When I asked the internet for suggestions of good songs to listen to when penning horror stories, I was vaguely thinking in terms of stuff that is creepy, atmospheric or at least lyrically dark. The responses I got, however, were altogether more diverse.

Below, in no particular order, is a selection of my top ten. Naturally these will be on repeat for inspiration for the rest of the month and none were chosen just because they’re quite fun.* There are a few bands that aren’t in there who maybe should be (Ladytron, Sisters of Mercy, The Cocteau Twins, Bauhaus, Alice Cooper…) but frankly we haven’t got all day, and this post will take long enough to load as it it.

Enjoy.


Jack the Ripper – Screaming Lord Sutch
What can I really say about this, other than ‘choon!’

Halloween Theme – John Carpenter
Pretty well the creepiest song on this list, and one of the best there is.


Halloween – Misfits
I only knew the AFI version for the longest time.. but this is the original.

The Kindness of Strangers – Nick Cave
It was a toss up between this and Stagger Lee… and Henry Lee… and most of the rest of Murder Ballads.

Batcat – Mogwai
Atmosphere, thy name is Mogwai. This song tells a story better than my mere words ever do.

Nobody Likes You When You’re Dead – Zombina and the Skeletones
Ain’t that the truth… A tongue in cheek look at some of the problems faced by victims of zombification.

Cape Fear – Fantomas
As ever, Mike Patton opts for a subtle vocal…


Nyarlathotep – The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets
The song suggested was actually Cthulu Dreams but I can’t find it on yachoob and this seemed pretty equally Lovecraftian…

The Killing Moon – Nouvelle Vague cover of Echo and the Bunnymen
Another creepy classic, suggested by someone on the Twitter. I posted the cover version because I like it – so sue me. (Please don’t actually sue me, you haven’t got a case).

Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon
A-wooooooo!

*basically all of them were chosen because of that.

Honourable mentions to Chelsea K on Twitter for admitting that Donovan’s song Guinevere freaks her out, Ceri for giving me the entire 30 Days of Night soundtrack, and The Book Analyst for the immortal line “Morrissey. The horror, the horror…”

Chilling.