07.25

The long wait is finally over. Mad Men is back on the air, and we’ve done our best to compile every single song used throughout the series so far, all the way up through Season 4 episode 1. We’ve had some help, because there have been two official soundtracks released by AMC, who also maintain great running song lists on their website. We’ve used those lists as a guide to create our exclusive “unofficial” playlist, which includes all 39 songs used throughout the first three seasons that have not yet landed on an official soundtrack.
Below you will find streamers for five different sources of Mad Men related music: the newest songs from Season Four (which will be updated weekly for the remainder of Season Four), the two official soundtracks, the massive unofficial playlist and a special Mad Men Pandora channel created by Pandora Radio. The Pandora channel doesn’t play songs directly from the show per se, but plays other great songs from the same era. Clicking album art reveals album streamers, the following links can help navigate around the post, and that’s just about everything you need to know. Now click onward and enjoy the ultimate soundtrack for your Sunday night Mad Men viewing parties.
Music From the Series Season 4
Music From the Series Volume 1
Music From the Series Volume 2
Unofficial Songs
Mad Men Pandora Station
Episode 13 – Tomorrowland: Say what you will about the 4th season finale, you know you weren’t expecting the outcome and at the very least it supplied us with a healthy dose of new tunes. The first song used in the episode played when Don jumped into the pool with his kids. The Tri-Lites – Hot Dog, Here He Comes starts playing as Don jumps the shark (his son, Bobby, who proclaimed he was going to be a shark in the pool – relax). This song was incredibly hard to find by the way. Later in the episode when Don and the family are at the diner, Shirley Ellis’ – The Name Game can be heard playing in the background. Finally, as the season wrapped up and the credits started rolling, Sonny & Cher’s – I Got You Babe played us out. That’s it for the Season 4! Keep this link handy, because I’ll attempt to do the same thing for Season 5 when it eventually starts up. Thanks for reading!
Episode 12 – Blowing Smoke: Only one song was used in this fantastic latest episode. Etta James – Trust In Me was perfectly executed as the credits rolled. I really wish the season wasn’t ending next week!
Episode 11 – Chinese Wall: Busy episode this week. In the very first scene, a song is playing in the car with Peggy, Joyce and Abe. It’s playing faintly in the background and I haven’t had a chance to use more advanced techniques just yet. Check back here soon for that first song. Later in the episode, when Roger comes home to Jane and she hands him a copy of his book, some classical music is playing. I’ve added Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concierto No. 1 by Sviatoslav Richter to the playlist. At the end credits, Jim Reeves – Welcome to my World plays out. This has also been added to the playlist.
Episode 10 – Hands and Knees: Lots of David Carbonara score this week, and the only piece of previously recorded music was featured at the end of the episode. The song used in the outro was an instrumental cover of a Beatles track. Santo & Johnny – Do You Want To Know A Secret? has been added to the playlist (big thanks to reader Lina for the tip). I would also add the original to the playlist if there were any Beatles music on Grooveshark, but unfortunately for us, there isn’t. You can listen to The Beatles version via YouTube
right here.
Episode 9 – The Beautiful Girls: Tough break this week. Two non-score songs were used, both in the scene where Peggy and Abe are talking at the bar. The first song was easy to find. Petula Clark – I Know a Place has been added to the playlist. The episode cuts away from this scene, and when it returns later on, a different song is playing. I’ve had no luck finding this song. It contains lyrics that go something along the lines of take a look and let me know how I feel. The chorus repeats the phrase Lonely Girls over and over again. Google has no useful information on this, just a handful of other people trying to identify the same song. I’ll keep searching on this one. To make up for it, I’ve also added Petula Clark – Downtown, which was Stan’s classy lesbian anthem for Peggy and Joyce.
Episode 8 – The Summer Man: This episode featured what is probably the least obscure song ever used in a Mad Men episode. However, it’s timing was impeccable, since the song was released a few weeks before the episode takes place (confirmed by the date in Don’s diary). The Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction has been added to the playlist. Once again, some ancient, unidentifiable music is playing at Henry’s house during Gene’s birthday. I’ve pretty much given up trying to identify music that plays while Henry is onscreen.
Episode 7 – The Suitcase: The only song used in this episode came at the very end. Simon & Garfunkel – Bleecker Street has been added to the playlist.
Episode 6 – Waldorf Stories: Only one new song this week. Skeeter Davis – Ladder of Success plays as flashback Don and Roger ride the elevator up to the office and into the credits. It’s a catchy little tune that was fairly appropriate considering the episode’s subject matter.
