# Villains and Theme Music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2011, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384 "2011-06-05T10:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/21 "2011-06-06T01:28:07Z")
The intro song for Despicable Me is one of the most fantastic villain songs ever. It’s like a twisted upbeat version of a James Bond theme. Also it’s amazingly ear-wormy. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/axbUCR1nKRA/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHeA4AC6AKKAgwIABABGH8gQigXMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDII_jvP_JZKmxxyr2F3rJZJUaHxA "Full Despicable Me Theme Song - Pharrell Williams") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axbUCR1nKRA) For nastiest? I have to say Ursula’s “Poor Unfortunate Things” always gets me creeped out. She’s just so nasty about it! For non-theatrical-release villains, GlaDOS’ ending song in Portal. Very nice. “we do what we must, because we can.” Such a good song. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y6ljFaKRTrI/hqdefault.jpg "Portal - 'Still Alive'") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI) ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/22 "2011-06-06T01:51:14Z")
> [@Chilon](#): > > Finally, while it’s not in a movie and thus not created with any particular villain in mind, Voltaire’s _When You’re Evil_ is one of my favorite songs and a great tribute to the kind of villain who knows that what he’s doing is wrong, but doesn’t give a damn. I came in to mention this song. I sing it more often than is probably healthy, and I’m toying with a script for a musical adventure that will allow me to inflict it on hapless players. Definitely a theme song for a cheerful, willfully malicious villain. _Still Alive_ is also a great villain song. I’m torn between it and the _Imperial March_. I love both, but for such utterly different reasons that I’m unable to weigh one against the other. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/23 "2011-06-06T01:59:46Z")
Oooh, I just thought of a good one: [The theme from Halloween for Michael Myers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vtsKGzGVK4). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/24 "2011-06-06T02:06:12Z")
Mussorgsky’s _Night on Bald Mountain_ as used in [Fantasia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Ca_edg6RE). If you aspire to be Evil Incarnate, THIS is the type of theme song you want! ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/25 "2011-06-06T05:51:35Z")
The first and only one that came to mind was the great music Rosza wrote for the 1946 version of “The Killers” (not the 1964 one, which is also awesome). Couldn’t find a good YouTube of just the exact moment when “you know” when “it’s” going to “happen” – DON’T. [Rosza “Prelude”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWWlHYgQn68&playnext=1&list=PL3D9C4EDB9005A640) ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/26 "2011-06-06T11:29:44Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > For non-theatrical-release villains, GlaDOS’ ending song in Portal. Very nice. “we do what we must, because we can.” Such a good song. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI) I like her song from the sequel [(spoilers for Portal 2, obviously)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVVZaZ8yO6o). It helps that Jonathan Coulton was able to write this song with the actress’s singing range in mind, as opposed to “Still Alive” which he wrote ahead of time. Still, neither one is really a “theme song” for her, I think. Or at least, not a Leitmotif, as the Imperial March is for Darth Vader. I’m also fond of the [Klingons’ theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4IG2zw05_w&feature=related) from the Star Trek movies (it of course also becomes their heroic theme from time to time on TNG, when they are allies with the Federation). ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/27 "2011-06-06T13:32:22Z")
For several hours yesterday I tried to find a YouTube clip that would have enough of that little “dahn-dahn-dahnnan-dahn” thing that I could point to it and say “that’s it” – all with no luck so far. But I did find some things that make me a little ashamed to say that I don’t know all that much about Native American music. Despite this being off-topic of the current thread, maybe it will strike others the way it has me: [Native American Indian Spiritual Music - Ceremony to Mother Earth.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1_xmj4mkgs) I haven’t given up trying to find that little whatever-it-is. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/28 "2011-06-06T13:50:38Z")
I instantly got the Cruella de Vil song from _101 Dalmatians_ in my head. How many villians have a song _about_ themselves? What about the strange whoosh/hiss/swoosh/wheeze/whatever noise in _Friday the 13th_? Does that count as a theme? ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/29 "2011-06-06T14:30:30Z")
Goldfinger. I can’t think of another Bond villain with as memorable a theme ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/30 "2011-06-06T14:43:54Z")
There’s the Man With the Golden Gun. I’m partial to that one as it’s a bit more upbeat. I also like the Saruman/Isengard theme from the Lord of the Rings movies, with that heavy syncopated drumbeat. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/31 "2011-06-06T14:56:36Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > I like her song from the sequel [(spoilers for Portal 2, obviously)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVVZaZ8yO6o). It helps that Jonathan Coulton was able to write this song with the actress’s singing range in mind, as opposed to “Still Alive” which he wrote ahead of time. Still, neither one is really a “theme song” for her, I think. Or at least, not a Leitmotif, as the Imperial March is for Darth Vader. I actually like this song better than “Still Alive” - as I believe I mentioned in another thread, I think it works fantastically as a breakup song for a bad relationship. A really, really bad relationship. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/32 "2011-06-06T14:58:59Z")
It’s not specifically a villain theme song, but I pretty strongly associate the opening of “Tubular Bells” with Bad Stuff Going Down. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/33 "2011-06-06T15:22:11Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > It’s not specifically a villain theme song, but I pretty strongly associate the opening of “Tubular Bells” with Bad Stuff Going Down. How about [Carmina Burana ~ O Fortuna | Carl Orff ~ André Rieu](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3VsesSBsw&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/34 "2011-06-06T16:38:02Z")
The music from David Warner’s pocket watch in [Time After Time.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NcLfsnURWo&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/35 "2011-06-06T16:59:57Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > How about [Carmina Burana ~ O Fortuna | Carl Orff ~ André Rieu](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3VsesSBsw&feature=related) Except that just as often, that piece indicates that the Good Guys are about to Kick Some Ass, as in its [first documented appearence in a major motion picture](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dURNAFRTsVw&feature=related). ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/36 "2011-06-06T17:04:12Z")
Dr. Horrible had some kick-ass songs he sung. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/37 "2011-06-06T17:06:00Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Except that just as often, that piece indicates that the Good Guys are about to Kick Some Ass, as in its [first documented appearence in a major motion picture](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dURNAFRTsVw&feature=related). Good point. I was thinking more of _The Omen_ soundalike and how that piece is even used as motivational music at football games! Same with the Darth Vader thing. I know there must be other “theme songs” for Satan and other demons but I’m having trouble remembering the specifics. _The Exorcist_ and _The Omen_ are closely related in my mind’s ear. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/38 "2011-06-06T18:54:55Z")
Everybody knows the Wicked Witch of the West’s [theme!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4kiXh8YOzk) ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/39 "2011-06-07T01:32:04Z")
“The Great Race”. Professor Fate. [Push the button, Max](http://www.vodhin.org/Music/PUSHMAX1.MID) ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384/40 "2011-06-08T00:03:50Z")
darth vader? the shark? nah. brutus’ entry into any popeye scene always changes the whole mood for that day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/villains-and-theme-music/584384.md?page=3)