19 Best Songs About Television

11. “TV Party” by Black Flag

Song Year: 1981

If you’ve ever sat around with your friends and got drunk – this song is about you. Black Flag recorded “TV Party” to poke fun at the people they knew that would just-drinks and watch TV all night.

Black Flag wants you to go out and party instead. Go see a band or do anything instead of sitting around wasting your life in front of the TV.

While the song is a parody of this type of people, many fans took the song seriously and started doing the exact thing the song was making fun of.  The song became a popular drinking song in the hardcore and punk scene in the 1980s.

12. “Cable TV” by Weird Al Yankovic, A Song About TV

Song Year: 1985

While Weird Al has an entire album about TV shows, Cable TV is the most relevant to this article. “Cable TV.”

The song pokes fun at the sheer absurdness of cable television programs. In cable’s infancy, the shows were much different than the cable TV of today. Al goes on and on about his love for all these shows throughout the track.

He makes direct reference to many popular shows and films,` including “Bugs Bunny” and “Mr. Wizard” but also references oddball channels like the “Racketball Channel” and “Siamese Faith Healer’s Network.”

13. “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits

Song Year: 1985

Sting’s intro lyrics “I want my MTV’ might be one of the most iconic lines from a song in the 1980s. “Money For Nothing” was a smash hit for Dire Straits and won Video of the Year at the 1986 MTV Musci Video Awards.

Mark Knopfler got inspiration and wrote the song while listening to two appliance store employees watching MTV.

The song follows the perspective of these two men and how the bands on TV had everything figured out. Those guys on TV just played guitar and sang some lyrics to get all the money and women they desired.

“Money For Nothing” was an international success and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts.  

14. “Throw Away Your Television” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Song Year: 2002

Television is often presented as an addiction in songs, and this track from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is no exception.

Lead singer Anthony Kiedis had battled drug addiction for years and wants to encourage anyone else with an addiction to throw it away.

Kiedis originally wanted to record the song with the term drug addiction instead of television but changed it. The band feared using drug addiction would cause the song to sound darker, and they were not looking for that type of style on their album “By the Way.”

15. “I Hate The TV” by Violent Femmes

Song Year: 1993

It’s pretty apparent what “I Hate the TV’ is about. The Violent Femmes didn’t pull any punches and went with a direct approach on this track instead of hiding its meaning.

If you’ve ever been obsessed with television and media, this song can help you break that habit. The Violent Femmes understand how the consumption of media can ruin your life. 

16. “Televison Man” by Talkng Heads

Song Year: 1985

While “Found a Job” is an inspiring song about TV, the Talking Heads go on a different route for this tune. “Television Man” is about a man whose entire life revolves around the television.

David Byrne uses his lyrics to explain the dangers of TV and its controlling nature. The narrator in the song uses TV to immerse himself and forget about real life. While a passive lifestyle of enjoyment, the narrator never gets to explore and enjoy reality.

17. Moron TV by Primus

Song Year: 2011

“Moron TV” is another critique of watching too much television.

The first part song focus on a lady watching TV.  She sits and stares at the glowing screen while stuffing her face full of cheddar cheese balls. While fattening herself, the TV is steadily lowering the women’s IQ and filler her brain with nonsense.

The second part of the song revolves around how people get on TV and become famous. Whether it’s a “leaked” sex tape or getting famous for marrying a rock star, many people become famous cause the public will watch almost anything.

18. “The Sun Always Shines on TV” by a-ha

Song Year: 1985

While they’re considered a one-hit-wonder for “Take On Me,” “The Sun Always Shines” was a top 20 hit in the United States for a-ha. 

The song focuses on how something is missing in the narrator’s life. He explains how life is always better on TV, and he escapes by watching television.

While not a healthy way to deal with breakup and heartache, TV provides fantasy and a way to avoid the heartache, at least for now.

19. “Television Rules the Nation” by Daft Punk

Song Year: 2005

While only using four words, Daft Punk sums up the opinion of many musicians. “Television Rules the Nation”

The robotic duo repeats the vocal “Television rules the nation” throughout the song’s 4-minute run time. While simple, the lyrics work great with the distorted bass and synth sounds throughout the son.

Top Songs About Television, Final Thoughts

As you can see, few musicians have a fondness for television. Over the years, many musicians have been critical of television and how it affects society.

From the 60s to today, rock stars want you to stop watching TV and get out and live a life. They also want you to understand that what’s on TV isn’t reality. Wake up and tune out seems to be the message from most musicians.

Did we miss your favorite song about television? We’d love to hear about other TV-related songs.