System of a Down’s “Arials” (sp?) creeps me out. (But not that song about tapeworms whose title I can’t remember off the top of my head. That one’s funny. :D)
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police and “Father Figure” by George Michael are two immensely popular songs with really creepy undertones. Many people don’t seem to notice this, however.
“Riders on the Storm” by the Doors has been mentioned. But a lot of stuff by the Doors would also qualify (e.g., “The End”). So would a good chuck of David Bowie’s discography (e.g., “The Man Who Sold the World” and “Golden Years”).
Any time you mention “Every Breath You Take” in conversation, someone will say that it’s about stalking. Everyone knows that now. “I Will Always Love You” or “You Are My Sunshine,” on the other hand…
Ohio Players- Love Rollercoaster if only due to the urban legend stuck to it.
Cher- Dark Lady
And Stan the Fan by Eminem really creeps me out.
Warren Zevon’s Model Citizen
Down in the basement,
I got a Craftsman lathe.
Show it to the children,
when they misbehave.
Basket Case also fits, as do a number of his other songs.
A lot of Angelo Badalamenti’s (sp?) work, especially his stuff with David Lynch.
I’m just amazed to see a reference to Phil Harris at all! A Jack Benny fan perhaps? The “thing” certainly didn’t do Phil any favors – damned him to hell, as I recall.
The overture to “Jesus Christ Superstar” certainly sounds sinister. And, looked at in a certain light, the song “Young Girl” could be sung by a tortured poedophile: Young girl, get out of my mind…my love for you is way out of line… better run girl!!..you’re much too young, girl!
Tool has a pile of creepy songs, both music and lyrics.
Elvis Costello, Spooky Girlfriend
Garbage, Vow, #1 Crush
Velvet Acid Christ, Slut
Golden Palominos, most of their stuff
K.D. Lang, So it Shall Be, while I think its about trust in a relationship its damn creepy in the lyric department if you dont take it that way.
Pearl Jam, Dirty Frank
Coil, Tainted Love (cover)
Guns and Roses, Used to Love Her. well its a fun little campfire tune
MC 900foot Jesus, Killer inside me
The Turtles, Happy Together. holy creepy lyrics Batman!
Daisy Chainsaw, anything and everything…ok its only one album
Wha? Okay, “I think about you day and night” and stuff, but I can’t think of anything in that song that isn’t standard romantic corniness. Aside from “how is the weather,” that is.
Don’t Fear the Reaper, of course. One of the all-time most sinister songs with such a lovely sentiment: don’t be afraid of death, let’s kill ourselves (baby).
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer is my runner up.
And really, why select one or two of Elvis Costello’s songs? You can just toss the bulk of his discography onto the sinster and/or creepy pile. (Of course I love him - I’m not criticizing).
“I Put a Spell on You”, Screamin’ Jay (something-something).
I dunno, my mum was watching some PBS-type show on TV when I was young, and there was a pic of this guy and the song playing. Creeped me right out, gave me nightmares in fact. And I’d managed to almost forget about it, but that recent Levi’s commercial with the stalking department store mannequin didn’t help.
Hawkins. Even with the noises at the end, which are kind of silly, I think that’s one of the greatest and most over-the-top songs ever.
I always thought The Beatles’ “I Want You/She’s So Heavy” was totally schizophrenic and eerie. The “She’s So Heavy” part was the first song to really scare me, with that drudging, thick bassline and the kind of seasick, repetitive arpeggios… that thing scared me the first time I heard it, and I was standing outside on a sunny day!
the song is pure stalker stuff, hes not talking to her and she has no idea how he feels,
“Imagine me and you I do”
that was supposed to have more, as in
the very first line sets up the song as a fantasy, if you listen close or google lyrics you will see what I mean.
Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby from O Brother Where Art Thou?
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by the Crash Test Dummies.
Indeed - as well as “Stray Cat Blues.” Seduction of a 15 year old! :eek:
You know you beat me to it. A great sinister song.
And don’t forget “March of the Sinister Ducks”
The first song that popped into my head was Nemesis by Shriekback.
I’d second the Cave and Waits of course, but they usually temper the sinister with humour.
Lou Reed’s Berlin album is my pick of the pops - that song ‘Taking the Children Away’ in particular…