Episode 5 – The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Great episode this week, but not much identifiable music. New score was used alongside two songs, but I could only find one of those songs (but reader Ben correctly identified the second!). The first song played on the radio in the background of Henry and Betty’s house as Don brought the kids home. The following lyrics can be heard: Wind on my face, a distant horizon followed by some inaudible lyrics, followed by in the valley of the shadow that I-, before Henry turns the radio off. This song was recently identified by our awesome reader Ben as Lost Weekend Western Swing Band – In The Valley of the Shadow. This track is much newer than the show implies (recorded some time this decade), and apparently it was also used in the game Fallout: Lost Vegas. The second song played as the credits rolled and was much easier to find. I’ve added Doris Day – I Enjoy Being a Girl to the playlist. This song was more than appropriate after Sally’s recent sexual awareness.
Episode 4 – The Rejected: Not a lot of new music this week. Peggy attends a party with Joyce, and Brave New World – Signed D.C. can be heard playing in the background. This is an interesting choice of music, considering both the original version and this cover version were released in 1966, and this episode takes place on and around February 28th, 1965. At the end credits, some more David Carbonara score plays.
Episode 3 – The Good News: This episode begins and ends with David Carbonara score. But in between, we are treated with three new songs for the week. Two songs are played consecutively during the scene at the bar with Anna, Stephanie and Don (Dick). The first song that plays in the background is Jan and Dean – Sidewalk Surfin’. This song was immediately followed by Stephanie’s slow dance jukebox request: Patti Page – Cape Cod Bay. Later in the episode, Don and Laine get hammered and meet up with some “lady friends”. A singer-songwriter named Rudy Jenson comes to the stage and performs The Animals – The House of the Rising Sun. Don jokingly tells the particularly gullible lady friend that Laine wrote this song, which is a joke in and of itself, since The House of the Rising Sun is a folk ballad with no known author. All three songs have been added to the playlist.
Episode 2 – Christmas Comes But Once a Year: This was a relatively tough week for Mad Men music. There were at least 3 distinct jazzy Christmas songs played at the office Christmas party, but I wasn’t able to identify any of them. I suspect at least one of these songs is new David Carbonara score for this season. A musical hint was hidden in this episode, even though the song was never played. During the Christmas party, Joey changes records on the record player. For a brief moment, you can read the artist and song title on the record in his hands. This was that brief moment. The record reads: The Marcels – Goodbye to Love. Towards the end of the episode, Teresa Brewer – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus plays during the final scenes and into the credits. Thanks a million to Jackie for finding the correct artist on this one! Both songs are now featured in the playlist.
Episode 1 – Public Relations: I’ve included a comedy bit from 1951 which should provide some context to the “John… Marsha” routine that Peggy and Joey repeatedly reference. During the Thanksgiving dinner scene, a song is quietly playing in the background. The lyrics are awfully hard to hear over the characters dialogue; I can only make out what I think is the line “I love you so, more than you know”. I have no leads on this song, so any help would be appreciated. Nashville Teens – Tobacco Road played as the credits rolled.
Music From the Series Volume 1
Music From the Series Volume 2
Unofficial Songs
Mad Men Pandora Station
I was entirely unaware that the theme song to the show (A Beautiful Mine) was actually a 6 minute RJD2 track. Very cool to say the least. Some other memorable songs are found on this volume, including some of the excellent score composed by David Carbonara. I reccomend Mad Men Suite, On the Street Where you Live, and the eerie Babylon.
Music From the Series Season 4
Music From the Series Volume 2
Unofficial Songs
Mad Men Pandora Station
Volume 2 is definitely a solid set of songs. Congratualtions Honey, How Mable Get Sable Cha Cha Cha, Telstar and Let’s Twist Again all stand out. I’m not a Decemberists fan by any means, and while The Infanta may seem a little out of place considering it was released 4 decades after most of these other songs, I must say that it has grown on me quite a bit since I’ve started listening to this soundtrack.
Music From the Series Season 4
Music From the Series Volume 1
Unofficial Songs
Mad Men Pandora Station
Editors note here: One of the most important songs in terms of the season 3 plotline was Ann Margret’s Bye Bye Birdie. This song was not up on Grooveshark, so I had snagged a copy from Youtube and uploaded it. Long story short, the volume was way too low, and I couldn’t delete the version I had uploaded and replace it with another with the same name. So I had to get creative and name it something entirely different to get it to upload again. If you’re looking for Bye Bye Birdie, you’ll find it towards the bottom, labelled as: Catch Ya Later Lil Birdie Guy by Annabella Margarita. And you may be familiar with other verions of Sukiyaki, but do not miss the original by Kyu Sakamoto.
