20 Best Songs About Televisions

Chelsea Cooke

There’s something about televisions that has inspired musicians for decades. Whether you’re watching your favorite show or just zoning out, these songs will get you in the mood. From classics like “I Love Lucy” to more modern tunes like “Big Brother,” these songs will have you glued to your screen. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the best 20 songs about televisions!

By the way, if you’re interested in songs about televisions, you may also be interested in songs about being flirty, songs about chickens, songs about jumping, songs about news, and songs about radio.

Video Killed The Radio Star – The Buggles

The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star (Official Music Video)

Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles is a song about the power of television. In just a few short years, television went from being a niche technology to a household staple, and the song reflects this change. It starts with a nostalgic look at the days when radio was king but quickly moves into an acknowledgment that television has usurped radio’s position. The lyrics talk about how television has changed the way we consume entertainment, and how it has become the primary source of news and information. But despite all of its advantages, the song ultimately paints television as a cold and impersonal force that has taken something away from our culture.

Sleeping With The Television On – Billy Joel

Billy Joel - Sleeping with the Television On (Audio)

Billy Joel’s song “Sleeping With The Television On” is a light-hearted ode to the ubiquity of television in American culture. The song paints a picture of a hectic, modern lifestyle in which there is always something on TV, even if it’s just background noise. Joel portrays TV as both a source of entertainment and a source of stress, but ultimately it is clear that he is fond of the medium. The song captures the feeling of many Americans who grew up with television as a constant presence in their lives. Whether we love it or hate it, TV has played a significant role in shaping our culture and our identities.

TV Dinners – ZZ Top

ZZ Top - TV Dinners (Official Music Video)

ZZ Top’s “TV Dinners” is a song about the ubiquity of television sets in American homes and their potential to create a sense of isolation. The lyrics describe a scene in which a family sits around a table, each engrossed in their own TV show and completely disconnected from one another. This image reflects the way that television can divide our attention and prevent us from interacting with the people around us. Although the song is critical of this aspect of TV culture, it also acknowledges the appeal of having a wide variety of entertainment options available at our fingertips. In the end, “TV Dinners” is a complex commentary on the role of television in American society.

Video! – Jeff Lynne

Jeff Lynne - Video (HD)

Jeff Lynne’s “Video” is a song about the ubiquity of television and its growing role in our lives. The song opens with the line “I can see your face on every screen,” immediately establishing the idea that TVs are everywhere. This is followed by a series of images that illustrate how TV has become an inescapable part of our lives, from the couple who watch it all day to the baby who falls asleep in front of it. The chorus brings home the point that TV is “taking over our lives,” and Lynne’s catchy melody makes it all the more memorable. While “Video” may be nearly 40 years old, its portrait of a world dominated by television is just as relevant today as it was then.

Television Man – Talking Heads

Television Man (2005 Remaster)

Television Man is a song by the American rock band Talking Heads, released as the second single from their 1985 album Little Creatures. The song is a cynical commentary on the effects of television on society, with lead singer David Byrne singing that “television man has hypnotized me and I don’t know why.” The song was inspired by a study conducted by the Rand Corporation in the early 1980s which found that people who watched a lot of television were more likely to be violent and have lower IQs. The song became a minor hit in the UK, peaking at #60 on the charts, and has since been included on several Talking Heads compilation albums.

The Sun Always Shines On TV – a-ha

a-ha - The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (Official Video)

“The Sun Always Shines on TV” is a song by Norwegian pop band A-ha, released in 1985 as the second single from their debut album Hunting High and Low. The song was written by the band’s lead singer Morten Harket, guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen. It was produced by Alan Tarney. The song peaked at number one in 13 countries, including the United Kingdom, where it became the ninth-best-selling single of 1985. In the US, it reached number 11 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. 

