The Simpsons discography
{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox artist discography
| Artist = The Simpsons
| Image = The Simpsons star.jpg
| Alt = A coral-pink terrazzo five-point star inlaid into a charcoal-colored terrazzo background. In the upper portion of the pink star field, the text "The Simpsons" is inscripted. Below the inscription, in the lower half of the star field, there is a round emblem with an image of a television in it.
| Caption = The Simpsons' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
| Studio = 2
| Live =
| Compilation = 1
| Video =
| Tribute =
| EP =
| Singles = 7
| Music videos = 2
| B-sides =
| Soundtrack = 4
}}
The Simpsons is an American animated television sitcom created by Matt Groening that has aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company since December 1989. It is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its eponymous family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield, and lampoons American culture, society, and many aspects of the human condition.{{cite video |year=2000 |title=The Simpsons: America's First Family |medium=television documentary |publisher=BBC}} Later released on the 2001 DVD The Simpsons – The Complete First Season by 20th Century Fox. The popularity of The Simpsons led to the release of the 1990 double platinum album The Simpsons Sing the Blues, which contains original songs performed by the cast members of the show as their characters. The album spawned two hit singles—"Do the Bartman" and "Deep, Deep Trouble". A less successful sequel, The Yellow Album, was released in 1998.
Three soundtrack albums featuring music and songs from the show have been released—Songs in the Key of Springfield in 1997, Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons in 1999, and The Simpsons: Testify in 2007. The first two charted on the US Billboard 200, reaching number 103 and 197, respectively. The Simpsons Movie: The Music, a soundtrack album featuring the score of The Simpsons Movie, was released along with the {{nowrap|feature-length}} film in July 2007. The choral piece "Spider Pig" that appeared in the film and on the soundtrack entered the charts in several countries around the world.
History
The Simpsons was a hit for Fox Broadcasting Company from the start and the network instantly received hundreds of requests from sellers wanting to create merchandise based on the show, such as clothing, alarm clocks, bubble gum, notebooks, posters, and air fresheners. The merchandise was highly successful, generating an estimated US$750 million in revenue during the first year of sales. As commented by AllMusic reviewer Jason Ankeny, "an LP proved inevitable" when, after the series premiere, "the characters' licensed images were everywhere from T-shirts to action figures".{{cite web|last=Ankeny|first=Jason|title=The Simpsons – Music Biography, Credits and Discography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-simpsons-mn0000421940|publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)|access-date=2012-08-07}} In 1990, David Geffen, founder of the record label Geffen Records, decided to record an album featuring characters from The Simpsons. His idea was approved by Fox and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and the show's writers were assigned to write original, humorous lyrics for the cast members to perform. The finished result became the hip-hop blues album The Simpsons Sing the Blues, released in December 1990.{{cite book | title=The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History | publisher=Faber and Faber | last=Ortved | first=John | year=2009 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/simpsonsuncensor00ortv/page/123 123–130] | isbn=978-0-86547-988-3 }} It peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 1991.
File:Michael Jackson 1984.jpg co-wrote the single "Do the Bartman" that reached number one in several countries.|alt=A mid-twenties African American man wearing a sequined military jacket and dark sunglasses. He is walking while waving his right hand, which is adorned with a white glove. His left hand is bare.]]