As you can see, this playlist is massive. The songs are arranged in the order that they appeared in the episodes, excluding the songs that are on the official soundtracks.
Here are the lists for reference: ( Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 ). Enjoy!
Music From the Series Season 4
Music From the Series Volume 1
Music From the Series Volume 2
Mad Men Pandora Station
This is something experimental that we haven’t yet done before. It may take a little bit longer to load than the other streamers, but we’ve only had positive results on our end. Let us know in the comments if you have any problems with this channel. Like I said before, the songs here haven’t necessarily been used in the show, but they are from the same time period and often set the same mood as the songs actually used in the show. Pandora users may find this to be handy for future Mad Men viewing parties, but we encourage you to make your way through the other three playlists that feature songs actually used in the show before getting too hooked here.
Music From the Series Season 4
Music From the Series Volume 1
Music From the Series Volume 2
Unofficial Songs
- Tom











64 ResponsesLeave a comment ?
I’ve been streaming this in my office all day, sashaying in my chair, craving whiskey and cigarettes. My faves: Botch-A-Me, Lipstick, and Break It To Me Gently. What will be fun is when I go back to re-watch Mad Men episodes and recognize some of these songs. Bravo for a totally kickass, relevant, and thorough post. Peggy looks freaky in that last image.
Thanks ~z~!
It was a lot of fun putting this post together. I spent the majority of last weekend tracking down and listening to these songs. There’s a lot of great music here.
could you please tell me what song plays at the end of “the good news” when Joan says “all right. gentlemen, shall we begin 1965?”
i’m pretty sure that the song you’re referring to is another piece of David Carbonara’s score for the show. this song will probably (hopefully) be released on an upcoming soundtrack, perhaps Music From the Series Volume 3 (or 4)?
I don’t know how I ended up on this site but thanks for letting me feed and finally stop the viral loop from repeating in my head. The song is “Ladder of success” Now, if only I can get Linda Scott’s “I’ve told every little star” to leave my noggin. Come to think of it, that pic next to your name seems vaguely Lynchian.
it must be contagious, because now I have that song from Mulholland Drive looping in my head as well. thanks for checking out the blog, Richard. that gum you like is going to come back in style.
Who sang “welcome to my world” after Chinese Wall episode of Madmen on 10/4/10″ Was it Raul Malo?
hey Jeanie, it was actually a guy named Jim Reeves who performed that version of ‘welcome to my world’. that song has been added to the playlist.
The Beatles cover at the end of “Hands and Knees” is by Santo & Johnny. Awesome blog, btw.
thanks for the tip Lina! It’s in the playlist now, such a lovely version of this song.
[...] of The Music of Mad Men, as the 4th season comes to a close this weekend, we’ve got some inspiring new music to keep [...]
..for someone stuck in the early 1960′s this is heaven to my ears…
Hi Tom, LOVE your website. I play the MadMen stuff all the time while I study — so thanks for getting me through grad school, in a way
One question — while I was watching MM Season 3 On Demand back in July, they frequently showed ads for season 4 during the breaks. The music for the ads was something really techno, but there weren’t any discernible words I could search to find the music. Does this ring a bell at all to you? I love the beat of the song but cannot find it anywhere, even on AMC’s website. I guess not everyone has heard of the On Demand commercial, because I never saw it on live tv. Thanks
hi Meghan, i’ve looked all around and unfortunately i can’t find the video you’re talking about. i wish i could have been more of a help. thanks for reading the blog, i’m glad you’ve enjoyed this post!
Hi Tom,
Great blog and thanks for finding and posting all the songs. I can’t seem to get ‘hot dog here he comes’ by the Tri-lites out of my head. Is there a place where I can get hold of this song. I am visiting this site on a regular basis purely to listen to this song.
Many Thanks,
Hey mon_ty, thanks for the kind words. Here’s a link to The Tri-Lites song you’re looking for:
Download: The Tri-Lites – Hot Dog Here He Comes
I hope you continue to visit the site! Take care,
Tom
I am trying to find the piece at the end of the Beautfiul Girls episode where the three women are done for the day and take the elevator together. I have heard the answers posted around, but none of them are right. Are these part of the Mad Men score or is it from something else.
Great post. Thanks!
