Halloween Playlist: The 13 Creepiest Horror Movie/TV Show Theme Songs From The Past 50 (Or So) Years

9. “Tubular Bells” from The Exorcist (by Mike Oldfield)

The plot: A girl whips the Catholic church into a window-leaping frenzy with her bed-writhing, memorable vocals and innovative usages of crucifixes (AKA The Madonna Career Playbook). Spooky song fact: Oldfield was only 19 when his debut album, also titled Tubular Bells (from which the Exorcist theme was excerpted), came out.

8. “The X-Files Theme” by Mark Snow

The plot: David Duchovny wears too many clothes. Also something about aliens. Spooky song fact: In 1996, the original song, as well as a DJ Dado cover, went Top 10 around the world, hitting #1 in France and Denmark.

7. “Overlay of Evil / Main Title” by Harry Manfredini (from Friday The 13th)

The plot: A resourceful mother embarks on a surprisingly successful career that paves the way for her child to continue the family business of making ‘em scream! Farrah Abraham’s been taking notes. Spooky song fact: Although everyone has their own interpretation of what the “lyrics” are, Manfredini recorded the sounds “ki ki ki, ma ma ma” from Mrs. Voorhees’s line channeling son Jason, “Kill her, mommy!”

6. “Theme from The Fog” by John Carpenter

The plot: Long-forgotten wraiths from a distant past return to terrorize the living. In other news, don’t forget to pick up your copy of Nick & Knight! Spooky song fact: In addition to writing and directing multiple genre classics, Carpenter also scored many of them. Next year he’s releasing an album of lost themes.