Horror music is definitely memorable. The Exorcist‘s Tubular Bells, John Carpenter’s Halloween masterpiece, the Goosebumps theme song. They’re all amazing. But I’d like to point out what I think is the most entertaining of the bunch: the theme to Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) as played by The Dickies.
Everyone is familiar with the famous music of the circus: Julius Fucik’s Entry of the Gladiators. The Dickies took this tune and transformed it into an 80s hair metal anthem for the gods. Starting with a slow, alien-like build-up, we crash land into a guitar riff à la Gladiators. Then come the lyrics.
With references to the titular Killer Klowns, P.T. Barnum, cotton candy, and various carnival rides, the energetic singing sets the mood for the movie like no other song does. The Dickies is known for their pop-punk style, which is clearly evident here. I’m not the biggest fan of any type of rock, but you can bet you’d hear me flying down the road blasting Killer Klowns and headbanging.
There’s cotton candy in their hands
Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Dickies
Says the polka-dotted man with a stalk of jacaranda
They’re all diabolical bozos
(I literally was singing this as I was typing it out.)
We’re lucky enough to get all the Killer Klown goodness in video form too. The music video is a mashup of scenes from the movie, as well as new scenes depicting The Dickies and their time behind bars with the Klowns themselves (plus some extras as court jurors). It’s all very 80s.
The Dickies’ Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a win on a bunch of different levels: awesome movie, a theme song that slaps, and a combo movie-song team that few others can live up to! It’s lively. It’s relevant to the movie. It’s simple and oh so addictive. Plus, the music itself is apropos and automatically connects the listener with the theme and real-life experiences of the circus. 10/10 to have on your Spotify playlist! I certainly do!
What’s your favorite horror theme song? Let us know in the comments!
