I know this may seem like a strange thread to start, but has anyone else noticed the music featured on Unsolved Mysteries? I'm referring to the backround music of course. It may seem trivial, but I always seemed to notice it; the music always seemed to add to the creepiness of the show (I know we all site the theme music as fear evoking, but consider the rest of it). An example would be in the Chaim Weiss segment (I know someone mentioned this in another post). The mandolin music has just always stuck with me.

Anyone else know what I'm talking about? What UM music do you remember? I will probably know what you're talking about

:violin:

What about the Brad Bishop segment...when he get's out of the car...

Oh I know what you're talking about! I've always wanted some tracks of just the background music from the various segments. I love that track with the mandolin. I always thought it sounded like a hammered dulcimer, though! What do I know. *shrugs*

The other one that really creeped me out was the strings music that lulled very slowly and then at important points would make a sharp note. You can hear it in the Phillip Fraser segment.

Yeah, I totally dig the music for UM - the original UM -not the Spike version

I'm especially partial to the music that was selected for the "Ghost Ship" case - really kinda hypnotic and whatnot

The original theme used to make my blood run cold (I was was about nine at the time) - now it's just really cool

Funny personal story regarding UM music -

Back in 2001, I briefly worked as a DJ for weddings, parties and all that. In Manitoba there is a type of function simply referred to as a "social". A "social"is essentially a fund-raiser put on by engaged couples so they can put more money into their wedding. They raise the money by selling tickets to everyone and anyone. Most of these socials take place in bingo halls, community centres or high school gyms.

Okay, so anyway, I would have to always play the usual idiot fare at these things, to the part that it was nauseatingly formulaic (Open with "Mony, Mony", "Some Kind of Wonderful", "Brown-Eyed Girl", Polka #1, Groom dances solo to "I'm too Sexy" :rolleyes: , Polka #2, "Life is a Highway" :barf: , close with "You shook me all night long"

*Nothing really wrong with most of these songs, I just never Eh Eh Everrrrr wanna hear 'em again. And no one ever wanted variety -the company I worked for insisted (and enforced that) I play the same set-list

These "socials" were essentially just packed with frat boys and hillbillies, i.e. drunken *******. The last month I worked at these things, I'd start playing the theme to "Unsolved Mysteries". I'd play it at the beginning of the night, use it as background music for the "door prize" draw and as the closing "drink-up and get the hell out" song. :)

I think the best compliment I indirectly received was from some young lady who walked by my booth and told her friends she was scared by the music -lol

Yeah, the music always creeped me out. Gotta love that theremin though! :cool:

another one that i liked was in the elizabeth campbell segment. it was in the beginning when they were describing her life and how she planned to go to college. it was a piano with an electric bell striking at various points. theres just something so creepy about it.

A lot of the background music has stuck with me over the years, and some of my favorites for getting a creepy, wistful, or just kind of "out there" feeling are: The music from the New Hampshire Serial Killer segment (also occasionally used elsewhere), the music heard during the part of the Anna Anton segment where Greg Webb is seen putting her body in the trunk and then driving out into West Bumblebleep to discard it (also occasionally heard elsewhere), the music that we first hear when we see the shot of San Francisco at the beginning at the Arthur Karopolous/Levia Molinari segment (used fairly frequently), and the music we hear after Beverly Noe drops Wendy Camp and her family at Wal-Mart (also frequently heard elsewhere). I've also always felt the warm and pleasant vibe that goes with the two piano-heavy pieces that are usually used for reunions.

A lot of the background music has stuck with me over the years, and some of my favorites for getting a creepy, wistful, or just kind of "out there" feeling are: The music from the New Hampshire Serial Killer segment (also occasionally used elsewhere), the music heard during the part of the Anna Anton segment where Greg Webb is seen putting her body in the trunk and then driving out into West Bumblebleep to discard it (also occasionally heard elsewhere), the music that we first hear when we see the shot of San Francisco at the beginning at the Arthur Karopolous/Levia Molinari segment (used fairly frequently), and the music we hear after Beverly Noe drops Wendy Camp and her family at Wal-Mart (also frequently heard elsewhere). I've also always felt the warm and pleasant vibe that goes with the two piano-heavy pieces that are usually used for reunions.

going on the piano pieces that you were referring to, there is another piece that is used at the beginning of the Luxci segment. I've heard it in other places to, and it's very cheery. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

The music in the I-70 killer segment is REALLY creepy - it just never stops the whole way through....and then they show the composites and I have to flee the room.

