“Teardrop” by Massive Attack served as House M.D.’s main title theme in the original U.S. broadcasts. The song’s distinctive vocal and electronic arrangement accompanied the opening credits for the series.
“Teardrop” was released by Massive Attack in 1998 and appeared on the group’s album Mezzanine. Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins provided the song’s lead vocals. Its atmospheric sound fit the show’s combination of medical investigation, tension and psychological drama.
The opening sequence used medical imagery, including anatomical diagrams and views of the actors, before presenting the cast and production credits. International versions and later broadcasts did not always use exactly the same music, which is why viewers may remember an alternative theme or a shortened arrangement.
The song is sometimes misidentified because other emotionally intense alternative-rock tracks were prominent in television dramas. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” is associated with The Verve, “Mad World” with Tears for Fears and later cover versions, and “Everybody Hurts” with R.E.M. The original U.S. theme was “Teardrop.”