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Song of the Day: El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (“Ambivalent Alaska”) [YouTube link], written by the franchise’s score composer, Dave Porter, provides a poignant, pensive end theme as backdrop to Jesse Pinkman—now re-baptized “Mr. Driscoll“—driving off into “Ambivalent Alaska“, with hope. This well-tuned 2019 sequel serves as a fitting…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“Baby Blue”), words and music by Pete Ham, was recorded by the Welsh rock band Badfinger and released on their 1971 album, “Straight Up“. This song is featured in the final scene of Season 5, Episode 16 (“Felina”), the series finale of BB, which…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“Crystal Blue Persuasion”), words and music by Eddie Gray, Mike Vale, and Tommy James, was released in 1969 by Tommy James and the Shondells as part of their sixth studio album, “Crimson & Clover“. The song arose from James’s budding interest in religion. As…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“Pick Yourself Up”), music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, was introduced in the 1936 film, “Swing Time,” by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and also recorded by Fred Astaire [YouTube links]. A wonderful 1962 rendition by Nat King Cole and jazz pianist…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“Overture”) [YouTube link] first appeared on a classic 1960 album of jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky‘s “The Nutcracker“, by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra (arranged by the Duke and Billy Strayhorn). It is featured in Season 5, Episode 7 (“Say My Name”) of BB, which…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“On a Clear Day”), music by Burton Lane, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, was first heard in the 1965 musical, “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever“, and in its 1970 film adaptation, where it was sung by Barbra Streisand [YouTube link]. A…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“Freestyle”) [YouTube performance clip], composed and performed by the Taalbi Brothers. It is heard in the finale to Season 4, Episode 13 of BB, which debuted on October 9, 2011. For those who know the content of this episode, its title “Face Off” will…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“Crickets Sing for Anamaria”), composed by brothers Marcos Valle and Paulo Sergio Valle, was first heard as “Os Grilos” on Valle’s 1967 album, “Braziliance”. It was also recorded by Astrud Gilberto [YouTube link] with English lyrics by Ray Gilbert. Season 4, Episode 8 (“Hermanos”)…

Song of the Day: Breaking Bad (“Digital Animal”), is credited to a host of writers, including Jon Von Letscher, first appeared on the 2008 debut album of the electronic hip hop band, Honey Claws. It can be heard loud and clear from the sound system of Jesse Pinkman (played by…