The music during the Richard Church attack scene is that freaky, sharp, percussive stuff - never fails to get me!

The music in the I-70 killer segment is REALLY creepy - it just never stops the whole way through....and then they show the composites and I have to flee the room.

The music during the Richard Church attack scene is that freaky, sharp, percussive stuff - never fails to get me!

I had mentioned earlier that the New Hampshire serial killer music gets me. I think the same piece was used in the I-70 killer segment.

I honestly dig the update music from the earlier years

I'm looking desperately for the really creepy background music that has been used in very few episodes,and off the top of my head I've forgotten the names of which ones. It was used in the KC firefighters one,where someone set the fire that killed like 5 of them.
It was also used in the episode of the psychic,I cannot for the life of me remember her name,but she had a scratchy voice,and would really get into it when she "harassing" or honing in on a particular session,she will wail and cry,and they did an actual live segment of her doing a "reading".
****! I can't remember the few others it's been in! I NEEED it!
It's piano ,just three ascending keys da,daa,daaa....then a creepy synthesized drawn out whine/sharp string instrument strum,almost like a synthesized violin note. It's absurdly simple music,only 3 piano keys,and the drawn out noise....but it's the hell is here scariest music I've ever heard. It invokes a sort of far away,creepy feeling...like you're watching David stone scrawling "they think the word is in the safe. six knives in Rob's room. you's buys you's tea's and you's takes you's chances. Halloween."

Anyone? It's a very simple tune,but incredibly creepy,and let me tell you...it takes A LOT to creep me out. But that music does. I can see the composers of some of the music from some episodes on IMBD,but cannot figure out how to put a name to it,let alone find the music to download. Any help?! I have a disgustingly creepy inner need to listen to it over and over again in the dark in an abandoned old psych ward building,whilst rocking back and forth....

GREAT THREAD!


yes the old shows had amazing background music that help[ed make the show even better

It was also used in the episode of the psychic,I cannot for the life of me remember her name,but she had a scratchy voice,and would really get into it when she "harassing" or honing in on a particular session,she will wail and cry,and they did an actual live segment of her doing a "reading".

Her name was Noreen Renier. I know exactly the music you're talking about; it was at the beginning of that segment and the end of the KC Firefighters segment. It was also in the L'Enfant segment, and yes, it is creepy. :eek:

Her name was Noreen Renier. I know exactly the music you're talking about; it was at the beginning of that segment and the end of the KC Firefighters segment. It was also in the L'Enfant segment, and yes, it is creepy. :eek:



Yes,indeed! That's it! And the L'Enfant segment is already so creepy on it's own,but it was genius to add that music in the background!
I feel 100% better that someone knows what I'm talking about....

Though,when they play it in the L'Enfant segment,it's slightly faster,and a touch different.

Scariest pieces of music, besides the original theme IMO:

-The piano/cello piece played at the beginning of the Doreen Picard case. I watched this alone at night when the segments were starting to be uploaded to the forbidden site, and I had to look around the room to make sure nobody else was there.

-The music throughout the I-70 Killer case. It's extremely frightening.

-The music used for robbery cases and FBI Most Wanted alerts.

-The original update music with the "whine" that kicks in about a minute or two later.

-The strings at the end of the Ohio Prostitute Killer segment. It just heightens the need to catch the killer and really gives you a sense of danger. I think it was also used in the Ethel Kidd one as well.

Phillip Fraser-transition from his grieving mother to the hitchhiker composite drawings.
Kevin Poulsen-the scene where he wanders through the telephone company building.
Son of Sam-the intro part when they reenact his first few rampages.
David Stone-when RS describes the journey David might have been looking for in the desert.

Scariest pieces of music, besides the original theme IMO:

-The piano/cello piece played at the beginning of the Doreen Picard case. I watched this alone at night when the segments were starting to be uploaded to the forbidden site, and I had to look around the room to make sure nobody else was there.






Ha! I do the very same thing! I'm alone,it's dark,and the music alone,doesn't even need video,and I'm looking around,I sink into the couch and wake the dogs up so they'll warn me as soon as someone comes to kill me. It's so creepy,it scares the piss out of me..............I LOVE it! I need it.

