A spine-chilling scary song: masterful tracks that evoke fear and eerie recommended songs
For those curious folks who want to feel fear from scary songs or pore over creepy lyrics, we’ve researched eerie classics and popular frightening tracks you shouldn’t miss.
We’ll introduce a wide range—from songs beloved by music fans to selections chosen by our site’s music-specialist writers—blending them together.
We’ve carefully picked both Japanese and Western music, old and new.
Some tracks might not seem scary just by listening, but depending on how you interpret the lyrics, they can be chilling.
It could be fun to talk about the stories behind these songs when sharing summer ghost tales.
How about listening to scary songs and sending chills down your spine?
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- “Song of War”: A classic that sings of the tragedy and folly of war
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- Masterpieces that sing of despair. Recommended popular songs.
A spine-chilling scary song: iconic tracks that evoke fear and eerie recommended songs (11–20)
The Strait of HungerIshikawa Sayuri
Sayuri Ishikawa’s 64th single, “Kiga Kaikyō,” was released in 1994.
The song is based on the 1964 film Kiga Kaikyō (The Hungry Strait).
From the very start of the lyrics, you’re struck by something shocking that makes you ask, “Why?”, and yet you can’t look away as you’re drawn further and further in.
Depending on how you listen, it can be heard as a song of profound love, with feelings that come through clearly—but it’s also a track that makes you tremble with a chilling fear, as if to say that when love goes too far, it becomes frightening.
I bear a grudge.Nakajima Miyuki
The scary song included on Miyuki Nakajima’s seventh original album, “Ikite Itemo Ii Desu ka,” is “Urami-masu” (“I Will Hold a Grudge”).
The fear it conveys is apparent from the title alone.
From the very first line she sings, “I hold a grudge,” directing that resentment toward the person who toyed with her.
Lyrics suggesting she wants to leave a message on the door of the one she resents—thanking them for their kindness with her own fingernails—hint at madness and heighten the sense of dread.
There’s nothing more terrifying than human grudges.
BrainwashingRADWIMPS
In May 2017, RADWIMPS released a song that incisively probes the darkness within the human psyche.
It delicately depicts the subtle ways a mind becomes distorted under the influence of others, expressing eerie themes like violence and domination through a unique worldview.
Heavy guitar riffs and deep bass heighten the sense of unease, while Yojiro Noda’s emotional vocals intensify the feeling of fear.
Universal themes—such as conflicts within parent-child relationships and the imposition of societal values—are interwoven, leaving a profound aftertaste in listeners’ hearts.
The song also became a social phenomenon, having been featured in commercials for the sports drink Aquarius and used as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “A Forest of Wool and Steel” (Frankenstein’s Love).
It’s a track well-suited for those who wish to explore the darkness and madness of the mind.
Delusional DiaryShido
Some of you may have guessed it from the title.
This is a song whose protagonist is a stalker.
It’s included on the first album by the visual-kei rock band SID, “Ren’ai -Ren’ai-,” released in 2004.
Among fans, it’s known as a staple at their live shows.
The lyrics are chilling even just to read, so I highly recommend giving them a look.
A song about a crazy boyfriend.takayan
Despite being a man, Takayan has gained attention for songs that pierce into women’s feelings and subconscious.
This song is from a male perspective and depicts an overwhelming love for a woman he likes.
If you realized that the woman you like was actually seeing other men, what would you do? Most men would probably cool off and choose to break up, but the man in this song is different.
If she won’t love only him, he thinks of taking her life and keeping her by his side.
The steady, monotonous melody seems to reveal the depth of his darkness—it’s frightening, isn’t it?
Kagome Kagome
Did you know there are urban legends about the traditional Japanese children’s song “Kagome Kagome”? People say it’s a courtesan’s song, a ghost’s song, a prisoner’s song, and so on—you’ll find all kinds of rumors if you look it up.
Some of you might be shocked, thinking, “I used to sing that without a care as a child—who knew?” Other nursery songs like “Sacchan” and “Akaikutsu (Red Shoes)” are also said to be secretly scary.
That said, a rumor is just a rumor.
Be careful not to let it keep you up at night.
A spine-chilling scary song. Masterpieces that evoke fear and eerie recommended tracks (21–30)
Gloomy Sunday
It’s a world-famous scary song.
The lyrics were written by László Jávor, and the music was composed by Hungarian musician Rezső Seress.
The sorrowful melody never fails to send chills down my spine.
There are countless urban legends about this song.
There are also cover versions by Akihiro Miwa and Mari Natsuki, so if you’re interested, be sure to check them out.