John Carpenter is one of the long acknowledged cinematic masters of horror. Everybody knows Halloween and the epic franchise it spawned, while classic movies like Escape from New York, The Thing, and They Live are still very relevant decades after their release. Carpenter is also known for his movie soundtracks that were initially created by the director himself for both creative reasons and out of financial necessity. He soon teamed up with composer/sound designer Alan Howarth who helped him further flesh out his film soundscapes.
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Over the last decade, Carpenter, who has retired from directing feature films, has collaborated with his son Cody and his godson Daniel Davies on four Lost Themes albums. Their latest, Lost Themes IV: Noir, was released in 2023. These feature spooky and atmospheric instrumental compositions that are more layered and nuanced than his famed movie scores, and they serve up soundtracks for movies of your mind. The trio also released two anthologies of rerecorded music from Carpenter films, and along with the backing band for Tenacious D, even embarked on three tours of America and Europe in the late 2010s.
Here are seven memorable John Carpenter themes to accompany everyone’s favorite spooky season.
“Halloween” from the Halloween Soundtrack (1978)
This jittery, ominous theme to one of the greatest slasher movies of all time is performed in the unusual time signature of 5/4. It’s not something that would be readily noticeable to the average listener, but that gives it an extra little cool factor for musicians. Within the first few notes people will immediately recognize this track, and it’s been reworked and remixed by different people over the years.
“The Haunted House” from the Halloween Soundtrack (1978)
This is actually a slower-moving, eerie piece featuring piano and synths that is equally memorable as the film’s title track. It’s got a sense of creeping dread that foreshadows and heralds the omnipresent danger of knife-wielding killer Michael Myers, and Halloween aficionados will recognize it pretty quickly.
“Theme from The Fog” from The Fog Soundtrack (1980)
Opening with a burst of dramatic organ, this theme to Carpenter’s second horror film soon subsides into a moody piece with a gently cascading piano line and a percussive track continually throbbing underneath. The theme repeats continually throughout most of its five-minute running time, and Carpenter layers little sounds on top of it.
“Hell Breaks Loose” from the Prince of Darkness Soundtrack (1988)
The original soundtrack album version of “Hell Breaks Loose” cuts the epic instrumental in half and focuses on the creepiest and most captivating part as ghostly sounds glide over electronic pulses. Prince of Darkness is one of Carpenter’s best movies. It’s about a scientist and his students who become fascinated by and study a giant container of swirling green liquid in a church basement. It may be alien or Satanic in origin, and over the course of the night they learn of its dark secrets.
“Obsidian” from Lost Themes (2015)
The gothic second track from the first Lost Themes album has that signature John Carpenter vibe, but add in crisp guitar playing and an insistent rock beat and one can already hear Carpenter’s music being taken to the next level. Whereas a lot of the director’s earlier music took more of a minimalist approach, this Lost Themes entry, like many, feels more fleshed out and multilayered. “Obsidian” is one of his most memorable tunes, even if it’s less overtly spooky.
“Mystery” from Lost Themes (2015)
A more ambient, atmospheric track from this album, “Mystery” has a bit of a ‘70s Italian horror movie vibe to it. The rock drums also don’t kick in until two-thirds of the way through and don’t overpower the piece. It feels like the proper soundtrack for hiding from and being pursued by groovy ghoulies through a graveyard on All Hallows’ Eve.
“Dead Eyes” from Lost Themes III: Alive After Death (2021)
If you want a good piece for your home haunted house, the eerily ethereal “Dead Eyes” fits the bill. Both haunting and romantic, this is the type of track that would make great accompaniment to a supernatural ghost movie as it emanates that feeling. It’s wonderful that after so many years of composing music Carpenter (and his familial cohorts) can deliver such a beguiling piece.
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