Scariest music?

[MegtheEgg86]

:( Maybe this is a weird idea for a thread---but after watching some of the old segments, do any of you all get some of the music stuck in your heads...particularly at inconvenient times like when it's dark out? It happens to me quite a bit. I've been watching the compilation DVD's lately.

What, in your opinion, are the worst recurring tunes you've heard on classic UM? The shrieking "Update" theme is a given.

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

The music they play when they show Debra Poe's photo with her friend Lori in the Florida convenience store murders segment that sounds like ghostly wooo's (that's the best way I can describe it) is also pretty bad.

I'm actually also not a big fan of the "regular" Update theme either---especially when they keep playing it and you realize there's a bunch of eerie sounds thrown in with those electronic "telecast" sounds.

[Mattmc]

The music during the Talmans Ghost .. and Rachel Runyan ... the Rachel Runyan case is hard to decribe why that is so bad .... its just very creepy , its got this ... sound effect in it that adds to the horror of it , I wish someone would say they understand what I am talking about .

[Mattmc]

By the way ... I think this a good topic , because when I was growing up ... I would be outside in the dark , having to do something , and this music would come into my mind along with the composites :eek:

[MegtheEgg86]

The music during the Talmans Ghost .. and Rachel Runyan ... the Rachel Runyan case is hard to decribe why that is so bad .... its just very creepy , its got this ... sound effect in it that adds to the horror of it , I wish someone would say they understand what I am talking about .

I think I know what you're talking about in the Rachel Runyan segment---it's very unnerving. I think the same music was used in the Kevin Ives/Don Henry segment when they're out walking in the woods.

[Mattmc]

I think I know what you're talking about in the Rachel Runyan segment---it's very unnerving. I think the same music was used in the Kevin Ives/Don Henry segment when they're out walking in the woods.
You gave me chills !!!!!!!! that is exactly it !!!!! :eek:

[justins5256]

Hmmm...creepy music...

* There was some VERY creepy music in the original Jeremy Bright segment.
I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's kind of like a slow "ding...dong...ding...dong...ding..." with really high notes. The music is played during a re-enactment of Bright's killers carrying his lifeless body through the woods at dusk while one of them is holding a lantern. That scene used to freak me out as a kid. I can't think of many other times when they used this particular piece except one - in the 1994 Bigfoot segment during the re-enactment of the Todd Neiss sighting. Kind of an odd place for that piece to pop up.

* The "shrieking update" that comes very fast and builds to a sudden high pitched "DUH DUH!!!" (Yeah, another great description) This music was used during the infamous Baskin children update (where a viewer sent in recent photos of them). It was also used in some "Special Alert" segments such as the one about the father (was his name Gibson?) mugged and killed in an LA apartment complex by members of a street gang. It was also used quite a bit during the Son of Sam two part report from 1988.

While I didn't find this music scary, there is some very haunting music played during the Dottie Caylor segment (special 4) when the actress playing Dottie is seen standing on the railroad platform while Stack says "no one knows if Dottie boarded the train that day.." or something along those lines. The music is very solemn and sad yet has a yearning quality to it.

I think this thread is a great idea and I think the fact that we are discussing the music now, all these years later, just further reinforces how well put together the old school UM was. The atmosphere, the music, the scenery, the slow storytelling, Stack's narration etc. all came together to make one damn fine show.

[MegtheEgg86]

I'm sorry!! :( That one is quite terrible, too. I also really don't like that bit they played when "Jane" was sitting in her car drinking her coke, and the NH serial killer pulls up beside her. God, do I hate that one.

[MegtheEgg86]

Hmmm...creepy music...

* There was some VERY creepy music in the original Jeremy Bright segment.
I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's kind of like a slow "ding...dong...ding...dong...ding..." with really high notes. The music is played during a re-enactment of Bright's killers carrying his lifeless body through the woods at dusk while one of them is holding a lantern. That scene used to freak me out as a kid. I can't think of many other times when they used this particular piece except one - in the 1994 Bigfoot segment during the re-enactment of the Todd Neiss sighting. Kind of an odd place for that piece to pop up.

* The "shrieking update" that comes very fast and builds to a sudden high pitched "DUH DUH!!!" (Yeah, another great description) This music was used during the infamous Baskin children update (where a viewer sent in recent photos of them). It was also used in some "Special Alert" segments such as the one about the father (was his name Gibson?) mugged and killed in an LA apartment complex by members of a street gang. It was also used quite a bit during the Son of Sam two part report from 1988.

While I didn't find this music scary, there is some very haunting music played during the Dottie Caylor segment (special 4) when the actress playing Dottie is seen standing on the railroad platform while Stack says "no one knows if Dottie boarded the train that day.." or something along those lines. The music is very solemn and sad yet has a yearning quality to it.

I think this thread is a great idea and I think the fact that we are discussing the music now, all these years later, just further reinforces how well put together the old school UM was. The atmosphere, the music, the scenery, the slow storytelling, Stack's narration etc. all came together to make one damn fine show.

I remember that music from the Jeremy Bright segment. It sounds like it could be straight out of a horror movie.

And I completely agree with that final statement on old UM---watching it could definitely be a wild ride. Absolutely nothing like it.

[EWfilm]

I wish they would release these tracks of disc. It would be great for the fans. Does anyone have any of the isolated music tracks from the original show? Besides the theme...

[peachysquirt21]

The music they play when they show Debra Poe's photo with her friend Lori in the Florida convenience store murders segment that sounds like ghostly wooo's (that's the best way I can describe it) is also pretty bad.

I have to agree with this one for sure :eek:

[ididn'tdoit]

Hey Meg I agree with you about that piano music! :eek:

I'd like to add Nyleen Kay Marshall, just in the beginning of the segment where they show her picture and there's a really creepy sound effect, really made me shiver! :eek:

[marlins3]

The worst is the music used during the update on the Baskins and Maples case with that sudden loud shrieking noise. My fave UM music is the piano music palyed during the The Sweetheart Swindler segment and many othe rcon man segments. I also like the music played duringh the NH serial killer segment where the guy has the woman under hypnosis. It is the sam ething over an over and then climaxes before starting over again.

[justins5256]

There is an unnerving piece played during the Kurt Sova segment when Kurt's Dad is exploring the basement of the duplex looking for Kurt. This same piece was used in the Gary Grant Jr. segment when his mother was shown looking in dumpsters for Gary's body. It also popped up in the Lake Champlain "Champ" segment when Stack was talking about historical accounts of sightings. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I'm sure some of you will know what I'm talking about.

Amazing what one can do with a synthesizer, huh?

It would be cool if someone made MP3s of some of these selections, if for no other reason than to further this discussion. Although I'm sure that would be a copyright violation.

[MegtheEgg86]

There is an unnerving piece played during the Kurt Sova segment when Kurt's Dad is exploring the basement of the duplex looking for Kurt. This same piece was used in the Gary Grant Jr. segment when his mother was shown looking in dumpsters for Gary's body. It also popped up in the Lake Champlain "Champ" segment when Stack was talking about historical accounts of sightings. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I'm sure some of you will know what I'm talking about.

