As we reported earlier today, The Simpsons long-time composer Alf Clausen has been fired from the show after 27 years as composer for the show.

Clausen provided music for the show, and won several awards for his work through the years - all of which he composed with thirty-five piece orchestra in mind every week.

With that in mind, we've come up with our pick of the six best musical moments from The Simpsons.

Take a look.

 

7. "Bad Cops, Bad Cops", from Homer's Triple Bypass

While it's essentially a soundalike of Inner Circle's 1987 reggae hit that was used for the TV show, Bad Cops is still a classic little tune and the lyrics just make the song even funnier. Not only that, the joke after the song ends just cracks us up every time. Close but no donut, cops!

 

6. "See My Vest!", from Two Dozen And One Greyhounds

The Simpsons' writing room always loved a good musical number, and See My Vest! was a rollicking Broadway showstopper that featured a cameo of sorts from Nanny from 101 Dalmatians. There's no better than authentic Irish Setter.

 

5. "End Credits", from Mother Simpson

While it has no lyrics, this piece of music is by far the most haunting piece of music played in the entire series - and perfectly captures the deep emotions that played out in the episodes.

 

4. "Canyonero", from The Last Temptation Of Krust

What makes the Canyonero song so effective is that it actually sounds like a real song from a car advertisement. Not only that, it borrows heavily from Rawhide and the lyrics are just so catchy and achingly funny that you'll probably end up rattling off the lyrics the next time you're behind the wheel of a squirrel-squashin', deer-smackin' drivin' machine, Canyoneroooooo!


3. "Doctor Zaius", from A Fish Called Selma

"Oh, I love legitimate theater."

  

2. "We Do! (The Stonecutters' Song)", from Homer The Great

Although the lyrics were written by the writing staff, Alf Clausen's score lifts it off the page and into a rousing cry of Martians, Steven Gutenberg, and the failure of the electric car. It's no wonder that the song was nominated for an Emmy, too.

 

1. "The Monorail Song", from Marge Vs. The Monorail

Marge Vs. The Monorail has a lot of points going for it as one of the all-time greatest Simpsons episodes, and the Monorail Song is out in front as the most memorable song from The Simpsons' history. Catchy, original, fun, and totally aware of its own power, the Monorail Song was enough to convince a town to buy completely pointless infrastructure - and make everyone use the same joke when they see a real monorail.