Artist

David Lynch’s Enchanting Sound Worlds

Published January 22, 2025

David Lynch was a filmmaker whose imaginative works often combined the strange with the ordinary. From his very first feature film, the 1977 oddity known as “Eraserhead,” sound has been a key element in creating his eerie and captivating atmospheres. Alongside the sound designer Alan R. Splet, Lynch filled the gritty environments of “Eraserhead” with a disturbing array of sounds, including deep hums, unsettling roars, electric cracklings, and mechanical sounds. This emphasis on sound also allowed Lynch to pause the narrative flow at times, a technique he would apply frequently in his later works.

Lynch’s collaboration with composer Angelo Badalamenti was also significant, particularly for the iconic series “Twin Peaks,” which aired from 1990 to 1991. For many viewers, the hauntingly beautiful scores composed by Badalamenti defined the show’s uniquely enchanting yet ominous ambiance. The impact of “Twin Peaks” was so profound that it left a lasting impression on popular culture, making it difficult to listen to the series' music without being reminded of its unforgettable scenes.

In addition to original compositions, Lynch utilized existing pop music in his works, often choosing songs with deep personal significance. The way Lynch paired images with sound transformed familiar tracks, giving them new meanings and emotional layers. This technique is notably evident with Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams,” which takes on a haunting quality after its inclusion in “Blue Velvet.” After watching the film, audiences may find it challenging to separate the song from its intense visual context.

Here are 13 notable songs that have helped immerse viewers in the dreamlike worlds created by David Lynch.

music, filmmaker, sound