Visual & Musical References in Crazy Ex Girlfriend (Season 1)

[@alaynatruttmann8976]

This is dope! And the actress that sang In One Indescribable Instant also did A Whole New World right? So meta!

[@carlosvaldez4356]

Yes, Lea Selonga also sang reflection from Mulan

[@skzip888]

Also Eponine

[@jacquelinegarcia6504]

Yes!! Lea Salonga

[@blacksatinelove]

And les miserables And miss saigon Shes basically huge in MT

[@Crystalfrost8]

The entire show is so meta.

[@stellasdoesstuff]

The part in "I Have Friends" where the characters are naming themselves off also reminds me of The Nicest Kids in Town

[@joopizdebest]

Oh yeah I can see that

[@joyoriordan]

Same!

[@Ahrehwhy]

The Mickey Mouse Club started back in the mid-1950s- I think The Nicest Kids in Town is actually also parodying it.

[@americaroleplayer]

That was a style in a lot of show's in the 50's tho, wasn't it?

[@sarinisenbaum]

@@americaroleplayer 1962

[@MsLiz2208]

Thanks for this video! Rachel herself said that „West Covina“ was inspired by the opening song in beauty and the beast where Belle walks through her hometown

[@angelagarcia7093]

That makes sense, cause people talk to her

[@BanaiFeldstein]

This is the comment I came looking for. Part of that song seemed like it was a Disney princess. I was thinking the movie Enchanted.

[@diogoabcz]

Interesting fact: Hands to myself was released way after the pilot of Crazy Ex! So I would say Selena made a reference of Crazy ex and not the other way around!

[@steve9148-n9e]

I think both are a reference to the George Michael Freedom 90 video

[@anasamira8147]

i think its also a reference of hush hush (pussycat dolls)

[@andrewthezeppo]

@@steve9148-n9e yep Cindy Crawford in the bathtub is one of the most memorable scenes in an iconic video

[@solaceskies1]

Taylor swift has a similar scene in her look what you made me do video

[@rahbeeuh]

@@solaceskies1 That video seems heavily influenced by Beyoncé

[@nothinggoodstartsinagetawa1510]

i love that everytime someone puts a clip of group hang, they play that part we all love: _i’m so afraid of horses_

[@Monica-vv8sc]

Original Greg is sooooo good.

[@willowtree3854]

Mrs. M I miss him

[@beatricetoscano2247]

Sob

[@miraycelik9160]

I kinda liked skylar astin too

[@sotokeithleengaylee.6249]

I knew Skylar first before this but Originam Greg is the star

[@tadaboody]

Really was the OG 😔

[@OljaAlvir]

Background dancers and instruments in "I'm gettin' bi" are definitely referencing Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" as well as Shania Twain's "Man! I feel like a woman"

[@kaylapierce3497]

One indescribable instant is obviously A Whole New World. They even do the carpet thing. Which is fitting for Lea Salonica singing the song.

[@lisaandothers]

The whole wedding was full of Aladdin references, the grooms men even rolled in on mechanical carpets

[@PastelN01r]

I wish Dr. Akopian got more songs she's got an amazing voice!

[@quibily]

Rachel said Oh My God I Think I Like You was originally intended to be like Carly Rae Jepson but changed it because they wanted the song to be more vulnerable to show that fear that comes with falling in love and unsure if it’ll work out. I would compare it more to indie pop from between 2000 and 2010. Like Regina Spektor’s “Fidelity.”

[@briannagravely9349]

It feels kinda Tegan and Sara as well.

[@joopizdebest]

I would also compare it to "I won't say I'm in love" from Hercules.. but way grown up lool

[@lisaandothers]

@@joopizdebest I'm glad I wasn't the only one who was reminded of that song

[@sophiastargazer]

I don't agree with all of these, but it's cool nonetheless. Nice job.

[@tylermarie3654]

Same here

[@merchantfan]

Yeah, I Gave You A UTI was definitely a James Brown reference- he gets the cape thrown on him at the end. And I think the JAP Rap Battle was just a rap battle as was the thing in Hamilton I don't think those were related. But this was a lot of work

[@steve9148-n9e]

@@merchantfan There's definitely a bit of elvis going on in I Gave You A UTI too

[@andrewthezeppo]

@@merchantfan I think it being Rachel the Hamilton influence is probably very likely

[@frameturtle]

@@andrewthezeppo reminds me more of the old disney princess rap battles. Which of course were influenced by ERB, which was influenced by actual rap battles.

