Massive Attack performed “Teardrop,” the opening theme used by House M.D. in its original U.S. broadcasts.
“Teardrop” was released by the English group Massive Attack in 1998. The song features vocals by Elizabeth Fraser and appeared on the group’s album Mezzanine. Its distinctive sound became closely associated with the opening credits of House M.D.
The sequence paired the music with medical imagery, including anatomical and diagnostic visuals, while introducing the principal cast. The song’s use helped give the program an atmospheric identity that differed from many traditional hospital dramas.
The opening music was not identical in every country or release. Some international broadcasts and later versions used alternative music because of licensing arrangements. That is why viewers may remember a different theme. The canonical U.S. association is nevertheless Massive Attack’s “Teardrop,” not a song by Radiohead, Coldplay, or Portishead.