Final Girls' Final Songs Playlist

Do you remember watching horror movies and just kind of loving how sick the soundtrack was? At the end, when the Final Girl was finally making her escape from whatever hellish nightmare she'd just been embroiled in, and a great song plays at the end? Some kind of metal, or nu-metal, or grunge hit?

Sometimes the song would represent her feelings as the lone survivor, the victor of the monster, or the broken mess that she tried to drive away from. Sometimes your Final Girl wasn't so lucky, and she's given a swan song that plays out abruptly after her last ear piercing scream of terror. Well, have you ever wanted to embody a little bit of that adrenaline-packed, horror fueled Final Girl energy? It is Halloween after all . . . maybe you just need a song to set the mood.

Here, is my list of ten songs that could totally work as your "Final Girl" anthem . . . your Final Song as a Final Girl, if you will:

1. Happy - Mudvayne

Starting off strong here with some Mudvayne, who actually holds the honor fo being the first rock band I'd ever heard- though not this song, particularly. Still, it's awesome, and I think it's chorus pairs wonderfully with the vision of a filthy, bloody girl tiredly cranking some old Ford truck and burning rubber to get anywhere but where she nearly died. Quick, somebody make a music video of this song put over Sally's final escape from Leatherface!

2. Three Heads - Jean Dawson

Oh, were you not expecting rap on this list? I put a lot of emphasis on rock music, I know, but that's not the only genre that can work well with horror movies! This song I only recently discovered, but not only are the lyrics incredible, but the visuals of the official music video (warning: the official music video does have an epilepsy warning, hence me putting this other video up) are really damn cool. I could definitely see this being used in like a movie ending where your Final Girl just decapitated the villain with a crowbar, or something.

3. Shadows - The Midnight

Marginally slower than the previous two, but I love the emotion this song conveys. The Midnight are my favorite synthwave band, and they're not the only synth sound on this list at all. Call it an homage to my deep love of 80s films. Imagine it- pouring rain in some cityscape (could be modern, could be some futuristic sci-fi/horror joint) and your girl limping out of a sodden, grimy alleyway or lying prone as the rain beats down upon her. Sends such a delicious chill down your spine, doesn't it?

4. Denial - Sevendust

A more "traditional" choice in music here, in line with our first pick of Mudvayne, once more on this list! Sevendust is a long running, and outstanding, band that could definitely just eat up an entire soundtrack by themselves. Admittedly, this song choice is less about the lyric meaning or the emotions possibly conveyed, as it is about the overall vibe and great sound this track has.

5. Cirice - Ghost

Oh, Ghost . . . they're just a fitting band, how could I not have put this one up there? At turns fun and sinister, Cirice is a wonderful track for a slasher flick, or some funky arthouse/indie piece- or whatever you choose really. Not to mention, the lyrics are practically made for a Final Girl who's been tortured, traumatized, and has nearly shunned her humanity for a chance at life. I love it when Final Girls laugh deliriously as they escape from the monsters.

6. Perfect Girl - Mareaux

Another synth beat, and this one is actually- technically- a remix! The original "Perfect Girl" was a much livelier, lighter song from The Cure (and you have no idea how bad I wanted to put "Burn" on this list, but it's already been used in a soundtrack). When Mareaux took it for a spin and remixed it with a synthwave beat, it honestly sounded a lot more like what you'd expect from The Cure than what they actually did, which of course means this is a perfect remix. Another perfect pick for a slasher film . . .

7. Stuck - Oceanator

Wonderfully encapsulates a Y2K malaise with this heavy sound and lyrics with a forlorn edge. And then the way it abruptly changes into this fervent, almost desperate desire to escape- "gotta, gotta get out"- ugh, I love it. More guitar riffs than I even know what to do with in this song that's just under four minutes, so it really feels like you're packing in all the sentiment you possibly can in that limited time. Definitely great for some kind of road trip horror, or a monster in the woods type of deal- you know, the group of friends camping in the woods and becoming snacks for the local cryptids?

8. Rosemary - Deftones

Deftones is just sexy, that's all there is to it. Sensual darkness and velvet blood . . . there's no horror concept that cannot be improved with a little Deftones, and I stand by that, ten toes down. This song is so intense, slow, building up to a pleasurable heaviness that can work with whatever your girl is going through. Go on, name anything- eco horror, road trip horror, slasher, psychological, supernatural- Deftones can sex it up.

9. Hardwired - Perturbator ft. Isabella Goloversic

Perturbator is honestly perfect for horror movies because his music is all based on Dark Retrowave! And this song in particular is . . . it's just so beautiful, and smooth, and haunting. Isabella's voice is enchanting when paired with the dark beats of Perturbator, and it really feels like a song that you could end something on, because it promises something new in silky whispered undertones.

10. I Never Told You What I Do For A Living - My Chemical Romance

A classic MCR song from one of the most iconic rock albums of the early 2000's. This would be the one song I can see as most likely on this list to work with a tragic ending, and a Final Girl who couldn't escape. It's dark, grim, has sinister implications, and is a great way to end a movie . . . and this list.

How'd you like this list? I tried to throw in a little bit of everything that could feasibly work as a final song to a horror movie, and moreover could match the feel or vibe of a Final Girl in whatever way her movie could end. If you have any other suggestions of great songs to put the cherry on the bloody sundae of a Final Girl's journey, put them down below in the comments! And, as always, Happy Hauntings~!