Songs in Horror Films

[Swithin]

I'm a fan of songs used in horror films. Classic era highlights include are "Faro-La, Faro-Li" (Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, 1943), sung by Adia Kuznetzoff; "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls" (The Mad Ghoul, 1943), sung (dubbed) by Evelyn Ankers; and "Hey, You!" (The Mummy's Curse, 1944), sung by Ann Codee.

In the more modern era, I like "Everybody but You," which is performed by Joe Turano throughout Night Train to Terror (1985), a crazy film which is basically a conversation between God and Satan on a train. The film is pieced together from salvaged footage from three unproduced horror films.



From Wikipedia: In his book Bonkers Ass Cinema (2022), Matt Rotman writes: "Clever, clunky, and wildly bonkers, the failed experiment of Night Train to Terror is an exhilarating experience. Scenes transition nonsensically. Actors mysteriously change hair lengths... and a new wave band sings and dances in a train car, playing the same song over and over for an hour and a half."

[LawrenceA]

Wow, Swithin, I have nothing but love and admiration for you for bringing up one of my favorite bad movies, one I've longed championed and inflicted on others.

This is also an interesting, offbeat subject for a thread. I'll have to think on it for awhile to see what else I can come up with, but off the top of my head, my favorite horror movie soundtrack is probably 1985's Return of the Living Dead. In particular two songs: first "Party Time" by 45 Grave, which kicks in when all hell breaks loose:



and "Burn the Flames" by Roky Erickson, heard when a character self-immolates in a crematorium:

[LawrenceA]

[Detective Jim McLeod]

There are a lot of good and weird songs in The Wicker Man (1973)

[LawrenceA]

I like the use of Oingo Boingo's "No One Lives Forever" during the opening of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.



How about the Del-Aires and "Wigglin' Wobblin'" from The Horror of Party Beach:

[LawrenceA]

[LawrenceA]

And these classics:

[TikiSoo]

Thanks for posing that, I love Arch Hall Jr. but have no idea why.

[Swithin]

Here's another favorite, well integrated into the plot, from I Walked with a Zombie (1943):

[LawrenceA]

Thanks for posing that, I love Arch Hall Jr. but have no idea why.

It's a question that has baffled many a generation...

[EP Millstone]

I love the entire musical soundtrack of Phantom of the Paradise, significantly enhanced by Paul Williams' songs.

[Bronxgirl48]

Great subject, Swithin.

Does Cabman Gray's little Burke and Hare ditty to the unsuspecting Joseph in THE BODY SNATCHER count?

[LawrenceA]

Another favorite, from the landmark Rock'n'Roll Nightmare

[Swithin]

Great subject, Swithin.

Does Cabman Gray's little Burke and Hare ditty to the unsuspecting Joseph in THE BODY SNATCHER count?

I think that song is based on the murder of a Burke and Hare victim, James Wilson, known as "Daft Jamie." I remember another song in the film, perhaps sung by a woman on the street, who becomes a victim, but it has been a while since I've seen the film.

Another favorite is "Cherry Ripe," sung by Athene Seyler and others in the seance scene in Night of the Demon. "We must all sing, the spirits like it." (54:25 in this link).

[EP Millstone]