This Is Halloween

The opening sequence of The Nightmare Before Christmas begins with a chant that quickly escalates into a driving march. Danny Elfman composed the melody and lyrics to introduce the skeletal residents of Halloween Town, creating a soundscape where fear is a daily celebration rather than a seasonal event. The track establishes the film's unique gothic aesthetic before Jack Skellington even appears on screen.

Musically, the song blends cabaret, gothic rock, and traditional show tunes with complex polyrhythms and a percussive beat that mimics a carnival procession. Minor-key melodies weave through the arrangement while the fictional chorus describes the town's inhabitants transforming into monsters at night. This combination of whimsy and genuine spookiness set the tone for the entire stop-motion feature.

While the original version never charted as a standalone single upon its 1993 release, Marilyn Manson's industrial metal cover in 1997 brought the track to mainstream radio. Manson's interpretation reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart and #38 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks, introducing the song to a new generation. Today it remains a staple on holiday playlists and Halloween decorations worldwide. [edit]