Most memorable Horror Music

Mat · 07-30-2007, 04:54 AM

I was discussing horror films the other day with a colleague and he mentioned that horror music or scores such as Jaws are instantly recognisible (with literally just two notes). We then got onto thinking "what is the most memorable or effective horror soundtracks", whether it be mood music, an orchestra or electronic music such as John Carpenter?

My top 3 would have to be:

Psycho
Jaws
Halloween

Although these are quite obvious, whenever I hear these scores, it immediately takes me back to them films.
Any suggestions (obscure or commercial)?!

DeadWatch · 07-30-2007, 10:17 AM

Nightmare on elm Street
Friday the 13th

BlackWidow · 07-30-2007, 12:59 PM

deadwatch.. what is so memorable about the music of those 2 movies? I can't even recall them... Jaws psycho and halloween no prob with that....

I discovered the Goblins lately through Suspiria's soundtrack... Their music is amazing!

BW

DeadWatch · 07-30-2007, 06:30 PM

Memorable to me...I can pick out their music easily, as well as, Amityville Horror and Exorcist. So what may be memorable to some may be lost on others!!

BlackWidow · 07-30-2007, 09:39 PM

good point deadwatch...

As for amytiville Horror (original) that music with the kids singing, haunted me for awhile... The exorcist a classic, I have a couple of Mike oldfield cd's here I like him a lot.

BW

Mat · 07-31-2007, 03:17 AM

Yeah Suspiria is an amazing soundtrack. Good call BlackWidow.
I know what you mean Deadwatch; some film scores may not be instantly memorable but if they are personal to the individual then that's what it's all about.
My friend thought The X-Files theme was scary when it was first aired, but give me Jaws anyday!
Here in Britain we had a show called 'Tales Of the Unexpected' which had really effective, eerie music as a main theme.

gidget · 08-02-2007, 10:30 AM

also the ki ki ki ma ma ma from friday the 13th?and john carpenters score for halloween?awsome

Scream Queen · 08-02-2007, 04:27 PM

I enjoy Goblin....they are very talented and have created some really good stuff.

ZARCULA · 08-04-2007, 10:53 AM

For me it has to be HALLOWEEN... Then JAWS...and I also have a fondness for the music of the EXORCIST. Also noted...Psycho and Friday The 13th.. I was a part-time DJ so music is special to me.....other noted music...John Carpenters the FOG ,The original Amityville Horror.. And I love the music for the TV series Kolchak:The Night Stalker.

555sicksicksick · 09-28-2007, 06:01 PM

mine are the obviouse ones like halloween and phantasm but i really like the song at the end credits of childs play

space___bridge · 02-10-2008, 10:09 AM

Its the thing isnt it. Obvoius really, Ennio Morricones score is punishing, genuinely scary and manages some inhumanity / unreality too, its the weird alien angle on a horror focus. Excellent. (despite the stupid parts that arent in the film wisely)

Been racking my brains trying to think of other solid horror soundtracks but i keep drawing a blank and thats more or less why i joined this site

Adonais · 02-10-2008, 06:35 PM

I'd have to give it to The Omen. . .I mean, c'mon, a Black Mass choir? Hard to forget, or beat.

JohnShaft · 02-10-2008, 06:53 PM

THE OMEN score I do love too, it's right around my absolute favourites, but then I'm a sucker for the whole demonic Gregorian chanting schtick.

I'd probably marginally take it over Morricone's THE THING, mostly because I think there's a few tracks on it that just don't work for me.

space___bridge · 02-11-2008, 07:44 AM

I agree,some parts of the Thing score are just shocking, and not in a good way. Certain tracks dont fit at all but some tracks veer off into awfulness which very nearly ruins it, im looking at Humanity part 2 there.
Its still one of the most memorable horror soundtracks i know and is probably my favourite.
The omen though is a great score, the first track is deeply unsettling.

Sipes13 · 03-06-2008, 04:15 AM

Ones that come to mind..

Nightmare on Elm Street
Friday the 13th
Halloween
Jaws
Adams Family theme
Twilight Zone

07-30-2007, 04:54 AM	#1
Mat Extra Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Most memorable Horror Music I was discussing horror films the other day with a colleague and he mentioned that horror music or scores such as Jaws are instantly recognisible (with literally just two notes). We then got onto thinking "what is the most memorable or effective horror soundtracks", whether it be mood music, an orchestra or electronic music such as John Carpenter? My top 3 would have to be: Psycho Jaws Halloween Although these are quite obvious, whenever I hear these scores, it immediately takes me back to them films. Any suggestions (obscure or commercial)?!

