Music and Songs from NBC's Heroes

"Heroes" is an interesting TV series in more way than one. Its first season was, I think, one of the best of any show ever. But another really fascinating aspect of this NBC show is its music.

Unlike a lot of TV shows, the music in "Heroes" is used in a very subtle way. There are not a lot of music montages or obnoxious inserting of popular songs at every turn, unlike other shows I could name.

Most episodes use only incidental music written by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, which is haunting and hypnotic. Rather than grand themes, their score employs bell-like tones, drums and chanting to enhance the mysterious undercurrents of the plots.

So when it comes to the top 10 songs, I must mention Melvoin and Coleman's score as my No. 1 pick. I know that sounds like a copout, but the score is vital to the show.

Other songs were used almost as background, but did much to remark on character development, links between characters' stories, and lending to the mood of a particular scene.

So my top 10 "Heroes" songs include:

1.
The score, for reasons I mentioned above.

2.
"Eyes," by Rogue Wave, used in Chapters 1 and 4. This was used to link a variety of characters' stories, which were being told as separate vignettes. "Eyes," light but entrancing, helped show that the characters were all connected through a montage. Even the lyrics, "Birds pass by to tell me I'm not alone," hint at the intersecting storylines to come.

3.
"Jatt Ho giya Sharabee" by Panjabi MC, used in Chapter 2. A snippet is heard right after Hiro teleports to New York City and steals a comic book. It's a great little bit that has a foreign flavor and adds to our appreciation of Hiro's newfound talents as he navigates a strange city.

4.
"Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett, used in Chapter 1. This song plays as Niki strips for her Web cam. It immediately shows whatÕs going on with her character as she is introduced in the show.

5.
"I Want It That Way," by the Backstreet Boys, used in Chapter 1. The song is put to use during karaoke in a Japanese bar, a good scene-setter.