Amazing what one can do with a synthesizer, huh?

It would be cool if someone made MP3s of some of these selections, if for no other reason than to further this discussion. Although I'm sure that would be a copyright violation.

I know that piece---it's an ominous piano piece with sort of higher notes.

I refuse to watch the Cindy James and Blair Adams segments in the dark. Not necessarily because they're scarier than others, but because of that really awful, very creepy music that plays in the parts where they're searching around Cindy's house, and during the hotel security camera video of Blair walking in and out of the lobby numerous times before finally deciding to get a room. I think there was also a little bit of it in the Tracy Kirkpatrick segment, too---but just because of that phone call from "Don", I won't even watch that one past six pm.

I really wish we could have MP3s, too---it'd make all this much easier to explain (and it'd just be cool to have them). I have to admit that it's funny we all know exactly what the other's talking about when we describe these things like "ding...dong....ding...dong" and "DUH DUH!" :cool:

[justins5256]

Just thought of another one...

There is an ominous piece during the Jeffrey MacDonald segment (technically Final Appeal, not UM but they used the same music) when he is being attacked by the hippies. It is has a couple slow "whistle" type tone in it. Again, it's very had to describe. I think the same piece was used in the Darlie Routier segment when pictures of the bloody sock were shown.

[MegtheEgg86]

Might I also nominate that horribly nerve-racking bit they play at the end of the NH serial killer segment (that one's full of musical gems) as they're showing the composite sketch (although it kind of reminds me of a face you might see in archive photos of the Dust Bowl or something, it's still pretty damn scary). I can't think of any other segment I've heard it in...maybe the convenience store/pizza parlor murder cases (the ones that were thought to be connected, where the victims were all shot execution-style), but I'm not 100% certain.

Just thought of another one...

There is an ominous piece during the Jeffrey MacDonald segment (technically Final Appeal, not UM but they used the same music) when he is being attacked by the hippies. It is has a couple slow "whistle" type tone in it. Again, it's very had to describe. I think the same piece was used in the Darlie Routier segment when pictures of the bloody sock were shown.

Now that's one I'm not familiar with. I'm itching to find out, though.

[UMfan77]

There is an unnerving piece played during the Kurt Sova segment when Kurt's Dad is exploring the basement of the duplex looking for Kurt.

That scene (and the music) scared the crap out of me. There's that one lightbulb hanging from ceiling and then the cot looking like someone had just slept in it. Too freaky, gives me nightmares.

[MegtheEgg86]

That scene (and the music) scared the crap out of me. There's that one lightbulb hanging from ceiling and then the cot looking like someone had just slept in it. Too freaky, gives me nightmares.

Yeah, and the part where they show Kurt actually in the cot, tossing and turning around with that danged light bulb swinging around like crazy. Creeps me out. And the very end, with that really scary tune and the close zoom-in on Kurt's face.


After some thought and a couple of subsequent viewings, I've decided it's definitely a draw between Son of Sam Pt. 2/Baskin Children Update (as it's the same music) and the New Hampshire Serial Killer for Scariest UM Music Of All Time.

[Zlatko]

This doesn't exactly fits into music, but did anyone find the background sounds in the Richard's Rampage episode absolutely terrifying? It's the scene when Church goes into his former girlfriend's house to attack her. Easily the creepiest scene for me from UM. It's difficult to describe the sound.

[UMfan77]

This doesn't exactly fits into music, but did anyone find the background sounds in the Richard's Rampage episode absolutely terrifying? It's the scene when Church goes into his former girlfriend's house to attack her. Easily the creepiest scene for me from UM. It's difficult to describe the sound.

Oh yeah, I know what you're talking about. The music is like a thudding sound and also some scary piano in the background. They played the same music during the Anthrax segment. I actually refuse to watch the Church segment BECAUSE OF THAT MUSIC.

[mikele]

on the other hand, the weakest music was on the Punky Gustavson episode. We all know that UM is known for its music which adds up tension, but this time it was really out of hand.

When they discover the body of this little girl named Mandy there comes the most inappropriate music you can imagine - sort of puppet master or any other Full Moon Studio's cheesy tune with fanfare! I am not sure whether it was original UM tune or it was dubbed by mexican TV.

[MegtheEgg86]

Not really music---but that HORRIBLE sound effect when the "I LOVE YOU CINDY BY GW" wall is shown up close in the Cindy Anderson segment. Makes me shiver.

[dynoguy88]

Ha! The background music has actually been a very popular topic here on this board for years. It never gets old because it IS that creepy.

The update for the kidnapped Baskin children still haunts me to this day even though it's really just a scarier version of the UM theme song.

Like others mentioned, the music playing while Kurt Sova's father was searching through Susan's basement for his son was VERY scary. It was also played during the Blind River rest stop murders segment when they showed the actual police video tape of Brian Major's car the morning after the murders.

Not too many people remember this scene since it was cut out of the Lifetime version but in the Brad Bishop segment, the scene that shows him in the hardware store buying the hammer and gas can he would later use to murder his family with was kind of creepy. It was just a series of beats but it was bad.

I've said this before but I always wished the show could have released all that background music on to a CD. It would have been nice to play on Halloween for the trick-or-treaters.

EDIT: I almost forgot! The creepy music playing in the background for pretty much the entire first half of the Bobbi Oberholzter/Annette Schnee segment. The discovery of the bodies, of Jeff driving through Breckenridge at night and then the discovery of Bobbi's backpack the following morning...haunting!

[StackTime]

Definitely the music coupled with the police composite in the Blind River case....absolutely horrifying

[Fletch]

This thread brings back such good memories (as bad as that may sound...haha). I loved the old UM so much....the music was the best.

I also wanted to add that I really liked Lifetime's Update music when the text was on the screen telling when a case was solved. It was creepy :)

[mphs95]

Might I also nominate that horribly nerve-racking bit they play at the end of the NH serial killer segment (that one's full of musical gems) as they're showing the composite sketch (although it kind of reminds me of a face you might see in archive photos of the Dust Bowl or something, it's still pretty damn scary). I can't think of any other segment I've heard it in...maybe the convenience store/pizza parlor murder cases (the ones that were thought to be connected, where the victims were all shot execution-style), but I'm not 100% certain.



Now that's one I'm not familiar with. I'm itching to find out, though.

That whole segment really freaked me out. I remember the part when the psychologist was wandering through the woods doing his profile by himself. All I kept thinking was "Dude, you're next!" The music still freaks me out to this day.

[MegtheEgg86]

That whole segment really freaked me out. I remember the part when the psychologist was wandering through the woods doing his profile by himself. All I kept thinking was "Dude, you're next!" The music still freaks me out to this day.

I know! Those woods looked so dark and foreboding. I know there was an entire film crew present during the segment, but if I were that psychologist I would've NEVER had enough gall to go out there by myself. Ever.

