Lacking a symphonic soundtrack, the film's score consists of a piano melody played in a 10/8 or "complex 5/4" time signature, composed and performed by director Carpenter.

He admitted that the music was inspired by Dario Argento's Suspiria (which also influenced the film's slightly surreal color scheme) and William Friedkin's The Exorcist.

[4] Critic James Berardinelli described the soundtrack as "relatively simple and unsophisticated" but acknowledged that "Halloween's music is one of its strongest assets.

Some additional songs are featured in the film, including an untitled track performed by Carpenter and a group of friends who formed a band called The Coupe De Villes.

[9] Another notable song in the film is "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by the classic rock band Blue Öyster Cult.