Horror movies frighten audiences with nightmare-inducing stories. From the masked killer to the practical effects, every element counts when playing upon people's fears, which is why the soundtrack is just as important. A well-placed track can separate the mediocre movies from the classics, often changing how people hear that song forever, as is the case for these 10 songs, which took on a new meaning after being used to strike fear and unease in horror audiences.
"Hip To Be Square" - American Psycho
American Psycho forever ruined Huey Lewis and the News' catchy 1986 jam. It's almost impossible to hear "Hip to Be Square" without conjuring images of Patrick Bateman in a plastic raincoat doing a little dance before killing his victim. The scene has become so iconic, it's been parodied in dozens of TV shows and films, with American Dad's rendition being one of the most memorable. Although Roger reenacts the "Hip to Be Square" scene, writers couldn't resist slipping in a Reservoir Dogs reference too.
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" - Gremlins
Thanks to Gremlins, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is no longer just a Christmas classic, with Harry Simeone Chorale's rendition evolving into a song that sends chills up one's spine. Although Gremlins fans may associate the track with the attempted murder of Billy Peltzer's mother, Noël Regney actually wrote the song as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
"Tom Sawyer" - Halloween (2007)
VH1 named "Tom Sawyer" the 19th greatest hard rock song of all time, but Rush's 1981 hit found a new home in Rob Zombie's reimaging of Halloween. "Tom Sawyer" plays in the background as Michael Myers attacks the trucker Big Joe Grizzly in an epic rest stop bathroom encounter, making this song more violent than likely intended.
"You Are My Sunshine" - Annabelle: Creation
"You Are My Sunshine" is one of the most covered children's songs, which is why it was probably chosen for Annabelle: Creation. The fourth installment in The Conjuring Universe, Creation is a prequel to Annabelle that explains the possessed doll's origin. Considering the film takes place in an orphanage, using a popular children's song makes sense; however, it's creepiness overshadows any childhood nostalgia.
"Tiptoe Through the Tulips" - Insidious
"Tiptoes Through the Tulips" makes multiple appearances in Insidious. Apparently ghosts like Tiny Tim, who made the song into a novelty hit after performing it on the sketch comedy show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In in 1968. Due to "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" frequent use in the film, it's doubtful anyone who has seen Insidious will be able to separate the song from the film.
"Jeepers Creepers" - Jeepers Creepers
Awakening every 23rd spring for 23 days to feast on human body parts, the Creeper stalks a rural Florida town in Jeepers Creepers. With a title like Jeepers Creepers, it's not surprising the film uses the track for its main theme. Originally performed by Louis Armstrong, Jeepers Creepers features a version by Paul Whiteman and his Swing Wing to signal the Creeper's approach.
"I Got 5 On It" - Us
"I Got 5 On It" isn't the most "innocent" song, considering its drug theme. Nonetheless, Jordan Peele uses a creepy remix of the rap hit, titled the "Tethered Mix," in his horror-thriller Us. The film follows Adelaide Wilson and her family after they are attacked by a group of evil doppelgängers, and the trailer opens with the Wilson family singing this song in their car, which had fans humming Luniz's 1995 rap long before Us hit the big screen. Although it's one of the most memorable songs, Peele incorporates a variety of R&B and Hip-Hop hits throughout the film, such as "I Like That" by Janelle Monáe.
"Don't Stop Me Now" - Shaun of the Dead
For those wondering if Queen's music compliments zombie movies, look no further than Shaun of the Dead. The horror-comedy ends with Shaun and his friends trapped in the Winchester Tavern surrounded by an undead horde. As the group fights for their lives, "Don't Stop Me Now" blares from a jukebox. Using pool sticks, the group comically whacks a zombie to the beat of the Queen song in unison, making the scene one of the most memorable in the film.
"Goodbye Horses" - The Silence of the Lambs
Horror movies typically don't win Best Picture, so for The Silence of the Lambs to accomplish this and win several other Academy Awards has earned the horror-thriller a spot in cinematic history. After kidnapping the senator's daughter, Catherine Martin, Buffalo Bill dances half-naked to Q Lazzarus' "Goodbye Horses." The sequence switches between Buffalo Bill's performance and Catherine crying while attempting to lure the serial killer's dog, Precious, into the pit she's held captive in. Becoming one of the most iconic scenes in the film, Buffalo Bill manages to make "Goodbye Horses" sinister.
"Singin' in the Rain" - A Clockwork Orange
Although A Clockwork Orange isn't technically a horror movie, it's terrifying in its own way. Stanley Kubrick's dystopian crime film is as intense as it is disturbing. What has become known as the "Singin' in the Rain" scene is no exception. Alex DeLarge convinces his gang to commit "ultra-violence" by brutalizing the writer Frank Alexander and his wife. The scene is hard to watch, but A Clockwork Orange has gained a significant cult following since its debut. The film also generated a "Treehouse of Horror" parody on The Simpsons and inspired episodes in other series, like Truth Seekers.