When I was at Fort Lewis for training (I'm in the Army Reserve), we had to go out and negotiate a land navigation course (where you're tested on your ability to find your way with just a map and compass). These courses are always out in the middle of the woods, and let me tell you, those forests at Fort Lewis look so much like the woods in that segment. And that's all I could think about walking around---at night, and by myself. I got finished with that course as quickly as humanly possible.

[Fletch]

Oh yeah, I know what you're talking about. The music is like a thudding sound and also some scary piano in the background. They played the same music during the Anthrax segment. I actually refuse to watch the Church segment BECAUSE OF THAT MUSIC.

What about the silent parts of that segment? UM did a great job of making that one as scary as possible - and the quick insert shot of him brandishing the knife/blade as the music starts is priceless.

[MegtheEgg86]

What about the silent parts of that segment? UM did a great job of making that one as scary as possible - and the quick insert shot of him brandishing the knife/blade as the music starts is priceless.

That's what makes the Church segment so unique in its scariness, I think. It's the only one that I can think of where they cut out the sound like that. I honestly believe you can stack up (no pun intended :p) some of these segments against any horror movie, and they'll all be ten times scarier.

Speaking of which, I think the lack of music sometimes can add more to a segment. If I recall correctly, the Clarence Roberts segment didn't really have much music in it, but for some reason that made it creepy as hell.

I recently re-watched the Ayleen Conway segment. The music playing when they show all of the weird things in the Conway home---the water hose in the pool, the iron on, the phone off the hook, the full bathtub---was a little scary.

[MarchingTwinkie3]

This will probably sound really stupid, but the old ending theme gave me nightmares. The one with the saxophone or whatever playing the melody. I don't know why it creeps me out so much...

[mphs95]

This will probably sound really stupid, but the old ending theme gave me nightmares. The one with the saxophone or whatever playing the melody. I don't know why it creeps me out so much...

It's not stupid...it used to freak me out. I was 10 when the show came out. As much as I loved it, it would freak me out during the credits every Wednesday night.

[MarchingTwinkie3]

Yeah, but I was like 15. Maybe it's still not weird, but it kinda feels weird to me. A lot of the music was so creepy. I think it's really what made the show so great, though.

[HyeTev]

All of the music used was effective but some of the best IMO...

During the scene in 'Richard's Rampage' when Rick was breaking into the Reed home. Thump-thump, thump-thump... That music was also used in 'Orange Sock Murders'.

In the Joe Sheppard segment when he and the detectives were in the woods about to exhume Kathy Clowers. I do not think I have heard that piece anywhere else.

In the Rhonda Hinson segment when the witness was under hypnosis.

[MegtheEgg86]

In the Rhonda Hinson segment when the witness was under hypnosis.

That in combination with the slow-motion re-enactment of the car speeding away from where Hinson's car was found...then of rolling by the scene....made that whole segment pretty unsettling. I know that entire hypnosis dialog by heart. :crazy:

[MegtheEgg86]

The Cheryl Holland segment had some pretty scary music in it, particularly during the interview of Eddie Wooten and the re-enactment of Holland dumping the Harveys' car in the river and torching their house.

[UMfan77]

The Cheryl Holland segment had some pretty scary music in it, particularly during the interview of Eddie Wooten and the re-enactment of Holland dumping the Harveys' car in the river and torching their house.

Oh yeah, I know what you're talking about. I often skip over that segment because it's so disturbing. What a terrible way to die, that poor couple. I'm glad Cheryl Holland was caught.

[justins5256]

Just thought of another good one that I don't think has been mentioned - the Mickey Thompson segment. Watch the part where the two hitmen are shown escaping on bicycles. Very creepy tune playing there. Kind of a "swirling" sound that reminds me of the piece used at the start of the Nyleen Kaye Marshall segment.

[Drakken]

To me, the soft, yet eerie music at the end of Bradford Bishop's segment starting from the moment footage of his children and his couple while they were still alive is being showed all the way to the end is chilling to the core.

[wiseguy182]

While I didn't find this music scary, there is some very haunting music played during the Dottie Caylor segment (special 4) when the actress playing Dottie is seen standing on the railroad platform while Stack says "no one knows if Dottie boarded the train that day.." or something along those lines. The music is very solemn and sad yet has a yearning quality to it.


agreed. that is the most memorable music for me. I fear Dottie is dead, but that music has a 'vanished into thin air' quality about it.

[TheCars1986]

The music used in the ghost segments used to scare the hell out of me...now that I think about it, the music definitely set the tone and made the series for me.

[greatgarrett2]

To me, the soft, yet eerie music at the end of Bradford Bishop's segment starting from the moment footage of his children and his couple while they were still alive is being showed all the way to the end is chilling to the core.

That and also I thought the music that was played when the police officer went to check the Bishop home for the first time and saw blood droplets on the front doorway. I wonder what he was expecting before he saw that.....

And, the music on the Canadian UFO segment (on the UFOs boxed set) where a Canadian woman sees something in a field (an apparent UFO sighting) and someone known only as 'GUARDIAN' sends a video tape of the same sighting. That took place about 4 hours from where I live. Anyway, there's a scene in that segment where they film just the mysterious infromant's hands typing his name G-U-A-R-D-I-A-N....scary background music.....with RS saying, "Virtually nothing is known about Guardian's identity".....with the phony 'DND' paper on his typing table. CREEPY and AWESOME at the same time!

Two more for now. Cindy Anderson's nightmare and the Zodiac Killer walking away from the '2 cops who pulled a goof' who saw him on the streets the night of Paul Stine's murder.............

Cheers

[Babydollz24]

It's not stupid...it used to freak me out. I was 10 when the show came out. As much as I loved it, it would freak me out during the credits every Wednesday night.

yeah that saxaphone music at the end did it for me. when i was little, it didn't seem to bother me much, but when i was in college, i would set my vcr to tape episodes on lifetime while i was in class. I would watch them late night after class and homework, and made sure i hit stop before the ending music started. :eek:

[wiseguy182]

:( The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

agreed.

also, at the very end of the Kurt McFall segment, when his father is visiting the grave, there is some memorable music there.

[justins5256]

I recently re-watched the Ayleen Conway segment. The music playing when they show all of the weird things in the Conway home---the water hose in the pool, the iron on, the phone off the hook, the full bathtub---was a little scary.

I know the piece you're describing. I have only heard it one other time - during the first special hosted by Raymond Burr. The Don Kemp case.

I was surprised to hear it again during the Conway story. It was kind of a loose connection to those first specials that were "lost" because Lifetime never aired them.

[MegtheEgg86]

I know the piece you're describing. I have only heard it one other time - during the first special hosted by Raymond Burr. The Don Kemp case.

I was surprised to hear it again during the Conway story. It was kind of a loose connection to those first specials that were "lost" because Lifetime never aired them.

Yeah---I remember that now that you mention it.

It seems those early specials before UM was a regular series had some of the most memorable although not necessarily scary pieces. The Missy Munday/Jerry Strickland segment has some piano lines that have gotten stuck in my head on multiple occasions---pretty stirring music, actually. And of course that little synthesizer bit during the re-enactment of Strickland and Munday fleeing to their happy home outside Detroit!

