Film: Psycho
Music: Prelude/Murder
Year: 1960
Composer: Bernard Herrmann
So why did Psycho make the number one position and not Halloween? Because of the level of influence that’s why; besides, it sounds damn wicked too.
Composed by Academy award-winning film composer, Bernard Herrmann, the Psycho music has influenced countless horror films that followed, just as the movie itself has since its release in 1960. Before Psycho came along, most horror films had lacked a score that was ominously distinct. Bernard Herrmann changed all that when he composed the soundtrack for Psycho. Unique for using only the string section of an orchestra, the main theme’s striking violin strokes perfectly carry the film along and heighten the scenes of murder and suspense.
Often imitated, but never duplicated; no one can deny the level of inspiration this film, and its threatening score, has had on not only the horror genre but the entire film industry in general.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 am
No it’s not, this is pure Herrmann. Sounds nothing like Elfman.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
busta rhymes sampled this song in his song called “gimme some more”
September 27th, 2008 at 4:19 am
i actually think that the hellraieser one was the best but thats just my opinion.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am
dude, i cant stand danny elfman themes usually. i don know why but maybe it is because he always works with tim burton whos movies are awful so they leave a bad taste in my mouth when i hear elfman. i just don’t like elfman’s styles.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
this soundtracks were the best!! Is in some way like Danny elfman
September 30th, 2008 at 3:29 am
gimme some mo!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:55 am
and with no halloween there would be no “slasher” film genre.
Thank you, Michael.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:46 am
yea if there was no psycho there would be no halloween
October 6th, 2008 at 4:24 am
Bernard Herrmann Is God
October 8th, 2008 at 11:24 am
In movies the music always scared me the most cuz you know something bed is gonna happen.
October 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
the halloween and omen scores are by far the best, this is a memorable one to a classic movie, but not even close to number one. halloween and omen( and jaws for that matter) perfected the feeling of tension, isolation, and insanity needed for a great horror theme.
thats my opinion anyway.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
the omen dominates this theme in my opinion
October 10th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Ya, I agree, the stabbing sound for example is a classic, but that is certainly context dependent!
October 12th, 2008 at 2:09 am
I awesome you mean Citizen Kane and not Titanic…
October 15th, 2008 at 8:48 am
It’s more of suprise piece than something tension building (like Halloween, Jaws, the Omen, etc.) It’s really meant to be louder too. It’s only really effective in context.
October 17th, 2008 at 7:08 am
hahah epic…if anyone here has heard of the band dream theater…they had the psycho theme as their intro tape….such a kool theme
October 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
The movie is great.
But…let alone the movie.
This memorable theme is excellent BUT not the best. (in your top 15.)
and yes - I still think the omen theme should be #1
October 20th, 2008 at 10:16 am
very nice!*****
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 am
i still think the ommn should hav gotten number 1
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 am
This is an excellent sound score…a classic, but it’s certainly nowhere near the best for horror…it’s just not a very scary sounding score compared to many others.
October 26th, 2008 at 5:53 am
has to be no1,i think i will take a bath tonight,or maybe in the morning……ahhhhhhhh
October 26th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Epic movie!!!
October 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
This *****…!!!
How you can ommit movies as “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Children of the Corn” ??
nahhh!!!