As summer fades into fall, and Halloween, the spookiest holiday of the year, approaches, it’s the perfect time to explore a fascinating corner of music: songs that are unintentionally creepy. There’s a certain kind of chill that comes not from deliberate horror themes, but from something subtly unsettling in the melody, lyrics, or atmosphere of a song. These are the tunes that burrow into your subconscious and leave you with a lingering sense of unease, even if that wasn’t the artist’s original intention.
Many of us have experienced that feeling of listening to the radio in the dark, when suddenly a song comes on that’s just… weird. It’s a track so strangely dark or unsettling that you instinctively reach for the lights and the off switch, half-afraid of what might be lurking within the music itself. It could be something as seemingly innocuous as a Gordon Lightfoot song, but in the right context, at the right time, even the most unexpected melodies can take on a spooky tinge.
Over the next few weeks, leading up to Halloween, we’ll delve into some of these unintentionally creepy songs that have stuck with me over the years. And I’d love to hear from you – what songs give you the creeps? Share your suggestions in the comments below!
Let’s kick things off with a group that arguably packed more unintentional creepiness into their discography than any other pop act, especially any girl group: The Shangri-Las. Emerging in the early 1960s during the peak of both girl groups and teen tragedy songs, The Shangri-Las quickly carved out a unique and memorable niche. Their debut hit, “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” established their signature sound: spoken-word lyrics, evocative sound effects, and a level of melodrama so intense it flirted with camp. These elements were layered with heavily echoed vocals that swung between powerful, emotive belts and almost detached, zombie-like monotones. All of this was brought to life with a budget-friendly imitation of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, courtesy of the enigmatic producer George “Shadow” Morton, known for his mysterious disappearances.
Their biggest hit, “Leader of the Pack,” amplified the teen tragedy formula, becoming a defining example of the “death disc” genre, alongside classics like Jan & Dean’s “Dead Man’s Curve.” The strategic use of sound effects – motorcycle revs, screeching tires, shattering glass – abruptly transforms the song from melancholic pop into a dramatic, almost frightening soap opera in mere seconds. It’s no surprise that Jim Steinman, the master of pop bombast, cited “Leader of the Pack” as a direct influence on his epic Bat Out of Hell.
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However, for me, the ultimate in Shangri-Las creepiness – the song that truly stands out as their spookiest – is their final A-side for Red Bird Records, 1966’s “Past Present and Future.” Built almost entirely around the main theme of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” the song opens with a solitary piano melody. Then, the background singers whisper “Past,” and lead singer Mary Weiss begins to recite the lyrics. Crucially, nothing in this song is actually sung. And the words themselves? They are undeniably creepy. She speaks of a past relationship, hinting at a traumatic, unspoken event. The creepiness isn’t just in what Mary is saying, but how she says it. She holds a secret, and her remaining power lies in keeping it from you, the listener. She keeps you guessing, constantly on edge. Imagine asking her out, and she responds with these chilling words:
Go out with you? Why not
Do I like to dance? Of Course,
Take a walk along the beach tonight? I’d love to,
But don’t try to touch me, don’t try to touch me
’Cause that will never happen again….
What exactly happened? The song teases you with the mystery, never providing a clear answer. Just as you’re left reeling, the strings swell, sweeping you away to…”The Future”:
The future,
Tomorrow? well tomorrow’s a long way off
Maybe someday I’ll have somebody’s hand
……..
But at the moment it doesn’t look good
At the moment it will never happen again…..
She repeats a variation of that final, unsettling line, the strings reach a trembling vibrato, and a shiver runs down your spine. It feels like there’s a ghost in the room. Even now, this song is difficult to listen to without feeling deeply uneasy. It’s unlikely that “Past Present and Future” was intentionally designed to be spooky. Weepy, perhaps, but not outwardly creepy. And yet, for me, it has earned its place in the pantheon of unintentionally spooky pop songs. It’s a masterclass in creating a sense of dread and mystery through suggestion and atmosphere, proving that sometimes the creepiest songs are the ones that get under your skin without you quite knowing why.
What are some unintentionally Spooky Songs that haunt your playlists? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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