Every song from Once More With Feeling ranked

let us walk through the fire and find out which song from the Buffy musical episode does the most slaying

The TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered in 1997 and was a pivotal part of so many people’s lives. Especially annoying bisexual millennials if my research* is accurate (*being part of the annoying bisexual millennial community).

As a teenager I was self-conscious about liking Buffy and musicals when my friends watched The O.C. and participated in PE without crying, so I hid my love of this show. I’d watch it in secret with one episode on VHS playing on repeat during school holidays or whenever I was sad… so like, always. Once More, With Feeling was a one-off musical episode in the sixth season of the show and oh, how I love it.

The original score and songs are all written by Joss Whedon, and regardless of what you think of the guy, it’s an amazing soundtrack. It was an enormous feat considering none of the cast is theatrical--few can sing or dance and by few I mean basically none. Emma Caulfield as Anya puts her whole demon ass into her performances, and they all do, which must have been terrifying to a group of young adults who absolutely did not sign up for theatre camp (emphasis on camp).

So while I was recently listening to the soundtrack at the most normal place to listen to it, the gym, I decided to create a definitive ranking of all fourteen songs from Stinker to Banger. To confirm, this is an official objective ranking and in no way a subjective list of my opinions :)

14. Under Your Spell

With apologies to Tara, I found her whole “shy awkward witch” thing extremely tedious. Possible projection as I was a blonde closeted loser with a penchant for zig-zag hair partings but regardless, this song is a stinker, and drags through all of its 1.35 minutes and isn’t worth it for the one play-on-words gag of “you make me come-plete”.

13. Dawn’s Lament/Dawn’s Ballet

Many Buffy fans weren’t happy with the decision to introduce a sister for Buffy late in the series and truthfully I was one of them. Not enough to take to angry message boards but enough to make me realise how strong those early few seasons were.

Like most of the cast, Michelle Tratchenberg is not a singer, so they gave her a ballet of sorts once she’s taken hostage by the big bads of the episode. Thankfully they surround her with actual dancers so it’s not so noticeable but still… eh.

12. Under Your Spell/Standing Reprise

I love a musical reprise as much as the next guy but this mash-up does not work for me. Thematically they needed it to show the arcs of both Tara and Giles but hoo boy, does this hurt my ears. (SORRY.)

11. Rest In Peace

Later in season six, Whedon decided to make Spike assault Buffy which put a really yucky (to put it lightly) vibe on a complex relationship. Personally I think it was a bad call but I didn’t hate that Spike and Buffy had a weird situationship for a while.

This song gives major incel vibes and is too reminiscent of a cover band in a pub full of divorced dads to be fully enjoyable.

10. Parking Ticket

A fun part of this episode is that the entire city is taken over by this mystery musical virus so along with the main cast pieces we get some fun short songs to illustrate the scope of this, like this woman pleading to have her parking ticket revoked. Relatable, also.

9. The Mustard

As above: makes me laugh every time. Really fun choreography and concept for a gag lasting just a few seconds. It pops into my head whenever I see a dry cleaner’s.

8. Theory/If We’re Together

A wonderful combination of sentiment and humour sets up the episode, also revealing one of their theories was in fact correct! We also are blessed with Anya’s brief solo about being frightened of bunnies.

7. Where Do We Go From Here

The final song with a title that summarises the episode--everyone feels completely lost having realised they tore Buffy out of heaven and she’s now living a numb life of monotony and ongoing selflessness. They nailed the mood but as a song, it’s very high school musical, and not the fun type with Lucas Grabeel. The best part is Spike abruptly stopping the dance routine and realising he can just walk away. 

6. Standing

Giles is my Dad and a father figure to Buffy and this song is extremely bittersweet. Anthony Stewart Head is a blessing and elevated the show, including this episode. After a bunch of fun tunes, Giles croons a sad ballad of self-realisation that he needs to step back so Buffy can grow up. The sentiment is beautifully sad and still gave me goosebumps on this millionth rewatch.

5. Overture/Going Through the Motions

Apparently inspired by “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, this is a perfect first song. It sets the tone of the episode, we get a glimpse into Buffy’s current headspace along with dancing demons and lots of melodrama.

4. Something to Sing About

I believe this song is deliberately messy. The discordant way Buffy sings “I think I was in heaven” to reveal to her friends that they tore her out of eternal peace is shocking and makes me wince every time--it’s a really interesting and sad storyline--and as a whole number, sounds like three songs in one.

While I wouldn’t listen to it as a little tune, it works narratively and we see Willow realise the consequences of what she did mistakenly thinking she was saving her friend. Heavy stuff! We then get a reprise from the sexy gay demon (see below).

3. What You Feel

This demon RULES. He’s horny, camp and tap-dancing, what more could we ask for? I’m certain this song influenced my tragic fate to have crushes on extremely gay men. If I was Dawn, I’d be so happy to marry this demon and live in the underworld with him. Big mistake. Huge.

2. I’ll Never Tell

This could straight-up be out of a classic musical. From a songwriting and production perspective it’s a super tight duet between Xander and Anya that works in every way: musically, narratively, comedically. This one song is better than all of La La Land.

1. Walk Through the Fire

This song arrives at the emotional climax of the episode, with a reincarnated and emotionally numb Buffy feeling abandoned and alone with the world on her shoulders. But what’s THIS? The Scooby Gang remember they’re a gang and reunite to help her save Dawn from the horny dancing demon! Equally sentimental and brave with some sweet harmonies, just perfect. The power of friendship will save us all.

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Deirdre Fidge is a Sydney-based writer whose work has appeared in The Guardian, ABC News, Archer Magazine and the Sydney Morning Herald

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