape of the best music (or what they thought was the best, it is a lot to sift through) on the show that season. I just happen to own all 6 of them, but had forgotten that I had them. Just recently I re-discovered them, and remembered that the OC released a lot of great music in its time. So, next time you are thinking back on the greatness that was The O.C., remember it for it’s music. Not for it’s sometimes not so great acting or for it’s horrible ending 

Some great songs that were played on The O.C.:

The Way We Get By – Spoon

California – Phantom Planet

Little House of Savages – The Walkmen

Smile Like You Mean It – The Killers

A Lack of Color – DCFC

The View – Modest Mouse

Hide and Seek – Imogen Heap

Daft Punk is Playing… - LCD Soundsystem

Kids With Guns – Gorillaz

The list continues for a while after that, but those are just a few notable ones. If you want to come in way late to the OC party, Soapnet shows it at 2 and 3 on weekdays.  Check your pride at the door and watch a great TV show.

Cory, le blog.