Sex and the City -- Top 10 Songs

Sex and the City is a multiple Emmy Award and Global Globe award winning series that premiered on HBO on June 6, 1998. According to Wikipedia, Sex and the City was one of the highest-rated sitcoms of the season, and the last original episode that aired on February 22, 2004 was one of the most watched series finales. Set in New York City, Sex in the City is focused on four main female characters (Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York, and Miranda Hobbes) and is loosely based on their sex lives (or lack there of!). The show is peppered with witty humor and steamy sex scenes; but the root of Sex in the City is much more substantial and emotional, with stories able to deeply touch the heart and soul of just about anyone who watches.

Many of Sex and the City's most poignant and life-changing scenes were accompanied by music pieces that effectively pinpointed and grasped the perfect emotion, making the scene all the more powerful. Out of all of the exceptional moments on the show, there is a clear-cut "Top 10" songs and their corresponding scenes that are worth mentioning.

Song Number 10: "Come Try Me" by Savourna Stevenson, from Episode 64 titled "Ring a Ding Ding." This song played as Charlotte gives her wedding ring to Carrie for a down payment for Carrie's apartment. Just prior, both women admit they are scared about where they are in life; but with this gesture, Charlotte is able to let go of her painful past and Carrie is able to look forward to a hopeful future. It is almost physically felt as the weight is lifted from both of their shoulders at this moment.

Song Number 9: "Got to be Real" by Cheryl Lynn, from Episode 50 titled "The Real Me." This is blared as Carrie walks down the runway, trips and falls, and then gets back up and finishes her walk. It was really tense for a few seconds, as Carrie seems defeated at first; but then she gets up, adjusts her clothes and her hair, begins slowly gaining confidence as she struts her stuff down towards the end of the runway. By the time she's at the end, she's beaming and everyone is cheering her on. This was such a defining moment of Carrie Bradshaw's true character.

Song Number 8: "It's OK" by Bob Christianson, from Episode 80 titled "Hop Skip and a Week." This plays softly as Miranda is finally able to make it home in time to put her baby, Brady, to bed by herself. It is such a tender moment, as there are feelings of love and happiness, yet the underlying sadness and regret of the time she's missed with him.

Song Number 7: "Moon River" by Henry Mancini, from Episode 66 titled "I Heart NY." Simply a beautiful song itself, then paired with the raw emotion of Carrie's despair just after Big moves away, this scene becomes very powerful. Carrie walks alone down the sidewalk, picks up a fallen red leaf, and the song starts as Carrie's voice begins her narration, "Seasons change..."

Song Number 6: "I love N.Y.E." by Badly Drawn Boy, from Episode 80 titled "Hop Skip and a Week." This song is heard in the background as Harry proposes to Charlotte. This is a very unexpected time and place for the proposal, as they met randomly at a mixer, but it was extremely romantic and sincere, and definitely an unforgettable scene.

Song Number 5: "Pavane" by Regine Carter, from Episode 86 titled "The One." This song plays at three crucial points in a major event in Charlotte's life: when Charlotte miscarries, when she finally collects herself and decides to go to Brady's birthday party, and when she makes her wish. Miscarriage causes a severe and deep-rooted pain, with difficult healing, and this episode portrayed the process very beautifully.

Song Number 4: "Second Time Around" by Yo-Yo Ma, from Episode titled "Just Say Yes." The biggest moment in Carrie's life: Aidan proposes! This song just adds to the surprise and relief felt as Carrie opens the ring box and realizes it's a different ring; symbolizing that Aidan does in fact know who she really is. Then the moment turns gentle and perfect.

Song Number 3: "Just Talk To Me" by Bob Christianson, from Episode 88 titled "The Ick Factor." At Miranda's reception, Samantha breaks the news to the rest of the girls that she has breast cancer. Miranda demands that she starts from the beginning, and the song comes in strong as Samantha's voice trails into the story. It's a prevailing scene; the bond seen between the women at that moment is like no other. Yet the sadness and helplessness felt is overwhelming.

Song Number 2: "The Big Kiss" by Bob Christianson, from Episode 93 titled "An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux)." In the series finale, this song helps capture an absolutely breathtaking moment as Big (who has just flown to Paris to find Carrie) says, "Carrie, you're the one." He starts to tear up, and the music starts to play. This is the most memorable moment in the Sex and the City storyline.

Song Number 1: "You Got The Love" by Candi Station, from Episode 93 titled "An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux)." As the last 6 years of episodes is coming to an end, this song is played while the four women are shown leaving the restaurant together. The view then fades as each of the women are shown in their own life, then finally to Carrie as she happily accepts a phone call from Big as he chats about moving back to New York. Carrie's voice narrates a summary about the most significant relationship being the one with yourself, and it's fabulous if you can find someone who loves "the you that you love." At this point, any Sex and the City fan will be sobbing from the combination of seeing the blissful summary of the lives of the characters, hearing the song that is playing, and knowing the fact that their beloved program is now coming to an end forever.

The song title and artist references were collected from http://www.carriesdiary.com/music4.html#54 and http://www.hbo.com/city/episode/music/episode60.shtml.