Franks 2000″ TV – Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al Yankovic’s “Franks 2000″ TV” is a satire of the consumerism and technology of the 1990s. The song mocks the trend of purchasing ever-more expensive and complex television sets, as well as the wide range of channels available on cable TV. The lyrics reference a number of then-popular shows and commercials, including “The Simpsons”, “Fun House”, and “Saturday Night Live”. In addition, the song pokes fun at the way that people often become consumed by their television viewing, neglecting important aspects of their lives such as family and friends. Despite its light-hearted nature, “Franks 2000″ TV” provides a biting commentary on the effects of consumer culture.

I Want To Be On TV – Green Day

I Want to Be on T.V.

Green Day’s “I Want to Be on TV” is a song about the power of television and the celebrity culture that surrounds it. The lyrics tell the story of a young man who wants nothing more than to be famous, and he sees television as the best way to make that happen. He fantasizes about being on game shows and reality shows, and he imagines himself being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. While the song is clearly tongue-in-cheek, it also contains a serious message about the way that television can shape our lives and our view of the world. In a society where everyone is striving to be famous, the pressure to live up to unrealistic standards can be crushing. “I Want to Be on TV” is a reminder that we should be careful what we wish for.

Television Lies – Jebediah

Jebediah’s “Television Lies” was released in 2001 as part of the band’s third album, Kangaroo. The song is a commentary on the way that television often distorts reality. In the opening lines, lead singer Kevin Mitchell sings, ” TV tells you what to think / It doesn’t care what you believe.” He goes on to criticize the way that television can be used to manipulate public opinion, saying ” TV feeds you lies / And it chews you up.” Ultimately, Mitchell argues that people should be critical of what they see on television and not take everything at face value. While “Television Lies” is clearly a work of fiction, it contains a powerful message about the way that media can be used to control the masses.

TV Land – Superchick

TV Land by Superchick is a catchy pop song with a message about the impact of television on society. The lyrics describe how TV can be both informative and entertaining, but also addictive and distracting. The song argues that people need to be careful about how much time they spend watching TV, or else they might miss out on important things in life. While the song does have a serious message, it is also upbeat and fun to listen to, making it an enjoyable addition to any music collection.

Throw Away Your Television – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Throw Away Your Television

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Throw Away Your Television” is a song about the dangers of too much television. The song starts with the line “Turn off your television,” and goes on to talk about how television can rot your brain and make you fat. The song also talks about how television is a waste of time, and how it’s better to go outside and play. In the end, the song encourages people to “throw away your television.” The message of the song is clear: too much television is bad for you. And while the song may be over fifteen years old, its message is still relevant today. So next time you’re about to spend hours in front of the TV, maybe give it a skip and go outside instead. Who knows, you might even have more fun.

Watching Telly – Stella Donnelly

Stella Donnelly - Watching Telly (Live on KEXP)

Watching Telly is a song by Stella Donnelly that was released in 2019. The song is about televisions and the various ways that they can be used to entertain and distract us. The lyrics of the song are delivered in a light-hearted and playful manner, but there is also a serious message underlying the song. The use of television can be detrimental to our mental health, and the lyrics of the song encourage us to be more mindful about how we use this technology. Watching Telly is a catchy and fun song that will resonate with many people who have been guilty of spending too much time in front of the television.

T.V. Talkin – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s 1974 song “T.V. Talkin” is a cynical commentary on the role of television in American culture. Dylan opens the song with the lines “I’m just sittin’ here watching the wheels go round and round / I really love to watch them roll.” These lines express Dylan’s ambivalence towards television; on the one hand, he enjoys watching the “wheels go round and round,” but on the other hand, he recognizes that there is something empty and superficial about this form of entertainment. Throughout the song, Dylan criticizes television for its lack of depth and substance, its tendency to create artificial images of reality, and its role in contributing to a culture of celebrity worship.

