Can you believe it's been over 100 episodes of Steven Universe? With the constant hiatuses the creators have to take, it's not surprising. I have been a fan of this show since the pilot first came out in 2014 and while there was a time I wasn't watching for a short while, I quickly jumped back in upon hearing...the songs.
The songs in Steven Universe are many and incredible. Each one is uniquely memorable and enhances the show- and its characters-- so much. So, to celebrate the marking of the 100th episode, here are my favorite songs! Spoilers ahead- you've been warned.
Strong In The Real Way
I am genuinely bummed that with the introduction of Nicki Minaj as a character there wasn't an accompanied song but that's okay because we got this awesome duet between Deedee Magno (Pearl) and Zach Callison (Steven). I didn't like this song for a while, but then I actually listened to it and it all went downhill from there.
This song from "Full Disclosure" is an excellent greeting to the second season of Steven Universe-- and almost one of the only times the show recognizes how dark it's gotten from the first episode in which Steven sings about ice cream and thinks that's how he can activate his powers. Also-- they incorporated his ringtone! Into the song! It's incredible!
I honestly get so emotional every time I listen and watch this song. This was the first of now three flashback episodes following Greg (Steven's dad) meeting the Crystal Gems and it's still the best of the two songs that came out of them.
The ending theme of the show has added a verse every now and then, turning it into a really beautiful song. We still haven't heard all of it, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy what we have now!
This song is from one of the greatest episodes of Steven Universe: The Answer (It's love, by the way). This episode is Garnet narrating how she was created-- through the love of these two gems voiced by Charlyne Yi (Ruby) and Erica Luttrell (Sapphire). The song is hesitant and conveys the growing love between the two gems as they get to know each other and the Earth.
The episode "Sadie's Song" screamed trope to me as soon as it started, but I didn't expect this twist end, in which Steven runs out to perform instead of Sadie (who was too anxious to do it). This scene in particular is a perfect example of how accepting the characters in the show are-- Steven's allowed to dress up and be feminine and everyone loves it, the only comments about his performance being "That mystery guest had Steven written all over it!"
This song came out recently but OH MAN. Watching this while it aired was hard to manage without screaming from excitement. The animation was stunning but beyond that, each time Pearl has a moment in the show that overtly pushes her sexuality to the forefront-- and she's had a LOT by now-- I tear up. This episode was no exception.
Speaking of pushing sexuality to the forefront of the show, nothing could ever top the moment Garnet was revealed to be a fusion. That was something the show hinted at strongly but still left us with our jaws dropped when it happened. The accompanying song, in which Estelle sings while her character beats the ever living crap out of the gem Jasper, is definitely an experience.
As a fan who's been around since the pilot episode, it was disappointing to me that the opening theme got rid the first verse. But then this beauty was released during last year's Sand Diego Comic Con, and it does not fail to make me tear up at least once each time watching (because I'm weak). This hyped the show so much while also serving as an incredible yet spoilery recap. And baby Steven is a gift to watch.
