How many of us have tuned in to Family Guy and been greeted by a positively delightful dance and song number? Thanks to creator Seth MacFarlane's love of show tunes and Frank Sinatra, fans have enjoyed watching Peter Griffin and his family perform various musical performances over the years. It's not really Family Guy without them, and when season 23 comes in Jan. 2025 on Fox, we hope to have more of these fun segments incorporated into the animated sitcom.
During Family Guy's long tenure, several memorable song and dance numbers have been included. Like The Simpsons, which satirize and spoof pop culture in their storylines, the "show tunes" make fun of the past and current times. The tracks are the episode highlights, even if some lyrics are raw and risk the FCC standards.
It's Family Guy, so what do you expect?
We're taking the road back to reflect on some of the numbers that wove with Family Guy's legacy and were a hit with its fanbase.
5 Family Guy song and dance numbers that were "freakin' sweet"
Family Guy season 2: "This House is Freakin' Sweet"
Episode: "Peter, Peter Caviar Eater"
The first musical number of the series, "This House is Freakin' Sweet," is a classic arc of rags to riches as the Griffin family inherited a Gilded Age-styled mansion following the death of Lois's aunt. In the tune, the household staff cater to the family, elaborating that "now that you're rich," we live to serve you. However, as we all know, Peter tends to take things too far and becomes a snobbish and foolish Newport millionaire (in spirit only), thanks to Brian's mentoring.
With the glam and glitter of Newport, the Griffins may not want to return to Quahog.
Family Guy season 2: "The Road To Rhode Island"
Episode: "Road To Rhode Island"
Ah, the beautiful friendship between a hyper-intellectual boy and his wisecracking dog is just too much and too iconic in "The Road To Rhode Island." Set to the tune of "(We're Off on the) Road to Morocco," performed by the late and greats Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in 1942, Brian and Stewie hop on the train back home while putting their extra time into a duet. It is the first one of the pair and will be followed by many more.
Family Guy season 4: "The (Freakin') FCC Song"
Episode: "PTV"
MacFarlane's coalition of his voiceovers of Peter, Brian, and Stewie was epic in "The FCC Song, a track that may have tiptoed between the fine line of censorship and what's too much for television. However, the media does have a regulation of what content is projected through various outlets, especially in broadcasting and the press, and that's exactly the point of "The FCC Song."
With the catching melody, don't be surprised if "The FCC Song" has unintentionally ear-wormed you and you're dancing randomly around.
Family Guy season 8: "It’s A Wonderful Day for Pie"
Episode: "Road To The Multiverse"
During their loopy journey through the Multiverse, Brian and Stewie land in the Disney Verse. It's a magical mashup of classic Disney films, including Snow White, Cinderella, Alice In Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, and more. The animation is extraordinary as if you're genuinely watching a film created by the legendary Disney Studios.
Ironically, but not shockingly, Family Guy became a Disney property when the company acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019. The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, and other animated sitcoms broadcasted on Fox were also part of the package deal.
Family Guy season 9: "All I Really Want For Christmas"
Episode: "Road To The North Pole"
Like A Charlie Brown Christmas years before them, Family Guy pointed out the extreme materialism and stress of the holiday season. With another clever song, the Griffins and Quahog residents expressed what they desired for gifts for Christmas and Hannakuh. It's a bit much to say the list, but it's fun and peppy and gets you excited for the festivities. Additionally, the Advent calendar adds a nice touch with an introduction to MacFarlane's father, Ron, who narrated the episode.
"Road To The North Pole" also gifted fans with another musical number, "Christmas Time Is Killing Us," with another remarkable performance by MacFarlane. Santa deeply stresses the Christmas demands he and his elves face annually, thus nearly working him to death. To lighten, Brian and Stewie take over the deliveries, and after a hilarious experience, they realize that Santa was right all along.