One two…better buckle your shoe…..
A Nightmare on Elm Street: An Overview of the Franchise and the music
The *A Nightmare on Elm Street* film series is one of the most iconic and influential horror franchises in cinematic history. Created by Wes Craven, this series introduced audiences to one of the most terrifying and enduring villains in horror: Freddy Krueger. Over the span of nearly three decades, the franchise has left an indelible mark on pop culture, not only through its nightmarish concept but also through its impact on the horror genre as a whole.
Concept and Story Behind the Movies
The core concept of *A Nightmare on Elm Street* revolves around a group of teenagers who are haunted by Freddy Krueger, a disfigured serial killer who preys on them in their dreams. If killed in the dream, the victim dies in real life. This idea of blending the boundaries between dreams and reality was groundbreaking and introduced a new level of psychological horror.
Freddy Krueger, once a child murderer, was burned alive by a group of vigilante parents seeking justice for their children. However, Freddy returns from the grave with supernatural powers, now able to enter and manipulate the dreams of the children of those who killed him. The idea that a villain could attack when one is most vulnerable—during sleep—was a terrifying prospect that resonated deeply with audiences.
The series primarily follows Nancy Thompson, one of Freddy’s early targets, as she tries to survive and eventually confronts Freddy. Over the course of the films, various other characters are introduced, each with their own encounters and battles with Freddy, leading to a sprawling narrative that connects various characters, timelines, and realities.
List of Films in the Series
1. **A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)**
2. **A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)**
3. **A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)**
4. **A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)**
5. **A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)**
6. **Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)**
7. **Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)**
8. **Freddy vs. Jason (2003)**
9. **A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)** (a reboot of the original film)
Main Characters and Actors
- **Freddy Krueger** – Played by Robert Englund in the original series and Jackie Earle Haley in the 2010 reboot. Freddy is the central villain of the franchise, known for his burnt face, striped sweater, fedora, and razor-tipped glove.
- **Nancy Thompson** – Portrayed by Heather Langenkamp, Nancy is the protagonist of the first film and returns in *A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors* and *Wes Craven’s New Nightmare*.
- **Glen Lantz** – Played by Johnny Depp in the original film, Glen is one of Freddy’s victims and Nancy’s boyfriend.
- **Kristen Parker** – Portrayed by Patricia Arquette in *Dream Warriors* and by Tuesday Knight in *The Dream Master*, Kristen is a teenager with the ability to pull others into her dreams.
- **Alice Johnson** – Played by Lisa Wilcox, Alice is a protagonist in *The Dream Master* and *The Dream Child*. She has the ability to absorb the dream powers of her deceased friends.
- **Jesse Walsh** – Played by Mark Patton, Jesse is the protagonist of *Freddy’s Revenge* and is possessed by Freddy as part of a plan to re-enter the real world.
Critical and Audience Reactions
The original *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984) was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its innovative concept, special effects, and the haunting presence of Freddy Krueger. Critics lauded Wes Craven’s ability to blend fantasy with horror, and the film became a defining moment in the slasher genre.
Subsequent films received mixed reviews, with some like *Dream Warriors* being well-regarded for their creativity and character development, while others, such as *Freddy’s Dead*, were criticized for straying too far into camp and diminishing the terror that defined the original. The franchise maintained a loyal fanbase, though, with Freddy Krueger becoming a pop culture icon.
*Wes Craven’s New Nightmare* (1994) received critical acclaim for its meta-narrative approach, where Craven blurred the lines between fiction and reality by featuring the actors and filmmakers of the original movie as characters. This innovative approach was seen as a precursor to Craven's later success with *Scream* (1996).
The 2010 reboot, however, was met with mostly negative reviews, with critics citing it as a pale imitation of the original. Despite the backlash, the film performed moderately well at the box office.
Wes Craven: The Visionary Director
Wes Craven was a master of horror, known for pushing the boundaries of the genre with his unique blend of psychological horror and social commentary. With *A Nightmare on Elm Street*, Craven tapped into universal fears—the fear of sleep, vulnerability, and the unknown.
Craven’s background in philosophy and psychology deeply influenced his work, allowing him to craft horror films that resonated on a deeper level than mere gore and jump scares. His films often explored the darker aspects of human nature and society, and Freddy Krueger was the perfect embodiment of these themes.
