“Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorize y’all’s neighborhood.” These opening lines of Vincent Price’s epic rap in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” came to terrorize many a listener. Honesty, if I hear it on a dark cold night, it’ll still make me look over my shoulder. The addition of horror icon Price to Michael’s already masterpiece of a song has cemented the video not only as the greatest music video of all-time, but also the best horror-themed one as well.

MORE: 8 Best Horror Films You Haven't Seen

While “Thriller” holds the top spot, there’s a long list of other scary and monster-filled music videos to entertain us. The ‘80s, more than any decade, embraced the horror genre as almost every major horror film had its own music video on MTV (back when they played music). A hair band or rap group would sing about the exploits and kills of nightmare men such as Freddy and Jason.

So let’s take a nostalgic trip to a time when horror and music went hand in hand and highlight our favorite pairings!

Alice Cooper – “He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)”

The lead single from 1986’s Friday the 13^th Part VI: Jason Lives comes courtesy of Alice Cooper. “The Godfather of Shock Rock” was the ideal choice to do a song for a Jason Voorhees film, as the video revolves around a teen couple going to the movies to watch Jason’s latest chapter. Intercut with scenes from the film is Alice onstage and decked out in all black leather with his trademark face-paint and donning Jason’s iconic mask. Part of Cooper’s Constrictor album, the song has grown in popularity over the years, becoming a Halloween staple at parties and events.

Dokken - “Dream Warriors”

If for nothing else, Dokken should get an award or star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for this video. It’s heavy metal magic.

The title song for 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors perfectly encapsulates the movie and ‘80s era, as Freddy Krueger not only has to do battle with Patricia Arquette’s character, but also with the band. Horror fans love the song, as outside of Freddy’s children’s rhyme, it’s the song most associated with the franchise. With top-notch production value, the music video places Dokken inside the nightmare world of Elm Street. As Don Dokken’s high pitched notes dispose of Freddy, the video ends with Krueger (Robert Englund) waking up and asking, “What a nightmare, who were those guys?”

Megadeth - “No More Mr. Nice Guy”

Originally recorded by that horror fiend Alice Cooper, Megadeth did a cover of the song for the 1989 film, Wes Craven’s Shocker. For those of you unfamiliar with the movie, it’s about serial killer Horace Pinker, who survives his execution via the electric chair to become a supernatural killer fueled by electricity.

Dave Mustaine is front and center in the music video, head-banging and shredding on his guitar, surrounded by bolts of electricity. Mixed in with scenes of the film, Mustaine’s life is played out from innocent kid to pissed-off teen, and finally ending up in the electric chair just like Pinker. If you look closely, you’ll see a cameo by Alice Cooper through old footage of him performing the song.

Fastway - “Trick or Treat”

You’re probably thinking this is in reference to 2007’s Trick ‘r Treat, but it’s not. You have to go farther back (1986 to be specific) and find a little known cult classic titled Trick or Treat. This heavy metal horror film introduces us to the big hair, glamour villain known as Sammi Curr (an amalgam of David Lee Roth, Gene Simmons and Freddy Krueger). British rock band Fastway not only provided the soundtrack for the film, but also sang the songs for Curr and his evil band.

I haven’t seen the film in years but two things that stick with me are: 1) Family Ties’ Skippy (Marc Price) is the hero; 2) Sammi Curr is brought back from the dead after some soda spills on his record. Very scary.

The J. Geils Band - “Fright Night”

When a song has the power to disband a group shortly after performing it, you know it’s scary good. The story goes that The J. Geils Band was just about ready to break-up while recording this song, then promptly did so after its release. Even though the band’s biggest hit was “Centerfold,” the title song of the 1985 vampire flick Fright Night is what many people remember them by.

Matching the campy nature of the horror-comedy, this synthesized goodness of ‘80s fun takes us back to a time where vampires were scary and possibly your neighbor. Just like other picks on this list, you’re sure to hear this song when Halloween season comes around.    

Gerard McMann - “Cry Little Sister”

A personal favorite and just an all-around awesome song is “Cry Little Sister” from 1987’s vampire classic, The Lost Boys. The soothing, eerie beat paired with the church-like children’s chorus has created a horror anthem many instantly associate with the movie.

The Lost Boys is the perfect extension of the MTV-era, with the style, hair and music, as Keifer Sutherland and his pack of teen vampires deliver death. McMann aka G Tom Mac infused the song with raw sexual energy that you don’t usually find in horror songs. McMann didn’t have an official music video for the original but oddly, the straight-to-video sequel Lost Boys: The Tribe, did.

The Fat Boys - “Are You Ready For Freddy”

The most unlikely pairing on this list comes in the form of Freddy Krueger and three heavy-set rappers. After finding success going the heavy metal route the year before with Dokken, Freddy flipped the switch for 1988’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. “Are You Ready For Freddy?” is the movie’s theme song performed by the loveable Hip-Hop legends, The Fat Boys. The music video plays out like a live-action Scooby-Doo episode, as Prince Markie Dee, Kool Rock-Ski and the late Buff Love, have to spend the night in Krueger’s Elm Street home, in order to inherit it. Lucky them!

The boys spend most of the video running away from the burnt face killer, as the tone for the piece is gloriously campy. This video answers the question of what if Freddy Krueger was a rap star, as the Springwood Slasher spits some lines likes: “So if you feel like you’re tired and ready for bed, don’t fall asleep or you’ll wake up dead!” Needless to say, the Fat Boys didn’t last the night.  

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - “A Nightmare on My Street”

How much do musicians love Freddy Krueger? Apparently they’re big fans, as they’ll even go out of their way and release unofficial singles about him. That’s the case here as back in 1988, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (known to everyone as Will Smith) released an ode to Krueger called “A Nightmare on My Street” that was quickly met with legal action by New Line Cinema and the movie producers.

Story goes that Will and Jazzy Jeff recorded the song to be included in the previously mentioned A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, but the producers went with The Fat Boys’ song instead. Their loss is our gain as now we have two Freddy rap songs to play on Halloween. And you remember the epic video right? If you do you’re a liar, as the video was made, but never saw the light of day due to the lawsuit.

Tim Cappello - “I Still Believe”

Back on our list is 1987’s The Lost Boys as this time we bring up a song and scene that almost stole the movie. Mention the muscle-bound saxophone player to any horror fan and they immediately know who you’re talking about. No, it’s not this guy:

One of the coolest and unforgettable scenes in this vampire favorite is when the main characters make their way to a concert on the beach. Front and center on stage is the oiled-up, gyrating Tim Cappello, performing a cover of The Call’s “I Still Believe.” For what could have easily been a throwaway scene, Cappello’s ponytail, attire (Mad Max chic) and swagger, created ‘80s magic. Turns out Cappello is an accomplished musician having played with the likes of Tina Turner and Peter Gabriel. Cappello never had an official music video but fans love it so much that they’ve created a few of their own.