The Swedish hitchhikers segment has a frightening little piece in it that's difficult to describe, although I know for certain I've heard it in other segments. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

[justins5256]

It seems those early specials before UM was a regular series had some of the most memorable although not necessarily scary pieces. The Missy Munday/Jerry Strickland segment has some piano lines that have gotten stuck in my head on multiple occasions---pretty stirring music, actually. And of course that little synthesizer bit during the re-enactment of Strickland and Munday fleeing to their happy home outside Detroit!

Yes, that was a haunting piece, wasn't it? I don't think it was used much (if ever). They played the whole thing over the closing credits of that special - special 5.

Another haunting piece was played over the end credits of special 3. I can't recall if the piece was used elsewhere. The end credits of that special show clips from the Lutter story but I always think of Consagra's case when I think of that music. I've often wondered if he got to watch the special in prison when it first aired. Weird thought I know...

There is some upbeat music in special 7 during the John Yount story. Watch the part where he is driving his car and picks up that girl from class (who would become his victim).

While not necessarily scary, there is some very cool music in those early specials.

[ididn'tdoit]

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment

OMG that is so true, you get that freaky early 80s horror movie feeling from watching that; with the two story wooden houses, that creepy music and all. Makes me think of the Amityville Horror or The house by the cemetery :eek:

[Mastermind]

How about that pyschotic music during the Tracy Kirkpatrick (sp?) episode where the psychic reads the letter from the telephone confessor.

Haunting

[MegtheEgg86]

Recently rediscovered frightening music:

- The piece played during the re-enactment of David Stone wandering through the desert, talking to himself and waving his arms towards the end of the segment. It's a weird composition with strange "spacey" effects that remind me of some old alien invasion movie or something, and it's scary as hell. It can also be found in the Swedish hitchhikers segment.

- The music played when Bashir is sitting in his cell and just about every scene where he answers a phone in the L'enfant segment.

[MissFit29]

My first thoughts were the Richard Church segment and the Doreen Picard segment. It's the discourse in the piano chords or something.

The other piece of music I always found kind of creepy was a little more obscure....it's heard at the end of the Michael Rosenblum segment and the Donald Webb segment (where the give the description of Webb). THAT was the one that freaked me out, especially at night. I'm not sure how to describe it - it kind of builds....

Also, the music at the start of the Kathy Bonderson segment, which was also used in other segments (Jim Burnside and others). Very ominous!

[MissFit29]

Oooh....what about the music during the overhead shot of the area where they found Beverly McGowan's body? That was a little freaky too!

[MissFit29]

Also, the music playing when Richard Bockledge shoots Tanja Kopric is really scary too!

[wilson001]

Definitely the music coupled with the police composite in the Blind River case. It was absolutely horrifying!

[MissFit29]

Dang...ALL the music in UM was deliciously creepy! The only stuff that was really happy was the Audrey Moate "I'm going to meet my lover" big band and the stuff they used to play for the updates of lost loves....well, I would cry on occasion with those, but it was still happy.

[UMfan77]

Dang...ALL the music in UM was deliciously creepy!

I totally agree with you on that one!! Music from a horror movie could never be creepier than UM. It was totally original, unlike anything that I've ever heard.

[supersally1974]

I totally agree with you on that one!! Music from a horror movie could never be creepier than UM. It was totally original, unlike anything that I've ever heard.

Yes. I think the music was instrumental (PUN INTENDED :p ) in giving the show its unique, eerie atmosphere. My only wish was that Spike would have respected that when they redid the series. That sluggish, heavy metal music is a farce. So not the spirit of the show.:(

[shanejm]

I personally believe the scariest music in the series is the original theme song. I remember watching my very first episode...way back when...thinking just how creepy the music was. It has that foreboding sound to it like be cautious for whatever is to come. Just haunting music! And beautiful.

[WishfulDreamer]

Hmmm...creepy music...



* The "shrieking update" that comes very fast and builds to a sudden high pitched "DUH DUH!!!" (Yeah, another great description) This music was used during the infamous Baskin children update (where a viewer sent in recent photos of them). It was also used in some "Special Alert" segments such as the one about the father (was his name Gibson?) mugged and killed in an LA apartment complex by members of a street gang. It was also used quite a bit during the Son of Sam two part report from 1988.


I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. To me, that is the scariest music on unsolved. When I hear it, I get chills. Especially if I'm home alone. UM was brilliant in terms of trying to scare its audience, especially via music.

[MegtheEgg86]

Also, the music playing when Richard Bockledge shoots Tanja Kopric is really scary too!

YES.


Here's some music that I don't necessarily find scary, but very memorable:

- The recurring melody that plays throughout the John William Wood segment. It's sort of a soft synthesizer piece. I've never heard it anywhere else.

- The Gail Delano segment. The opening music, the piece that's playing in the reenactment of John Scott finding the missing poster in the truck stop, and the closing music I think are all peculiar to that segment only.

- The Joyce McLain segment, in the portion describing her life in East Millinocket before she was murdered.


Also--does anyone else think the guitar just when William Bradford Bishop is pulling a body out of his car is really '80s action movie-ish?

[peachysquirt21]

Ohio prostitue killings. When they are showing the pics of the victoms, I have to say the music being played is quite chilling IMO.

[UnSub]

Interesting thread... This show creeped me out when I was a kid, mostly because of the very creatively sinister background music. The composers did an excellent job with those scores. IMO, the music that gets my vote is the piece used when Kurt Sova's dad searches the basement of the duplex looking for his missing son. This segment scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it when it first aired back in November of 1988. It's a case that has stayed with me throughout the years just because of how strange it was. So many unanswered questions and I felt terrible for his mom.

[justins5256]

Interesting thread... This show creeped me out when I was a kid, mostly because of the very creatively sinister background music. The composers did an excellent job with those scores. IMO, the music that gets my vote is the piece used when Kurt Sova's dad searches the basement of the duplex looking for his missing son. This segment scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it when it first aired back in November of 1988. It's a case that has stayed with me throughout the years just because of how strange it was. So many unanswered questions and I felt terrible for his mom.

Yes, I remember that selection from the Kurt Sova case. It was very chilling. What do you think happened to Kurt?

[jasonbigley]

The background music in that one episode about the New Hampshire serial killer was spooky. The background music in the Nyleen Kay Marshall episode with the letter was spooky.

[RobinW]

Whoever mentioned the Tallman's Ghost music earlier in this thread is right on the money. Particularly the heartbeat-themed music they play when Allen Tallman is entering his house late at night while he hears the mysterious voice and then sees his garage on fire.

One music cue from that segment that always chills me to the bone is when the boy sees a scary vision by the Christmas tree and they play this VERY ominous version of the beat children commonly use to taunt each other ("na na na na na na"). They've re-used that cue numerous times in other segments and it never fails to creep me out.

[MegtheEgg86]

A recently bumped thread reminded me: the Tim McClure segment, at the very end where the picture of his mother Terri is shown. That musical effect they use right as her photo shows up on the screen is chilling.

