Simpsons Sountrack Albums No Fan Should Be Without

One of the unsung strengths of The Simpsons is the show's brilliant use of music. From Danny Elfman's iconic opening theme to the myriad musical parodies interspersed throughout the show's over 350-and climbing episodes, what really sets this show apart from its imitators-aside from being original and funny-are its songs.

Currently there are two soundtrack albums available featuring music from The Simpsons, though there is certainly enough non-recorded material for a third by now. With hope, that new CD is currently in the works.

The first is called Songs in the Key of Springfield and features some of the greatest songs from the first few seasons of The Simpsons. Opening with Elfman's theme song, the album then goes on to feature television's finest composer-Alf Clausen-at his greatest. Among the tunes familiar to any Simpsons fan to be found on this album are "The Stonecutter's Song," "See My Vest" and "Baby on Board." In addition, variations on the closing theme can be heard that feature homages to such diverse influences as Hill Street Blues, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and The Addams Family. Notable non-Simpsons singers include Robert Goulet's versions of Bart's version of Jingle Bells, Tony Bennett's Capitol City theme and Beverly D'Angelo's beer-and-tears country hit Your Wife Don't Understand You.

The album not only features songs, but also some snippets of dialogue, including Lisa and Bart's indignation at being forced to watch education cartoons in the middle of The Amendment To Be Song and Homer's indignation at Bart's exclamation that TV sucks.

The second Simpsons CD is called Go Simpsonic with the Simpsons. Highlight of this album include the numerous parodies featured in the Sharry Bobbins episode, the Garbageman Song, and The President's Song. Among the other medleys are the songs associated with the Simpsons Spin-off Showcase, including the Miami Vice-like theme for Chief Wiggum PI. While many of the songs found in the big production musical numbers are on this CD, it's the little songs that make it worth buying.

For instance, is there any Simpsons fan who doesn't immediately laugh upon hearing the keyboard chord that launches Homer into his Mr. Plow jingle? Or how about sad sack Kirk Van Houten's "Can I Borrow a Feeling" song he sings in a vain attempt to win back Luanne? And as if those two weren't worth the price of the CD, you can also find the Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel theme as well as the theme to Ya-Hoo! (In alphabetical order staring with Yodeling Zeke!)

The CD also features two songs that have yet to make it onto the show, the Jolly Bengali Theme for Apu, and We Love to Smoke by Patty and Selma Bouvier. There is also a demo version of the Garbageman Song, but that's more a Shelbyville idea, if you get what I mean. However, there is a torrid longer version of the Senor Burns song as well as the Ramones singing Happy Birthday to Mr. Burns.

No true Simpsons fan would be caught dead in North Haverbrook without both of these CDs.