Italo Disco Giallo
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a playlist around some theme. This week, Morgan Rankin assembles 12 songs to accompany for an Giallo film centered around an Italian Disco in the 1980s. Read Morgan’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.
As many ideas as I’ve thought of in my lifetime, I’ve always wanted to make my own ‘80s Giallo film. There’s just something about the strikingly gorgeous men and women along with sizzling neon lighting and over-the-top kill scenes that could make any horror fan cream their pants. From Dario Argento’s TENEBRE to Carlo Vanzina’s NOTHING UNDERNEATH, these types of films simply oozed style.
They also had some of the catchiest score music—but I’m always surprised by the lack of Italo Disco music featured in them since it was a very popular genre during that time. The two of them go together very well and it’s always what I envision when I think of scenes for my own take on these stylish thrillers.
So sit back and put on your black leather gloves as we get down to some killer tracks.
1. “Faces” by Clio
We have to start with a total banger. Get that heavy synth beat pumping as the cameras start flashing when you start strutting your thing down the runaway with some of the most incredibly stunning models. Of course the title is called “Faces” so we better get close-ups of you and those other beauties with all of that flawless hair and make-up. You can’t even see a single pore on your bodies from how put together you all are. You got the look that’s sure to make anyone envious.
2. “Square Rooms” by Al Corley
The make-up is off and sweatpants are on as soon as you’re done shooting for the day. Hop in that ‘89 red Geo Tracker with the white convertible top and get ready to head home and relax with a big bowl of chocolate chip ice cream and the latest episode of My Two Dads. You’re jamming to Al Corley’s cries of “they don’t listen, they don’t care, if a man is in despair” on your car’s cassette player but pause as soon as you notice a stranger’s shadow in the rear view mirror walking towards you. You trust your gut instinct and pull out of the parking garage immediately and floor it.
3. “Danger” by The Flirts
The plans of relaxing are scratched now that you’re in a panic after fleeing from what could have been a fatal encounter. You need to find the arms of your lover and calm down. You pull up to their house and plead for them to let you in. You notice something is slightly off as soon as the door opens within the first knock, but this song is blaring from the stereo system. You call out their name but get nothing in return.
You slowly walk into the house and look around but not a person in sight. “Danger straight ahead” plays in your mind as you’re feeling more and more uncomfortable. As you turn around and head back towards the door, you let out a loud scream as your lover sneaks up on you. You both have a laugh—but you definitely need to crack open a bottle of wine and chill the hell out.
4. “I Want You” by Gary Low
Every Giallo has their cheesy moments and what better way of giving that than having a bubble bath with your lover. The candles are lit as your bodies sway in the water to “I want you ‘cause you make me feel good.” Could we get some wine with all this cheese, please?
The glasses clink as you both toast and sip on your red wine. You’re both feeling all relaxed but of course that won’t last for long. A loud smash comes through the window. It’s a rock with a note attached that reads “soon.”
5. “Spacer Woman” by Charlie
As you’re dealing with trying to figure out who is out to get you, your glamorous model friends are all out at one of the hottest night clubs in town. You have some of them breaking it down on the dance floor and the rest are snorting up the freshest cocaine they just scored in the bathroom.
One of them decides to go into a stall to use the restroom and finish up the last line on their compact mirror. The others head back out to get their groove on as someone else walks in wearing a black leather trench coat with matching gloves and red high heels. They pull out a sharp knife and bust through the stall as the music plays louder over the screams as the model is restrained and slashed across the throat.
6. “The Night” by Valerie Dore
Everyone is frightened and mourning the loss of their friend outside the club-turned-crime scene. You show up with your partner as caution tape is being placed around the building. Two detectives approach you and ask every question in the book. You want answers just as bad as they do but you know you have to cooperate.
