I don’t think anyone can begin to understand my obsession with One Tree Hill. It is literally the greatest television show of all time. Not only are the characters and plot amazing, but One Tree Hill has introduced me to a lot of amazing music. One Tree Hill aired in 2003, so it is filled with the best early 2000’s songs and gives me such nostalgia. This week I wanted to make a post filled with some of my favorite songs and memories from One Tree Hill’s iconic era.
“There is only one Tree Hill, and it’s your home.” -Haley James Scott
Spoilers Ahead!!!
25 songs, 1 hour and 34 minutes
Song: Drift
Artist: Forty Foot Echo
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: This song plays at the beginning of the first episode of the show. It plays while a Tree Hill Ravens’ basketball game is finishing up and Peyton Sawyer is driving. This is the first song that you hear in the series which makes it special. I like this song because it is very angsty and really captures Peyton as person before you even know her.
Favorite Lyric: I remember when we fell,
You took my whole life, my breath away,
I remember when we kissed, as you drift into the sun
Song: Hands Down
Artist: Dashboard Confessional
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: This is the song playing when Peyton almost hits Lucas with her car in the first episode. It is Peyton and Lucas’ first of many interactions. I really like Dashboard Confessional, and I would have never listened to them if I had not heard this song in One Tree Hill.
Favorite Lyric: My hopes are so high,
That your kiss might kill me.
So won’t you kill me,
So I die happy.
Song: The First Cut is the Deepest
Artist: Sheryl Crow
Genre: Singer/Songwriter
Why I Picked This Song: In an episode in the first season, Haley and Nathan try to score Sheryl Crow tickets, but were out bidded on EBay for them. Later on Haley is working at Karen’s Cafe and Nathan is there waiting for her to close when Sheryl Crow comes in. She performs for Nathan and Haley for “one song per cup of coffee”. I really like this song, because my mom used to listen to Sheryl Crow when I was younger. One of my favorite things about One Tree Hill is that they always have really cool musical guests.
Favorite Lyric: But when it comes to being lucky, he’s cursed
When it comes to lovin’ me, he’s worse
Song: All Kinds of Time
Artist: Fountains of Wayne
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: From the artist who brought you Stacey’s Mom! This song plays in the background as the scenes shift from character to character, starting with Nathan and Haley in his car and ending on Nathan alone in his empty apartment. I really like Fountains of Wayne and I just recently found out they have other songs besides Stacey’s Mom, so the more you know.
Favorite Lyric: And there in a golden ray of light
Song: Empty Apartment
Artist: Yellowcard
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: This song plays as Nathan and Peyton (the worst One Tree Hill couple) argue after Nathan throws a party at his parent’s beach house. Yellowcard is one of my favorite bands and this song is featured on their Ocean Avenue album, which is one of my favorite albums.
Favorite Lyric: And I know how it feels to walk out on your own
Maybe someday I will see you again
Song: Stars and Boulervards
Artist: Augustana
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: This song plays while Brooke and Lucas dance together at Nathan and Haley’s wedding. As you can see by the gif, Lucas is comforting Brooke, which is really cute. I really like this song. It has a chill kinda vibe and I love that it reminds me of Nathan and Haley’s wedding.
Favorite Lyric: I fear
That sunrise will come too soon and you’ll
Disappear
To the haze of a city and yourself
Song: Missing You
Artist: Tyler Hilton
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: Tyler Hilton plays Chris Keller in One Tree Hill. I have a love hate relationship with Chris Keller because he is literally the worse but eventually you grow to think he is a little bit funny. Chris Keller is a musician and a talented one at that, so I thought I should include one of “Chris Keller’s” greatest hits.
Favorite Lyric: It’s my heart that’s breaking
Down this long distance line tonight
Song: Here Comes a Regular
Artist: The Replacements
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: Peyton and her birth mom get really close, only for Peyton to find out her mom is dying from breast cancer. Peyton puts together a benefit CD and concert because music is a passion both she and her mom have in common. This song plays in the background as her mom is dying and she is picking up the final copies of the CD. It is kind of morbid, but this song is really beautiful. I love listening to it when I am sad. It is an amazing song to end a very heartbreaking story line.
Favorite Lyric: All I know is I’m sick of everything that my money can buy
A fool who wastes his life, God rest his guts
Song: Dark Blue
Artist: Jack’s Mannequin
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: Jack’s Mannequin performed at the all ages night club in Tree Hill, Tric, for a benefit concert after Peyton’s mom died, to raise money for cancer. I never heard of Jack’s Mannequin before this and I really like their sound!
Favorite Lyric: Have you ever been alone in a crowded room?
Song: The Mixed Tape
Artist: Jack’s Mannequin
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: Any time I hear this song I remember hearing it on One Tree Hill. I really like this song, and it reminds me of a lot of the music that is played on the show.
Favorite Lyric: Where are you now?
As I’m swimming through this stereo
I’m writing you a symphony of sound
Song: A Little Less Sixteen Candles a Little More “Touch Me”
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: Fall Out Boy also played at the benefit concert Peyton organized at Tric. Through this episode the weirdest/best story line was born. . . Peyton was dating Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy. It was a short lived plot but it will forever live on in my heart.
Favorite Lyric: You’re just the girl all the boys want to dance with
And I’m just the boy who’s had too many chances
Song: I’ve Got a Dark Alley And A Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song)
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Genre: Punk
Why I Picked This Song: I love Fall Out Boy. A lot of their music was featured on One Tree Hill considering the early 2000’s was peak Fall Out Boy era. This is one of my favorite song’s from Fall Out Boy’s From Under the Cork Tree album.
