Top 20 Greatest Family Guy Songs

“Baby Not on Board”
If there’s one thing this show excels at, it’s niche references. Originally sung by Bette Midler in a film of the same name, “Family Guy” somehow took the ballad and added a fun spin to it. After suggesting they sing some driving music, Peter immediately breaks into song. Before long, the family joined in, adding surprisingly haunting harmonies and a dramatic flair. It’s hard not to feel a little moved by the sheer passion coming from the Griffins. Once the cover is finished, they immediately cut the serious moment by acting as though they were recording it themselves, and even referred to a sound engineer on their hood. The witty, absurdist ending recentered the comedy and was the perfect payoff to the bit.

“Let's Go to the Hop”
A good lesson and a hilarious song? Sign us up. After Quahog is overcome with psychedelic-spiked toads, Peter goes undercover at James Woods High to convince the students not to partake. How does he do this? By launching into a “Grease”-inspired bop about the dangers of the drug. Soon, the other students can’t help but join in, creating a fun group number. Filled to the brim with comical lines and slightly sensationalized side effects, it showcased the writer’s chops for comical songwriting. It served as both a PSA and a playful homage to an iconic film. It also proved early on that they weren’t afraid to tackle important issues like underage drug use in the funniest and most ludicrous way possible.

“E. Peterbus Unum”
The program took us back to the early 90s with this rendition of MC Hammer’s iconic hit. After realizing his house is technically on sovereign land, Peter immediately lets his newfound immunity get to his head. He displays this new disregard for the law in this parody, where he lists off the crimes he can get away with. What makes it even better is when he breaks the fourth wall to say that the rapper can’t sue him due to his indemnity. It’s all topped off with a classic quip, reminding viewers that despite his new leadership role, he’s still the exact same guy. It was a fun reference that also helped develop the plot, making it a win-win for the story and the fans.

“Screams of Silence: The Story of Brenda Q”
Absurdist humor is this show’s bread and butter. Several jokes make you wonder just how the writers conceptualized them, and this is one of the best examples. Parodying “Rock Lobster,” Peter sings a new rendition about one from Iraq. Simultaneously stupid and genius, multiple lines are laugh-out-loud funny. The turban-clad crustacean dancing along to the guitar is the cherry on top. The moment also provided a much-needed moment of levity in what’s considered to be their most tragic installment. While the inclusion of a silly moment during the highly emotional story was risky, it ended up being exactly what the audience needed. It served as an oasis amongst the darker plot.

“Candy Quahog Marshmallow!”
In an episode primarily set in South Korea, it only makes sense that they would include an impromptu K-pop performance. Combining the key elements of the genre, such as the intense choreography and the dynamic instrumentals, it ended up being a near-perfect representation. It’s sung by the gang as they desperately try to convince Quagmire to return to America with them. While the music itself is catchy, it’s the visuals that stand out. There’s something new to notice every time, making it perfect for endless rewatches. They even included a reprise at the very end that helped close out the story on a high note. After this, we hope they’ll continue to experiment and step outside their comfort zone.

“Adult Education”
While Meg-centered stories used to be the most hated, the modern seasons have proved that she has plenty of comedic potential. This is most evident in the arc where she temporarily moved to Russia. The subplot opens with a reference to “Beauty and the Beast,” where the teenager croons about the village and its quirks. While she is celebrated in the song, it still playfully pokes fun at her. This helped create the perfect dichotomy between her past role as an emotional lightning rod and her new development as an independent young woman. The juxtaposition of the light Disney music with the dreary visuals was perfectly executed. It allowed her to have her main character moment while still maintaining her quirks.

“Peter, Peter, Caviar Eater”
While the show had featured shorter original songs in the first season, this number at the beginning of the second was the first full-length one to be featured. It immediately set the bar high, with clever visual gags and hysterical lyrics about the lengths the staff would go to to serve the family. It’s a grandiose and ambitious scene that showcased the series’ potential early on. The musical-theater-inspired bop had a little something for everybody— pop culture references, witty lines, and a genuinely impressive instrumental. The fanfare of the piece being cut with deadpan humor afterward was the perfect ending. Without it, we may not have gotten some of our favorite “Family Guy” performances— and so, it deserves nothing but respect.

“Peter's Two Dads”
This has it all– an addictive and culturally-accurate instrumental, clever lyrics, and undeniably fun energy. After traveling to Ireland to meet his biological father, Peter bonds with him the only way he can– by drinking. What follows is a track that shows exactly where he gets his personality from. It’s hard not to dance along with the other patrons as they sing Irish surnames with perfect rhythm. The inclusion of Brian’s sheep doppelgänger was a clever detail that added a fun visual component. It’s no wonder that it ended up being nominated for the highest honor in the art form– an Emmy for Outstanding Music and Lyrics. While it didn’t win, there’s no doubt that it's one of the most memorable in the show’s catalog.

“Road to Rhode Island”
This is the piece that kicked off a time-honored tradition. It appears in the very first “Road to…” episode and has become one of the most beloved songs from the show’s original era. While traveling home by train, Brian and Stewie reminisce on their tumultuous trip before breaking into a jazzy performance, complete with costumes. It was the first true development of the characters' friendship and featured their acerbic wit and playful insults towards one another. There are meta moments sprinkled throughout about their older references and disregard for censorship, adding another humorous level to the production. It’s full of the funny elements that made the program so beloved in the first place, and it holds a place in the hearts of fans everywhere.