As they continue to ask questions you notice that someone in the distance is watching you. The beat makes you fall into a daze as you stare back and lose your train of thought. All you can remember is the red heels because the rest of the stranger’s body is hidden completely behind a large bush. You snap back into reality and try to tell the detectives that there’s someone watching them—but they brush it off and tell you if you don’t get yourself together, you’ll be heading down to the police station.
7. “Pretty Face” by Styloo
We have to get some POV of the killer as they storm into their studio apartment after being pointed out at the crime scene. They are enraged as they begin smashing every item in sight. After they have left the place in complete ruins, they walk over to their desk that has a folded magazine with a picture of all the models lying face up. They grab a black marker next to it and scratch off each one of their faces as “never can kill my pretty face…” lingers as they breathe heavily.
8. “Donna Rouge” by Fake
The show must go on for you and the other models as you work the runaway for a major fashion event. The audience is mesmerized by not only the spectacular outfits worn but also by the beautiful people wearing them. It’s lights, camera, action as everyone feels the heat of your eyes as you strut and pose. You have an unsettled feeling though because you know there’s still a killer out there and they could be watching your every move right now.
9. “Chinese Eyes” by Fancy
Behind the scenes of the event, one of the models is doing a private photoshoot for one of those popular bare all magazines… or so says the sleazy man taking them. Knowing his type it’s probably for his own personal collection. The model poses nude on a water bed covered with pink silky sheets. A light knock is heard on the door as the photographer tells the person to bug off but the knocks keep getting louder and louder until the guy finally gives up and answers it.
The model asks who it is but there is no answer as the man turns around with blood squirting out of his chest. The blood shoots across the model’s face as petrifying screams come from their mouth. The killer shoves the model onto the bed as they struggle with the knife. The killer goes back and forth between stabbing the model and the bed causing a mixture of water and blood to spew. The rhythm of the stabs match the pulsing beat of the song.
10. “Fotonovela” by Ivan
It’s your time to shine as you walk through the crowd wearing a one-of-a-kind piece that everyone wishes they could get their hands on. Jaws drop as you pose seductively but you frown as you hear the crowd gasp as blood drips down onto your hair and skin. You look up and see the body of one of your friends hanging upside down by a rope, blood pouring out from their slit throat.
Bloodcurdling screams are heard all around as the audience flees. You look for a way out, too, but you see the killer is coming your way.
11. “Radio” by Savage
Since the front of the building is packed from the crowd trying to make their exits, you run to the back to try to escape the killer chasing after you. You twist and turn every doorknob but can’t find a place to hide since they are locked. Finally, you find a room and hurry to the closet door but as soon as you spring it open another cold dead body falls out. You cover your mouth, muffling your scream as tears flow from your bloodshot eyes.
The song is a great tension builder as you hear heels clicking on the hard tile floor. The killer is getting closer. You grab a wire hanger and quietly step over the dead body as you make room for yourself in the closet. The hiding doesn’t last for long as they spot you right away and attack you leaving you with a few gashes and tears in your dress.
You can’t see who the killer is because they are wearing one of those plastic face masks that you can find really cheap at the nearest drugstore. You struggle with them as they try to cut you up more, but you forcefully yank the knife from their hand and stab them right in the chest. They pull the mask off as blood spews from their mouth. You don’t recognize the killer as half of their face has scarring all over. They reveal they are your lover’s sister (who was also a former model but their career was ruined when she was attacked by an obsessive fan and set on fire). Their reason for killing was out of jealousy and rage since they will never get to have the same luxury they once had.
12. “Masterpiece” by Gazebo
The police and paramedics arrive as you watch the killer bleed to death. You cry as soon as your lover embraces you, but the guilt settles in as they look over and see their now deceased sister. They hold you tight as a tear falls down their cheek and their jaw clenches tight.
Your lover walks you to their car as it begins to pour down rain. You reach for the glove compartment for a napkin to dry off the tears and rain from your face but pause as you’re shocked to see a pair of black gloves and a knife inside. You look over to the driver’s side and see your lover holding an open switchblade with a cold stare.
…Will you survive for a possible sequel?
