Music From Psycho

“Psycho” broke boundaries and redefined the horror genre. But what would it be without its unforgettable score. The man behind this musical magic? Bernard Herrmann.

Hitchcock had such faith in Herrmann that he insisted on him composing the score, even though Herrmann initially hesitated due to the film’s modest budget. And it’s a good thing he came on board because the collaboration resulted in what Christopher Palmer described as “perhaps Herrmann’s most spectacular Hitchcock achievement.”

Hitchcock himself credited a whopping 33% of the film’s impact to the music.

Herrmann’s genius lay in his ability to maximize the effect within a limited budget. Instead of a full-fledged orchestra, he opted for a string orchestra. And while Hitchcock had originally envisioned a jazz score, what we got was something far more impactful.

List of “Psycho” Soundtracks

1. Prelude
2. The City
3. Marion
4. Marion And Sam
5. Temptation
6. Flight
7. Patrol Car
8. The Car Lot
9. The Package
10. The Rainstorm
11. Hotel Room
12. The Window
13. The Parlor
14. The Madhouse
15. The Peephole
16. The Bathroom
17. The Murder
18. The Body
19. The Office
20. The Curtain
21. The Water
22. The Car
23. Cleanup
24. The Swamp
25. The Search
26. The Shadow
27. Phone Booth
28. The Porch
29. The Stairs
30. The Knife
31. The Search [B]
32. The First Floor
33. Cabin 10
34. Cabin 1
35. The Hill
36. The Bedroom
37. The Toys
38. The Cellar
39. Discovery
40. Finale