How I Met Your Music

Lore & Background

The first album, How I Met Your Music: Original Songs from the Hit Series, was released digitally to iTunes in 2012, featuring songs from the first seven seasons of the show. According to Craig Thomas, a co-creator of How I Met Your Mother, a decision was made to release it without a physical CD, "because that's so 1992". The album contains about 20 tracks totaling 40 minutes. The 100th episode of the series was dubbed "How I Met Your Musical", which presaged the albums' names.

Following the show's end, a second album, How I Met Your Music: Deluxe, was released digitally via iTunes in 2014. It features songs from the final two seasons. One review says it contains 14 of the "most memorable songs of the nine seasons of the series." It includes various actors and artists as performers: Boyz II Men, Wayne Brady, Frances Conroy, Alyson Hannigan, Neil Patrick Harris, John Lithgow, Sam Moore, Cristin Milioti, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, The Solids, John Swihart, and Ben Vereen.

Critics have often commented on the series' "thoughtful" use of music. Jessica Blankenship wrote that the show's writers seamlessly "use a song as a punchline, a bridge, or an emotional punctuation mark." In 9 seasons (208 episodes), at least 408 songs were used. Viewers report that the soundtrack varies depending upon forums and media, with a claimed significant discontinuity in the songs that were originally used, the DVD version, and the Netflix versions of the show.

Reader's Guide

The two How I Met Your Music albums serve as curated collections of songs from How I Met Your Mother, a series noted for its musically-minded approach. The first album, released in 2012, compiled 20 tracks from the first seven seasons, while the Deluxe edition, released in 2014, drew from the final two seasons and featured a different playlist. Both were digital-only releases, reflecting a shift away from physical media. The albums capture the show's reputation for using music as a punchline, a bridge, or an emotional punctuation mark, as noted by critics. The series used at least 408 songs over its nine-season run, and the albums represent an attempt to gather some of those songs, though the very concept of "best" songs is problematic as lists of iconic songs vary. The albums also highlight the involvement of cast members and guest performers, including Boyz II Men, Wayne Brady, and Neil Patrick Harris. The discontinuity between the original broadcast songs, DVD versions, and Netflix versions adds complexity to any soundtrack compilation. Overall, the albums stand as a snapshot of the series' musical legacy, reflecting its thoughtful and effective integration of music into storytelling.

Did You Know?

• The second album, How I Met Your Music: Deluxe, features songs from the final two seasons.
• At least 408 songs were used across the series' 208 episodes.