“Teardrop” by Massive Attack served as House M.D.’s opening theme in its original U.S. broadcast.
The song was released by the English trip-hop group Massive Attack in 1998 and features vocals by Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. Its distinctive harpsichord-like keyboard pattern and atmospheric production became closely associated with the show’s opening credits.
The sequence used medical and anatomical imagery, including a fetus and scientific-looking visual effects, before presenting the principal cast. The song’s mood suited the series’ combination of clinical investigation, emotional tension, and mystery.
International broadcasts and later versions did not always use exactly the same music. Some regions used an instrumental version or alternative music because of licensing issues. That is why viewers may remember a different opening theme, but “Teardrop” is the canonical answer for the original U.S. broadcast.