[@marsflytrap]

Props to you for putting in the work for this !! I didn't pick up on so many of these omg

[@D4NIELXOXO]

Same

[@laurenjcoates]

To me, “women gotta stick together” was a riff on old Taylor swift

[@Visplight]

Old Taylor songs never pretended to stick up for other women.

[@carollopes5950]

@@Visplight they were poking fun of her feminism. im not so sure but i think they did that after the 'there is a place in hell for women who dont blah blah blah. and the rythm does sounds like a generetic song of hers!

[@justink5000]

@@carollopes5950 I agree but excuse me none of Taylor's songs are generic

[@andrewthezeppo]

Are you old enough to remember Lilith Fair?

[@justink5000]

I think it's more a riff on those songs with a cheesy message and cheap lyrics. None of Taylor's songs are cheap or cheesy. And those who directly tackle feminism - "The Man" and "Mad woman", mainly - have a totally different tone than Women gotta stick together. It just sucks that everyone just listens to how the media portrays Taylor, and never to what she actually says in interviews or to what she says in her songs. She really doesn't deserve that. She has her heart in the right place, she is intelligent, and she uses her fame for good.

[@pacificostudios]

One of the maddest thing about CXG is that, at the end of Season 1, the story is completely resolved: Rebecca and Josh drive off together, just like she wanted. Its in Season 2 where things get much more complicated.

[@indiiedreamer]

"I could if I wanted to" is inspired by the video of The Verve, but I think the song is also inspired by Loser by Beck

[@honza_vhrlk]

omg i just gained a new level of appreciation for this TV series

[@Molly-tv5sv]

I'm so obsessed with the Roses' Turn parody that is 'all the things i've done for you'. It's so perfect for both her character and the show in general.

[@Sterling_Qrow]

A Band Made Up of Four Joshes was directly inspired by Backstreet Boy's "Quit Playing Games With My Heart" (during which the whole group wore entirely white outfits) and Boys 2 Men's "I Swear" during which the whole group ALSO wore all white outfits, not just "boy bands" in general, and Paula's "Face Your Fears" was inspired by African American Gospel music (not "I Believe I Can Fly") which is why during the live performance the cast members wore choir clothing, "Status is Prefered" was inspired by Jazz Lounge singers, the red dress, the actual jazz lounge (which is what Jessica Rabbit was inspired by as well), and there's a LOT more just wrong with this list......some of them are spot on but others are either way too over generalizing or not generalizing enough, and others are just plain wrong, this must be a personal list and not one based off research

[@andrewthezeppo]

N*Sync also wore all white and danced as this video clearly showed as did OTown and 98 degrees and other lesser known boy bands it was a common thing in the turn of the millennium boy band era though

[@xoxkimmxox]

This is really cool! I love being able to see possible references for the songs. Thought I'd point out that Greg's song 'I could if I wanted to' sounds very heavily inspired by Lithium by Nirvana

[@purplebushie]

A lot of the ones where it’s admittedly kind of a stretch are worth having anyway, if nothing else then to show other examples of the tropes that CXG is parodying/referencing The soundtrack of the show is a love letter to music as a whole, especially famous songs and famous methods and imagery

[@DoeFamilyAlbum]

"I Give Good Parent" had a Lady Gaga vibe too, at least visually

[@syenite]

My favorite is the meta reference that "one indescribable instant" is sung by Lea Salonge, who is also the singing voice of Jasmine (and Mulan!).

[@Harri_James]

Some of these feel like a bit of a stretch...

[@paolav.9826]

But I'll take them too!

[@bennyanderssonfanfic5952]

I'll take all your visual-and-musical-reference kernels

[@weesalikesmilktea4829]

6:30 I thought both of these were just plays on rap battles?

[@karinacardoso108]

This is absolutly amazing. Oh, my God I think I like you!

[@idlesun1645]

You missed the buzzing from the bathroom, inspired by empty chairs and empty tables from Les mis

[@ryanfaure3120]

I think this is in season 3 and this video is focused on season 1

[@idlesun1645]

@@ryanfaure3120 yeah, I noticed that now, thank you!

