A fearsome and beautiful masterpiece: Themes from terrifying film scores
The role that music plays in horror films and suspense dramas is incredibly significant and important.
There are ways to evoke fear through silence, of course, but iconic theme songs often have the power to make you feel fear from the melody alone, or instantly conjure vivid scenes from the film.
Here, we’re introducing a collection of terrifying yet beautiful masterpieces, centered on classic horror movies.
Many of these tracks transcend the category of “film themes” and are used in all sorts of contexts—you’ve likely heard quite a few of them at least once.
You might even discover, “So this was from that movie?”
By all means, turn off the lights and enjoy with headphones!
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Masterpieces That Are Both Frightening and Beautiful: Horror Film Music and Theme Songs (31–40)
feels l ike HEAVENHIIH
A song from the film “Ring,” whose opening line is incredibly famous in Japan.
The impact of that opening and Sadako’s iconic entrance scene are so well known that I feel it’s not widely recognized how groovy and danceable this track actually is.
That said, listening to it immediately brings back the terror of Ring, making it arguably one of Japan’s quintessential horror songs.
Please let me pass.warabe uta
This is a children’s song whose lyrics are thought to have taken shape in the Edo period.
The lyricist is unknown.
A leading theory holds that “Tōryanse” originated at Sugawara Shrine (Yamazumi Tenjin Shrine) in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, or at Miyoshino Shrine in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture.
These lyrics are often associated with legends of spirit abductions (kamikakushi), human pillars, and buried treasure.
Sleepy HollowDanny Elfman
The tense, brooding orchestra, the eerie chorus, and the desperately beautiful melodies layered together are always incredibly cool, beautiful—and terrifying! This is the soundtrack to Tim Burton’s 1999 film Sleepy Hollow, composed by Danny Elfman.
While Elfman is, of course, famous for Batman, it may actually have been Sleepy Hollow that truly put his name on the map.
This work, depicting the legend of the Headless Horseman, is a masterpiece that fully showcases Elfman’s talents, brilliantly capturing its dark, fantastical world.
A Truly Scary Story Main ThemeMizutani Hiromi
This is also the theme song of the Japanese TV show “Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi” (True Scary Stories).
Since it’s a program dedicated to horror, the theme song is, of course, all about fear as well.
The whistling-like melody and the creepy background sounds are scary, too.
As you listen, the lights in your room might start flickering…
maybe.
Sleeping Beauty / Forbidden PleasureBen Furosuto
The soundtrack of the film “Sleeping Beauty” (Forbidden Pleasure) features a famous masterpiece well known among classical pianists: Chopin’s Waltz No.
14 in E minor, Op.
posth.
While the film is closer to a literary work than a horror movie, it feels like this piece intensifies its unique sense of unease.
By the way, the film is based on Yasunari Kawabata’s classic novella “House of the Sleeping Beauties.”
Scary and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Movie Music and Theme Songs (41–50)
Ghost StoryTakemitsu Tōru
Toru Takemitsu was born on January 8, 1930.
A self-taught musician, he developed avant-garde musical activities for film and television.
The film Kwaidan, released in 1965 (Showa 40), adapts four ghost stories from Lafcadio Hearn’s collection Kwaidan: “The Black Hair,” “The Snow Woman,” “Hoichi the Earless,” and “In a Cup of Tea.” The use of sound effects is exquisite, allowing viewers to vividly imagine the scenes of terror.
Angel HeartTorevua Jōnzu
The background music from the 1986 film Angel Heart, set in New York City.
In this trailer, various sound effects are layered over the BGM, and its lo-fi sound quality—recorded with the technology of the time—heightens the sense of fear.
The BGM itself also amplifies a constant feeling of unease, as if something bad is about to happen.