Watch What You Hear: Songs About TV

Before the advent of MTV thirty years ago, there was little connection between TV and music. That separation, of course, has been almost completely erased.

One look at the channel guide of standard cable box indicates that there are several MTV stations, two VH1s that specialize in music videos, and numerous music-only channels Sirius or other services.

In spite of the interaction between the two media, few songs actually address the concept of TV. The most popular band to write a TV song is Greenday, which placed "I Want to be on TV" on its Shenanigans album.

Here is a list of the ten best songs that feature the word TV in their titles.

10. "I Don't Want to be on TV" by The Airborne Toxic Event: The song's rhythm is almost Strokes-like, and the lyrics worry about the American obsession with demeaning oneself just to be on TV.

9. "TV Trays" by Death Cab For Cutie: The lyrics to this track from Transatlanticism bemoan the end of summer, much like "Summer Skin" from the Plans CD. The images here are empty beaches, the lack of an ice cream man, and "the chill of fall."

8. "Cable TV" by Weirs Al Yankovic: The king of musical parody sings about the blessings of having cable, such as Korean midget wrestling, the Siamese Faith Healer's Network, and the news and weather from Peru.

7. "Coffee and TV" by Blur: Graham Coxon's song from the 13 album has a nice acoustic rhythm, making the track as appealing as anything from their Britpop rivals, Oasis.

6. "Antichrist Television Blues" by Arcade Fire: Neon Bible was the indie band's first big breakthrough, and this song is one of its best. The lyrics offer a stark image of Christian parent forcing his child into becoming a star for Christ, threatening the youngster with "If my little mockingbird don't sing, Then Daddy won't buy her no diamond ring."

5. "Kicking Television" by Wilco: The television in this title track appears to be a symbol for any obsession, so Jeff Tweedy sings about kicking shopping, exercising, and inflated self-importance.

4. "Talking Pay TV" by Phil Ochs: The folk legend emulates hero Woody Guthrie as he monologues this talking blues about the absurdity of actually having to pay to receive television in your home.

3. "TV Caesar" by Procol Harum: Keith Reid's lyrics on this cut from Grand Hotel have an Orwellian feel a la 1984. The classic prog-rock band opens the song with a warning, "TV Ceasar Mighty Mouse. . . has spies in every crack and corner, Watch you eat your TV dinner."

2. "TV Age" by Joe Jackson: One of the more upbeat numbers on the brittle Night and Day album, this song reinforces Jackson's disillusion with society's so-called progress.

1. "Sleeping with the Television On" by Billy Joel: This is the most enduring track from Glass Houses, an album that featured the huge hits "You May Be Right" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me." Joel's lyrics reveal his more introverted side, with lines like "I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more a fool who's not afraid of rejection."