[biscuitgirl]

Frankly, I think the scariest music is that goofy country tune they play whenever they show a bar scene.

[justins5256]

A recently bumped thread reminded me: the Tim McClure segment, at the very end where the picture of his mother Terri is shown. That musical effect they use right as her photo shows up on the screen is chilling.

I watched the McClure segment last night so I know what you mean. The sound had kind of a tingly swirling effect to it.

There is some good music elsewhere in that segment too. I like the haunting ballad-type piece played during the introduction when McClure is playing slots with his mother.

There is some deep, dark, ominous depressing sounding tune played when he is calling the credit card company on Friday...errr, Monday. That sticks with me too.

OT, Meg, - do you think the segment producers thought McClure was guilty? I got that vibe.

[MegtheEgg86]

OT, Meg, - do you think the segment producers thought McClure was guilty? I got that vibe.

Yeah, I tend to think so. Perhaps my own feelings on the case sway my opinion, but with what the segment producers had to work with, I guess the evidence tends to speak for itself.

About the only portion of the segment where Tim McClure isn't presented with a cloud of suspicion over him is towards the end, where RS says those close to to McClure claim he could've never have killed his own mother. Immediately after that, he goes on to speak of McClure's singular, perhaps suspicious appeal for someone "out there" to substatiate his alibi for January 14, 1983.

[rubber4532]

Those parts where it plays like some nice, sentimental paino then that ominous growl creeps in. ugh gives me chills!

[TheCafeDisco]

I have to agree with the baskins update music. I remember seeing this when I was young home alone and being terrified.

[Tarnished Angel]

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

Yeah, this bit kills me. It sounds to me like a piano with the strings muted with an object, although it could be a synthesizer approximating that sound. There is also that synth cello prominently used in the Doreen Picard segment and throughout the series. This music (and much of the creepy stuff during the early years that is reminiscent of the bits in these two segments) is very dissonant. Rather than just having, say, a minor key chord progression, this UM music just trudges from one evil note to the next, so to speak, without a harmonic center. Stuff like this is usually found in certain horror movies. The ones I can think of off the top of my head are parts of the scores for the first two Friday the 13th movies, and Black Christmas (1974).

[Oooga Chucka]

I also wanted to add that I really liked Lifetime's Update music when the text was on the screen telling when a case was solved. It was creepy :)


This was used to maximum effect on the Doreen Marfeo update - when that text popped up on screen stating that her husband killed his girlfriend, then himself. The music plus the sheer creepiness of the update was a scary one-two punch.

I see a lot of music described, but I'm not sure if it is describing my favorite piece. There is a lo-fi keyboard rhythm that pops up every once in awhile that's really creepy - it was at the end of the Chandra Levy segment, and it was also played in the segment about the off-duty cop who is found dead (not sure if its suicide or murder) as well as another segment about a relative presumed MIA in WWII (forgive me for not knowing the specifics of these last two).

[MegtheEgg86]

There is also that synth cello prominently used in the Doreen Picard segment and throughout the series.

I've spent many a sleepless night thinking about that synth cello sound. That loud, low, single stroke is so creepy. In that segment you can hear it prominently in the reenactment of the killer hiding the pipe in the closet. I also remember it being in the Rhonda Hinson segment.

the first two Friday the 13th movies

Ki-ki-ki-ma-ma-ma....:p

[Steve W.]

"There is also that synth cello prominently used in the Doreen Picard segment and throughout the series. This music (and much of the creepy stuff during the early years that is reminiscent of the bits in these two segments) is very dissonant. Rather than just having, say, a minor key chord progression, this UM music just trudges from one evil note to the next, so to speak, without a harmonic center. Stuff like this is usually found in certain horror movies."


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=815494287402485525#

(Can I do this when it's not from the main, to-be-unnamed, site that has these?)

[Tarnished Angel]

Ki-ki-ki-ma-ma-ma....:p

I know you're kidding, but that's usually what people think of with the score, or the Psycho-esque violins. I'm referring more to the other sounds (including a smilarly creepy cello) in the score. My point being, UM had some very unique and totally creepy music that separated it from virtually any other TV show (at least pre-Lifetime anyways).

[justins5256]

Ki-ki-ki-ma-ma-ma....:p

and here I always thought it was

Chi-chi-chi-ahh-ahh-ahh

I feel stupid now.

[MegtheEgg86]

and here I always thought it was

Chi-chi-chi-ahh-ahh-ahh

I feel stupid now.

Apparently Harry Manfredini, when composing the score for Friday the 13th, recorded someone saying "Kill" and "Mom", and shortened the words to the initial sounds (I started to say syllables :rolleyes:). At least that's how the story goes; it smacks slightly of urban legend, but who knows.


I remember The Shining having some terribly frightening, albeit very artfully modern music in it, to include Prendrecki's De Natura Sonoris I and The Awakening of Jacob, Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta (III), and Ligeti's Lontano. Every one of those pieces, exactly like the music featured on UM, involves dissonance, aimless minor notes, and eerie bass or percussive effects.

I suppose whomever composed the music (I know Remal and Malkin wrote the theme piece, but unsure if they also composed for the whole series) had years to be influenced by modern composers and pieces such as these, where symmetry and all "established" rules surrounding harmony are abandoned. Horror movie music definitely takes a cue from Stravinsky and Bartok, IMO.

[Tarnished Angel]

Apparently Harry Manfredini, when composing the score for Friday the 13th, recorded someone saying "Kill" and "Mom", and shortened the words to the initial sounds (I started to say syllables :rolleyes:). At least that's how the story goes; it smacks slightly of urban legend, but who knows.

Yes, Manfredini used the "Kill her mommy" dialogue and ran it through an early vocal harmonizer to create the sound.

I remember The Shining having some terribly frightening, albeit very artfully modern music in it, to include Prendrecki's De Natura Sonoris I and The Awakening of Jacob, Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta (III), and Ligeti's Lontano. Every one of those pieces, exactly like the music featured on UM, involves dissonance, aimless minor notes, and eerie bass or percussive effects.

I suppose whomever composed the music (I know Remal and Malkin wrote the theme piece, but unsure if they also composed for the whole series) had years to be influenced by modern composers and pieces such as these, where symmetry and all "established" rules surrounding harmony are abandoned. Horror movie music definitely takes a cue from Stravinsky and Bartok, IMO.

Very well put! I was thinking of going into this but didn't want to write a super long post. Now I don't need to:) BTW Shutter Island used some of that style of music. Also, Bernard Herrman was heavily influenced by Stravinsky, and his Psycho score is pretty much a template for a lot of horror movie scores.

[kirbivore]

And the very end, with that really scary tune and the close zoom-in on Kurt's face.



Just got major chills reading this and remembering that music

[greatgarrett2]

The two women attacked in Rhode Island...all through segment creepy music

Susan Laferte and Doreen Picard.

Add to that the complete mystery of whoever did it and her amnesia after.

[Steve W.]

"The two women attacked in Rhode Island...all through segment creepy music

Susan Laferte and Doreen Picard.

