“Teardrop” by Massive Attack was used in the opening credits of House M.D. in its original U.S. broadcasts.
The song, released by the British group Massive Attack, is recognizable for its delicate electronic arrangement and Elizabeth Fraser’s vocal performance. Its rhythm and atmosphere became closely associated with the show’s opening sequence, which presents medical imagery and introduces the principal cast.
The complete studio recording was not used uniformly in every market or release. Some international broadcasts and later versions used alternate music because of licensing arrangements. In the United States, however, “Teardrop” was the signature opening theme associated with the show’s original presentation.
The song is sometimes confused with music used in individual episodes or promotional material. “Teardrop” is specifically the opening-credits track, not a general label for every song heard in House M.D. Massive Attack released the track on the 1998 album Mezzanine.