When my friends and I watched the series premiere of HBO’s How to Make It in America this weekend, we rewound as soon as the opening credits were over so we could listen again to the new show’s awesome theme song, “I Need a Dollar.” It sounded like the type of thing you might discover deep in someone’s collection of old soul records on vinyl — maybe an obscure Bill Withers B-side we weren’t familiar with?
Nope! A quick Google check revealed that we were enjoying a brand new tune from 2010, not 1970. “I Need a Dollar” is the first single from singer Aloe Blacc‘s album Good Things, coming soon on left-field rap haven Stones Throw Records. His backing band on this track is retro-soul outfit El Michels Affair, whose work I’ve praised in this space.
Stones Throw is generously offering up “I Need a Dollar” as a free MP3 download, so go and grab it now, or watch a promo featuring How to Make It in America‘s title sequence below. (Frankly, those opening credits are the only part of the show that I’d say is worth your time — but hey, maybe it’ll improve in the next few episodes.) Then let us know if you’re digging How to Make It in America‘s theme song as much as I do.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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totally digging it.
Wow if history isn’t repeating itself… I remember when Trueblood started, this website said the show was extremely mediocre.. once the ratings started going up so did the opinion of the show on this website… ‘How to make it’ has potential just gotta give it some time to breath and find itself… plus once the ratings go up if it gets better im sure EW will be the 1st website to jump on the bandwagon saying how amazing the show is.
I’m not quite sure about the show so far, but the theme music was excellent- which is a good start at least.
great song, anyone know the names of the other songs theyve played throughout the show, soo much good music in this show.
Peat there’s actually a mixtape circulating named after the show that contains music from the show just search for it how to make it in America the mixtape
almost every pilot is pretty boring most of the time. it’s full of character introductions, little back story and hardly any plot. it shows a lot of potential though and the subtle humour is pretty awesome. and like you said, the music so far is amazing, and catches just the right mood. i’m continuing to watch it in hopes that it lives up to expectations.
5 episodes in and im hooked, each is getting better on it’s own. true the pilot was mediocre but it’s quickly turning into one of my top shows
The new entourage! Just of the average new yorker
From the opening theme to the end of every show, excellent. They really leave you hanging and wanting more than a half hour (ala Entourage) but this really hits home for the 20 and 30 something NYC crowd. It’s incredible how just the opening sequence accurately gives a glimpse of life in the Big Apple, no tourism attractions etc., just raw NYC. It’s fun to see the scene locations that you know if you live here too! Last night was a great episode, totally taken by surprise when the Rasta truck gets lifted and the…..spoiler alert sorry…..just watch it!!!
The show has slowly been getting better, but I remember the first season of Entourage too and it was just alright.. its like the writers just havent quite found the right groove yet.. most of the dialogue hits home and feels like it should.. but there is still quite a few misses.. but hopefully it will get better, and the title credits are still one of my favorite parts for sure..
This show is amazing and you’re a tool for saying to only watch the opening theme. one of the best concepts for a show. get real.
I love it. I am hooked. I was really rooting for Ben and Rachel. Also, great theme song…
The show was great, and the theme song is so good, it is my ringer for my cell, very appropriate since I was laid off when I started watching it.
Peat the songs for each episode are on HBO’s site.