“In Harmony's Way”
Who would’ve thought that Peter and Quagmire would make the perfect musical duo? “Into Harmony’s Way” provided several bona fide bangers in just twenty minutes. Silly ditties like “Everyone from Florida is Stupid” were a constant delight. Even the songs during the group’s decline like “Parents Are Gross” were the perfect combination of amusing and edgy. However, “Pop Tart” is undoubtedly the stand-out hit in their fictional discography. The catchy tune and lyrics are an instant earworm, and it’s hard not to get it stuck in your head. The fact that it's Seth MacFarlane harmonizing with himself only makes it all the more impressive. With hits like this, it’s a shame that they broke up before the episode even ended.

“I Dream of Jesus”
This is proof that you never know what’s going to resonate with fans. It made its first appearance in Season 7, where Peter re-discovered his love for it and began playing it non-stop. It eventually culminated in the record being destroyed. You’d think this would mark the end of the song in the series, but its inclusion has actually gone on to become one of their most beloved running jokes. They’ve managed to incorporate it in unique ways; even including new variations of the dance. It’s quickly become one of the staples of the program, and everyone from casual viewers to hardcore enthusiasts can’t help but laugh along. It’s a timeless reference that we hope doesn’t go away any time soon.

“Friends of Peter G.”
When Peter and Brian convince their fellow Alcoholics Anonymous members to start drinking in secret again, the group is surprisingly well prepared: when the police come a-knockin’, they launch into a revival-style musical number railing against the dangers of alcohol. Besides being a toe-tappingly catchy song, with some improbably good choreography performed by drunks, the whole sequence is a loving tribute to a near-identical one from the classic Rat Pack film, “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” in which bootleggers pull a similar stunt to avoid suspicion from the authorities. This may be the first entry on our list to demonstrate the show’s love of older cinema, but it won’t be the last!

“Sibling Rivalry”
After Peter expresses his unfamiliarity with what a vasectomy is, Brian calls in a barbershop quartet that was apparently waiting just outside the door to explain it to him. Sung to the tune of “Goodbye My Coney Island Baby,” “Vasectomy” alternates between a detailed, medical explanation on how it’s done and an explanation on how the procedure somehow diminishes one’s manhood. The song also goes on a significant tangent, with the quartet suggesting that Peter could have an affair and disparaging sexual harassment seminars, all in perfect unison. Family Guy tends to run jokes into the ground in very amusing ways – and this is a perfect example of that.

“Road to the North Pole”
Upon arriving at the North Pole, Stewie and Brian discover that Santa Claus and his elves are strung out and overworked from their grueling schedule. Saint Nick and company then deliver an incredibly grim and dour song in which they reveal the less-than-jolly side of the Christmas season, which concludes with most of the elves apparently hanging themselves and Santa coughing up blood. While we were tempted to include the other Christmas-themed song from the episode, “All I Really Want for Christmas,” ultimately we had to go with this Grammy-nominated tune for its more memorable, darker tone.

“When You Wish Upon a Weinstein”
When Peter is in need of financial advice, he sings about his wish to have someone, namely a stereotypical Jewish person, help him sort out his money, in a number satirizing “When You Wish Upon a Star.” Besides being offensive, if rather funny, “I Need a Jew” got the show in hot water in the form of a lawsuit – but not for the reason you’d think. The Bourne Company, who owns the rights to “When You Wish Upon a Star,” filed the suit, claiming that the lyrics damaged the original’s integrity and infringed upon copyright. However, parody falls within fair use, so “Family Guy” won the case, so this outrageous song continues to run in syndication.

“Road to the Multiverse”
The multiverse is full of musical possibilities, which Brian and Stewie discover on their journey through alternate realities. In one such locale, the duo encounters a version of their family that spontaneously bursts into a song about pie in a musical moment inspired by Disney. Accompanied by visuals like anthropomorphic animals and objects, “It’s a Wonderful Day for Pie” pokes fun at the typical Disney musical style, but it’s just as catchy, enchanting, and enthralling as the material it lampoons.

“The Cleveland–Loretta Quagmire”
It must have taken a special kind of demented genius to come up with this cutaway song gag. After Peter claims to be good at delivering bad news, the scene cuts to him leading a barbershop quartet that’s serenading a poor AIDS patient about the fact that he has the terrible, incurable disease. The song is catchy, upbeat, and in the worst possible taste, which caused several AIDS support organizations to protest it. However, the fact that the song is so – ironically - thoughtless is what makes it so effectively cringe-worthy and hilarious.

“420”
Brian’s attempts to get people excited to legalize marijuana at a park go strangely unheard, so Stewie offers to spice up his presentation with an improvised musical number. What follows is a cheerful and incredibly catchy song, backed by a marching band, and accompanied by creative choreography and fancy footwork. In yet another example of “Family Guy” using a tune from film, “A Bag o’ Weed” is based on the song, “Me Ol' Bamboo,” from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” This counter-cultural melody “blazes” its own unique trail though.

“Patriot Games”
When Peter joins the New England Patriots football team, he shows off a bit after making a touchdown. On one occasion, however, he manages to take it to another level entirely – launching into a rendition of “Shipoopi,” a song from the classic musical, “The Music Man.” He is readily joined not only by the other players, but also the audience, referees, band, and even viewers watching on TV in an elaborate, utterly spontaneous extravaganza of song and dance. This is one high-stepping, show-stopping, unforgettable moment in the show’s history that we still can’t get out of our heads.

“PTV”
After Peter creates his own TV station, Lois calls in the FCC to censor him when his programming gets a bit too risqué. However, Peter is ready with a rebuttal, and launches into this song, which is set to the tune of “Volunteer Fireman’s Picnic” from the stage musical, “Take Me Along.” Peter, accompanied by Stewie and Brian, sings about America’s censorship bureau and their draconian attempts to enforce “decency” upon television, complete with clips of many of the times “Family Guy” has given decency the finger. With its infectious melody and funny visuals, this song is a hit with everyone, even the FCC itself, who unfortunately, hasn’t taken the hint.