Netflix premiered its long-awaited series The Sandman, adapted from Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel of the same name. This debut gave fans nostalgia for Lucifer, the preceding series acquired by Netflix from Fox that took its final bow in 2021. Loosely inspired by the character from The Sandman, Lucifer was a genre smorgasbord. Labeled an urban fantasy, the show exhibited multiple elements in the way of comedy, drama, and musicals.
Lucifer, oddly enough, became pretty well-known amongst fans for its musical moments. After a powerful cover of "Sinnerman" back in season 1, a plot-relevant musical number would crop up over the show's six seasons. This is capped up by a long-awaited musical episode in season 5. While there are plenty of amazing musical moments throughout the series, some really stuck out as the best of the best.
“Wicked Game”
Lucifer Morningstar, “Bloody Celestial Karaoke Jam”
Lucifer would not have become the adored classic it is today had it not been for its leading man. Tom Ellis’ masterful portrayal of the prince of darkness was both meticulously layered and Emmy-worthy in its execution. Two of Lucifer’s many talents were in the form of singing and piano playing.
Season 5’s “Bloody Celestial Karaoke Jam” opens with Lucifer unable to sleep. He is soon at his beloved piano, leading to him singing Chris Issak’s “Wicked Game.” Toggling between scenes of Lucifer and Chloe, this rendition is extremely heartfelt as the episode’s opening number.
“Wonderwall”
Mazikeen “Maze” Smith, “Save Lucifer”
Mazikeen is a character fans have felt badly for during the show’s six seasons. Underneath her rage and tenacity lies a woman that is misunderstood in her complexities. Fortunately, Maze (Lesley-Ann Brandt) does receive a happy ending in the show’s series finale.
Season 4’s “Save Lucifer” has Maze dedicating the Oasis one hit sensation “Wonderwall” to Eve (Inbar Lavi), her eventual love interest. Preceding her performance of “Someone To Watch Over Me” in Season Five, Brandt delivers a rendition of the 90s classic that is simultaneously sultry and poignant. To her dismay, this musical declaration was rebuffed by Eve.
“Smile”
Trixie Espinoza, “Bloody Celestial Karaoke Jam”
An unpopular Reddit opinion about Lucifer is that Trixie Espinoza, daughter of Dan and Chloe, is annoying. On the contrary, Trixie’s precocious and spunky demeanor provided the dark fantasy series with a touch of innocence. Trixie’s actress, Scarlett Estevez, consistently delivered a charming performance over six seasons.
Season 5’s mega-musical “Bloody Celestial Karaoke Jam”’ has Trixie sweetly singing Nat King Cole’s “Smile”, which served as the episode's penultimate song. She watches her mother sitting at the kitchen table looking at a drawing of Lucifer. Reminiscing over the memories of her and Lucifer, Chloe doesn’t see Trixie.
“I’m Alright”
Lucifer Cast, “Who’s da New King of Hell?”
Although this isn’t a cover song, the inclusion of Kenny Loggins’ “I’m Alright” still serves as a Lucifer musical classic. Opening the Season 4 episode "Who's da New King of Hell?" with the song was both unexpected and pleasant.
The number starts off with a grand entrance in true Lucifer fashion, joining a sparkly outfitted chorus on the bar at his nightclub Lux. He is then at the police station in a hoe-down choreographed scene, this time accompanied by Ella Lopez (Aimee Garcia). An homage was paid to Dirty Dancing with Lucifer and Dan Espinoza (Kevin Alejandro) executing the classic lift.
“Someone To Watch Over Me”
Lucifer Morningstar and Lilith Smith, “It Never Ends Well for the Chicken"
From occasional lovers to bitter rivals and everything in between, one of the show’s best friendships is between Maze and Lucifer. Whether it was in the past or present, Lucifer having some kind of interaction with Maze’s mother Lilith (also played by Lesley-Ann Brandt) was only logical.
The Season 5 episode “It Never Ends Well for the Chicken" has Lilith and Lucifer’s 1946 meeting as a black and white noir frame story. Set in a swanky club, Lucifer opens the number on the piano before Lilith joins. Brandt gives a velvety performance crooning Ella Fitzgerald’s “Someone To Watch Over Me”.
“Luck Be A Lady”
Lucifer Morningstar and Ella Lopez, “Vegas With Some Radish”
With a show as dynamic as Lucifer, it was only natural for show-stopping musical spectaculars to pop up every once in a while. The Season 3 episode “Vegas with Some Radish” was one of these times.
Lucifer and Ella travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, upon hearing Lucifer's ex-wife Candy Fletcher is currently missing. While she isn’t missing, she is certainly surrounded by mafia troubles due to her father’s club Fletcher’s. Thinking quickly on their feet, Lucifer and Ella create a diversion at Fletcher’s performing a glitzy, showgirl-accompanied number of Frank Sinatra’s Las Vegas anthem “Luck Be A Lady”.
“Eternal Flame”
Lucifer Morningstar, “Candy Morningstar”
The “Deckerstar” romance between Lucifer Morningstar and Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) was the show’s backbone. Lucifer did many sweet things for Chloe, but perhaps the sweetest was when he seemingly serenaded her in Season 2.
“Candy Morningstar”, the fourteenth episode of the second season, has Lucifer recently “married” to exotic dancer Candy Fletcher (Lindsey Gort). While investigating a musician's murder, Chloe arrives at a nightclub and is surprised by Lucifer on stage. He sings The Bangles' “Eternal Flame”, which Chloe thinks is dedicated to her, but is actually a ruse to sniff out a potential suspect.
“My Way”
Lucifer Morningstar, “Once Upon A Time”
Lucifer was a show that consistently went out of the box with its presentation. Numerous cinematic methods were highlighted throughout the series, such as an animated episode or an episode rendered in black and white. There was even an alternate universe for the characters, which was seen with Season 3's “Once Upon A Time”.
Despite being in an alternate reality, Lucifer has some awareness about his current state. Nonetheless, he is eventually seen at Lux, belting out Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. There is irony in this song selection, as Lucifer would love for everything to go his way.
“Creep”
Lucifer Morningstar, “Everything’s Okay”
Season 4 would be the first season on Netflix after the streaming giant purchased Lucifer from FOX after the latter’s cancellation of the series. The premiere episode “Everything’s Okay” opens with Lucifer on the piano, surrounded by a packed house at Lux.
In this impassioned rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep” lies major foreshadowing. Lucifer is at a standstill in the midst of an identity crisis. His anger towards the events of the past and what his future may hold is a major focal point in his character arc for the season.
“All Along The Watchtower”
Lucifer Morningstar, "Everything's Coming Up Lucifer"
Attempting to measure up to either Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix in any musical capacity is a feat that could be rendered impossible. By force of sheer talent, Tom Ellis effortlessly prevails.
Lucifer’s sophomore season premiere “Everything’s Coming Up Lucifer” closes its episode with the titular character playing “All Along The Watchtower”. This soulful and bluesy cover of a 60s classic is one for the books, with Ellis’ smooth vocals being pitch perfect. As a compilation of the main characters in real-time plays, the tone for the rest of the season.