Hey Marquis, someone suggested that the song in question is ‘End Titles’ by Rachel Portman, but after listening to both I can assure you that it isn’t. I believe this is another piece of David Carbonara’s score. If you find out it is something else, please let me know! Thanks.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Burak Arikan and Arda Ekim. Arda Ekim said: @prekazi http://mediocremusicblog.com/2010/07/the-music-of-mad-men/#S4 şuradan grooveshark'tan dinlenebiliyor. link de bulucam birazdan. [...]
Hey Tom! this is such a great post! thanks a lot for putting this together! I haven’t finished watching the 4th season yet! this is so good to listen while working, kinda makes me wanna have a Mrs. Holloway around. I would so work all day long…
Hi Tom,
Kudos to you. What a fabulous find. I don’t even remember how I was directed to your site but I listen to these songs all day at work. Great escape. Thank you for your efforts and talent in searching and assembly.
I hope you continue as the show moves forward…whenever that may be. Hopefully in 2011 and not 2012 as articles are speculating.
hey Adwiz, thanks a lot! we hope you keep coming back. i definitely plan on doing the same thing for season 5, whenever it may start airing (probably not any time soon). let’s just hope Grooveshark is still around when that happens!
Please, if anybody knows the EXACT name of the song at the end of episode 3 of season 4. I know the author, David Carbonara, but what is the name if the tune?
Thanx
I’m sure you won’t be checking to see this, but the title of the song is “Pacific Coast Highway.”
Nice work here, I know you’re getting bombarded with questions, but.. by any chance do you know the song that plays
*SPOILER ALERT*
in episode 11 season 1, Dom goes to see Rachel at the end of the episode and when they kiss (45min) a pretty atmospheric ambient song begins to play, IMO incredible song. Would be nice to know what it is : )
Can anyone name the song that plays as Peggy enters the bar in Season 3, episode 2 (Love Among the Ruins)??
hey L, I went back to this episode but unfortunately don’t have any information about that particular song. I tried my usual methods but they came up short. I have cut out the audio from that scene and I intend on emailing it to the local Lost and Found DJ’s; if they can’t identify it, I seriously doubt anyone can. Stay tuned.
Thank you so much for looking into this! I hope they can find something!
I have been trying to find this song for YEARS! I originally heard it on the DVD Menu for “Liberty Heights”, a somewhat mediocre Barry Levinson film from 1999. If anyone finds this song, let me know!
I was never able to identify this song, even with the assistance of the Lost & Found DJs. Casey, you’re sure this is the same song on that DVD menu? I’ll try to find that DVD and start the search again. Thanks for the tip.
I’ve been searching for this song too!! It sounds a lot like The Crests – Step by Step, but the lyrics are all different. I really hope this gets solved.
has anyone figured out what this song is? I’ve been searching for it for years too! it seems to be un-google-able! It’s such a great song!
It’s called “that’s the way” by the valves.
here is a youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI7CsE1wvv8
Enjoy! It took me 2 years to find it! haha
Did you find out the name of that song when Peggy walks into the bar? I’m desperate for it…PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Is this the song you’re refering to but cannot find in the Episode 5 – The Chrysanthemum and the Sword?
http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/In_the_Shadow_of_the_Valley
Ben, it absolutely is! Awesome find, and thanks for the tip! I’ll work on getting it into the playlist tonight.
Cheers
I’m glad to help.
I believe that the song playing during Episode 9 – The Beautiful Girls is “Lonely Girl” by Jay Ramsey
hey Ben, I just got In The Shadow of the Valley into the Season 4 playlist. while doing so, I’ve found that a lot of the songs that were there previously have gone missing. I’ve gotten most of them back but some seemed to have disappeared from Grooveshark. I’ll restore them as soon as I can. also, thanks for “Lonely Girl” by Jay Ramsey. I haven’t been able to find this track online yet but I’ll get it in there when I do. thanks again for your help!
Tom -
Do you happen to know the name of the instrumental song played at the wedding when Roger danced with his daughter – season 3 The Grown Ups episode?
I’ve been dying to know the answer to this as well. A clip with that oh-so-haunting melody can be heard in the episode highlights reel http://www.amctv.com/mad-men/videos/ep-312-the-grown-ups-highlights at around 2:10. I’ve done a fairly thorough search for this song and I know I’ve heard it before, but as it’s an instrumental there are no lyrics to help me. If you could assist me, Tom, I’d be very grateful.
I’ve recently been working on a compilation of music on 1-4 seasons of Mad Men and your post has been really useful so I’d like to thank you for your work!
