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!
Playlist
| Recommendation of Scary Music: That Song That’s Actually Frightening | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | VermilionSlipknot | play_arrow | Slipknot’s aberrant metal track “Vermilion” |
| 2 | SuspiriaGoblin | play_arrow | The iconic theme song from the Italian horror film Suspiria |
| 3 | Friday the 13thHarry Manfredini | play_arrow | The terror of ominous music on Friday the 13th |
| 4 | The Silence of the Lambs Opening TitleHaward Shore | play_arrow | The unsettling theme song of The Silence of the Lambs |
| 5 | I’m Afraid Of AmericansDavid Bowie | play_arrow | David Bowie's radical anti-American rock |
| 6 | Theme from JawsJohn Williams | play_arrow | Jaws theme song, composed by John Williams |
| 7 | Goldberg Variations, BWV 988J.S.Bach | play_arrow | The image of fear in classical music |
| 8 | AEnimaTool | play_arrow | Tool’s masterpiece, a profound musical world |
| 9 | ErlkönigFranz Schubert | play_arrow | The shocking music of Schubert’s “Erlkönig” |
| 10 | Symphony No. 9Ludwig van Beethoven | play_arrow | Chapter Nine: The Mystery of a Must-Hear Classic at Year’s End |
| 11 | Cannibal HolocaustRiz Ortolani | play_arrow | The theme song of the beautiful melody and the cult film “Cannibal Holocaust” |
| 12 | TotentanzFranz Liszt | ![]() | Liszt's 'Totentanz,' a soul-stirring masterpiece |
| 13 | Careful With That Axe, EugenePink Floyd | play_arrow | A progressive rock masterpiece that evokes fear. |
| 14 | Gloomy SundayBillie Holiday | play_arrow | The legend of the suicide hymn “Gloomy Sunday” |
| 15 | To Bring You My LovePJ Harvey | play_arrow | PJ Harvey, a unique musical world |
| 16 | We Suck Young Blood. Your Time Is Up.Radiohead | play_arrow | Radiohead’s dark protest song |
| 17 | Main TitleJerry Goldsmith | play_arrow | The weighty music of Alien |
| 18 | Tubular BellsMike Oldfield | play_arrow | The theme song of The Exorcist is moving. |
| 19 | I Don’t Like MondaysThe Boomtown Rats | play_arrow | A tragic shooting incident involving a girl, depicted through a refreshing song |
| 20 | Halloween ThemeJohn Carpenter | play_arrow | The iconic theme that inspires Halloween terror |
| 21 | Theme Of LauraYamaoka Noboru | play_arrow | Laura's theme from Silent Hill 2 |
| 22 | Theme From SangueliaFabio Frizzi | play_arrow | A zombie movie theme song—cool techno |
| 23 | The Cursed/Bladed Grass (Otokiriso)Otogirisō Soseihen Arenji & Orijinaru Saundotorakku | play_arrow | An iconic theme song of a sound novel |
| 24 | Orasho — Hymns of Divine WorshipSIREN R Orijinaru Saundotorakku | play_arrow | SIREN’s theme song, an eerie chant in gagaku style |
| 25 | The Beautiful PeopleMarilyn Manson | play_arrow | Manson delivers a scathing critique of modern society. |
| 26 | Gloomy SundayAwaya Noriko | play_arrow | A chillingly scary song; the Japanese version is banned from release. |
| 27 | This Is HalloweenDanny Elfman | play_arrow | Dark and comedic music by Danny Elfman |
| 28 | In the House, In a HeartbeatJohn Murphy | play_arrow | A film that portrays the essence of humanity in a devastated London |
| 29 | Hello ZeppCharlie Clouser | play_arrow | The tense theme from the psycho-thriller film “Saw” |
| 30 | Succession of WitchesUematsu Nobuo | play_arrow | Witch's eerie music, organ and chorus |
| 31 | Chrome Plated Megaphone of DestinyFrank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention | play_arrow | Depicting the darkness of the human heart with surreal music |
| 32 | The Shining ThemeWendy Carlos | play_arrow | The eerie music of the horror film “The Shining” |
| 33 | Go for it!Nakajima Miyuki | play_arrow | A powerful song that stands up to the injustices of society |
| 34 | Grim Grinning GhostsBuddy Baker | play_arrow | Nostalgic music from the Haunted Mansion |
| 35 | Solaris ThemeEdward Artemiev | play_arrow | Solaris, Tarkovsky film music |
| 36 | Dead and BuriedJoe Renzetti | play_arrow | The Melancholy of the Zombie Film “Dead & Buried” |
| 37 | ThrillerMichael Jackson | play_arrow | Michael Jackson’s legendary music video |
| 38 | GhostbustersRay Parker Jr. | play_arrow | the catchy theme song from Ghostbusters |
| 39 | DarknessClock Tower Official Soundtrack | play_arrow | The famous track from the horror game Clock Tower |
| 40 | Requiem K.626 – 7.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | play_arrow | Mozart’s final work, the unfinished Requiem |


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