Craven's direction ensured that *A Nightmare on Elm Street* was not just another slasher film but a sophisticated horror film that addressed themes of guilt, repression, and the power of fear. His work on *Wes Craven’s New Nightmare* was particularly notable for its self-awareness and commentary on the horror genre itself, further solidifying his reputation as a visionary.
Music in A Nightmare on Elm Street
The music in *A Nightmare on Elm Street* plays a crucial role in creating tension and excitement throughout the series. The iconic score, composed by Charles Bernstein for the original film, is haunting and immediately recognisable, with its eerie, repetitive melody that encapsulates the inescapable dread Freddy Krueger represents.
The score uses dissonant, atmospheric sounds that often mimic the sensation of being in a nightmare. Bernstein's use of synthesizers and minimalist motifs helps build suspense, with the music often signaling Freddy’s presence before he appears on screen. This auditory cue not only heightens the tension but also makes Freddy an omnipresent threat.
The film score was written by composer Charles Bernstein and first released in 1984 on label Varèse Sarabande.The label re-released the soundtrack in 2015 in an 8-CD box for the franchise soundtracks excluding the remake and again in 2016 in the 12-CD box Little Box of Horror with various other horror film scores.Bernstein's film score was also re-released in 2017, along with the soundtracks of the first seven films, on the label Death Waltz Recording Company in another 8-LP vinyl box set named A Nightmare On Elm Street: Box Of Souls. In 2017 and 2019, the label also released standalone extended versions of the soundtrack with many snippets that were left out of the original releases.
The lyrics for Freddy's theme song, sung by the jumprope children throughout the series and based on "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe", was already written and included in the script when Bernstein started writing the soundtrack, while the melody for it was not set by Bernstein, but by Heather Langenkamp's boyfriend and soon-to-be husband at the time, Alan Pasqua, who was a musician himself. Bernstein integrated Pasqua's contribution into his soundtrack as he saw fit.One of the three girls who recorded the vocal part of the theme was Robert Shaye's then-14-year-old daughter
As the series progressed, other composers contributed to the soundtracks, each bringing their own style while maintaining the unsettling tone established by Bernstein. For example, *A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors* featured a more rock-oriented score, which complemented the film’s more action-driven and fantastical elements.
Music also played a significant role in bridging the films to the pop culture of the time. The inclusion of songs like Dokken's "Dream Warriors" in *A Nightmare on Elm Street 3* helped tie the film to the heavy metal scene of the 1980s, making the franchise more relatable to the teen audiences of the time.
A Nightmare on Elm Street is not only a landmark in horror cinema but also a complex and multi-layered series that continues to influence filmmakers today. With its imaginative concept, memorable characters, and spine-chilling music, it has firmly established its place in the annals of horror history.
Three Four…better lock your door…..
The Nightmare on Elm Street movies were also keen to grab the attention of younger horror fans with the use of popular rock and pop music as was typical of movies from that era . Back then movies and music were very much tied together, supporting and promoting each other with many songs becoming hits after featuring in movies such as Nightmare.
The first movie was entirely the work of Bernstein and orchestral (dull but effective)
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZuYoEtEI_go?si=KPoV8uF-Of5T2-zV
In Nightmare on Elm Street 2 features a couple of 80s soft rockers.
Moving in the Night" by Skagerack, and "Terror in My Heart" by the Reds are also featured in the film.
By the third movie the franchise had really gained following and the music was getting better! Angelo Badalamenti was at the musical helm.
Dokken scored a big hit with Dream Warriors with the video featuring footage and unique scenes with Freddy and main actress Patricia Arquette. The band wrote the 87 single specifically for the movie but it didn’t appear on the soundtrack album which only featured music by Angelo. It was released as a single with Into The Fire and Paris is Burning so not all bad eh?
Five six grab your crucifix….!
The fourth instalment had some great music.
Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion had a big hit with Love Kills which propelled his career well until he self destructed again.
