Now! That's What I Call: Seriously Creepy Horror Tunes
With Halloween creeping up on us quickly, it’s that time of the year when Horror films top the pile of almost all our must see lists. After all, says Lauren Kelly, who doesn't like a good scare during this time of year? In honour of this timely tradition, I’ve compiled a list of some of the creepiest theme songs from some of the best know horror films of all time. Would these make your list?
10. Saw (2004) – Composed by Charlie Clouser
Probably one of the most stomach churning films of the new millennium, and let’s be honest if it didn’t scare you, it at least made you squirm. When that theme song kicks in you know you’re in for 90 minutes of Jigsaw's twisted mind games that will leave you struggling to hold down your bucket of popcorn.
9. When A Stranger Calls (2006) Composed by James Dooley
There’s nothing quite as terrifying as watching something that can translate into real life. What could possibly be scarier than being left alone in a big creepy house with no one around for miles and a creepy voice at the end of a telephone asking “Have you checked the children?” Once this theme song kicks in, best go check on the kids, you know, just in case.
8. The Shining (1980) Composed by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind
Heeere’s Johnny! The film that showed the slow and gradual descent into madness of a man living the same monotonous routine over and over again- the theme song lends itself well to the overall feel of the film, while also being creepy enough to make you shiver once Jack finally slips off the edge and turn into a madman wielding an axe. Never stay in a hotel in the off season people.
7. Poltergeist (1982) Composed by Jerry Goldsmith
While it may seem like a tender soothing tune, there is still something incredibly eerie about the voice of a young child singing along to a creepy soothing lullaby, but you have to admit, it does a fine job of unsettling the audience and fits perfectly with the idea of the paranormal communicating with small children.
6. Friday The 13th (1980) Composed by Harry Manfredini
The screeching violins in this theme song are enough to send shivers down your spine, proof that the theme songs of the past hold more weight than those of the horror films of more recent times. Jason Voorhees is an iconic character of the horror genre that’s still as popular now as he was in the 80’s.
5. A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) Composed by Charles Bernstein
There’s nothing worse than waking up from a bad dream in a sweat, but in the 80’s director Wes Craven gave those bad dreams a theme song and a face with the introduction of Freddy Krueger. Good luck trying to get a good night’s sleep after this fright fest.
4. Scream (1996) Composed by Marco Beltrami
Wes Craven also makes the fourth spot in the list, but this time it’s for a film that helped to rejuvenate the horror genre for a new, more technology savvy audience. If like me you are a child of the 90s this was probably one of the first horror movies you ever set eyes on, and with a new era comes a new type of theme song, gone are the screeching strings that were a staple of horror movies of the past, but that doesn’t make the tune any less spine tingling.
3. Psycho (1960) Composed by Bernard Herrmann
It’s that moment that has been ingrained in the memory of film buffs everywhere, the shower scene that is almost more famous than the film itself. What really gave this scene its iconic stature is it’s equally as iconic theme song that has been reused countless to date. When you hear those screeching violins prepare to say goodbye to one unlucky character.
2. Jaws (1975) Composed by John Williams
Probably the most memorable film Steven Spielberg has ever made and even over 30 years later, the theme song is still as popular as ever. Nothing makes a shark seem scarier than when it has its own theme song, well, aside from when it’s eating your beach buddy for breakfast!
1. Halloween (1978) Composed by John Carpenter
Just as intense and scary as the film itself this theme song sets the tone for what is considered one of the best horror films ever made. Once you see that pumpkin glowing against the black background get ready for a night of suspense filled terror as the seemingly indestructible Michael Myers slashes his way through Haddonfield leaving a trail of bodies behind him as he hunts down the one person who’s blood he wants the most.