There is no doubt that The Walking Dead (along with Game of Thrones) has dominated television in 2016.
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Season 6 of the AMC hit series had audiences laughing, crying, and squirming through the majority of the episodes. The season finale introduced the fan-favorite villain, Negan, and brought in record numbers for the show.
Above all, the cliff-hanger that ended the final episode has become one of the most talked about moments in all of pop culture.
Nothing else has had millions of people bouncing and buzzing their way through most of the year, save for the massive amount of hits songs that have been released.
From Adele to The Chainsmokers, this year has seen the pop music scene explode. Whether you enjoy bobbing to “Panda” or cruising with DNCE, 2016 has brought the hits.
Since both scenes have become so captivating, why not take a look at what they could do together?
Here are some of your favorite Walking Dead characters, and their 2016 hit theme songs.
Dwight – “Stitches” by Shawn Mendes
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This one may have been a little too easy, but how can you deny the connection?
When Dwight returns in Season 6, half of his face is filled with burns and scars. He hasn’t addressed it on the show yet, but it was Negan who left Dwight with the ugly mug. After Dwight escaped with one of Negan’s wives, the leader took an iron to his face.
The pain of his punishment is unthinkable, but Dwight has come out tougher on the other side.
Whether figurative, or literal, Dwight could definitely use some of those stitches.
Deanna – “Work From Home” by Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign
Deanna was a respected leader to her people in Alexandria, but that power doesn’t last after a walker bite.
Deanna was bitten while she was trying to help defend her community, and she refused to let anyone take her life until she turned. Dealing with the pain, she vowed to stay in the house and look after Judith until she was out of breath.
While Deanna had an enormous hand in building Alexandria into the thriving community it is today, her most important work was done right there in that room.
Judith is the future of the world, and Deanna’s willingness to keep her business at home may have saved all of humanity.
Father Gabriel – “Sorry” by Justin Bieber
Everyone in The Walking Dead Universe has had to make tough decisions. Rick and the gang are all living with regrets, but none have made a more devastating decision than Father Gabriel.
After Gabriel appeared to the group a couple of seasons ago, we got the chance to learn his back story.
When the infection started, the priest locked himself in his church building. As his congregation came knocking, searching for protection and grace, he cowered in his office.
Letting over 100 people that you loved die, just to save your own life, it one of the most cowardly tales of the post-infection world. Gabriel has made it evident that he still regrets his actions, but this is the kind of thing that will haunt him ’til the end of days.
Carol – “Cheap Thrills” by Sia feat. Sean Paul
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Has any other character had an arc with more ups and downs than Carol?
Starting as a quiet housewife, Carol eventually transitioned into the most lethal killer in the group. After a couple of close calls, it now seems like she has lost all respect for her own life.
The idea of death is both tantalizing and terrifying to Carol, and she walks into trouble without thinking twice.
At the conclusion of season six, Carol went off on her own to keep herself from being a threat to the group. It also seems like she was excited by the thought of trouble on the open road.
Whether she’s seeking death, or redemption, Carol has become the ultimate cheap thrill-seeker.
The Walkers – “Hands to Myself” by Selena Gomez
Ever since The Walking Dead premiered in 2010, their signature zombies have become a mainstay in American pop culture.
With their noisy moans, and horde mentality, the walkers have set themselves apart from every other zombie iteration in history.
One of the biggest calling cards of the walkers is the incredible power of their hands. While the beasts appear slow and weak, they are able to tear through human skin with just one pull. It seems a bit odd when you think about it, but it makes these zombies much more dangerous.
Arms stretched wide, the walkers have torn through many beloved characters. They may not have brains to think with, but it’s clear they can’t keep their hands to themselves.
Rick Grimes – “Stressed Out” by twenty one pilots
After years of leading others through an undead apocalypse, you would think Rick has earned himself of break. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like rest is coming any time soon.
Each and every choice Rick has made since the start of the series has been for the good of his people. The problem is, someone always challenges his decisions. To add to the stress, most of his plans end up taking the life of a friend or loved one.
Rick takes that blame on his shoulders, but the problems have rarely been his fault. Either way, each chapter of this story seems to add one more obstacle to Rick’s plate.
All of this inner-conflict has been evident throughout the series, but the look on his face as Negan speaks to his group tells you all about the stress of Rick Grimes.
Take a breath sometime, Rick. You’ve earned it.
Morgan Jones – “Me, Myself, & I” G-Eazy feat. Bebe Rexha
There isn’t a character on The Walking Dead that has spent more time on their own than Morgan Jones.
Morgan appeared to help Rick in the pilot of the series, but disappeared for a couple of seasons after that. The group found him at one point, but he had appeared to lost all sanity.
Years later, after a daily regiment of zen training, Morgan found Rick and his people once again. Even though he’s back with the only friends he has left, Morgan still seems completely alone.
Wanting to live a non-violent lifestyle, Morgan mostly keeps to himself. We shouldn’t worry about Morgan, he’s lived with himself for long enough. He can handle the solitude.
Lori’s Ghost – “Hello” by Adele
Too soon?
After Lori died giving birth to Judith, Rick became an emotional wreck. Hiding out with Carl in an abandoned house, his attention turned to a ringing phone in the corner.
For weeks, Rick talked to his dead wife on a telephone that wasn’t even connected anything. This began a spiral into insanity for the character, but he was eventually able to hang up for good.
The video for “Hello” became famous for Adele bearing her soul on her former lover’s voicemail. The song became a sensation, and so did the image of the phone call.
Calling back from the grave, Lori ended up being recognized more for her phone calls than the depth of her original character. A quick hello was all she wanted, but calls became one of the darkest, and most drawn out, story arcs of the series.
Negan – “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
Has there been a man this summer that has garnered more attention than Negan of Justin Timberlake?
Negan has been the subject of television this season for his brutal entrance to The Walking Dead. Not only did he take the life of a major character, but Jeffery Dean Morgan portrayed the comic character perfectly.
Justin Timberlake has been around for a while, but “Can’t Stop The Feeling” has become the anthem of 2016. The melody is impossible to escape, and you can’t help but dance when it comes on. The song is infectious and there is no denying it.
The undeniable happiness of the song also mirrors the attitude of Negan. He may be doing horrible things to others, but he can charm the pants off of anyone he comes across.
As much as you hear the song, and as much as you want to hate Negan, some part of you can’t help but love them both.
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