Recommendation of Scary Music: That Song That’s Actually Frightening
One facet of music as an art form is that it can evoke fear—just hearing it can send chills down your spine.
In this article, we’re spotlighting a range of pieces under the theme of scary music.
From classic horror movie theme songs to classical music at the core, plus rock and popular music, we’ve curated a wide selection! Some tracks might not seem particularly scary when you’re just listening, but once you learn the backstory, they suddenly become terrifying… You might make discoveries like that.
Be sure to check it out!
Recommendation of Terrifying Music: Actually Scary Songs (1–10)
VermilionSlipknot
Slipknot’s “Vermilion” is a strange alternative metal tune that overwhelms you from the very first moment with churning, anxiety-stoking guitars, murmured vocals, and a rhythm that eerily ramps up the tension.
Its thick, metallic wall of sound and hardcore-tinged production intertwine with horror and psychotic elements, creating a worldview that perfectly balances bad taste and artistry—leaving metalheads around the world with a fresh new trauma.
They’re a monster band that embodies a still-ongoing, sickened America.
SuspiriaGoblin
It’s truly an anthem-like theme of Italian horror cinema—a masterpiece among masterpieces that sends chills down your spine every time you hear it.
Dario Argento’s 1977 classic Suspiria sparked a boom in Japan as well, and the famous tagline at the time—“Do not watch it alone”—became a hot topic.
The creators of this iconic track are Goblin, the progressive rock band and frequent collaborators on Argento’s films.
The mournful, music-box-like intro and the deliberately off-kilter percussion stir up an indescribable sense of unease.
And yet, the main theme’s melody is beautiful, leaving no doubt that even as a standalone piece of music, it is overwhelmingly superb.
Friday the 13thHarry Manfredini
Even if you’ve never seen the actual film, most people associate Friday the 13th with something ominous.
The theme from the classic 1980 horror film Friday the 13th—best known for its hockey mask–wearing Jason—is one of the most famous tracks among horror movie soundtracks, and it’s a masterpiece that can chill you to the bone even when heard on its own.
It’s also famous for the fragmented, whisper-like sounds, which are based on the line “Kill her, Mommy” from the film.
Those who have seen the movie will know exactly what that means.
Conversely, if you haven’t seen it, you won’t understand the significance—but if you’re interested, do watch the first film and discover the tragic truth for yourself.
The Silence of the Lambs Opening TitleHaward Shore
With its heavy yet flowing orchestral score, this piece is intensely dramatic and beautiful, yet it carries an unmistakable sense of unease—no doubt because it serves as the main theme for the masterpiece film The Silence of the Lambs.
Composed by the great film composer Howard Shore, this track alone is enough to conjure the opening scene in the minds of those who’ve seen the movie, sending a chill down their spines.
It’s a work that could only come from a film whose protagonist, Hannibal Lecter, is portrayed as a classical music aficionado, and the soundtrack is so acclaimed that it’s said to have significantly contributed to the movie’s massive success.
Even if you haven’t seen the film, you can still enjoy it.
That said, watching the movie at least once is guaranteed to double the terror!
I’m Afraid Of AmericansDavid Bowie
From a heavy, slow, anxiety-stoking intro to muttered, murmuring vocals… David Bowie’s “I’m Afraid of Americans” is a track that overwhelms with a decadent atmosphere and massive sound.
Hard, industrial-like phrases repeat in a hypnotic flow.
True to its title, it conveys frustration toward America with biting irony, beautifully and eerily transmuting anger into music—a digital rock tune that was ahead of its time.
Theme from JawsJohn Williams
A track included on the soundtrack of the popular 1975 film Jaws, composed by John Williams, who also wrote themes for films like Star Wars.
Famous as the theme of Jaws, this piece is a simple track that skillfully mixes tension and release, yet features an unforgettable phrase that, once heard, sticks in your mind.
It heightens anxiety and fear with rich horror elements, creating music that makes your spine tingle.
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988J.S.Bach
There are quite a few classical pieces that have become associated with fear simply because they were used as soundtracks in films.
One such piece is the set of harpsichord variations published by Bach—revered as the “Father of Music”—in 1741, commonly known as the Goldberg Variations.
As music, it demands a high level of performance technique, and it remains a masterpiece of classical music that performers around the world continue to take on, from the renowned interpretation by the shockingly brilliant pianist Glenn Gould onward.
At the same time, if you’ve seen a certain film, you might find this work overwhelmingly ominous.
In the 1990 masterpiece The Silence of the Lambs, the piece is used in a shocking scene to heighten the fear to the utmost.
The music’s very image may be altered for you, so those who haven’t seen the film yet should be forewarned.