'Sopranos' at 25: Celebrate with the top 25 episodes, top 25 songs in the HBO series

There really aren't any bad episodes of the Sopranos.

But some are better than the others.

We sat down and watched the entire series over the past month and made note of our 25 must-see episodes for the 25th anniversary.

Before we start, we didn't include the pilot or the final episode because obviously you'll want to see how it all starts and how it ends. Or maybe doesn't end, who knows? I mean other than David Chase.

Some of these have great scenes, some have great storylines, but all are worth watching. In fact, every episode is worth watching.

So sit down, get some gabagool, break out the good wine and spend the long weekend watching these great ones.

Oh, and as a bonus, we also include the top 25 songs from the show.

Top 25 Sopranos Episodes

The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti

Season one, episode 8

A good Christopher episode, you learn a lot about the poor guy in this one.

Nobody Knows Anything

Season one, episode 8

After watching this one, I certainly wouldn’t want to be a mob boss. Maybe a capo? Nah, I’d never make it.

I dream of Jeannie Cusamano

Season one, episode 13

Lucky number 13 was anything but for a lot of people. It’s around this episode that you realize you’re cheering for a bad dude.

Commendatori

Season two, episode 4

There’s a lot of reasons to watch the episode where the crew goes to Italy, but my favorite part is a Mob boss getting grief from his wife because he’s working.

The Happy Wanderer

Season two, episode 6

If you feel bad for losers, this is a hard one to watch. You start to realize Tony doesn’t get a great deal out of therapy in this one.

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Funhouse

Season 2, episode 13

You lose a key member of the crew here, but it had to be done. He’s a rat!

Another Toothpick

Season 3, episode 5

Any program with Burt Young is a winner. It also shows how kind Bobby is. He was a great man who loved his family. So he killed a guy!

University

Season 3, Episode 6

I didn’t truly hate Ralph until watching this one. You will too.

To Save us All From Satan's Power

Season 3, Episode 10

It's always fun to celebrate the holidays with the Sopranos. Just don't bottom out.

Pine Barrens

Season three, episode 11

Many (most?) will argue this is the most fun episode of the series and they're not wrong if you like two guys lost in the woods. I'm selling it short, you'll love it.

Amour Fou

Season three, episode 12

The series was really hitting its grove at this point. This has so much action in it. You'll get way more out of this episode than just practice!

The Army of One

Season three, episode 13

You'll see how smart a boss Tony is in this one. A great finale for season three.

Everybody Hurts

Season four, episode 6

Make sure you have tissues for this episode. It might be the saddest episode.

Whoever Did This

Season 4, episode 9

My favorite character gets written off in this one. Oh, and Tony kill someone else.

Strong, Silent type

Season four, episode 10

It's a great episode, but just watch for the intervention.

Whitecaps

Season four, episode 13

Anyone who loves the Jersey Shore will love the plot of this. It also features the best acting in the series, and that's a bold statement because the entire series is filled with incredible acting.

Two Tonys

Season five, Episode 1

This really sets up the rest of the series well. Also, we're introduced to that animal Blundetto, played by Steve Buscemi.

Where's Johnny?

Season five, episode 3

A great character gets some terrible news, and we learn Tony wasn't a great high school athlete.

(L-R) Actors Michael Imperioli & Drea De Matteo in scene from HBO cable TV series The Sopranos.  (Photo by Anthony Neste/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)
(L-R) Actors Michael Imperioli & Drea De Matteo in scene from HBO cable TV series The Sopranos. (Photo by Anthony Neste/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)

Irregular Around the Margins

Season five, episode 5

There's something fun about watching a bad guy get blamed for something he didn't do.

Marco Polo

Season five, episode 8

It was fun to watch Carmella defend her estranged husband in this one.

Long Term Parking

Season five, episode 12

It's funny, the show is considered one of the best ever, yet every week we lose a great character. This one hurts to watch.

All Due Respect

Season five, episode 13

You do have to hand it to the writers, they did a fantastic job every season and leaving off at a great spot.

Join the Club

Season six, episode 2

Honestly, I picked this one, but the one before and after should also be watched. From the time Tony gets shot until he leaves the hospital, it's great television. You learn so much about everyone during these three episodes.

Mr. and Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request ...

Season six, episode 4

Tony proves he's not slouch coming out of the shooting, and the wedding was great. Johnny Sack and Phil Leotardo are incredible characters.

The Second Coming

Season 6, episode 19

We've left out a lot of this season, and that might be unfair because it's very good. But Tony becomes a darker, meaner character, and some scenes are actually uncomfortable to watch. This is the episode where things start going wrong for New Jersey. They go from being a family to a glorified crew.

Top 25 songs from the Sopranos

  • “Don’t Stop Believing,” Journey

  • “Got Yourself a Gun,” Alabama 3

  • “When I was 17,” Frank Sinatra

  • “Comfortably Numb," Roger Waters, Van Morrison & The Band

  • “Take Me To The River,” Talking Heads

  • “Dirty Work,” Steely Dan

  • “Three Bells,” The Browns

  • “Evidently Chickentown,” John Cooper Clark

  • “Maybe, Baby,” Buddy Holly

  • “Super Bon Bon,” Soul Coughing

  • “Born to Run,” Bruce Springsteen

  • “Three Times a Lady,” The Commodores

  • “If I was a Carpenter,” The Four Tops

  • “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” Bon Jovi

  • “Big Boss Man,” Nancy Sinatra

  • “Rock the Casbah,” The Clash

  • “Come for Me,” Steve Van Zandt

  • “Free Fallin,'” Tom Petty

  • "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)," by Frank Sinatra

  • “Oh Girl,” The Chi-Lites

  • “Surfin' U.S.A.” Beach Boys

  • "Every Breath You Take," The Police

  • “It Was a Very Good Year,”

  • “I Wonder Why,” Dion & The Belmonts

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Top 25 episodes of 'The Sopranos,' top 25 songs from the series.