Not Feeling Spooky Enough? Here are Five Iconic Halloween Tunes to do the Trick (or Treat)

While I’m not necessarily a fan of walking alone in the dark after watching the new sequel to Halloween with Jamie Lee Curtis, I am a fan of the holiday’s intense and skin crawling discography. Halloween doesn’t necessarily get the same three month music spotlight that Christmas music gets, so I figured I’d give it a little TLC.

As much as any other film genre needs a complementary score to enhance the experience of the movie, horror films rely on the intricacies of entire string orchestras and the world renowned masterminds that know what makes people feel nervous. That’s why horror films are so successful. The anticipation. Growing intensity. Constant fear of what could be lurking when you hear Michael Myer’s theme song composed by John Carpenter, something that is recognized across the nation. Let's begin there.

1. Halloween - John Carpenter

We’ll start there with what could be film’s most recognizable theme, Halloween. John Carpenter is one of the most notable composers for this genre of film. With movies like The Thing and the original Halloween and sequel on his toolbelt, the second movie made sure to live up to his standard. To top that, he was the man behind the curtain, co-writing the script for the original Halloween and producing the minimalistic yet revolutionary soundtrack that would change the way we experience horror films.

2. This is Halloween - Danny Elfman

The song that made its way into the soundtrack of A Nightmare Before Christmas was originally written by Danny Elfman in 1993, and was later covered in 2006 by Marilyn Manson. Back to the original - Elfman’s version of the song has been translated into fifteen different languages on the movie soundtrack, which was originally released as an adult cartoon. Known for its eerie soundtrack and even darker plot, director Tim Burton knew bringing Elfman into the writing room for the score was the right move.

3. Hell's Bells - AC/DC

Released on Halloween in 1980, the first track on Back in Black begins with Hells Bells. The song opens with an ominous and distant bell tone. Angus Young, the lead guitarist brings in the recognizable main guitar riff as the bass kicks in, the bell still in the background. The song appears in the T.V. sitcom, Champion of Champions, and Rage, among others. Notable lyrics in this charging rock ballad include, “If you’re into evil, you’re a friend of mine” and if that doesn’t send chills down your spine, well, Halloween must be for you.

4. (Don't Fear) the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

A personal favorite of mine, (Don’t Fear) the Reaper by American rock band Blue Oyster Cult appeared on their 1976 album Agents of Fortune. Lead singer, Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser wrote the almost chilling rock song about the inevitable approach of death - his specifically. The eerie minor guitar riff that cuts in halfway into the song is one of the most notable. Author Stephan King, often known for his less than chipper post-world, dystopian novels cited (Don’t Fear) the Reaper as inspiration for his 1978 novel, The Stand.

5. The Shining (Main Title Theme) - Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind

The main title of what could be one of the most popular classic horror films starts with a looming oboe solo. What makes this onto the list of cinema’s most iconic horror film scores is the repetition of this initial theme. The dragging sense of the song in a minor key puts the listener in an agitated state, and if you’re watching the movie at the same time, it’s probably for the right reasons. The 1980 thriller based off of Stephen King’s novel tells the close to home and potentially realistic tale of a family going insane from isolation. The classical touch, one that is usually calming to the ear has a different sound when paired with Jack Nicholson as the villain in this one.

Just imagine if none of these songs had existed. Granted, a silent thriller sounds terrifying enough, but these directors’ uses of intensely cinematic and chilling scores definitely work on me. If you think classical music can’t do that - go listen to Sonata No. 14 in C - sharp minor (Op. 27), and let me know how you’re doing afterwards. Live music may be one thing, but there's nothing better than a perfectly timed jump scare with a background of classical music.

xoxo,

s

Samantha Miller (@samantharachelmiller) is a freelance writer from Chicago. She prides herself on her occasional wit, her keen eye for design and her undying love for iced almond milk lattes.

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