[@taisgrim]

8:32 Bonus points for Lea Salonga (voiced Jasmine in the movie) singing

[@BadCatInHat]

The band part in "West Covina" is totally "I'm a brass band" from "Sweet Charity"

[@CamzCritiques]

I Love My Daughter definitely references Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet. their melodies are so similar especially in the chorus

[@thembill8246]

Wow, there are many I wouldn't have understood because of my lack of pop music knowledge, but the comparisons are solid! I would definitely have pointed out a few of the specific visual gags in the '80s getup, like Lita Ford. All in all, great video!

[@yumemilee]

I LOVE THIS - amazing!!!! @8:19 After Everything I’ve Done for You also made me think of Mr. Cellophane from Chicago I hadn’t thought of Gypsy ❤️

[@MrSomervillen]

Thanks for doing this! It's incredible!

[@Hellokitty25422]

soo grateful this was made!! thank you!! i knew the show had even more depth

[@wendyunderhill5928]

amazing work. As someone who is musical impaired, I needed this.

[@joymac]

I also think I could if I wanted to references “loser” by Beck

[@bdp8102]

also "Where is my mind"

[@nasentehstrange]

I think I'm a good person is a reference to hair - I got life. The singer also walks over a table like Rebecca does

[@daliluher9435]

Exactly. I was just thinking how they were missing the mark on that part

[@glowmilk7948]

This is perfect, thanks so much for making this! Whenever I watched CEG and a reference came by, I'd be all, "I hope someone compiles these one day"

[@72roakie]

This just drives home for me what I already knew, which is that CXG was a freaking brilliant show. Thanks for the video!

[@EdigarGomes]

some of these were a reach but some are perfect, thank you for that!

[@LauM]

I love this! I hope you do this for the other seasons.

[@dclore]

I'm glad someone else got the Bernadette Peters vibe!

[@rahbeeuh]

And here I am again. Every now and then I find myself back here. This video is done masterfully

[@rebeccae.5217]

Love this compilation! I think the UTI song was also homage to "Grease" (Travolta dance, hand jive, Greased Lightning, T-bird jacket, etc.). One of my fave numbers in CEG.

[@elliemaze.asmoix]

thank you so much for this ♥♥♥

[@bradynztunez]

i believe rachel said that she didnt do any musical rap for the songs so the hamilton one is kind of a stretch but i see the similarities, cool vid :)

[@polivando]

Oh my god thank you so much! This is really helpful as I'm doing a series of videos on CXG and I go episode by episode and analyze what's happening and this list of references is SUCH a huge help!

[@zomzomino]

Honestly, California Christmas time made me wish Rebecca and Josh would just be platonic friends.

[@rahbeeuh]

Didn't they end up that way?

[@zomzomino]

@@rahbeeuh yeah

[@rahbeeuh]

@@zomzomino y'meant if they'd have stayed platonic friends throughout the show?

[@zomzomino]

@@rahbeeuh yeah.

[@zirta]

This is amazing, thank you for doing these videos! Wow, I didn’t know like, 90% of the references. So enjoyable and well edited 😄

[@lidiafsr]

This is so good! I just finished season 1. After every season I'll come back to your channel.

[@sheemakader5650]

Awesome! Would love to see for the other seasons

[@TisbearA]

Excellent work! Thanks so much for putting this together. 😁

[@estellecampiche]

I loved your video, personnaly the music "french depression" makes me think of "je ne veux pas travailler" from Pink Martini.

[@americaroleplayer]

I don't think One Indescribable Instant parodies I See The Light. Especially cuz they got the voice-actress for Jasmine to sing it.

[@maggiejackson2160]

This is so unbelievably impressive. Nice job!!!

[@dieulinh007]

Amazing! Kudos to the work you put into this!

[@SebiTheHunter]

For angry mad, the song is VERY similar to « when the rain begins to fall »

[@jennypan4055]

BLESS TYSM FOR THIS SIDE BY SIDE

[@Eliza-ig9kz]

I was gonna put this in the background while doing other stuff but wasn't able to not pay attention, this is so interesting thank you for making this!!!

[@teawithtams6596]

thanks for putting this together, you're an angel

[@RegalMermaid]

i’ve been wanting this since the show came out - thank you!

[@archergwen]

”Ghagra” is the song title and type of skirt. The movie is “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.” Not too big, but you did do the movies for the first two options (and Madhuri Dixit for two! She’s my favorite) There’s real attention to detail here. Super cool.

[@hayley8715]

Thank you, love this!! Must have been so much fun making all the music for the show!

[@Hanayuni]

This gives me life! I need to check all these musicals asap!

