Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Ranking The Songs In Once More With Feeling
3. Standing/Under Your Spell (Reprise)
Anthony Stewart Head's solo outing is well worth the wait. He had already proven to audiences he could sing in Season Four, so as soon as you realise the plot of the episode you're sat eagerly waiting for Giles to show you what he's got.
He doesn't let us down. Sang over an 80s training montage, the song is wonderfully performed and moving. As Buffy flips and punches her way around the room, seemingly oblivious to what Giles is saying, we are forced to confront the former librarian's worries for his Slayer. Giles doesn't think Buffy is ready to face the world, and hearing him cast doubt on her is a hard and wrenching thing to hear. It's a poignant foreshadowing of what is to come for Giles and Buffy's relationship.
The song is then joined by Tara, who sings "Under Your Spell" over Giles' own power ballad. Tara has just realised that Willow has been using magic to erase her memories, and suddenly her love song becomes dark and heart-breaking rather than loving and sweet. Paired with Giles, the whole thing is about as sad as the episode dares go, and spells trouble for the episodes to come.
Because of the melodies and the use of two of the strongest voices on the show, this is a song well worth such a high ranking.