With The X-Files back on our screens, we’ve picked out 10 of the creepiest ever TV theme tunes…
Apparitions by Hal Lindes
Joe Ahearne’s series is about a secret, demonic world existing in a very real, modern London, occupying a similar thematic area as his great vampire series Ultraviolet (whose own theme, by Sue Hewitt, is an honourable mention).
The opening titles themselves go some way to addressing a dark, diabolical secret hiding under the hustle and bustle of a huge city, but it’s aided immensely by being underpinned by this spine-tingler.
The X-Files by Mark Snow
It’s a curious fellow, the X-Files theme. While some find it a bit jaunty, reminiscent of scouts whistling around a campfire, it sends some into paroxysms of dread.
We once knew someone who absolutely insisted on it being muted when watching an episode due to how unnerving they found it. The dread is likely the result of Snow’s insistence on building the whole piece out of an A minor drone and the slow, serpentine string parts beneath the whistling.
This is the full version, titled ‘Materia Primoris’, which does break away from that single tone, only to confound listeners further with a very uneasy chord sequence.
Moondial by David Ferguson
Another creepy kids’ show from yesteryear. How TV didn’t traumatise an entire generation is a mystery.
Speaking of mystery, Moondial has it in spades, from the insistent ostinato that underpins the piece, to the heavily-reverbed, slightly out of tune violin sound that introduces the lead motif, all accompanied by a huge wall of synthesizers providing the shimmering backdrop.
According to the composer, David Ferguson, studio time for the Moondial score rang up at around £10,000 and with the amount of work in this single theme, it’s not surprising.
Picture Box by Structures Sonores Lasry-Baschet
For the theme to this series for young viewers, ITV chose the piece Manège by this experimental musique concrète quartet which, going by the title, is meant to represent a merry-go-round but, like Grainer’s Tales of the Unexpected theme, does so in an almost unbearably queasy way. Add the fact that many kids only saw this when they were home from school with a fever and you’ve got some deliciously delirious nostalgia.
The Twilight Zone by The Grateful Dead
The Twilight Zone titles have always been weird, but when the series was relaunched in 1985, it was accompanied by this nightmare, unexpectedly provided by psychedelic rock band The Grateful Dead and composed by their frontman Jerry Garcia.
A series of slow guitar pick slides, chattering electronic insect noises, deep synth tones and altered versions of familiar sounds (a barking dog? fire? a bomb?) all giving way to Marius Constant’s absolutely iconic four-note Twilight Zone motif.
What’s your favourite creepy TV theme tune? Let us know below…