Which band performed “Teardrop,” the original House M.D. theme song?

Massive Attack performed “Teardrop,” the original House M.D. theme song.

“Teardrop” was released by the English trip-hop group Massive Attack in 1998. The song appears in the opening credits of House M.D. in the show’s original American broadcast version, helping establish the program’s distinctive atmosphere before each medical mystery begins.

The track features vocals by Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. Its prominent harp-like opening and layered electronic production became recognizable to many viewers through the series. The song was not written specifically for House M.D.; the program licensed an existing recording for its credits.

International broadcasts and some later versions used alternate music because of licensing issues. That is why some viewers may remember a different opening theme. The best-known original U.S. theme, however, is Massive Attack’s “Teardrop,” not a song created exclusively for the show.