While it’s not quite as prominent a theme as moral bankruptcy, music has always played an important role in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. That was made crystal clear during the season premiere, but how prominently would … rank when stacked up against other unforgettable Always Sunny musical moments? To answer that question here’s a ranking of the gang’s most charming musical moments.
“The Trash Song” – The Gang
A song that manages to show off their opportunism as well as their classic, vaudevillian delivery, the gang hatches a plan to launch their own limousine-powered trash service. With a daunting new business endeavor, no one can decide how to approach their potential customers — that is until they decide to let a song do their talking for them.
It’s a testament to those brief moments where the guys were able to actually work together in perfect harmony. Even if Dennis (Glenn Howerton) was a little sharp.
“Sweet Dee’s Freestyle” – Sweet Dee
During her big moment in Charlie’s musical, The Nightman Cometh, Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) abruptly breaks character (and the forth wall) so she can half-heartedly sing out a disclaimer to the audience that she’s not really into little kids. While she’s got their attention, (it’s out of bewilderment… but whatever) she also lets everyone know that she’s single and might be interested in dating someone from the audience.
Technically speaking, it may not be the show’s strongest musical moment — Dee’s phrasing is a little awkward throughout — but it’s a delightful reminder that Dee really believes in the power of song.
“Motown Philly” – The Gang
With the prize being an opening slot for Boyz II Men, the gang rehearses tirelessly so their voices will be in top shape for an upcoming singing competition. However, when a flu epidemic hits Philadelphia, they end up quarantined in Paddy’s Pub while Frank (Danny DeVito) goes off the deep end. After they cure themselves by downing a little bit of whiskey that was stashed in some Clorox bottles (because they were actually suffering from alcohol withdrawal), they come back strong and ready to take on their competition.
Turns out, their harmonies are so tight that it doesn’t even bother them that the contest is canceled. Though their matching outfits probably helped their attitude.
“I Like Life At Paddy’s Pub” – Charlie
Driven by the gang’s sudden desire for Paddy’s Pub to win an award, each member of that gang chips in their idea to improve the bar and help their odds of winning. Charlie’s (Charlie Day) contribution is a song.
The fact that he manages to perform a breezy, feel-good ditty that could’ve rivaled the Cheers theme if given the chance is pretty surprising. Not as surprising as the rest of the gang locking Charlie away to keep him from performing it, though.
This all ends up backfiring on them, and once Charlie is high on paint fumes, he crawls out of the closet to belt out an impromptu tune with a much less happy-go-lucky theme. Which was no less impressive given the circumstances.
“Day Man Vs. Night Man” – Electric Dream Machine
Obviously, Charlie’s musical theater epic The Nightman Cometh is going to take up a couple spots on the list, but it’s important to remember that before his vision came to life on stage, Charlie’s musical was a jumbled mess written in a codified language only he could understand. His uncompromising vision leads to friction with Mac (Rob McElhenney) and Frank, who goes so far as to oust him from the band. It isn’t until he joins forces with Dennis that he gets the accidental inspiration that he needs, and suddenly the opus of his musical starts to come into focus.
“More Than Words” – The Gang
Like all good friends, the gang finds themselves sitting around in a bar singing this pop gem from the early-90s harmony-friendly rock group Nelson. While the moment soon passes after they’re interrupted by Frank’s petty scheming, it’s a lovely and sedate slice of life for four people who are usually prone to screaming or running into car doors.
“Night Man Epilogue” – Charlie
More than a season after the seed was first planed, Charlie finally completes his musical theater masterpiece, enlisting the gang, along with Frank and Artemis (Artemis Pebdani), to bring the The Nightman Cometh to life.
As the epic closing number winds everything down in quintessential Broadway grandeur, it’s Charlie’s surprise epilogue as he’s lowered from the ceiling on a giant sun, that reveals his entire endgame: to try and get the waitress (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) to marry him. It’s bold, garish, and way too indulgent, which makes it one of the most delightful musical interludes in Always Sunny history.
“The Rules” – The Gang
While it may lose a few points in the eyes of some due to its newness (appearing in the season 12 premiere), there’s something so undeniably infectious about this funky little number that warrants this high, high place. And it doesn’t hurt that the song helps to guide the gang through an adventure inside a dream that riffs on The Wiz.
While it may not have the longevity of some of the other entries, it’s the kind of tune that gets stuck in your head for days on end the minute you hear it and reminds you that music is alive and well in the Always Sunny universe.
