Renowned horror master Stephen King is best known for terrifying readers with chilling classics such as The Shining, Carrie, and IT. Yet, behind the dark imagination that has haunted millions, King has another lifelong passion: music. His eclectic playlist reveals a man who isn’t just a horror legend but also a true music enthusiast with tastes ranging from classic rock to soul, R&B, punk, disco, and even modern pop.
While most fans know King as a storyteller, few realize just how much music has influenced both his personal life and writing process. Over the decades, King has shared his favorite songs through interviews, radio appearances, and curated playlists. Together, they paint a vivid picture of the songs that have shaped his world.
One surprising revelation is King’s unabashed love for disco music, a genre often ridiculed by rock purists in the 1970s. “I got into a lot of arguments in the 1970s with rock purists who absolutely hated disco,” King admitted. But for him, the grooves and rhythms of disco were irresistible. “If people hate me and if they want to downgrade my musical taste, I’ll just have to live with that and cry hot tears of shame on my pillow,” he joked.
King’s music choices are as wide-ranging as his novels. On BBC Radio 6’s Paperback Writer and the iconic Desert Island Discs, he revealed everything from guitar-heavy rock anthems to soulful ballads. Among his most cherished tracks is The Beatles’ “She Loves You”, which he heard at the age of 16. To this day, King calls it one of the freshest, most timeless songs ever recorded: “It just gets in, it has only one thing to say, and it says it.”
The author also has a soft spot for Bruce Springsteen, particularly the raw energy of “Ramrod.” “It’s just straight-ahead rock and roll,” King said. “That’s what Bruce Springsteen does best.”
But his playlist doesn’t stop at legends like The Beatles and Springsteen. His collection features a vast spectrum: the rebellious energy of the Sex Pistols, the soulful croon of Sam Cooke, the punk grit of The Cramps, the folk storytelling of Richard Thompson, and even modern pop with Rihanna’s “Pon De Replay.”
This eclectic mix highlights King’s refusal to be defined by a single genre. Just like his novels, which often blend horror with drama, mystery, and fantasy, his musical universe thrives on variety.
Below is a glimpse into Stephen King’s ultimate playlist, a collection that spans generations and genres:
- She Loves You – The Beatles
- Ramrod – Bruce Springsteen
- That’s the Way I Like It – KC & the Sunshine Band
- Anarchy in the UK – Sex Pistols
- Shake – Sam Cooke
- Pon De Replay – Rihanna
- Desolation Row – Bob Dylan
- My Sharona – The Knack
- Needles and Pins – The Searchers
- Stiff Upper Lip – AC/DC
- Louie Louie – The Kingsmen
- Choctaw Bingo – James McMurtry
- …and dozens more
Taken together, King’s music list reads like a soundtrack to the last 60 years of popular culture. It mixes rebellion, groove, poetry, and raw energy — much like the themes that dominate his own novels.
For fans of Stephen King, this playlist is more than just entertainment. It’s a unique insight into the rhythms and sounds that may have influenced the man behind some of the most haunting stories ever told.