In fact,I'll tell you all this,believe me,no one knows about this except for you people now; When watching UM,usually the older ones from the first several season,I'll get myself so scared (which I love doing,I just live for it),that on several occasions,when I have to pee,and I can't hold it in any longer (I sit and watch these for like 6 hours at a time straight),and I'm so scared that I don't want to go upstairs to go to the bathroom,I have gotten a glass,and actually peed in it,so I don't have to go all the way upstairs,in the dark hallway,into the bathroom. Yes,it's true. That's what UM can do to you. I love it.

Awesome thread. the music makes the show! I like all of the ones that you all have said. I think that piano sequence is on the blind river rest stop murders as well?

I also think the music on the ohio prostitute murders is creepy. I 70 Killer was creepy as well.

There is also another music scene that I like and I can only remember it from one segment by memory. It is the scene where the cop pulls over randall utterbeck with denise in the car. It starts with a weird noise starting out and then into a fiery music piece which I always liked. I just can't remember the other segments that they used it in.


I always enjoyed the update music...all of them as they changed throughout the years. they all get stuck in my head. and I liked all three theme songs.

Ha! I do the very same thing! I'm alone,it's dark,and the music alone,doesn't even need video,and I'm looking around,I sink into the couch and wake the dogs up so they'll warn me as soon as someone comes to kill me. It's so creepy,it scares the piss out of me..............I LOVE it! I need it.

In fact,I'll tell you all this,believe me,no one knows about this except for you people now; When watching UM,usually the older ones from the first several season,I'll get myself so scared (which I love doing,I just live for it),that on several occasions,when I have to pee,and I can't hold it in any longer (I sit and watch these for like 6 hours at a time straight),and I'm so scared that I don't want to go upstairs to go to the bathroom,I have gotten a glass,and actually peed in it,so I don't have to go all the way upstairs,in the dark hallway,into the bathroom. Yes,it's true. That's what UM can do to you. I love it.
hahaha, awesome post.

Does anyone know if any of this music was ever released? I loved all the in-segment music they used over the years, especially the late 80's-early 90's episodes.

The Allagash hypnosis session the sound of tires screeching or the howling sound effect from the synthesizer during that scene of really made my blood cold.

There are three incidental pieces that I'd pay good money to get my hands on and have always stuck with me:

1) A sad/tragic 3-4 note piano piece that plays in the Shannon Davis (her funeral scene), RFK (at the beginning) and Stanley Gryziec (when he's loaded into the ambulance) cases among others.

2) A guitar/piano piece (also about 3-4 notes) used in the Lost Dutchman Mine (full length?) and Keith Reinhard (condensed)

3) A wistful/nostalgic harmonica/piano piece used in the 'Orphan Train' segment (specifically, when discussing Francis Murphy)

One incidental piece that has always stuck out to me is a sad/wistful piano piece that normally popped up in Lost Loves segments. I can’t list all the segments it was used in, but a good place to hear it is in the Tom Vaughan segment in season 7 (season 7 episode 1 on YouTube); it pops up in the scene where Tom’s friend Brendan is leaving the orphanage.

Who can forget about the stock music that was used in the background at the bars ---Na-na-na-na----ohhhh---small town!!!! and who can forget the rap song You got to get up before you get down.....A soundtrack would pay dividends. I don't think Film rise or C&M know how rabid the fanbase is for anything unsolved.

The music at the beginning of the Chevy Chase bandit segment is awesome. I love the beat that makes him sound like he's carrying off a great heist, and it's a hilarious contrast to how he slips and falls upon entering the bank. Not to mention, he did it all for $700 (which yes, was worth more back then, but enough to risk committing this kind of crime?). :lol:

I feel like someone took advantage of Selena in that vulnerable state. The fact her short term memory was shot makes me thing her family should have tried to get power of attorney and get her into a facility or group home. She was not well enough to go back to that city.

I think Selena was probably a lesbian and her family didn't approve so she was anxious to not be around them as much so she could live her truth.

Sad to say when most black women go missing they get very little media coverage. Which is sad.

I feel like someone took advantage of Selena in that vulnerable state. The fact her short term memory was shot makes me thing her family should have tried to get power of attorney and get her into a facility or group home. She was not well enough to go back to that city.

I think Selena was probably a lesbian and her family didn't approve so she was anxious to not be around them as much so she could live her truth.

Sad to say when most black women go missing they get very little media coverage. Which is sad.
Are you on the right thread?