07-30-2007, 10:17 AM	#2
DeadWatch Speaking Part Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 226	Nightmare on elm Street Friday the 13th __________________ Todd Horror Writer/Screenwriter Night Tremors "You ain't on board when that happens, you're liable to have a lousy afternoon."--Day of the Dead

07-30-2007, 12:59 PM	#3
BlackWidow Scream Queen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 359	deadwatch.. what is so memorable about the music of those 2 movies? I can't even recall them... Jaws psycho and halloween no prob with that.... I discovered the Goblins lately through Suspiria's soundtrack... Their music is amazing! BW __________________ www.essinchains.com Chainmail and twisted wire jewelry; Inspired by the medieval times, seen with a new look!

07-30-2007, 06:30 PM	#4
DeadWatch Speaking Part Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 226	Memorable to me...I can pick out their music easily, as well as, Amityville Horror and Exorcist. So what may be memorable to some may be lost on others!! __________________ Todd Horror Writer/Screenwriter Night Tremors "You ain't on board when that happens, you're liable to have a lousy afternoon."--Day of the Dead

07-30-2007, 09:39 PM	#5
BlackWidow Scream Queen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 359	good point deadwatch... As for amytiville Horror (original) that music with the kids singing, haunted me for awhile... The exorcist a classic, I have a couple of Mike oldfield cd's here I like him a lot. BW __________________ www.essinchains.com Chainmail and twisted wire jewelry; Inspired by the medieval times, seen with a new look!

07-31-2007, 03:17 AM	#6
Mat Extra Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Yeah Suspiria is an amazing soundtrack. Good call BlackWidow. I know what you mean Deadwatch; some film scores may not be instantly memorable but if they are personal to the individual then that's what it's all about. My friend thought The X-Files theme was scary when it was first aired, but give me Jaws anyday! Here in Britain we had a show called 'Tales Of the Unexpected' which had really effective, eerie music as a main theme.

08-02-2007, 10:30 AM	#7
gidget Extra Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5	also the ki ki ki ma ma ma from friday the 13th?and john carpenters score for halloween?awsome

08-02-2007, 04:27 PM	#8
Scream Queen Speaking Part Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wales UK Posts: 82	I enjoy Goblin....they are very talented and have created some really good stuff.

08-04-2007, 10:53 AM	#9
ZARCULA Scream Queen Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cleveland,Ohio Posts: 616	For me it has to be HALLOWEEN... Then JAWS...and I also have a fondness for the music of the EXORCIST. Also noted...Psycho and Friday The 13th.. I was a part-time DJ so music is special to me.....other noted music...John Carpenters the FOG ,The original Amityville Horror.. And I love the music for the TV series Kolchak:The Night Stalker.

09-28-2007, 06:01 PM	#10
555sicksicksick Extra Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: england Posts: 41	mine are the obviouse ones like halloween and phantasm but i really like the song at the end credits of childs play

02-10-2008, 10:09 AM	#11
space___bridge Extra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 17	Its the thing isnt it. Obvoius really, Ennio Morricones score is punishing, genuinely scary and manages some inhumanity / unreality too, its the weird alien angle on a horror focus. Excellent. (despite the stupid parts that arent in the film wisely) Been racking my brains trying to think of other solid horror soundtracks but i keep drawing a blank and thats more or less why i joined this site

02-10-2008, 06:35 PM	#12
Adonais Speaking Part Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 70	I'd have to give it to The Omen. . .I mean, c'mon, a Black Mass choir? Hard to forget, or beat. __________________ "We will go no further. Here begins the land of phantoms."

02-10-2008, 06:53 PM	#13
JohnShaft Administrator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North-East England Posts: 2,349	THE OMEN score I do love too, it's right around my absolute favourites, but then I'm a sucker for the whole demonic Gregorian chanting schtick. I'd probably marginally take it over Morricone's THE THING, mostly because I think there's a few tracks on it that just don't work for me.

02-11-2008, 07:44 AM	#14
space___bridge Extra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 17	I agree,some parts of the Thing score are just shocking, and not in a good way. Certain tracks dont fit at all but some tracks veer off into awfulness which very nearly ruins it, im looking at Humanity part 2 there. Its still one of the most memorable horror soundtracks i know and is probably my favourite. The omen though is a great score, the first track is deeply unsettling.

03-06-2008, 04:15 AM	#15
Sipes13 Speaking Part Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 90	Ones that come to mind.. Nightmare on Elm Street Friday the 13th Halloween Jaws Adams Family theme Twilight Zone

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