needle drop
noun
plural needle drops
1
: the dropping of needles by a conifer (such as a spruce, yew, or pine)
Fall needle drop occurs each year …—
Deborah Brown
Deborah Brown2
: a popular song used in a film or television show for dramatic effect
… heavy metal needle drops add a flourish to sword fights …—Robert Daniels
—often hyphenated when used before another nounRobert Danielsneedle-drop scores
Examples of needle drop in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The needle drops, which include Lennon songs and Beatles songs, are impeccable and irresistible.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 May 2026
In one scene, Little Death lays outrageously bloody waste to the frisky incoming counselors of Camp Miasma (played by Zach Cherry, Quintessa Swindell, and Eva Victor, among others) in a long take set to a needle drop that shouldn’t be spoiled but that adds up to something worthy of blissing out to.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 May 2026
In its first two seasons, Euphoria featured more than 300 needle drops, making music as essential to the series’ storytelling as its glittered, psychedelic visuals.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
Who are these pop culture needle drops for?
—James Grebey, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
The Boston locations and production values are top notch including another fine Daniel Pemberton score, some cool needle drops, and excellent cinematography from Arseni Khatchaturan.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
An unconventional biopic with ecstatic needle drops — that sort of thing.
—Nick Newman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Absolutely perfect Nina Simone needle drop.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
After the needle drop Deniké plays a set with the Cottontails, which is followed by an informal hang with the musicians.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
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Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 May 2026
In one scene, Little Death lays outrageously bloody waste to the frisky incoming counselors of Camp Miasma (played by Zach Cherry, Quintessa Swindell, and Eva Victor, among others) in a long take set to a needle drop that shouldn’t be spoiled but that adds up to something worthy of blissing out to.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 May 2026
In its first two seasons, Euphoria featured more than 300 needle drops, making music as essential to the series’ storytelling as its glittered, psychedelic visuals.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
Who are these pop culture needle drops for?
—James Grebey, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
The Boston locations and production values are top notch including another fine Daniel Pemberton score, some cool needle drops, and excellent cinematography from Arseni Khatchaturan.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
An unconventional biopic with ecstatic needle drops — that sort of thing.
—Nick Newman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Absolutely perfect Nina Simone needle drop.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
After the needle drop Deniké plays a set with the Cottontails, which is followed by an informal hang with the musicians.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needle drop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needle%20drop. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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