The Simpsons Season 37's Composer Alf Clausen Dedication Explained

Although The Simpsons season 37, episode 1 was dedicated to Alf Clausen, not all the long-running animated comedy’s viewers know who this industry titan was. Since The Simpsons is officially the longest-running scripted primetime American TV show in history, many of the show’s episodes are dedicated to guest stars who passed away in the years after their episodes aired.

However, this isn’t the only type of dedication that the show provides. In season 36 episode 17, the late satirical singer-songwriter Jill Sobule received a dedication to recognize a song she wrote for season 31, episode 6, “Marge the Lumberjill.” Similarly, season 37’s premiere featured a dedication to a musical talent who was central to the show’s success.

Alf Clausen Was A TV And Film Composer Who Scored The Simpsons

The Musician Died In May 2025

©Fox / Courtesy Everett Collection

At the end of season 37, episode 1, “Thrifty Ways to Thieve Your Mother,” The Simpsons featured a dedication to Alf Clausen. That name might not be familiar to all viewers of the show, but Clausen shaped the music of The Simpsons more than any other artist for decades on end.

From 1990 until 2017, Clausen was the sole composer for The Simpsons, and he created many of the memorable motifs that viewers immediately recognize from the musical background of Springfield. Season 37’s premiere was a relatively late dedication as Clausen died on May 29, 2025, but season 36 had already finished airing by the time the legendary composer passed.

Clausen’s work on The Simpsons was iconic, and the composer received two well-earned Primetime Emmy Awards in a row between 1997 and 1998. While he won for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics both years, he was nominated for the same award a further seven times throughout his tenure on The Simpsons.

Alf Clausen’s Life and Work Explained

The Composer Worked On Dozens of Shows and Movies

Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis in Moonlighting

However, although The Simpsons defined his career, Clausen wasn’t limited to his best-known score. Before The Simpsons, he worked on music for The Mary Tyler Moore Show before becoming the composer for Moonlighting, and he went on to work on Fame and Lime Street as well as various TV movies.

In cinema, Clausen provided additional music for movies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Naked Gun, Splash, Half Baked, and Weird Science, among others. In 2011, he was awarded the Golden Note by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers to recognize the impact and influence of his work on The Simpsons.

Clausen’s work is threaded throughout the immersive world of The Simpsons, and the fictional world of Springfield was a richer, fuller place for his contributions. While his talent will be missed, his contributions to television music were immeasurable and sonic echoes of his playful, unpredictable score for The Simpsons will resonate throughout the TV landscape for a long time to come.

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Release Date: December 17, 1989
Network: FOX
Showrunner: Al Jean
Directors: Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller
Writers: J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Brian Kelley, Bill Odenkirk, Dan Vebber, Kevin Curran, Stephanie Gillis, Dan Castellaneta, Deb Lacusta, Billy Kimball, Jessica Conrad, Cesar Mazariegos, Daniel Chun, Jennifer Crittenden, Conan O’Brien, Valentina Garza, Elisabeth Kiernan Averick, Christine Nangle, Broti Gupta, Loni Steele Sosthand, Megan Amram, Bob Kushell, David Isaacs, David Mandel