The Office has many iconic moments and scenes and some are even funnier and more unforgettable because of their music. Whether it’s Dwight who listens to R.E.M. in his car alone or Michael trying to cure his broken heart with James Blunt tunes, these musical references not only fit the scenes perfectly but also elevated them.
Music often played the main comedic role in these scenes. Fans will remember these very best musical moments in The Office, both the emotional and the more energetic.
“Everybody Hurts” – R.E.M.
In one of the best and most chaotic episodes, “The Fire,” Michael keeps praising Ryan for going to business school and Dwight gets upset for having to fight for Michael’s validation, as usual.
The scene becomes special when Jim and Pam try to comfort Dwight as he listens to “Everybody Hurts” bitterly in his car. This is one of the rarest moments where Dwight is in a vulnerable place and doesn’t try to mock them for a change. His face, accompanied with the intense R.E.M. tunes, is so iconic that it’s a meme-worthy moment.
“Just Dance” – Lady Gaga
This is a scene mostly known for the memes it inspired, but it’s also one of the most unforgettable openings in the show: Michael approaches with his car and says “It’s Britney b*tch,” while listening to Lady Gaga’s famous song.
This moment remains iconic in sitcom history because it does an excellent job of representing Michael’s oblivion and weird sense of humor, fitting with the show’s general absurd tone. This sequence is one the best examples of Michael’s sass, and the music made it all the better.
“Country Roads, Take Me Home” – John Denver
When Andy and Dwight casually rock a jam session in the break room, Erin starts to sing along and compliment Dwight. That’s when the session becomes a musical competition for her attention.
This scene is one of the best musical moments throughout the show, wrapping up a fast-paced and impressive talent show for both sides. Things get weird and hilarious when they get so caught up in the duet that they don’t even realize that Erin’s gone. John Denver’s most iconic track is a perfect choice for this scene, as it’s already a catchy and enthusiastic song, fitting the show’s general tone and aesthetic.
“Tiny Dancer” – Elton John
In one of the most emotional scenes of the show, Jim watches Pam go after she had one too many drinks at the infamous Dundie Awards night on The Office. Jim stands outside, with a big smile on his face, probably thinking of her little kiss from earlier.
Elton John’s iconic song gives this scene a very accurate touch, not because of the lyrics but the melody. It’s in great harmony with Jim’s naïve and hopeful feelings for Pam. “Tiny Dancer” presents a melancholic yet joyful feeling and it’s the same combination of emotions that Jim feels in this ending sequence.
“Goodbye My Lover” – James Blunt
Michael has many love interests and heartbreaks throughout The Office, and this sequence is another hilarious example of him being overly dramatic with his emotions. After Carol breaks up with him for 100 percent valid reasons, Michael listens to the non-official breakup song of the early 2000s.
This scene is one of the cringest moments for Michael, not because of the irony of them never being an actual couple, but also the fact that he tries to embrace a post-breakup aesthetic with a 30-second long demo (instead of just buying the song). His poor vocals and facial expressions are sure to crack the audience up, every time.
“With Or Without You” – U2
When Michael takes a trip to New York for a corporate presentation, he shows a weird video clip called “The Faces of Scranton” instead of sharing actual business material.
The fact that Michael chose “With or Without You” as background music is the main comedic element in this scene because it’s completely irrelevant and makes everyone cringe in the room. Michael’s non-professional behavior may be old news, but among his many poorly edited videos, this one marks a special level of cringe, thanks to some unnecessarily dramatic U2 tunes.
“Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
After Stanley’s heart attack recovery, everyone gathers around for a first aid course, and the instructor references the famous Bee Gees song for the right tempo to practice PCR.
It’s not the first time that things go wrong or there’s some bizarre scandal in The Office, but it definitely marks a very enthusiastic one. They all get caught up in the song that they completely forget about the context. Between Andy’s high-pitched, inappropriate vocals and Kelly’s dance combined, everything gets out of control very quickly. This scene marks one of the best uses of music in The Office to elevate the element of absurdity, and it’s hilarious, even rewatched countless times.
“Son Of A Preacher Man” – Dusty Springfield
Michael organizes a baby shower for Jan, but it turns out that she has already delivered the baby. When they gather around in the conference room with the baby, Jan sings to her newborn, Astrid.
RELATED: 10 Things About Jan Levinson That Make No Sense In The Office
As Jan always thinks very highly of herself and her musical talents, she doesn’t cease to perform confidently after becoming a mother. The music served as the main comedic element in this scene. “Son of A Preacher Man” is not only the weirdest choice to sing to a baby for its sexual content, but the way Jan gets caught up in the song never ceases to be funny.
“All The Faces” – Creed Bratton
As some fans may already know, Creed Bratton is a musician and a songwriter. “All the Faces” is one of his original songs and plays an essential role in this scene.
The song is a perfect choice for the great and memorable Office finale. It’s about friendship and the meaning within. As everyone holds their loved ones (Meredith and her bottle of vodka included), their retrospective comments about the fictional documentary compliment the song in both the melody and the lyrics. This musical sequence is sure to give chills to the audience and is an excellent closer.
“I Will Remember You” – Sarah Maclachlan
Although Andy is known for his many musical talents, he rarely performs decently, and when he does, nobody takes him seriously. In this sequence, his performance is in good timing for a change when he says goodbye to his job.
After an emotional rollercoaster, everyone gathers around Andy and shares a meaningful moment with some Sarah Maclachlan tunes. The scene becomes special when his performance plays a cathartic role, even for Angela, who weeps and says, “It’s just a really nice song.”
NEXT: Each Main Character’s Most Iconic Scene In The Office