Favorite Lyric: And the poets are just kids who didn’t make it
And never had it at all
Song: Don’t Wait
Artist: Dashboard Confessional
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: This song was played during a montage of different clips. Skills asks Lucas for a favor regarding basketball, Nathan’s mom, Deb, grabs a pill bottle that she was hiding in a vase, and Nathan’s Uncle Cooper flat lines after getting into a car crash after Nathan and Haley’s wedding. As I said before, I really like Dashboard Confessional and this song is another good one from the band. It has a slower and more calming sound than the other song I featured.
Favorite Lyric: Don’t wait, Don’t wait
The lights will flash and fade away
The days will pass you by
Don’t wait
Song: Light Up the Sky
Artist: Yellowcard
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: This song plays in the first episode that takes place after the gang graduates from high school and college when they are living their lives separately across the country as adults. It shows Brooke Davis running her fashion empire in New York City and Peyton being miserable interning for a music company. I really like seeing how everything panned out for the characters after high school.
Favorite Lyric: Let me light up the sky
Light it up for you
Song: All In My Head (Radio Mix)
Artist: Nick Lachey
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: Nick Lachey was on an episode on One Tree Hill where he recorded one of Haley’s songs. I am so obsessed with this song. Over the summer I probably listened to it like 5 times a day. It always puts me in a really good mood.
Favorite Lyric: She said she said
Said she wants to marry me
It’s all in my head
That’s just not reality
Song: Timshel
Artist: Mumford & Sons
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: After Haley’s mom dies, she has a hard time coping. This song plays in the background as Haley has flashbacks of her and Nathan’s relationship as she sinks to the bottom of their pool. I love Mumford & Sons, they are one of my favorite bands. The lyrics of this song go along perfectly with Haley’s life at this moment of time. It is about someone going through depression, but the singer is saying that they will be there for the person, just like Nathan is there for Haley. I honestly didn’t even realize this song was played in the show until I started looking at every song from every episode, but I love Mumford & Sons so I had to include it.
Favorite Lyrics: But I can’t move the mountains for you
Song: Dance So Good
Artist: Wakey!Wakey!
Genre: Singer/Songwriter
Why I Picked This Song: Wakey!Wakey! plays Grubs, a bartender at Tric. Later on it is found out that Grubs is a phenomenal singer and this is one of the songs he performs on the show. Last year Wakey!Wakey! came to Seton Hall to sing in the cove. My friends and I went and we really enjoyed his voice. Afterwards, we got to meet him and he was so nice! I really like his music and he is a cool person.
Favorite Lyric: Sometimes I wonder how you stay so sad
When you’re so beautiful
Song: Why Ya Wanna
Artist: Jana Kramer
Genre: Country
Why I Picked This Song: Jana Kramer played a character named Alex, who was an actress turned singer. Her character was pretty problematic at the start, but then she had some pretty nice character development. I like Jana Kramer as an actress and a singer.
Favorite Lyric: Since we been over been trying like crazy to get you out of my head
Song: Whiskey
Artist: Jana Kramer
Genre: Country
Why I Picked This Song: I love this song! I really like country music, so I liked Jana Kramer even before I knew she was on One Tree Hill. This song is a huge mood.
Favorite Lyric: The burn and the sting and the high and the heat
And the left me one more feeling when he kissed me
I shoulda just called him whiskey
Song: How
Artist: Maroon 5
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: This song plays after Chase and Alex finish a game of golf and when Nathan and Julian are talking at a bar. This song doesn’t have any sentimental quality to the show, but I love Maroon 5 and I never heard the song until it was on the show.
Favorite Lyric: I’m asking for your help
I am going through hell
Afraid nothing can save me
Song: Sweet and Low (Acoustic Version)
Artist: Augustana
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: This is Brooke and Julian’s first dance song. Honestly I don’t love anyone the way I love Brooke Davis. She is such an important character and her wedding was such a special moment because she finally got her happy ending and there is no one more deserving. I could talk about Brooke Davis all day. But this song and this moment was so cute and romantic, I might cry just thinking about it.
Favorite Lyric: Hold me down, sweet and low, and I’ll carry you home
Song: The Girl
Artist: City and Colour
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: For Valentine’s Day, Clay rented out Tric, the night club, and hired City and Colour to perform a private concert for Quinn. It was such a beautiful and romantic gesture and this song is just as beautiful and romantic.
Favorite Lyric: Please, know that I’m yours to keep
My beautiful girl
Song: Northern Wind
Artist: City and Colour
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: I had never heard of City and Colour until he performed on One Tree Hill, but he is so amazing and talented. If you are interested in artists like Mumford & Sons, Birdy, and Ed Sheeran you will probably like City and Colour as well.
Favorite Lyric: You are all four seasons
Rolled into one
You’re like the cold December snow
In the warm July sun
Song: One Tree Hill
Artist: U2
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: Every episode is named after a song, and this is the song that named the whole show. It is played in the last episode of the show at the end and it makes me cry every time. Listening to it makes me so emotional because I love One Tree Hill so much.
Favorite Lyric: The moon is up and over One Tree Hill
We see the sun go down in your eyes
Song: I Don’t Want to Be
Artist: Gavin DeGraw
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: This is the theme song. In the video above the cast is in the crowd singing along and it makes me cry every time I watch it. Whenever I hear this song I think about One Tree Hill.
Favorite Lyric: I don’t want to be anything
Other than what I’ve been trying to be lately
Not to be dramatic, but One Tree Hill shaped me into the person I am today. I hope you can find some songs you like!! And I hope you have watched/decide to watch One Tree Hill!