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Horror Movie Music: Soundtrack Hidden Gems



When we think about horror movie soundtracks, main themes and scores are typically what come to mind. It is imposble to forget the muc that accompanied some of our favorite films; The Exorcist, Halloween... the muc is about as well known as the films’ iconic scenes. Even later films, like 1994’s Interview With the Vampire, are so well scored as to make the muc instantly recognizable.

But what about the other songs? How many times have you heard something playing in the background of a horror film, artist and title unknown, and thought, wow, that’s a really good song? Outde of iconic themes, much of the muc included in or created for horror films seems almost ignored. Below I’ve compiled a list of some personal favorites.

What are yours?

1. The Flys - Got You Where I Want You Featured in Disturbing Behavior

Disturbing Behavior was an under-appreciated film that came out in 1998, featuring Katie Holmes (before her acting skills evolved to match those of a plank of wood) and James Marsden, as well as Nick Stahl, who delivered one of the better performances in the film. A Stepford Wives tale for teenagers, the film featured a song by the Flys that actually got a fair bit of airplay before fading away into obscurity. Gritty alternative with a rock edge, it was by no means groundbreaking, but still a decent addition to the soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM_OWaItNJM

2. Love Spit Love - How Soon Is Now (Cover) Featured in The Craft

The soundtrack to The Craft has always been a personal favorite, featuring such acts as Our Lady Peace and Letters to Cleo, but it is the cover of The Smiths’ How Soon is Now, which became the main theme for the film and went on to be the theme song to tv’s Charmed that really took center stage. Featuring a raspier vocal than the original cut, the Love Spit Love cover of How Soon Is Now seemed to embody the themes of fear and frustration that permeated this story of a new girl whose dalliance into witchcraft with her new classmates leads to fatal consequences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoiO0r0AoAA

3. Dramarama - Anything Anything Featured in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

I was annoyed in watching this film for MANY reasons but ranked high among them was not knowing the song featured in one characters oddly placed karate workout scene. It was familiar, but I couldn’t place it; it was great, but I couldn’t buy it if I didn’t know what it was! Enter the dawn of Google and eventually I figured it out: Dramarama’s biggest hit, Anything Anything. For a relatively unknown early 90’s band to score featured placement on a motion picture soundtrack was something of a big deal. Sadly, the film wasn’t that great. Years later, however, the song has earned a place among the favorites of many and has been covered by everyone from Lucky Boys Confuon to The Ataris.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2EcxIyXnX8

4. Jay Gordon - Slept So Long Featured in Queen of the Damned

So, Queen of the Damned was a terrible movie. It was weirdly terrible. Because Aaliyah and Stuart Townsend delivered admirable performances, and it featured one of the best soundtracks of the decade, and yet the movie was still a steaming pile of crap. This, I believe, is the best you can hope for when you take three books, cut out the interesting parts, throw them in a blender and pour half of the remaining mulch into a script. Even so, the soundtrack, written and composed in part by Jonathan Davis of Korn, is phenomenal, and this particular track, performed by Jay Gordon, frontman of the band Orgy, is a definite standout. If only half as much effort had been put into the actual film as was put into the soundtrack, it might not have sucked quite so hard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrOW2l1EQeE

And last, but definitely not least...

5. Goo Goo Dolls - I’m Awake Now Featured in Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare

Ahh, Goo Goo Dolls. What happened to you, guys? Once upon a time, this was a decent alternative band. Then they started recording for major Hollywood films and nging vaguely Christian and clearly meant to be “inspirational” songs about better days and letting love in, while touring with soft and acoustic rock acts. But before this major change in their sound, they recorded a much overlooked gem for the soundtrack of what was meant to be the last Nightmare on Elm Street film. I’m Awake Now carries a heavy industrial sound that immediately calls to mind our favorite gloved dream-stalker and its moody atmosphere is a perfect companion to the Nightmare films.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxfZd_TkCy8

A few Honorable Mentions: The entire soundtrack to An American Werewolf in Paris, another film afflicted with the crappy movie / great soundtrack curse. The entire soundtrack to The Lost Boys. Birdbrain’s Youth of America from Scream. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' Red Right Hand, featured in several Scream films.

So, thoughts? Anything you’d like to add...?
dew Wednesday 8/03/2011 at 12:57 PM | 79858
I really enjoyed the whole Saw and Sorority Row sound tracks.
BloodyAdored Wednesday 8/03/2011 at 10:56 PM | 79895
Love Roy Orbison's "In Dreams" from David Lynch's masterpiece Blue Velvet.

http://youtu.be/11XS-8_qs8Y
Anonymous Wednesday 8/03/2011 at 11:38 PM | 79904