Complete List Of Television Albums And Songs

Feature Photo: Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Television was formed in New York City in 1973 by Tom Verlaine, Richard Hell, and Billy Ficca, with guitarist Richard Lloyd joining as the group evolved from the earlier Neon Boys. The band quickly became a staple of the burgeoning punk rock scene at CBGB, although their music was more complex and influenced by jazz and the Velvet Underground. After Richard Hell left the band in 1975, he was replaced by Fred Smith. Television’s lineup stabilized with Verlaine, Lloyd, Smith, and Ficca, and they released their debut album Marquee Moon in 1977. The album, known for its intricate guitar work and extended solos, received critical acclaim and reached number 28 on the UK Albums Chart.

Television released their second album, Adventure, in 1978, which showcased a more polished sound but did not achieve the same critical success as their debut. The band disbanded shortly after the release of Adventure due to internal tensions. They reunited in 1992 to release a self-titled album, which was well-received but did not achieve significant commercial success. In addition to their three studio albums, Television released several live albums, including The Blow-Up (1982), Live at the Academy, 1992 (2003), and Live at the Old Waldorf (2003). They also appeared on compilation releases including The Best of Television & Tom Verlaine (1998) and Marquee Moon / Adventure / Live at the Waldorf: The Complete Elektra Recordings (2005).

Although Television never achieved mainstream success, their influence on the punk and post-punk movements is significant. Their debut album, Marquee Moon, is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time and has inspired countless musicians. The band’s members, particularly Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, are celebrated for their innovative guitar techniques and have left a lasting legacy in the world of alternative rock. Television continued to reunite for occasional live performances in later decades. Richard Lloyd left the group in 2007 and was replaced by Jimmy Rip for subsequent performances. Tom Verlaine died on January 28, 2023, at the age of 73, and longtime bassist Fred Smith died on February 5, 2026, at the age of 77.

Television Studio Albums

Marquee Moon (1977)

Released: February 8, 1977

Marquee Moon is the debut studio album by Television, recorded at A&R Studios in New York City in September 1976. The album was produced by Andy Johns and Tom Verlaine. Known for its intricate guitar work and innovative sound, Marquee Moon has been highly influential in the development of punk and post-punk music. The album reached number 28 on the UK Albums Chart.

CD Track Listings:

“See No Evil” – 3:53
“Venus” – 3:49
“Friction” – 4:44
“Marquee Moon” – 10:38
“Elevation” – 5:05
“Guiding Light” – 5:33
“Prove It” – 5:00
“Torn Curtain” – 6:57

Adventure (1978)

Released: April 7, 1978

Adventure is Television’s second studio album, recorded at Soundmixers and Record Plant Studios in New York City from September 1977 to February 1978. The album was produced by John Jansen and Tom Verlaine. While not as critically acclaimed as their debut, Adventure continued to showcase the band’s distinctive sound and reached number 7 on the UK Albums Chart.

CD Track Listings:

“Glory” – 3:11
“Days” – 3:15
“Foxhole” – 4:49
“Careful” – 3:19
“Carried Away” – 5:14
“The Fire” – 5:56
“Ain’t That Nothin'” – 4:53
“The Dream’s Dream” – 6:46

Television (1992)

Released: October 6, 1992

Television is the band’s third and final studio album, recorded at Acoustilog in New York City. The album was produced by Television and features a more polished sound compared to their earlier work. Despite not charting as high as their previous albums, it was well-received by fans and critics alike.

CD Track Listings:

“1880 or So” – 3:41
“Shane, She Wrote This” – 4:21
“In World” – 4:12
“Call Mr. Lee” – 4:16
“Rhyme” – 4:47
“No Glamour for Willi” – 5:00
“Beauty Trip” – 4:22
“The Rocket” – 3:23
“This Tune” – 3:42
“Mars” – 4:56

Television Live Albums

The Blow-Up (1982)

Released: 1982

The Blow-Up is a live album by Television assembled from live recordings made in 1978, including performances from the band’s final touring period before its original breakup. Released by ROIR, the album captures the band’s rawer and more improvisational live sound and includes extended performances of songs such as “Little Johnny Jewel” and “Marquee Moon.”

CD Track Listings:

“The Blow-Up” – 4:00
“See No Evil” – 3:22
“Prove It” – 5:00
“Elevation” – 4:50
“I Don’t Care” – 3:04
“Venus De Milo” – 3:31
“Foxhole” – 5:04
“Ain’t That Nothin'” – 6:13
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – 7:50
“Little Johnny Jewel” – 14:56
“Friction” – 5:01
“Marquee Moon” – 14:45
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – 7:18

Live at the Academy, 1992 (2003)

Released: 2003

Live at the Academy, 1992 is a live album by Television recorded at the Academy in New York City on December 4, 1992, during the band’s reunion period. Released by Ohoo Music, the album documents the reunited lineup performing material from the 1992 Television album alongside earlier classics.

CD Track Listings:

“Intro” – 1:02
“1880 or So” – 7:08
“This Tune” – 5:10
“Venus” – 3:40
“Beauty Trip” – 6:09
“No Glamour for Willi” – 5:53
“Call Mr. Lee” – 5:05
“Prove It” – 6:00
“The Rocket” – 4:44
“Rhyme” – 8:38
“In World” – 8:20
“Marquee Moon” – 12:04

Live at the Old Waldorf (2003)

Live At The Old Waldorf 1978 (Rhino Records Handmade Limited Edition of 5000 copies)

Released: September 23, 2003

Live at the Old Waldorf is a live album by Television, recorded at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco on June 29, 1978. Released by Rhino Handmade, the album captures the band on its final tour before the original 1978 breakup and documents the interplay between Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Fred Smith, and Billy Ficca.