Add to that the complete mystery of whoever did it and her amnesia after."


agreed!

As far as the mystery, there was an update when it was re-broadcast (the video link is from the original broadcast of the segment in 1988) that Raymond "Beaver" Tempest was supposedly the man who attacked Doreen and Susan and went to or is still in prison, but I found a website that seems pretty legit in its evidence (or clues at least) that Tempest is actually innocent and a man named Donald Degasse is the real man who killed Doreen and put Susan in a coma:

http://www.caught.net/cases/beaver1.htm

[kev411]

Off the top of my mind, son of sam segment and matthew chase.

[MegtheEgg86]

matthew chase.

Yeah, I always thought the music they played when the composite pictures of the suspect made from the ATM camera were shown was pretty unnerving.

Another segment with some eerie music that I don't think anyone's mentioned yet is the Roxann Jeeves and Kristopher Korper segment. The music played during the exchange between the suspect and the convenience store clerk is the same piece UM played during the "10 Missing Persons" segment, and it is sooo creepy. The music played at the end of the segment until it faded out was always kind of chilling to me, too.

[Orange_Sody_84]

Not sure how I can describe it... There is slight raised note of the Synthesizer in the background. While two of the same Piano notes are played. But the 2nd notes are played slightly higher. it's like "Duhhhn duhhhnn DUHNN DUHNN!!" This short piece of score is usually played when Stack is setting the scene and describing what happened to someone. Grrr! I know you guys know what I'm talking about!!

Anyway it never fails to creep me out thinking about those notes when I'm alone. or reading a scary book etc.

Also Semi-OT. Did anyone see the "One Missed Call" remake from 2008? It's an alright supernatural/slasher film. But what really stuck out to me was the errie musical score. Reminded me of classic "Unsolved Mysteries". lots of creepy Piano notes. It plays in the opening scenes, the credits, and when the heroine is investigating.

[WishfulDreamer]

Not sure how I can describe it... There is slight raised note of the Synthesizer in the background. While two of the same Piano notes are played. But the 2nd notes are played slightly higher. it's like "Duhhhn duhhhnn DUHNN DUHNN!!" This short piece of score is usually played when Stack is setting the scene and describing what happened to someone. Grrr! I know you guys know what I'm talking about!!

Anyway it never fails to creep me out thinking about those notes when I'm alone. or reading a scary book etc.

Also Semi-OT. Did anyone see the "One Missed Call" remake from 2008? It's an alright supernatural/slasher film. But what really stuck out to me was the errie musical score. Reminded me of classic "Unsolved Mysteries". lots of creepy Piano notes. It plays in the opening scenes, the credits, and when the heroine is investigating.

Oh, we all know! We just call it the "duh duh!" update music. Always scares me and when I'm alone and think of it, chills form on the back of my neck. Whoever created it is a genius.

[JRWhite]

There was creepy chord of music played during the ATV murders that freaked me out a little. The episode is filled with disturbing music but this one spooked me a little more. It's heard while the two men are unloading the bodies out of the pick-up truck and dumping them in a back road location. I think it's around the 8:23 mark on the other site.

[WishfulDreamer]

There was creepy chord of music played during the ATM murders that freaked me out a little. The episode is filled with disturbing music but this one spooked me a little more. It's heard while the two men are unloading the bodies out of the pick-up truck and dumping them in a back road location. I think it's around the 8:23 mark on the other site.
For a second I thought you mean the Chase segment but now I see that you mean ATV segment. Yes, that's definitely one of the scariest segments ever! And the music is chilling the whole time, particularly at the part you mentioned.

[MissFit29]

How have we NOT mentioned "Judy Hyams is alive, and she lives in Omaha" music yet?

[UMFaninMD]

The score that's used during a lot of the robbery segments is also pretty scary. It's the fast track with drums and synthesizers. When the loud DA-DA's start up in the beginning, it's really unnerving.

The music during the Charles Holden segment is creepy as hell, especially the beginning part which sounds like an evil train whistle. :lol:

But nothing beats the piano theme and the cello chord of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte case. That's perfect slasher movie music. It's downright frightening and unsettling and sticks with you forever.

[MegtheEgg86]

How have we NOT mentioned "Judy Hyams is alive, and she lives in Omaha" music yet?

That is a VERY creepy scene and the music descends on you so fast you don't expect it the first time you see the segment. I think what's also scary is the fact that the caller is sitting in a dark room and the way she slowly rests the handset back in the cradle.

I rewatched the Ives/Henry segment last night and had totally forgotten how scary the music was when the "man in military fatigues" fires at that police officer. Unfortunately, I was also in the dark. :eek:

[amandab1234]

:( Maybe this is a weird idea for a thread---but after watching some of the old segments, do any of you all get some of the music stuck in your heads...particularly at inconvenient times like when it's dark out? It happens to me quite a bit. I've been watching the compilation DVD's lately.

What, in your opinion, are the worst recurring tunes you've heard on classic UM? The shrieking "Update" theme is a given.

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

The music they play when they show Debra Poe's photo with her friend Lori in the Florida convenience store murders segment that sounds like ghostly wooo's (that's the best way I can describe it) is also pretty bad.

I'm actually also not a big fan of the "regular" Update theme either---especially when they keep playing it and you realize there's a bunch of eerie sounds thrown in with those electronic "telecast" sounds.

The Queen Mary and Resurrection Mary songs scare ne :-o

[SitcomsAreTheWay]

1) The piano intro regarding the Doreen Picard case.

2) I remember having been frightened by the guitar intro the very first time I saw the Audrey Moate case. And of course like a fool I continued to watch the case in the friggin' DARK. :eek:

[amandab1234]

1) The piano intro regarding the Doreen Picard case.

2) I remember having been frightened by the guitar intro the very first time I saw the Audrey Moate case. And of course like a fool I continued to watch the case in the friggin' DARK. :eek:


Thats the same song that came out on the Queen Mary segment!!!! I want it as my ringtone so I can use it for Halloween lol

[baloony]

The music playing while Dexter Stefonek's car is burning is quite eerie.

[ILikeTurtles]

The Susan Harrison cut to UPDATE has to be up there.

[baloony]

The music that is playing while they show that computer image of the blind river suspect.

[1990 UM fan]

- The music on the Baskin children update, which can also be heard in the Grocery Robbers segment
- The music in the 1-70 killer episode, and also can be heard in the super glue robber segment
- The music that plays in the ATV murders episode where they show 2 men unloading the bodies. The same music can be heard in the Anita Green segment, which also has scary music at the end when they show her killer's composite.
- The music at the end of the John & Linda Sohus case
- The music in the New Orleans serial killer case
- The music in the Ohio prostitute murders case
- The music in the New Hampshire/Connecticut River killer case
- That eerie "aaaaaAAAAAAAAhhhhh" harmonizing that is in some of the ghost cases
- The music played in the Richard Church case where he walks into the Ritter's home and stabs the parents. The same music plays at the beginning of the Mothman episode
- The music in the Angela Hammond episode, especially when Rob is talking about how he didn't save her

[WishfulDreamer]

I know I've written in here before, but top 5 for me remain:
1) "Duh, Duh!" update music as heard in the Baskins case and a couple of special alerts. Without fail, if I think of it I fear someone is coming to get me.
2) Ohio Prostitute Killer music. When they talk about the woman found behind a traffic barrier is when I get really freaked out and also when they talk about how the spree started and show a map.
3) Deborah Poe convenience store. When they find her work smock it sounds like someone is wailing.
4) I know they play it in the episode with one of the sea creatures when it shows a map, but I can't think of how to describe the music. It's very eerie!
5) Beginning of Mothman/Rick's Rampage music. If I thought about that when walking around the city or going anywhere at night, I would want to run for shelter!