Fade Away And Radiate – Blondie

Fade Away And Radiate (Remastered)

Fade Away and Radiate by Blondie is a song about televisions. The lyrics describe the experience of watching television and the ways in which it can be both mesmerizing and repellent. The song reflects on the way that televisions can both reflect and distort our image of ourselves, and how they can both connect and isolate us from the world. The song is both critical and affectionate towards television and ultimately paints it as a complex and ambivalent force in our lives. Whether we love or hate them, televisions are here to stay and Fade Away and Radiate capture this truth perfectly.

Found A Job – Talking Heads

Found a Job (2005 Remaster)

In the song “Found a Job,” Talking Heads frontman David Byrne takes a lighthearted look at the role of television in society. Byrne reflects on how television has both changed and remained the same over the years, ultimately concluding that it is an important part of our lives. He observes that television can both unite and divide us, bringing us together while also reinforcing our differences. Byrne also touches on how television can be used to control and manipulate people, suggesting that we need to be careful not to let it become a replacement for real human interaction. Ultimately, “Found a Job” is a thought-provoking exploration of the role of television in our lives.

Gumby – Aimee Mann

Aimee Mann "Gumby"

Aimee Mann’s song Gumby is a clever and insightful commentary on the role of television in modern life. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where people are so hypnotized by the images on the screen that they’re unable to think for themselves. This is a world where ” thoughts come pre-digested” and people are content to just ” chew it up and spit it out.” The song portrays television as a mind-numbing addiction that keeps people from living their lives. While the lyrics may be pessimistic, they also ring true for many people who find themselves stuck in front of the TV day after day. Gumby is a powerful song that speaks to the way television can control our lives if we’re not careful.

Bedrock Anthem – “Weird Al” Yankovic

“Weird Al” Yankovic is a satirical musician who is well-known for his humorous songs that parody popular culture. In 1993, he released a song called “Bedrock Anthem,” which is a parody of the popular Red Hot Chili Peppers song “Under the Bridge.” The lyrics of “Bedrock Anthem” are all about televisions, and how they can be found everywhere you look. In the opening lines of the song, Weird Al sings about how he “can’t get no sleep” because there’s a television in his bedroom. Throughout the song, he talks about how televisions are constantly on in everyone’s lives, and how they can be both a blessing and a curse.

Idiot Box – Incubus

Incubus - Idiot Box (from Incubus Volume 2)

“Idiot Box” is a song by American rock band Incubus, released as the fourth single from their second studio album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. The song is a critical commentary on the role of television in society and its effects on people’s behavior. Brandon Boyd, the band’s lead singer, has said that the song is about “the ways in which we allow television to numb us and keep us from really living.” The lyrics paint a picture of people sitting in front of their TVs all day, numb to the world around them. The song reflects Incubus’ belief that TV can be a harmful influence if it is not used in moderation. “Idiot Box” is a catchy, alternative rock song with a strong message about the dangers of letting television take over one’s life.

Watching TV – Roger Waters

Watching TV is a song written and performed by Roger Waters. The song was released as a single in 1987, and it peaked at number 44 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is about the effects of television on society. Waters observes that people spend a lot of time watching TV, and he argues that this time could be better spent doing other things. He also suggests that TV promotes a false sense of reality and that it can be used to control and manipulate people. Waters ultimately concludes that TVs are “parasites” that drain people’s time and energy. The song is critical of TV culture, but it also contains elements of humor and satire.

Love For Sale – Talking Heads

Talking Heads - Love for Sale (Official Video) [HD]

Love For Sale by Talking Heads is a song about the growing influence of television. In the song, David Byrne paints a picture of a world where people are so addicted to TV that they’re neglecting everything else in their lives. He contrasts this with the idea of love, which is something that can’t be bought or sold. The song is critical of consumer culture, and how it’s turning us into a society of couch potatoes. It’s also a commentary on how television is numbing our brains and making us less capable of critical thinking. Although it was released in the 1980s, the message of the song is still relevant today. With the advent of streaming services like Netflix, people are spending more time than ever in front of their screens.