"Do the Bartman", co-written by Michael Jackson, was released as the first single from The Simpsons Sing the Blues. It reached number one on the singles charts in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, eventually becoming certified gold in the latter country with 400,000 units sold. In Ireland, "Do the Bartman" spent nine weeks at number one on the Irish Singles Chart—only seven singles have managed a longer run.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/facts/most_weeks_at_no1.htm |title=Facts & Figures – Most Weeks at No. 1 |publisher=The Irish Charts (Irish Recorded Music Association) |access-date=2012-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907023415/http://www.irishcharts.ie/facts/most_weeks_at_no1.htm |archive-date=2012-09-07 |url-status=dead }} The single was accompanied by a popular music video that became the number one music video on rotation on the American MTV network in November 1990.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/article/the-evolution-of-the-simpsons |title=The evolution of 'The Simpsons' |first=Chuck |last=Barney |magazine=PopMatters|date=2007-07-23 |access-date=2010-01-25}} "Deep, Deep Trouble", the second single from The Simpsons Sing the Blues, did not achieve as much popularity as "Do the Bartman" but managed to reach number one in Ireland and the top ten in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. A music video was produced for this single as well, premiering in March 1991.{{cite news|last=Kubasik|first=Ben|title=TV Spots|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/102585706.html?dids=102585706:102585706&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+07%2C+1991&author=By+Ben+Kubasik.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday+%28Combined+editions%29&desc=TV+SPOTS&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107231249/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/102585706.html?dids=102585706:102585706&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+07,+1991&author=By+Ben+Kubasik.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=TV+SPOTS&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=2011-09-11|newspaper=Newsday|date=1991-03-07}} The third and final single, "God Bless the Child" (a cover of the Billie Holiday song with the same name), failed to chart.{{cite web|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|title=The Simpsons Sing the Blues – The Simpsons: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-simpsons-sing-the-blues-mw0000316332|publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)|access-date=2012-08-07}}{{cite magazine|title=God Bless the Child – The Simpsons|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the simpsons|chart=all}}|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-04}}
In March 1997, a soundtrack album titled Songs in the Key of Springfield was released that included many of the musical numbers from the series' first years (1990–96).{{cite web|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|title=Songs in the Key of Springfield|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/songs-in-the-key-of-springfield-mw0000248395|publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)|access-date=2012-08-07}} The album featured much of the work of The Simpsons composer Alf Clausen, who has co-written, arranged, produced, and conducted almost all music that is used on the show.{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Go Simpsonic with the Simpsons|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/go-simpsonic-with-the-simpsons-r431501/review|publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)|access-date=2012-08-07}} This compilation of songs did not match the success of the previous Simpsons album, but peaked at number 103 in the United States and number 18 in the United Kingdom, where it was certified silver with more than 60,000 units sold. Following the popularity of The Simpsons Sing the Blues, The Simpsons executive producer James L. Brooks wanted to produce a follow-up album, also with original music not previously featured in the series. The cast members recorded this second studio album based on The Simpsons, named The Yellow Album and scheduled for release in 1993, but Groening was against it; as a result, it was not released until November 1998. It was poorly received by critics and did not chart.
A sequel to Songs in the Key of Springfield was released in October 1999, titled Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons. It contained songs that had appeared in the series since the previous soundtrack album was released, as well as some earlier ones that did not make the cut in Songs in the Key of Springfield. Most of the 53 tracks featured were composed by Clausen. The album peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200. The Simpsons: Testify, the third and latest album (as of 2012) to feature music from The Simpsons, was released eight years later in September 2007.{{cite news|last=Donkin|first=Annemarie|title='The Simpsons' Songsmith Hits 400|newspaper=Santa Clarita Signal|date=2007-08-26|url=http://oldsite.the-signal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=50309&format=html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004144051/http://oldsite.the-signal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=50309&format=html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-10-04|access-date=2012-08-07}} Like its predecessors, the majority of the tracks were composed by Clausen. The album, which did not chart, contains songs from the series' eleventh season (1999) to its eighteenth season (2007).{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=The Simpsons: Testify|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-simpsons-testify-mw0000482835|publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)|access-date=2012-08-07}}{{cite magazine|title=The Simpsons: Testify – Original TV Soundtrack|url=http://www.billboard.com/#/album/original-tv-soundtrack/the-simpsons-testify/1058923|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-04}}
