Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 has been described as "the perfect piece of Halloween music"[1] | |
| Stylistic origins | Blues |
|---|---|
| Cultural origins | Halloween |
| Typical instruments | |
Halloween music is amusic genre defined by themes ofhorror and popularity in association with the holiday ofHalloween.
Halloween music is vaguely defined and ambiguous, but is most commonly considered to include any song that increases in popularity seasonally around two weeks before Halloween.[2] These songs typically include themes of the supernatural, fright, and folklore, and may be intended to arouse fear in listeners.[3] Halloween music has also been associated withgoth music.[4][unreliable source?]
Halloween music's precursor isblues music, which was nicknamed "the devil's music" by detractors. The genre featured secular, and often sexual, lyrics, as well as themes relating to racial oppression. For these reasons, detractors associated it with unholiness. Blues music is defined in part by theblues scale, which can be used to create dissonant and "spooky" sounds. Blues music influenced Halloween songs such as "I Put a Spell on You".[3]
In the 1950s and 1960s, variousdoo-wop groups, groups influenced by blues music, began to releasenovelty Halloween-themed songs. "Monster Mash" is an example of such a novelty doo-wop Halloween song. Despite its Halloween themes, doo-wop Halloween music from this era is largely indistinguishable from non-Halloween themed doo-wop music in terms of musical characteristics.[3]
Following the 1960s, Halloween music began to split into various other genres aside from the blues and doo-wop. Classic and hardrock music also included sinister themes, and as such have been associated with Halloween. Songs such as "Highway to Hell" and "Sympathy for the Devil", which are both often considered to be Halloween music, feature blues notes and blues-inspired chord progressions.[3]
In the 1970s and 1980s,horror films grew in popularity, andhorror film scores also began to be associated with the holiday. The soundtracks ofThe Exorcist,The Shining, andHalloween are all considered Halloween music.[3]
Halloween music, while diverse, often features certain musical techniques used to unnerve listeners. Techniques used includedissonance between notes and the use oftritones,[3] as well as irregular time signatures.[5]Ostinato is used to create suspense in Halloween music, with a famous example being the repeated notes in the theme song ofJaws.[3] Halloween music often features certain instruments as well, such as thetheremin andondes Martenot, which were both in part popularized by horror film soundtracks.[3]
Halloween music in the United States increases in popularity around two weeks beforeOctober 31, at which point there is a spike in the amount of Halloween music listened to on services such asSpotify.[2][6] Halloween music is most popular in the American state ofUtah, and the largest demographic of people that listens to Halloween music is white women in their 30s and 40s.[2][6] The most popular Halloween song in the United States is "Thriller" byMichael Jackson (1983).[6]
| Main topics | |
|---|---|
| Traditions | |
| Food | |
| Events | |
| Media | |
| Related events | |
| Other events | |
| Related topics | |
