Running from 2013 to 2019, Steven Universe was one of the best shows on Cartoon Network, with some of the best music on any television show, animated or live-action. Thanks to the musical mind of show creator Rebecca Sugar and composers Aivi & Surasshu, a menagerie of ukulele, guitars, and chiptune make up the soundtrack for the series.
Sugar's lyrics range from insightful and gorgeous to upbeat and silly - an incredible combination for a kids' show. There's no argument among Steven Universe fans that the music and songs are great, but which are the show's best?
10 "Cookie Cat (Performed By Pearl, Amethyst, and Garnet)" Brings The Show Full Circle
The first episode of Steven Universe featured the Cookie Cat theme song as Steven was distraught over his favorite ice cream cookie being discontinued. A fun jingle about "a refugee from outer space", the Cookie Cat theme song was reprised in the show's finale episode "The Future" after the Crystal Gems try Steven's homemade version of the treat. The Gems burst into the song, showing how much they love Steven.
9 "We Are The Crystal Gems (Full Version)" Is As Emotional Now As It Was In 2015
First revealed in a short at SDCC 2015, the full version of the Steven Universe theme song shows a very young Steven (Zach Callison) playing the it for the Crystal Gems after writing it on his new ukulele.
As "We Are The Crystal Gems" progresses, Pearl, Amethyst, Garnet, and Steven passionately sing about why they fight for Earth. The earnestness of the song and the retrospective look on the show make the heart swell.
8 "Full Disclosure" Gives Some Insight Into Steven's Coping Mechanisms
After the events of "Jail Break" where Jasper and Peridot land in Beach City, Steven tells his dad what has happened, and it causes Greg to have a panic attack over Steven's safety. Not wanting to put Connie through the same distress, Steven keeps ignoring her calls and, in usual Steven fashion, makes up a song that goes along with her ringtone. "Full Disclosure" is a clever little number that carries heavy weight, as it gives insight into Steven's eventual mental health crisis.
7 "What’s The Use Of Feeling (Blue)?" Delivers The Power Of Patti LuPone
Any Steven Universe song list that doesn’t include Patti LuPone – the show’s unparalleled power-hitter when it comes to special guest vocalists – is missing out. LuPone as Yellow Diamond was introduced earlier in the series, but her performance of "What's the Use of Feeling (Blue)?" was the first time the legendary Broadway singer showcased her amazing voice. The song she sings to Blue Diamond (backed by Yellow and Blue’s Pearls, both voiced by Deedee Magno Hall) shows Yellow’s brutal perspective on the future and her insistence that Blue move past her grief.
6 "Something Entirely New" Is A Beautiful Tune Fit For A Fairytale
In "The Answer", a simple little song stole everyone's hearts as Garnet told the story of how Ruby (Charlyne Yi) and Sapphire (Erica Luttrell) met. After accidentally fusing together in front of Blue Diamond's court, Ruby and Sapphire made their escape into the forests of Earth, singing about what they had done and musing over their situation with "Something Entirely New". The sweet song slows to a simple hum as the two fall in love. Fans may remember "Something Entirely New" as the song Sapphire sang in the season one finale, "Jail Break".
5 "Other Friends" Brings The Theatricality
In Steven Universe: The Movie, a couple of years have passed and Steven has finally brought peace to the universe. However, a new villain has a bone to pick with the Crystal Gems. In “Other Friends”, we're introduced to Spinel (Sarah Stile), Pink Diamond's former playtime companion from Homeworld who Pink had cruelly left behind when she went to Earth.
Spinel wants revenge against Pink for abandoning her, and the song's sinister tone, Stile's incredible vocals, and great animation flawlessly combine during Spinel's expert takedown of the Crystal Gems.
4 "Love Like You" Is As Addicting As It Is An Enigma
As the ending theme of Steven Universe, "Love Like You" is performed by Rebecca Sugar, the show's creator. With sultry piano, shuffling drums, and mysterious lyrics that are both romantic and melancholy, the song is a constant throughout the series. "Love Like You" first played outside of the closing credits at the end of season 3's finale episode when Steven learned that Rose Quartz had "shattered" Pink Diamond. It was reprised twice more in seasons 4 and 5.
3 "Here Comes A Thought" Is A Reminder That We Must Face Our Demons
Garnet (Estelle) feels a special affection for Stevonnie (AJ Michalka), the very first fusion of a human and a gem-human hybrid. When Connie was feeling the crushing guilt of hurting a boy from her school, Garnet helped Stevonnie confront those feelings so that their fusion could have an inner balance based on harmony. Not only are Estelle and Michalka's vocals in "Here Comes A Thought" breathtaking, we learn that Steven is also dealing with some intense inner turmoil that manifests in Steven Universe Future.
2 "It’s Over, Isn’t It?" Brought The Show's Music To A New Level
As one of the most emotional, heartbreaking songs from Steven Universe, "It's Over, Isn't It?" is about Pearl's resentment towards Greg, Steven's dad. Pearl's love and devotion to Rose Quartz were unwavering for thousands of years, and it took a trip to Empire City for her to finally come to terms with the fact that Rose was gone forever and that she must let go.
With beautiful lyrics and a show-stopping vocal performance by Deedee Magno Hall, it's undoubtedly one of Steven Universe's best songs.
1 "Stronger Than You" Reigns Supreme Forever
Perhaps the first epic song of the series, “Stronger Than You” became Garnet’s anthem after being forced to un-fuse by Jasper when the Homeworld gems landed in Beach City. In their rematch aboard the Homeworld ship, Jasper scoffed at Garnet being a fusion, calling her weak. The song not only explained who and what Garnet is (“I am their fury, I am their patience, I am a conversation”) but also held a stand against the prejudices Homeworld gems have towards fusions.
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