Crazy Ex-Girlfriend really did the most. Not only was it one of the only musical shows on television, but it also turned the trope of the crazy ex-girlfriend on its head. Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom, also the co-creator), the titular character, leaves her high-powered lawyer job behind and moves to West Covina, California to follow her high school summer camp ex-boyfriend. Once there, she proceeds to insert herself into his life in a variety of unhealthy ways.
The important thing about the show, though, is that it quickly becomes apparent that Rebecca’s outlandish behaviors are a result of untreated mental illness. The four-season show follows the arc of Rebecca hitting rock bottom, entering treatment, and progressing through recovery. It remains one of the most nuanced portrayals of mental illness in television history. Oh, and the songs are amazing too.
Like Two Percent Milk Or Seitan Beef, I Almost Taste The Same
One of Rebecca’s love interests sings the song “Settle For Me.” Greg (Santino Fontana) isn’t the guy she moved across the country for but he’s second best. He’s into her, but she’s still hung up on Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III). It’s too bad really.
The song is Greg’s entreaty to Rebecca to forget about Josh and choose the lesser option, himself. Greg demeans himself and bends over backward (literally, during their dance) but Rebecca just isn’t interested at this time.
Doctors Without Borders Don’t Have Sh*t On Me
Rebecca thinks- no, she knows- she’s a good person. She just has to prove it to the world. Triggered by Greg calling her a bad person after she left their date to go sleep with someone else, Rebecca comes to his place of work to declare her worth.
In true Rebecca form, the song is about how much better she is than everyone else. She even threatens someone into agreeing with her. It’s a song based in anger, not in compassion. It’s Rebecca at her worst, in a way that really agrees with the television audience.
We’re Going To Braid Each Other’s Hair, Then Cut Each Other’s Braids, Connect The Braids To Build A Rope To Hang All Of Congress
“Friendtopia” is one of the masterpieces of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Rebecca and her friends Heather (Vella Lovell) and Valencia (Gabrielle Ruiz) sing a Spice Girls-inspired tune about their friendship. In this case, though, their friendship is a dystopian fiction. This is Rebecca’s first time in a girl group and she is quite excited.
The song contains gems such as “all agriculture will be diverted into making us rosé.” The video shows the squad in military uniforms in a command center. The idea is that when you have a group of great friends, you feel like you can do anything in the world, including taking it over.
While I’m Getting Spanked, I Can’t Ignore The Feels
Rebecca has been sleeping with Greg casually for some time but in “Oh My God I Think I Like You” she realizes she’s falling for him. Naturally, it happens mid-sexual encounter. Rebecca finds herself in a variety of positions but none more uncomfortable than the realization that she has feelings for Greg.
This song contains numerous lyrical runner ups. “Is there an IUD that can stop the image of you and me getting married on a hillside surrounded by ducks and then we get into a rowboat?” is a classic universal feeling we all have.
We Sing In A Minor Key To Remember That We’ve Suffered
Rebecca Bunch’s Jewish heritage is an important part of the show. Her mother (Tovah Feldshuh) is an intense character that puts a lot of pressure on Rebecca to be perfect. In the song “Remember That We’ve Suffered,” Rebecca is back home at her cousin’s Bat Mitzvah where her mother and the Rabbi (Patti Lupone) sing the song. It is a reminder of how the Jewish people have suffered throughout time.
This song is filled with creative lyrics that exhibit a perfect mix of guilt, celebration, and remembrance. Consider: “being happy is selfish, remember that we’ve suffered.” To sing in a minor key at all times in order to remember the past, can you imagine?
I Don’t Care If You Wear High Heels Or A Tie, You Might Just Catch My Eye Because I’m Definitely Bi
Darryl Whitefeather (Pete Gardner) is Rebecca’s mildly incompetent -sorry, Darryl!- boss. He’s a lonely, recently divorced father who really just wants to be everybody’s friend. He’s also the best bisexual representation we’ve had on television in recent years. He’s messy and more than a little problematic at times but he’s trying and he’s learning.
In “Gettin’ Bi” Darryl comes out to his coworkers during a meeting. He explains that it’s not a phase, nor does it mean he’s promiscuous. He’s proud to have discovered this about himself and he wants to share it with the world. He also plays the saxophone in front of a giant bisexuality flag.
Strip Away My Conscience, Peel Away My Values
Nathaniel (Scott Michael Foster) is the new man in Rebecca’s life. He’s the hotshot semi-sociopathic lawyer taking over her firm and, potentially, her heart. That doesn’t mean she’s done with Josh, though. In fact, in “Strip Away My Conscience” Rebecca comes to Nathaniel for help in getting revenge on Josh.
Inspired by “All That Jazz,” the song is sexy and intimate. Rebecca wants to be more like Nathaniel. “Rip off my compassion with your teeth,” she begs. The song is a success but as you might imagine, the follow-up plan is not.
I’m The Villain In My Own Story
This is the song in which Rebecca realizes she has a problem. Prior to this, she thought of herself as the wronged hero. But she realizes that her recent actions have painted her as something far more sinister. This is a turning point for Rebecca.
“I’m The Villain In My Own Story” is a song for anyone who has thought their actions were justified but came out of their cloud of anger or mental illness to realize they’ve done something they regret. Pair this song with “You Stupid Bitch” for an evening of self-pitying weeping.
Then Suddenly The Lakes Have All Gone Dry And It’s All Your Fault!
“Without Love You Can Save The World” celebrated Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s 100th song. It comes at a time when Rebecca is starting to realize that life isn’t all about love. In the song, she lists all the things she could be doing if she weren’t so focused on relationships.
For this particular lyric, Rebecca is bemoaning the time spent on anticipating texts from boys. Basically, while you’re worrying about when he’s going to text back, the world is burning! It’s a great song that comes off as tongue-in-cheek but actually has a point.
Everyone Is Special, That’s Usually The Sitch, But When It Comes To Meds, You’re Such A Basic B*tch
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Emmy-winning song, “Anti-Depressants Are So Not A Big Deal” is a great reminder to anyone out there who takes medication for depression. Rebecca is considering starting medication to help her symptoms but she’s a bit nervous. Her therapist (Michael Hyatt) lets her know that actually it’s quite common to be medicated for depression.
In the song, random peers in brightly colored outfits tap dance in a flash mob-style number. It paints the serious issue of mental illness medication in such a nice and totally normal light. Afterward, all the dancers disperse because medication is the only thing they have in common.