[Corkys-Place]

- The music on the Baskin children update, which can also be heard in the Grocery Robbers segment
- The music in the 1-70 killer episode, and also can be heard in the super glue robber segment
- The music that plays in the ATV murders episode where they show 2 men unloading the bodies. The same music can be heard in the Anita Green segment, which also has scary music at the end when they show her killer's composite.
- The music at the end of the John & Linda Sohus case
- The music in the New Orleans serial killer case
- The music in the Ohio prostitute murders case
- The music in the New Hampshire/Connecticut River killer case
- That eerie "aaaaaAAAAAAAAhhhhh" harmonizing that is in some of the ghost cases
- The music played in the Richard Church case where he walks into the Ritter's home and stabs the parents. The same music plays at the beginning of the Mothman episode
- The music in the Angela Hammond episode, especially when Rob is talking about how he didn't save her

That Piano music UM used in many of the early Episodes scared the hell out of me. It's featured in the Ohio Prostitute Serial Killer Story, The New Orleans Serial Killer Episode - When they show the B & W photo of the first victim. It's also used during the Nyleen Kay Marshal segment/re-enactment when that creep in the Forest took her away.

[1990 UM fan]

I'd also like to add that the music in the ATV murders episode where the CSI's are photographing the scene and the piano chord hits a sour note is scary. Makes my heart feel like it's going to stop every time I hear it. The music at the beginning of the William Bradford Bishop segment is creepy too.

There is also a twisted instrumental of "Silent Night" that plays in the Frank Olsen segment and in some of the ghost stories I believe.

[RobinW]

I don't know how many people here are wrestling fans, but if you are, you may remember those hilariously cheesy vignettes from 20 years later where Jake "The Snake" Roberts tries to help the Ultimate Warrior overcome his fear of caskets by doing stuff like burying him alive.

Well, during the segment where Jake locks the Warrior in a room full of snakes, they actually recycle that creepy piece of music from the Tallman's Ghost segment where Allen Tallman is approaching his house and sees his garage on fire. Never knew Vince McMahon was an UM fan.

[StackForever]

This one's not scary, but it's some of the saddest music I've heard on UM...it's at the beginning of the Eric and Pam Ellender segment on YT. Check it out, let me know what you think.

[1990 UM fan]

I don't know how many people here are wrestling fans, but if you are, you may remember those hilariously cheesy vignettes from 20 years later where Jake "The Snake" Roberts tries to help the Ultimate Warrior overcome his fear of caskets by doing stuff like burying him alive.

Well, during the segment where Jake locks the Warrior in a room full of snakes, they actually recycle that creepy piece of music from the Tallman's Ghost segment where Allen Tallman is approaching his house and sees his garage on fire. Never knew Vince McMahon was an UM fan.

I never knew that. I'd have to check that out.

[1990 UM fan]

I keep finding more scary music. The music where Kurt Sova's dad goes into the basement of the house where the party was held was eerie. The same music can be heard in the Blind River killer episode when they show police footage of Brian Major's car in the rest stop.

[TheCafeDisco]

Even thought the episode is pretty silly now, the eerie background sounds in the very begining of the ghost fighters la posada hotel episode gives me the chills!
Actually come to think of it all of the music in this episode scares me!

[MegtheEgg86]

In the Joe Sheppard segment when he and the detectives were in the woods about to exhume Kathy Clowers. I do not think I have heard that piece anywhere else.

I remember that one primarily from the Larry George segment. It plays over the reenactment of George walking away from the apartment building after shooting and injuring his wife Geraldine, and killing Janice Morris and Ralph Swain. That piece was extremely memorable. I know it's in at least one other segment other than the ones mentioned here, but I can't put my finger on which one it is. Jim and Lisa Albert maybe? Can't really remember.

[WishfulDreamer]

I can't really describe it, but I woke up one morning this week with a particular piece of music from the Ohio Prostitute murders in my head. It's one where the music is ominous and then there's a sound effect that I can't describe ugh! It occurs at one part when they're showing a map of the killings but really the entire case is creepy and so is all the music!

[Nickolas086]

It to bad, there isn't a way for someone that could find the tunes and some how make it into a soundtrack we can all listen to online whenever we want. I remember when I was a teenager walking home from a friend's place at night with another friend or alone I could hear something moving in the woods that was to the left of me or when someone gives me the creepy stare in a store ad when this would happen some how the scariest music of Unsolved Mysteries would start to play in my head.

[MegtheEgg86]

I can't really describe it, but I woke up one morning this week with a particular piece of music from the Ohio Prostitute murders in my head. It's one where the music is ominous and then there's a sound effect that I can't describe ugh! It occurs at one part when they're showing a map of the killings but really the entire case is creepy and so is all the music!

I'm just glad someone else gets the music stuck in their head out of nowhere! I had the music from the Joseph Prushanowski segment run in my head for about a week once!

[Tao]

Ohio prostitue killings. When they are showing the pics of the victoms, I have to say the music being played is quite chilling IMO.

This is also played near the end of the "Mother Daughter Tragedy" segment concerning The Rogers family murders by Oba Chandler. To me it's the creepiest.

The music during the Talmans Ghost .. and Rachel Runyan ... the Rachel Runyan case is hard to decribe why that is so bad .... its just very creepy , its got this ... sound effect in it that adds to the horror of it , I wish someone would say they understand what I am talking about .

The Rachel Runyan case too. Just something about that music near the end where they're showing her picture. Haven't seen the Talman segment enough to recall it. Is that like the Runyan music?

Also the Dave Bocks segment where they're showing his person effects, the glasses and the wire with three odd connecting circles. It's not spooky so much as disturbing. It could just be that The Rogers family, the Runyan and the Bocks' segments bothered me the most (that I can think of right now). I wonder if that has an effect on what music creeps us out.

[WishfulDreamer]

When they show the only identified victims in the Eliot Ness segment. Horrifying beat that makes it seem the killer, even though more than likely long dead, is going to come out of nowhere. The music is just that ominous!

[giantsfan82]

This may have already been mentioned, but my vote goes to the music that starts the Doreen Picard segments, among others. Whenever you hear that particular music starting a segment,you know something bad is about to go down.