If you wanna see what I did, I’ve published it here: http://soundtrackzone.blogspot.com/2011/03/mad-men-more-music-from-series-va-2011.html
Don’t doubt to comment with me your impressions!
Great work, Jack! I’m going to pass this link around to people who have been looking to download the music. Thanks a bunch!
Hi there –
Do you happen to know what the jazzy bigband theme used on the menu loop for season 4 DVD is?
All best, N
why can’t i like or dislike on pandora when I’m signed in on the madmen pandora station? thanks
So many thanks! I’ve been looking for the name of the Gopher Mambo song. During the episode that it was on I recognized the singing voice as one of the clips that plays during the game Little Big Planet I and II when you get a sound file bubble. So strange how little details in pop culture transcend time….
PS: That Bob Dylan song is so gives me sad!
I am looking for one song that is proving impossible to find. No one has written about it or asked about it and even when I search for the lyrics nothing comes up except for 3 websites that have the subtitles for the corresponding episode… There is a song that plays when Don dances with the female of the hitchhiker couple he picks up in Season 3, Episode 7. The lyrics go something like “please come to me when other lips no longer kiss, when other arms [inaudible], please call on me. Please come to me when darkness brings you loneliness.”
Aside from finding people who grew up during that time I don’t know what else to do. If anyone can tell me what song it is I will be extremely grateful and you deserve some sort of medal.
Please help me with this… I am searching a background music from Mad Men Season 4, Episode 3 (The Good News).. A background song which plays at the end of the episode and even when Don is going to meet Anna.. Its a kinda guitar play or something…. I cant stop listening that piece of music, please help me with this.. I want to know a name of the music, song or artist… please please please!!
Thank u..
I too have been trying to find out the name of that score – I know it’s by David Carbonara but I can’t find anything that identifies the name of it. Have you found anything yet?
Add me to that list, I’d really like to know if anyone finds it.
Woaar I’m going crazy. I’m looking for the theme played in the background while they’re playing cards at Don’s house, in Episode 2 Season 2. Thank you!!!!
Hi Tom,
just finished to watch Season 4!!
I’ve searched for it everwhere but can’t find it so you are my last hope!!!
On the 1 Disc of Season 4 in the menu, i mean before you choose whether to see a episode,extras or anything else, there is a song played,think it’s a jazz sound. I have even uploaded a video from it on youtube so you can better understand what i mean:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgETMqZN29M
Grateful for all help!!!
Very nice work, superb collection and your site rules all the madmen´s fan sites for music.
Love what you’re doing here, i really love the music in mad men and i’m glad i’ve found this blog! Now, i’m looking for a song that is played at the closing credits in episode 10 of the first season. It’s a classical piece and i really loved it but i haven’t got a clue what it is. Do you know it?
I’m going to try this again- I figure maybe if I provide a video clip someone will be able to help. You can see my prior post for more information but I’m trying to find out what song is playing in the background when Don is dancing with the hitchhiker girl he picks up in Season 3 Episode 7.
Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQfO2FYQHp0 (Season 3,Episode7:Don picks up two hitchers) and go to 2:33.
If someone can tell me the song they are dancing to I will be eternally grateful!
Please ,i would like to know which is the music of the MENU of the first DVD of the season 4!It is not in an episode but in the MENU!Sorru for my poor english!Thank you
The song used to promote season 5 on AMC is prving elusive. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ5ZOpM4Ajc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Any clues?
The song that the article mentioned that was in the episode “The beautiful girls” was called “Lonely girl” by Jay Ramsey. Here is a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8zZGDheXVs&feature=plcp
Please ,could you tell me what music plays at the end(when the credits) of 4 episode, 4 season?? Very touching music…)) Thank you in advance for your reply!!!!Tanya))
it is an original piece by the series’ composer David Carbonara.
there is a song playing in season 4 episode 4, where paggy is at an underground party, it is an instrumental with a sitar sound, NOT Signed D.C by The Brave New World, which is on slightly later in the episode. does anyone have an idea???
Hello…i feel like a dunce, but how the heck do ya get music to play? When i click to listen, no link or media player opens up! I dont see any info about how music is played! Anyone that can offer some help, would really like to listen to music from madmen! Im going thru w/ drawals – it seems like forever for season 6 to begin!
There used to be a better youtube video of this scene but here goes for a third time- does anyone recognize this song from season 3 episode 7? Just scroll up to find some of the lyrics transcribed in another of my post.
I really really like this song. Please help!
The video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRrHUwa5Od0
look at this! themusicofmadmen.blogspot.com