The Simpsons Movie, a feature-length film based on the television series, was released in theaters in July 2007. Brooks chose Hans Zimmer to compose the score of the film as they were good friends and regular collaborators.{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/07242007/entertainment/music/_simpsons__score_state_of_the_bart_music_maxine_shen.htm|title='Simpsons' Score State of the Bart|access-date=2012-07-29|date=2007-07-24|first=Maxine|last=Shen|work=New York Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111131707/http://www.nypost.com/seven/07242007/entertainment/music/_simpsons__score_state_of_the_bart_music_maxine_shen.htm|archive-date=2009-01-11}} This score was released in July 2007 on a soundtrack album called The Simpsons Movie: The Music,{{cite web|title=The Simpsons Movie: The Music (Original Soundtrack)|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-simpsons-movie-the-music-original-soundtrack-r1082664|publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)|access-date=2011-09-02|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas}} which peaked at number 108 in the United States. While working on the score, Zimmer turned the "Spider Pig" song sung by Homer in The Simpsons Movie into a choral piece that he originally did not intend to put into the film. However, it ended up being used and was included in the soundtrack. Zimmer's "Spider Pig" was popular and appeared on the singles charts in several countries, reaching number three in Ireland, eight in New Zealand, 14 in Norway, 23 in the United Kingdom, and 53 in Sweden. In addition to appearing in The Simpsons Movie, the members of the punk rock band Green Day recorded their own version of the Simpsons theme for the film.{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/features/columns/music_reporter/e3i100bdf32d950877f04f3f3dce9e59d2a|title=Mmmmm, soundtrack: 'Simpsons' team effort|access-date=2012-05-24|date=2007-05-24|author=Conniff, Tamara|work=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701095344/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/features/columns/music_reporter/e3i100bdf32d950877f04f3f3dce9e59d2a|archive-date=2007-07-01}} It was released as a single in July 2007 and became a top-twenty hit in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Albums
=Studio albums=
=Soundtrack albums=
=Compilation albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of compilation albums, with relevant details ! scope="col" style="width:35em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Album details{{cite web|title=Go Simpsonic with the Simpsons/Songs in the Key of Springfield|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/go-simpsonic-with-the-simpsons-songs-in-the-key-of-springfield-mw0001477578|publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)|access-date=2012-08-07}} |
| scope="row"|Go Simpsonic with The Simpsons and Songs in the Key of Springfield
|
|
|---|
Singles
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="11" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US {{cite magazine|title=The Simpsons Album & Song Chart History|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the simpsons|chart=Hot 100}}|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-08-04}} !style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUS
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUT !style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| IRL !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|NLD
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%"|NOR
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NZ !style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWI !style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWE
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK |
|---|
| scope="row"|"Do the Bartman"
|1990 |align="center"| — |align="center"| 1 |align="center"| 17 |align="center"| 14 |align="center"| 1 |align="center"| 3 |align="center"| 1 |align="center"| 1 |align="center"| 12 |align="center"| 3 |align="center"| 1 |
|rowspan="3"| The Simpsons Sing the Blues |
| scope="row"|"Deep, Deep Trouble"
|rowspan="2"|1991 |align="center"| 69 |align="center"| 35 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| 1 |align="center"| 37 |align="center"| — |align="center"| 10 |align="center"| — |align="center"| 13 |align="center"| 7 | |
| scope="row"|"God Bless the Child"
|align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — | |
| scope="row"|"The Streets of Springfield"{{cite web| url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-streets-of-springfield-mw0000956076| title=The Streets of Springfield| publisher=AllMusic (Rovi Corporation)| access-date=2012-08-07 }}
|1997 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — | | — |
| scope="row"|"Spider Pig"
|rowspan="2"|2007 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| 3 |align="center"| — |align="center"| 14 |align="center"| 8 |align="center"| — |align="center"| 53 |align="center"| 23 | |
| scope="row"|"The Simpsons Theme"
|align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| 61 |align="center"| 15 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| 34 |align="center"| 19 | | rowspan="2" | — |
| scope="row"|"Everyone Is Horrid Except Me (and Possibly You)" (credited to Quilloughby feat. Lisa Simpson){{Citation|title=Everyone Is Horrid Except Me (And Possibly You) [feat. Lisa Simpson] [From "The Simpsons"] by Quilloughby|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/everyone-is-horrid-except-me-possibly-you-feat-lisa/1566259499?i=1566259503|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-05-11}} |2021 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — | |
| colspan="15" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Music videos
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of music videos, showing year released and director ! scope="col" style="width:14em;" | Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:11em;" | Director |
| scope="row"|"Do the Bartman"
|1990 |Brad BirdThe Simpsons: The Complete Second Season DVD audio commentary for the "Do the Bartman" music video. 20th Century Fox. 2002. |
|---|
| scope="row"|"Deep, Deep Trouble"
|1991 |Gregg VanzoThe Simpsons: The Complete Second Season DVD audio commentary for the "Deep, Deep Trouble" music video. 20th Century Fox. 2002. |
References
{{Reflist|20em}}
{{Simpsons albums}}
{{The Simpsons}}
{{featured list}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:The Simpsons discography}}
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Category:Discographies of American artists