This great song was just one of the rock songs that graced the soundtrack album:
Tracks:
01. Under the Night Stars by Sea Hags
02. Standing Over You by Angels from Angel City
03. Don’t Be Afraid of Your Dreams by Go West
04. Back To The Wall by Divinyls
05. My Way or the Highway by Jimmy Davis & Junction
06. Love kills by Vinnie Vincent Invasion
07. Therapist by Vigil
08. Rip Her to Shreds by Blondie
09. Angel by Love/Hate
10. Resurrection by Craig Safan
Some songs that featured in the movie didn’t make it onto the soundtrack album:
Tuesday Knight - Nightmare
Billy Idol - Fatal Charm
Blondie - In the Flesh
Dramarama - Anything Anything
Nick Gilder & Time Machine - Big House
Trailer: https://youtu.be/jc-9vF9F_eg?si=YYf-45ykypwfMM3p
Love Kills: https://youtu.be/HeSuPB_5wr4?si=Fu74ledBQvmkc2cj
Movie 5 (yup it’s getting stale now as by now the cow had been well and truly milked) may have been a warmed up meal but oh my did it feature some great songs…!
MUSIC SOUNDTRACK
Tracks:
Heaven in the Back Seat by Romeo’s Daughter (released as single)
Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter by Bruce Dickinson (released as single)
Savage by W. A. S. P.
Can’t Take the Hurt by Mammoth
What Do You Know about Rock ‘N’ Roll by Slave Raider
Now I Lay Me Down by Samantha Fox
We’ll forgive them the rap tracks.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/LFm_jiI8RiA?si=Xsf2sOX3P05qmEGe
Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter : https://youtu.be/77OQDPNV20o?si=-S9JQQp6QZ7Z-vd8
Heaven in the Backseat: https://youtu.be/kZbHrE6iB_0?si=bsfvfK3uPiFNkQ1M
Seven eight better stay up late….
Freddy’s Dead was a 3D affair with a few notable songs:
Tracks:
I’m Awake Now by Goo Goo Dolls
Everything Remains the Same by Junk Monkeys
You Know What I Mean by Goo Goo Dolls
Remember the Night by Johnny Law
Why Was I Born? (Freddy’s Dead) by Iggy Pop
Hold Me Down by Johnny Law
Two Days in February by Goo Goo Dolls
Nothing Left to Say by Fates Warning
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ppinozIYy80?si=a6Kpw6e4pORH21wa
Wes Cravens New Nightmare saw a reboot of the franchise. It sucked and so did the music. Nuff said
Trailer: https://youtu.be/AA038-CvN0c?si=2MCqf-BBY_15lmxv
And then something happened that many horror fans were asking for… Freddy vs Jason!
Combining the two franchises was a great idea. The soundtrack was a lot heavier too featuring metal bands that were hot at the time.
Track listing |
1. | How Can I Live (03:18) Il Nino |
2. | When Darkness Falls (04:02) Killswitch Engage |
3. | Beginning of the End (03:32) Spineshank |
4. | Sun Doesn't Rise (03:16) Mushroomhead |
5. | Condemned Until Rebirth (02:07) Hatebreed |
6. | Snap ('97 Demo) (02:42) Slipknot |
7. | Army of Me (04:21) Chimaira |
8. | The After Dinner Payback (02:50) From Autumn to Ashes |
9. | Leech (04:30) Sevendust |
10. | Bombshell (03:14) Powerman 5000 |
11. | Welcome to the Strange (04:19) Murderdolls |
12. | Out of My Way (03:51) Seether |
13. | Inside the Cynic (03:23) Stone Sour |
14. | Swinging the Dead (03:38) Devildriver |
15. | The Waste (03:39) Sepultura with Mike Patton |
16. | Middle of Nowhere (04:05) The Blank Theory |
17. | Ether (03:43) Nothingface |
18. | Trigger (04:56) In Flames |
19. | 11th Hour (03:44) Lamb of God |
20. | (We Were) Electrocute (06:49) Type O Negative |
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ipbCUW3umJU?si=lMyNeGTsU9A7lomJ
It had to happen in of course. They remade the first movie and was shit. The music was also shit.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZuYoEtEI_go?si=Qo_a85ZG0KPyBhda
So you go. Freddy liked rock for a while.
What is your favourite Freddy film?
Should the franchise do more with a rock soundtrack again?
You can get all the movies in a box set or individually and the soundtrack albums are available as a set too but these are the score not the rock songs sadly. Keep em peeled for the original soundtrack albums though!
A word of caution kids, be careful when buying the soundtrack albums, some features the good stuff, others are the orchestral score; oh and kids…don’t fall asleep!!
Nine ten never sleep again!
Your homework….?
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