[WishfulDreamer]

The music at the end of the David Stone segment, where they show a last shot of him wandering off. My goodness :OOOO

[SheRaaa]

This may have already been mentioned, but my vote goes to the music that starts the Doreen Picard segments, among others. Whenever you hear that particular music starting a segment,you know something bad is about to go down.

YES. Dear lord. I think that one has the creepiest, most ominous start to a UM segment *ever*. :eek:

[baloony]

The music all throughout the Blind River segment, but especially when it zooms in on the computer image of the suspect. :eek:

[UMFan95]

That little chime in the Pam Page segment when it was showing that Rob really signed Pam's name on the letter.. sends chills down my spine everytime...

The music when they show the Blind River killer sketch.

The drumming type music shown in the Dale Kerstetter segment.

The update music is pretty freaky, but i somewhat like it too.

[WishfulDreamer]

When the police enter the store after Deborah Poe disappears. I don't recall ever hearing that theme in another segment

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

When the police enter the store after Deborah Poe disappears. I don't recall ever hearing that theme in another segment
Yeah the music in that one is weird...sort of a twisted michael bolton track.

I don't know if someone mentioned it or if I did, but the music on the sweedish hitchikers segment is pretty creepy throughout. I think they may have had the same music on a fraud segment with a fake insurance claim for a vessel in the gulf of mexico. I can't remember the name of that ship(or segment off the top of my head).

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

- The music on the Baskin children update, which can also be heard in the Grocery Robbers segment
- The music in the 1-70 killer episode, and also can be heard in the super glue robber segment
- The music that plays in the ATV murders episode where they show 2 men unloading the bodies. The same music can be heard in the Anita Green segment, which also has scary music at the end when they show her killer's composite.
- The music at the end of the John & Linda Sohus case
- The music in the New Orleans serial killer case
- The music in the Ohio prostitute murders case
- The music in the New Hampshire/Connecticut River killer case
- That eerie "aaaaaAAAAAAAAhhhhh" harmonizing that is in some of the ghost cases
- The music played in the Richard Church case where he walks into the Ritter's home and stabs the parents. The same music plays at the beginning of the Mothman episode
- The music in the Angela Hammond episode, especially when Rob is talking about how he didn't save her
I know exactly what you mean about the atv murders music. I actually had that stuck in my mid for a long time but couldn't figure out what segments it was featured until I watched that one recently.

And yes pretty much the whole segment of the ohio prostitute murders has creepy music. Starting with the very beginning and the part where they show the map. Swedish hitchhiker has some creepy music too.

[MegtheEgg86]

I don't know if someone mentioned it or if I did, but the music on the sweedish hitchikers segment is pretty creepy throughout. I think they may have had the same music on a fraud segment with a fake insurance claim for a vessel in the gulf of mexico. I can't remember the name of that ship(or segment off the top of my head).

I've gotten pretty used to some of this music over the years simply because I've heard it hundreds of times now. But THIS one is still one I can't tough out. It's in the Justin Burgwinkel segment as well, IIRC.

[amandab1234]

The music in the Lisa Kimmel segment is creepy.. (not to mention the composite of the man who was seen with her at the gas station)

[MegtheEgg86]

The music in the Lisa Kimmel segment is creepy.. (not to mention the composite of the man who was seen with her at the gas station)

The beginning of that segment is scary, I think. I thought that composite was creepy too, but I always enjoyed the gas station eyewitness's description: "He had very fine features--'aquiline', I think is what the poets called it.."

[catlover79]

Ever since I was a little kid, I thought the show's theme song was kind of creepy. :eek: :lol:

[ranion]

Someone early on this thread made mention of how the music would always pop into their head when they had to do something outside at night. I had the same exact experience every week. Unsolved Mysteries night was also garbage night and I would always put off taking it out until the evening after UM. I would race down the driveway so fast in sheer terror, and then back up again just as quickly with the music fresh in my mind. This was before plastic garbage cans had wheels, so I'd inevitably wear holes into them after a couple months. And god forbid I spill the garbage can halfway and have to pick everything up in the dark. Why I remember this fondly is beyond me.

[WishfulDreamer]

This track plays in the Dorothea Allen and Leonard Derickson segments. It has piano music and then this HORRIBLY CHILLING sound. I can't really describe it well, but basically the high notes of the piano go "do do do do do do" and then you hear what sounds kind of like a moan that lasts for several seconds. Chills go up and down my spine. I could be looking at pictures of sunshine and unicorns and if that music came on I would be terrified.

[MegtheEgg86]

This track plays in the Dorothea Allen and Leonard Derickson segments. It has piano music and then this HORRIBLY CHILLING sound. I can't really describe it well, but basically the high notes of the piano go "do do do do do do" and then you hear what sounds kind of like a moan that lasts for several seconds. Chills go up and down my spine. I could be looking at pictures of sunshine and unicorns and if that music came on I would be terrified.

Yep. It's the one at the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment.

Dorothea Allen also had some very creepy music at the end.

[WishfulDreamer]

Yep. It's the one at the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment.

Dorothea Allen also had some very creepy music at the end.
How stupid of me! I can't believe I didn't realize it was the same music. I don't remember the moan being included in that segment for some reason, though. I'd have to watch it again.

[MegtheEgg86]

How stupid of me! I can't believe I didn't realize it was the same music. I don't remember the moan being included in that segment for some reason, though. I'd have to watch it again.

No worries! That moan is definitely there, though--check out the part where the attacker leaves the pipe in a hall closet. That little clip is seared into my mind precisely because of that music. "It was not found for four days." ((shivers))

I hate it when there's scary music in one segment, and you forget it's in another. Then you go to watching that second segment sometime at night, or in the dark, and BOOM, there's that creepy music and you weren't expecting it. :lol:

[Apostapler]

The music they play in the Gary Simmons segment when that guy finds his body...when they pan over the bones. :eek:

[WishfulDreamer]

No worries! That moan is definitely there, though--check out the part where the attacker leaves the pipe in a hall closet. That little clip is seared into my mind precisely because of that music. "It was not found for four days." ((shivers))

I hate it when there's scary music in one segment, and you forget it's in another. Then you go to watching that second segment sometime at night, or in the dark, and BOOM, there's that creepy music and you weren't expecting it. :lol:
That's exactly what happened. I was watching the Dorothea Allan segment and it showed pictures of her and then that moan echoed and I nearly jumped out of my chair because I'd forgotten it was in there! It's a lost heirs segment, so I wasn't counting on it being creepy. :lol:

I rewatched the Picard/Laferte case and yep, there's the moan. The first time it plays in the ep (at least the moan I'm thinking of) is when the guy finds the bodies. There's talking over it but you can still hear it :eek: And yes, the part with the pipe gets me, too. That segment will always give me the creeps. I used to think of it going down in the basement of my apartment building in university to do laundry- even though it was a brightly lit room and you needed a keycard to get inside.

[ILikeTurtles]

I wish we could find a way to be able to download the music from UM. Love all of them.

By far, most creepiest:


GOOD NIGHT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

HAHA. AHHHHHHHHHHH HAHHAHAHAHA.

That music in the background mixed with that will give you massive goosebumps.