[@crisfer22]

This is great, thanks! And Santino was so good, it always makes me sad to think of it.

[@jcr4runner]

Most of these are spot on. I noticed a lot of these. But some are reaching. She's a brilliant student of pop culture.

[@sparrowwilson4514]

Omg. The Josh Karate punch dance is one of the best numbers. Kills me every time.

[@lizsweeny4347]

And it's a direct reference to Footloose! I just watched it for the first time ever, and it's so similar to the angry dance number by Kevin Bacon 😂 Seriously, go watch it. I never would've guessed!

[@vinh_g_nguyen]

OMG YESSS!!! So well done! Thank you so much for making and sharing this gem!

[@TheObjectionable]

I think the West Covina song also has some references Buenos Aires from Evita.

[@janetbeatrice9505]

Love this! It's so good that I also watched your Season 2 video and subscribed to your channel. I knew some of these, but there were many I wouldn't have caught since I don't watch many music videos. It was also nice to get a Crazy Ex fix now that it's gone. One of the best comedy series ever made.

[@RandomPerson-cz8yq]

Omg thank you i needed this 😂

[@nanajiloh]

THIS IS SO GOOD

[@angelamonahan2573]

Bravo!! 👏👏 Thanks for making this- its great!!

[@ofrayechiel6697]

Amazing job! With all 4 compilations. I enjoyed watching them so much!!

[@nora-cu1de]

This is so helpful. Thank you. Crazy ex girlfriend is so clever and funny and relatable.

[@magrathea23]

This is so cool! Bless u!

[@verenal.1477]

So, I have nothing useful to say here. But I love the fact that you went through all this trouble and made this amazing video. I think I doesn't get enough credit. And the algorithm likes user participation. So I'm just commenting and liking so that maybe more people see this.

[@ezranovak6503]

you desrve everything for the work you put in this series!! im new to cxg, so i watch the show and then i come here to check the refernces :) so fun!

[@albertelnen9144]

I knew that Greg song was piano man.

[@carolinatabr]

What an amazing job doing this video! Thank you so much. Sending the best regards from Brasil

[@skyjaden2975]

this was great! so many references i missed! but i always enjoyed the songs anyway.

[@buddytheoc]

Thank you, Ana. You have fulfilled my life quest.

[@tiffguevara8364]

Settle for me wil always be my fave song 💗💗💗💗

[@gregorianallanheavans8095]

Haven't seen Les MIserables. Now you made me appreciate that song even more.

[@roxasxiii4823]

just discovered your channel Settle for me has to be my favourite song

[@jdawn1982]

Some were definitely a stretch but you put good thought and work into it.

[@rachelgrubbs]

Wow, so much work and thought you put into this! Such a delight. Thanks for sharing 🌈🤩👏🏻

[@katta6875]

I thought "settle for me" was inspired by La la land. Nice video, lots of info i never knew!

[@TheLadyWhoLunches]

"Where's the Bathroom" isn't a _Fiddler on the Roof_ reference; it's literally just a stereotypical depiction of a Jewish woman

[@m_milos]

The lyrics aren't supposed to be a reference.

[@KyleRayner12]

@@m_milos Neither's the video.

[@lisaandothers]

But the music is undeniably similar

[@TheLadyWhoLunches]

That's because it's klezmer! (A Jewish genre of music)

[@rebelmeeple94]

i think it's a reference of "it's a privilege to pee" de urinetown xD

[@ozgday]

This is wonderful! Well done. :)

[@gabrielmatos4624]

thank you so much for this, it's amazing!

[@foomy44]

Thanks a bunch for these, need all the new CXG stuff we can get

[@starpupilz]

Face your fears also I think is similar to 'As We Stumble Along' from Drowsy Chaperone, as it's a silly-parody song of inspirational anthems without a whole lot of actual sense or advice

[@SandyDelMar42]

Thank you now I have a lot new favorite songs

[@hannahmango1143]

This just makes me love the show so much more omg

[@kaylaglazz]

Ahhhh I been looking for thissssss

[@pinksmoke6616]

Okay but I am and will always be under the impression JAP Battle is specifically a parody of Epic Rap Battles of History

[@lilhomieliyah3843]

I am in love with this video

[@lilymarianna8776]

I got 80s vibes from OMG I Think I Like You, more Tiffani than Carly Rae Jepsen.

[@Denwelyn]

Awesome ! Thank you for that ! 😍

[@lizisasleep]

And this is just the first season. What a show.