Before the days of viral memes and easily accessible YouTube trailers, marketing for genre films used to be a very different experience. Since it wasn’t guaranteed that ads would be targeted at the folks most likely to purchase a ticket, studios often had to shoot in every conceivable direction when trying to promote otherwise serious […]
5. Cat People (Putting Out Fire) – David Bowie
These days, the original Cat People is mostly remembered as one of the main inspirations for the incredible Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, but this highly influential film also inspired a high-profile remake by Paul Schrader in 1982. This modernized (not mention eroticized) retelling of the story had a much bigger focus on music, with legendary composer Giorgio Moroder providing the flick with its sensual score.
However, when the time came to promote the movie with a seductive rock ballad, the one and only David Bowie was brought on to collaborate with Moroder on an atmospheric theme song. While the rock star was ultimately dissatisfied with the cinematic version of this track, it ended up becoming much more popular than the movie it’s based on.
Funnily enough, the song is now more commonly associated with Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds due to the inclusion of Bowie’s remixed version of it during a scene where Mélanie Laurent prepares for a Nazi barbecue.
4. Are You Ready for Freddy – The Fat Boys
Dokken’s insanely catchy Dream Warriors is rightfully remembered as the definitive Nightmare on Elm Street tie-in song, but I’d argue that it’s not the only memorable attempt at promoting Freddy Krueger to music lovers. If you ask me, the Fat Boys’ tongue-in-cheek ode to Freddy is just as fun despite being part of the excessive marketing that turned a once-sinister horror icon into a watered-down jokester.
That being said, I can’t bring myself to complain about a song that features Robert Englund rapping to painfully corny lines like “and if you feel like you’re tired and ready for bed, don’t fall asleep or you’ll wake up dead!”
And if you’d like to hear another novelty rap track about Freddy Krueger, I’d also recommend checking out DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince’s rejected Dream Master tie-in song, A Nightmare on My Street! This one actually has the added bonus of incorporating Charles Bernstein’s original theme music into its melody.
3. Fright Night – The J. Geils Band
Boasting what is likely the catchiest chorus on this list, the J. Geils Band’s celebration of Fright Night is almost as fun as the movie it’s based on. From the energetic vocals to the vague lyrics that cheekily explain Charley Brewster’s fight against Jerry, this retro earworm feels like a sincere homage to the film rather than a quick cash-grab.
That being said, Fright Night actually became one of the more popular tracks on this list, which is ironic given the fact that it was the J. Geils Band’s last major hit before disbanding after shooting the music video. That’s a shame, as I would have loved to see them tackle other horror properties in their music!
2. Chucky The Song – Simon Stokes
Featuring cheesy lines like “Chucky, Chucky, go away, you’re too rough when you play,” as well as a weirdly kid-friendly atmosphere, I can understand why this official theme song was ultimately cut from the end credits of the original Child’s Play. Thankfully, it still survives as a somewhat obscure novelty that feels closer in tone to the franchise’s current output than Tom Holland’s original movie.
However, this humorous romp stands out among other entries on this list by being the only track that’s actually meant to sound like it’s being sung by the titular villain. And while Brad Dourif didn’t provide the vocals, Stokes does a great job of imitating Dourif’s growling demon voice as he cheekily threatens audiences with a then-hypothetical sequel.
1. He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask) – Alice Cooper
My personal favorite track on this list, Alice Cooper’s 1986 hit is a perfect companion piece to the film that inspired it. It may not be a literal retelling of Jason Lives‘ plot, but the self-aware lyrics and clever use of Harry Manfredini’s classic “Ki-ki-ki, ma-ma-ma” make it clear that this is supposed to be a new and less serious era for our favorite machete-wielding killer.
The song ended up being so successful that it kind of overshadowed its licensed origins, with He’s Back still being considered one of Cooper’s most popular releases. To this day, a lot of rock fans aren’t even aware that this classic song was originally meant to promote Friday the 13th Part VI rather than the singer’s generalized love of the horror genre.
