Songs In The King Of Steve
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a playlist around some theme. This week, Rob Dean assembles 12 tracks from adaptations of Stephen King works. Read Rob’s thoughts on each song and listen along to the Spotify playlist on top and/or the YouTube playlist at the bottom of the post.
Whether it’s his band (Rock Bottom Remainders), constant referencing in his writing, or even his various end of year “best of” album lists, Stephen King is inextricably linked to music. No one outside of Dick Clark likes rock ‘n’ roll as much as King does and so there’s constant references to Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and more. This love of music has carried over to the various adaptations. There’s some great collection of pop songs in the various interpretations of King’s work through the years (I hadn’t heard “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” until 1994 The Stand miniseries, for example). There’s also an excellent gathering of scores from the likes of John Carpenter, Wendy Carlos, Pino Donaggio, and Benjamin Wallfisch amongst many others.
As The Pumpkin King draws to a close on Neon Splatter, here then are 12 songs from adaptations of Stephen King works through the year.
1. “Angel Of The Morning” by Juice Newton (from IT: CHAPTER TWO)
Is this the weirdest needle drop in a major motion picture? Possibly. Certainly in the running with The Leper puking black bile all over Eddie’s face while this ode to one night stand blares. The song hasn’t been referenced, hinted at, or used in either of the two IT films prior to this moment, so it’s completely out of left field. But it remains a kickass pop song and a great way to kick off any mix.
2. “Golden Years” by David Bowie (from Golden Years)
1991’s Golden Years is kind of garbage. It clearly was meant to be a longer series, despite not really having the plot to sustain such a thing, but was reduced to a miniseries and thus makes very little sense. Easily the best thing about it is that David Bowie’s hit is used for the theme song.
3. “Ventriloquism” by The Newton Brothers (from DOCTOR SLEEP)
Mike Flanagan’s usual collaborations with the Newton Brothers yields spectacular results oozing with atmosphere. DOCTOR SLEEP is no exception with lots of sonic callbacks to THE SHINING but still its own primal yet ethereal vibe that perfectly suits the ancient villains of the film.
4. “Six Different Ways” by The Cure (from IT (2017))
Andy Muschietti really nailed the ‘80s montage with the cleaning scene from IT (2017). Set to a slightly lesser known Cure hit, it was a fun way to re-establish character dynamics and imbue a gruesome scene with a sense of fun and camaraderie—which is the perfect vibe for that summer of The Losers Club.
5. “Everyday” by Buddy Holly (from STAND BY ME)
Another song to set the mood of bonding of adolescents, there’s something achingly innocent and sweet about Holly’s song and soft voice simply admiring how good things are going. This also sets up the nice contrast between the idyllic quest of STAND BY ME and the grim turns as the kids all do a lot of growing up.
6. “A Little Bit Of Love” by Paul Williams (from CARRIE (1976))
Paul Williams is the man. There is no debate on that point. This song was featured in 1976’s CARRIE, though performed by Vance Or Towers (yeah, no idea who they are, either). This song blends in well with the story of Tommy and Sue and their attempts at doing something nice for Carrie White as an expression of their love for each other. It’s a beautifully sumptuous song with a full set of strings behind it and that ‘70s groove feel out of a Barry White tune that makes it the perfect amount of melodrama for a De Palma film.
7. “Moochie Mix Four” by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth (from CHRISTINE)
Possibly my favorite Carpenter and Howarth track of all time, this is just classic dark synth that perfectly mirrors the relentless pursuit of the murderous Christine as she hunts down ill-fated Moochie. Also, it’s a fun name to say. Moochie.
8. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by Lykke Li (from CARRIE (2013))*
This cover was used in the trailer from Kimberly Pierce’s CARRIE and is a bathetic sounding plea for acceptance that captures the romance of the prom with the gnawing doom of Carrie’s anxiety. For a moment she was happy, felt accepted, and allowed herself to wonder if this feeling would continue. Then, like most things in high school, it all fell to crap and she destroyed most of the town. Never dream, kids! *Only available on YouTube.
9. “Eve Of Destruction” by Barry McGuire (from The Stand (1994))
Much like the Blue Öyster Cult song, I also discovered “Eve Of Destruction” via the 1994 epic miniseries version of The Stand. Larry (Adam Storke) is playing it on an acoustic guitar while he sits in the middle of a highway, littered with abandoned cars and corpses. It’s a way-too-on-the-nose protest song from the ‘60s reminiscent of “One Tin Soldier” by Coven in that it sounds amazing as a pre-teen but then its obviousness becomes a bit too much later in life. Still it’s a great ditty for the apocalypse and a tune that I often hear playing in my head during these almost-end-of-days in which we live.
10. “Sniper Attack” by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, Daniel Davies (from FIRESTARTER (2022))
39 years after his musical work (with Alan Howarth) on CHRISTINE and John Carpenter delivers more banger music for a Stephen King film. FIRESTARTER is one of the best scores of 2022 and a real highlight in the renewed musical career of Carpenter (working alongside his son Cody and family friend Davies). The entire album is amazing, but this is a standout track.
11. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House (from The Stand (1994))
Another song from The Stand, another incredibly memorable scene, and another anthem for our current times. This helped open the second installment of the four part miniseries, with Frannie (Molly Ringwald) and Harold (Corin Nemec) listening to an old 45 of the Britpop hit as they absorb how much death surrounds them, contemplating if they are really the lucky ones for surviving. Director Mick Garris then cuts to various shots across the decimated country where death reigns supreme and a new world order is ready to rise. It’s powerful stuff and a good reminder that nothing truly ends…something else is already beginning.
12. “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC (from MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE)
I’m pretty sure this is a basic bitch song, but I don’t care—this shit rocks. Featured in Cocaine Express: The Movie (aka MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE), AC/DC’s ode to a fun romp with some American groupie pairs well with “Angel Of The Morning” to remind folks just how horny Stephen King often is. It’s a raucous sound that is a great note to go out on as we celebrate all of these excellent adaptations of the Master Of Horror.