A Killer Valentine’s
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a playlist around some theme. This week, Kiley Fox assembles 12 songs that combine romance and terror. Read Kiley’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.
In the year of 2026, we have been blessed with a special holiday double feature that caters to the romantic creep in all of us, Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th, Valentine’s Day! As a certified Halloween addict and lover of all things Jason Voorhees, this feels like Christmas times ten. It’s no surprise that all my favorite love songs tend to have a sense of excitement and danger. I don’t know what that says about me, but at least it gives me great taste in music. Here are twelve sinister songs about love worth killing for.
1) “An Unhealthy Obsession” by Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra
This catchy as hell banger is clever commentary about living in a modern world where para-social relationships have reached a new level of intensity. I don’t think people realize just how much of their information is available on the internet. This isn’t even including what you post on your social media account. The moral of the story is that you should assume anything you post on social media is equally visible to strangers anywhere. On the bright side, that means there’s potential for anyone to fall MADLY in love with you. (Pedro Pascal, if you’re reading this…obsess away.)
2) “Little Red Riding Hood” by Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs
Threatening women into submission under the guise of protection is a timeless tradition, and in 1966 Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs (an unfortunate band name and gimmick) convinced audiences to sing along to this eerily sexy single about the innocent Little Red Riding Hood and the man who wants to love or potentially kill her. I mean, with that tone of voice, it really is unclear whether he’s the big bad wolf or an awkward suitor with poor social skills. Nonetheless, I’ve always been a monster girl with a penchant for werewolves. Bring it on, Mr. Wolf.
3) “Creepy Green Light” by Type O Negative
I don’t think there is anyone who exuded sex, lust, danger, and gothic romance better than Peter Steele. Is he just superhot when he’s angry, or is he a vampire? Does it matter? Hell, being a vampire might make it even sexier. I know many people who would’ve happily said, “look, if I die, I die happy” if it came to a chance with this beloved very complex musician. In this track, love and devotion overcome death in hope for an eternity of togetherness. If, “til death do us part” is romantic, then “not even death do us part” is God tier love.
4) “The Red Means I Love You” by Madds Buckley
This is my second favorite on this list for a couple of reasons. The perky optimism and glorious joy of Madds Buckley’s voice in what feels like a full-blown show tune is completely unexpected as you realize the words she is singing. I am also delighted that our love maniac in this one is female! I always felt as a horror fiend that the ladies always do it better. This is just more proof that girls can make anything cute, even murder.
5) “#1 Crush” by Garbage
Another strong female joins our list with this entry from the magnificent legend Shirley Manson. Where Madds was so nauseatingly cute, Shirley sings like a smokey voiced Siren leaving us all begging for a sexy, dirty death. I gotta say though, Shirley. “I would die for you. I would kill for you.” That’s a bit more than a crush, my dear. You’d probably get along swimmingly with our creepy parasocial friends, the Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra at number one of this list.
6) “Toxic Love” by Tim Curry
Now I know you see Tim Curry on this list and think immediately, “it’s going to be a Dr. Frankenfurter song.” That would absolutely make sense as he was known to kill his objects of love and affection. Let me make a case though for Hexxus, voiced by Tim Curry, the spirit of pollution from FERNGULLY: THE LAST RAINFOREST (1992). This song has no right to be as sensual and filthy as it is for a family movie about saving the rainforest. Seriously. Look at these lyrics.
“I feel good, a special kind of horny. Flowers and trees depress and frankly bore me. I think I'll spew them all with cyanide saliva. Pour me a puke cocktail and take me to the driver… Slime beneath me. Slime above me. Oh, you’ll love my ah-oh-ah, toxic love.”
This has passionate serial killer vibes against ALL living things. With its overt innuendo, this song deserves to be on this list.
7) “Two Steps Behind” by Def Leppard
Here come the big hitters of, “Wow, I didn’t realize how stalkerish that sounds.” Just like “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, this is a tender love ballad that promises unconditional love and devotion… in the most uncomfortable way. I was raised on Def Leppard. This was one of my favorite ‘90s ballads with its schmaltzy acoustic waltz and loving tone. I always thought it’d be a good father daughter dance song. Then one day while listening to it, it hit me differently. I realized always being someone’s shadow is some toxic and dysfunctional love. You know who else is always a couple steps behind you? Michael Myers. That’s not love, darling, that’s an obsession. Run. Run away very fast, or too him, if that’s your thing.
8) “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
This is a classic love song that feels both dreamy and timeless. Listening to this song feels like literally floating in clouds thanks to the beautiful harmonies and layered soothing synth tracks. Add to the mix that it is featured in the blockbuster movie TOP GUN (1986), and it makes for one of the most swoonworthy love songs of all time. Lyrically, it can go three ways. “Take my breath away” because we’re kissing. Meh. Basic. “Take my breath away” because you’re a ghost I’m in love with and we are destined to be together. Better! How very THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR (1947), I love the goth romance feel. “Take my breath away” because you’re going to kill me with the intensity of your love and sex. Hot. That’s the one. “Watching every motion in this foolish lover’s game. Haunted by the notion, somewhere there’s a love in flames… Take my breath away.” Yup, it’s definitely the last one.
9) “Hurts So Good” by John Cougar Mellencamp
I know we’re all a bit tired of the jaunty pop song set against a horror flick, but I am still sad that there was no maniac killer who finished off his victims set to this song. They do say pain is pleasure! “Sink your teeth right through my bones, baby. Let’s see what we can do. Come on and make it hurt so good. Sometimes love don’t feel like it should.” It’s all right there in Cougar black and white. Also, I petition that they cast John Melllencamp as the killer in a John Waters movie. America needs this.
10) “Henry Lee” by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, ft. PJ Harvey
This one is extremely obvious. It is a haunting and mesmerizing ballad of a murder by a lovelorn woman. Nick Cave and PJ Harvey are incredible together. Both bring their unique dark enigma and sense of melancholy tenderness. There is something mysterious and uncomfortable about how the right melody sung by the right people can almost justify the act of these horrifying lyrics. I guess that’s what love does to you though. It often makes you feel and justify things you wouldn’t in any other situation. This is a testament to that.
11) “Possum Kingdom” by Toadies
Look, I know “Closer” by NIN is a favorite go to song for all things filthy, dirty sex, and I love it too. But I’m going to be totally honest here. “Possum Kingdom” awakens something dark, dangerous, and sensual in me. It consumes me in its desire and wicked passion. I’ve always toed the line between the sinful sweetness of death, and the contrast of how alive the act of sex makes you feel. I can see easily how they go hand in hand. They are yin and yang to each other. Maybe that’s why this song will always have me in its grip. I love you so much that I want both with you. Is that a healthy thought? Ha! No. Absolutely not! But, what can I say, humans are complicated. I’ve never hid that I’m a lover of the macabre and passionate people! Anyway, perfect wedding song right here, folks.
12) “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri
This is my “hear me out” song. I don’t believe in the concept of guilty pleasures, but I still want to explain the thought process behind this one. Firstly, it’s a strong pop ballad. I will not hide my love for Christian Perri. She’s an excellent pop songwriter. Secondly, and most importantly, this is truly a “Final Girl" song to me. Where we have been talking about songs celebrating killer love, this is our powerful rebuttal. This is the final girl escaping the violence, the toxicity, and being strong enough to fight back and move on. This is the final girl finding pure love in herself.
