House M.D.’s signature theme song is “Teardrop” by Massive Attack.
The song was released by the English group Massive Attack on their 1998 album Mezzanine. Its distinctive vocal, electronic arrangement, and pulsing rhythm became strongly associated with the opening credits of House in many broadcasts.
The U.S. opening sequence used an edited version of “Teardrop.” Some international broadcasts and later versions used different music or arrangements because of licensing and distribution differences, which can cause viewers to remember another track.
“Teardrop” is not an original composition written specifically for House. It was an existing Massive Attack song selected for the show, and its lyrics and sound helped establish the series’ moody, cerebral atmosphere.