Summary
- "Hunger" by Ross Copperman captures the emotional farewell moment between Elena and Damon in season 6, making it unforgettable.
- "Dauðalogn" by Sigur Rós intensifies the emotional drowning scene involving Elena and Matt, creating a hauntingly powerful moment.
- Kai's karaoke rendition of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan adds a comedic touch to an iconic Vampire Diaries music moment.
One of the reasons The Vampire Diaries remains a beloved show is that the music made for a fantastic Vampire Diaries soundtrack. Inspired by the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries followed the teen residents of Mystic Falls as they learned about the existence of vampires, werewolves, and more of the supernatural. The series initially centers on Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) before expanding to her family, friends, and the Salvatore brothers (Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder). With a rich mythology, compelling family drama, and captivating love stories, The Vampire Diaries had everything a young adult audience could ask for.
Much of the music used in the series has become iconic for the audience, calling to mind specific characters or scenes even when not watching the show. Whether it be an emotional ballad or an upbeat pop song, the music present throughout the series was selected with care and chosen to enhance the stories being told. Of all the music that is incorporated throughout the series, these are some of the best songs that are the most memorable to fans and accompany some of the most charged scenes in The Vampire Diaries.
All 8 The Vampire Diaries Seasons, Ranked Worst To Best
Unlike many other shows, The Vampire Diaries does not decline in quality as the series goes on – its memorable characters are scheming until the end.
25 "Hunger" By Ross Copperman
Season 6, Episode 22 "I'm Thinking Of You All the While"
When it comes to saying goodbye to one of the main characters on a series, the selection of music is key. Nina Dobrev's Elena was the center of the show in many ways so it was a big deal when the character and the actor left The Vampire Diaries at the end of season 6. Due to a magic spell, Elena was to be placed in a 60-year coma which was tragic but allowed for many of the characters to say a proper goodbye to her.
Not surprisingly, it was the final moment between Elena and Damon that was the most emotional. The song "Hunger" by Ross Copperman plays as Elena and Damon share one last dance together in the middle of the empty road. The slow and sad song highlights the romantic moment between the two with the bittersweet feeling that their love did not have enough time to grow.
24 "Dauðalogn" By Sigur Rós
Season 3, Episode 22 "The Departed"
Death scenes are another instance in which the right choice of music is crucial in pulling off the moment. While many people in The Vampire Diaries come back to life after their supposed deaths, they can still be impactful moments that audiences won't forget. After Matt and Elena are driven off the bridge in their car and begin drowning at the bottom of the river, this emotional song by Sigur Rós plays.
The scene is a riveting one as it cuts between Elena attempting to get Matt out of the car in order to save him and a flashback to where she was in the car with her parents as they drown. It is an emotional memory with the haunting tune fitting perfectly. As the song intensifies, it solidifies the feeling that this will end in tragedy as Elena remembers her father putting her safety about his own and choosing to do the same when it comes to Matt.
23 "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" By Bob Dylan
Season 8, Episode 14 "It's Been A Hell Of A Ride"
This is one of only a few moments in the series in which a character in the show is the one who is providing the music. Kai is one of the best villains in the series with him doing plenty of things that the fans hate him for, but remaining entertaining with his charismatic style and comedic moments. This is on display in one episode in which Stefan finds the villain in a karaoke bar singing a rendition of the iconic Bob Dylan tune.
The scene makes for one of the most ridiculous moments on Vampire Diaries as well as one of the most memorable music moments. Actor Chris Wood is a genuine singer, but he adds a drunken, uncaring style to Kai's performance which is closer to the Guns and Roses version of the song. Kai ends it in an abrupt and hilarious way as he says to the audience "Anyway, you get the idea. Crushed it," before leaving the stage with a "literal mic drop."
22 "Yours" By Ella Henderson
Season 6, Episode 14 "Stay"
While it may not have been the original plan for Stefan's romantic life on the show, the relationship between Stefan and Caroline on Vampire Diaries ended up being one of the best in the series. They fit nicely into the standard "friends become lovers" TV trope that can often result in some memorable couplings. It was this episode and moment between the two that really kicked off the romantic side of their relationship.
As the two get honest about what they mean to each other, Stefan and Caroline share their first kiss as the song "Yours" by Elle Henderson plays. The song lyrics very much speak to their relationship as it reflects the way they have been a constant support for each other, specifically with Stefan promising Caroline's mother that he'd always look after her.
21 "Psycho Killer" By Talking Heads
Season 4, Episode 17 "Because The Night"
The Vampire Diaries soundtrack typically seeks out more modern music, but this is one example of a classic being included in the show. However, it makes sense for the context of the scene which plays out in an entertaining flashback. The moment comes when the show takes a look back on Damon's time in New York City in 1977 and his bloodlust.
It is a scene that shows how terrifying Damon can be as a couple finds a dead body on the side of the road. As the man investigates, his partner is attacked only for Damon to emerge. Interestingly, the man presumes Damon is the Son of Sam serial killer who terrorized New York City at the time. The song plays as Damon attacks the man, adding a darkly comedic aspect to the moment.
20 "Gravity" By Sara Bareilles
Season 1, Episode 2 "Night Of The Comet"
The show builds its own specific vibe with its musical choices, with some artists being featured several times in the series to help establish a certain theme or feel. Sara Bareilles is one such recurring musical artist on the Vampire Diaries soundtrack. Her song "Gravity" appears in the second episode of the first season when Elena comes to see Stefan to resolve a tense moment between them that occurred earlier in the episode.
The music plays softly in the background as the two discuss Elena's worry about taking emotional risks with Stefan. As Elena and Stefan share their first kiss, "Gravity" reaches a crescendo, highlighting a pivotal moment in the series with a song about being unable to deny an attraction between two people. The song becomes the couple's defining song that cements Stefan and Elena's relationship in the first season.
19 “A Drop In The Ocean” By Ron Pope
Season 3, Episode 1 “The Birthday”
Much of the season 3 premiere of The Vampire Diaries is devoted to the search for Stefan. Damon is looking for him, Elena is looking for him, and Caroline decides to attempt to distract Elena with a birthday party. At the end of the night, however, Elena learns of Stefan’s ripper past from Damon and is alone on her birthday, though Damon doesn’t want her to know the truth.
The end of the episode features Stefan making a call to Elena, but not saying anything, while this song plays in the background. Stefan is only leaving a trail of bodies at the behest of Klaus, but Elena doesn’t know that, and she still tells him she loves him while Stefan holds back tears. The song itself is about a relationship on the verge of ending, so it makes the scene a bittersweet one since Elena is urging him to hold on while the song implies that the two won’t make it.