Top 10 Horror Movie + TV Instrumental Songs

Horror movies and T.V. shows would not be as well-known and suspenseful without their instrumental compositions full of fast-paced staccato runs, dissonant chords, drawn-out half notes and (lets not forget) the spooky synthesizer chords. Composer John Carpenter admits that after showing 'Halloween' (without music) to an unmoved 20th Century exec, he was determined to "save it with the music." Check out the best horror movie and TV instrumental songs as rated by AOL listeners and be sure to listen to these classics on AOL's Halloween radio station.
10
'Suspiria'
The 1977 theme song merging acoustic guitar, synthesizers, bells, and disturbing cries complements the film plot about an aspiring dancer who enrolls in a German dance academy run by witches. Their progressive rock sound has been an inspiration for many heavy metal bands.
Goblin Suspiria
09
'Beetlejuice'
This is some of Elfman's earliest work; somewhat jumpy and overly dynamic, it still remains a classic 20 years later. The version of the theme song titled 'Main Titles' on the soundtrack is different from what is heard on the film.
Beetlejuice
08
'Twilight Zone'
Marius Constant
The 'Twilight Zone''s music in the main and end titles for the fall 1960 season was composed by Constant; previously recorded in the late '50s the music didn't consist of fragments longer than five seconds. But the two compositions, 'Etrange No. 3' (repeated four-note phrases on electric guitar) and 'Milieu No. 2,' (compilation of disturbing brass, flutes, guitar, and bongo drums) together are the Halloween-themed favorite we hear today. Constant sold all music rights to CBS, not realizing at the time that his compositions were the theme of a well-known U.S. T.V. show.
The Twilight Zone
07
'Profondo Rosso'
The soundtrack for the Italian film 'Profondo Rosso' ('Deep Red') was arranged by Giorgio Gaslini and was Goblin's musical debut. The musical scores proved to be extremely successful combining Goblin's '70s rock style with the plot about witness trying to crack a murder case while escaping numerous killer attempts.
Goblin Profondo Rosso
06
'Hello Zepp'
Charles Clouser
The original score first appears at the end of the film 'Saw' in a climatic plot twist (warning: spoiler alert!) revealing that the character Zep is a victim to the antagonist Jigsaw Killer. The sequels include variations of this score.
Saw Soundtrack
05
'Trouble In Woodsboro/Sidney's Lament'
Starting out with drawn-out solo notes on a piano, the theme song was featured in both 'Scream' and 'Scream 2.' The 'Scream' series revitalized the horror film trend, incorporating slasher film cliches in this innovative satirical saga. Listen to the below cover by The Hit Crew.
Scream Soundtrack
04
'Tales from the Crypt'
Elfman's composition work not only includes all the prestigious Tim Burton films but also theme music for T.V. series such as HBO's 'Tales from the Crypt.' Bigscreen Records released the soundtrack in 1991, which also includes composers Jimmy Webb and James Horner.
Tales From The Crypt
03
'Turbular Bells'
The initial music in the trailer for 'The Exorcist' film was a score by Lalo Schifrin, later rejected by director William Friedkin because it was too scary combined with the film's plot. They ended up going with a tuned-down score -- the opening theme of Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield.
The Exorcist
02
'The Murder'
The score for the film, 'Psycho' only uses the string section and is divided into three main movements: 1)The first has no melody, but is comprised of numerous runs and staccato notes alternating eighth-note semitones to create suspense and approaching danger. 2) A single violin plays diminished chords before the rest of the string section comes in. 3) Drawn out notes from the Cello and double bass dominate this section.
Psycho Soundtrack
01
'Halloween 1978'
John Carpenter composed and produced the music as well as directed the film, all on a budget of only $300k. The 5/4 rhythmic count was inspired from a bongo exercise Carpenter learned from his father as a child and the synthesizer programming was done by composer Dan Wyman, who also oversaw the recording process (overdubbing one instrument at a time).
Halloween 20th anniversary
Filed under: Best Songs, Top 10 Lists


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