History Main / SinisterTangoMusic

Contrast CreepyJazzMusic, which is also conducive to dancing, and RottenRockAndRoll.

* The Cell Block Tango from ''Theatre/{{Chicago}}'' is a VillainSong sung by the female prisoners about their motives for committing murder.

Like a few other types of music, tango music is often used in fiction for creepiness. Unlike genres such as [[CreepyJazzMusic jazz]] and [[RottenRockAndRoll rock]], tango music isn't exactly "rebellious".[[note]]Actually, Tango ''was'' TheNewRockAndRoll back in the early XX century, but standards changed a lot since then because times change[[/note]] In fact, the reason it is played for creepiness in fiction may be because of how elegant it sounds. The tune itself is tantalizing, captivating, and decadent within its melancholic vibe. It has a syncopated march rhythm, which gives the air of mystery and uncertainty. It helps that it's usually played in a specific chord progression making use of minor chords, which are generally associated with negative things (see the "Multiple Ensemble" section in MoodMotif).

* ''VideoGame/SenranKagura'': [[LivingDollCollector Haruka]], Hebijo Academy's OmnidisciplinaryScientist and [[BastardGirlfriend sadistic]] [[EvilPuppeteer puppetmaster]], has a new piece of ominous tango music associated with her with every new appearance. WordOfGod has it that her character makes the composer think of "France and Piazzolla".

Like a few other types of music, tango music is often used in fiction for creepiness. Unlike genres such as [[CreepyJazzMusic jazz]] and [[RottenRockAndRoll rock]], tango music isn't exactly "rebellious".[[note]]Actually, Tango ''was'' TheNewRockAndRoll back in the early XX century, but standards changed a lot since then because SocietyMarchesOn[[/note]] In fact, the reason it is played for creepiness in fiction may be because of how elegant it sounds. The tune itself is tantalizing, captivating, and decadent within its melancholic vibe. It has a syncopated march rhythm, which gives the air of mystery and uncertainty. It helps that it's usually played in a specific chord progression making use of minor chords, which are generally associated with negative things (see the "Multiple Ensemble" section in MoodMotif).

* [[https://www.marcjungermann.com/ Marc Jungermann]]'s song "[[https://youtu.be/ztU-lCLTBzo Tango of the Undead]]" is a creepy, somewhat distorted-sounding tango piece.

* In ''Film/TwelveMonkeys'' (by Creator/TerryGilliam, who also directed the aforementioned ''Doctor Parnassus''), the title theme is also the leitmotif of the Army of the 12 Monkeys, the AnimalWrongsGroup believed responsible for causing the apocalypse. It's written and performed by legendary tango musician Astor Piazzolla.

* Creator/{{PBS}}'s ''Mystery!'' series used to have an [[https://youtu.be/CG7SyxaXGwU?t=52 animated opening]] based on the gothic art of Creator/EdwardGorey. The opening has an overall creepy atmosphere, with constant rain, a DeliberatelyMonochrome color scheme, and several murders occurring at what looks like a HauntedHouse. The whole thing is scored to a tango tune, and features a shot of sombre people dancing the tango

Like a few other types of music, tango music is often used in fiction for creepiness. Unlike genres such as [[CreepyJazzMusic jazz]] and [[RottenRockAndRoll rock]], tango music isn't exactly "rebellious". In fact, the reason it is played for creepiness in fiction may be because of how elegant it sounds. The tune itself is tantalizing, captivating, and decadent within its melancholic vibe. It has a syncopated march rhythm, which gives the air of mystery and uncertainty. It helps that it's usually played in a specific chord progression making use of minor chords, which are generally associated with negative things (see the "Multiple Ensemble" section in MoodMotif).

* "The Cellblock Tango" from ''Theatre/{{Chicago}}'' is a VillainSong sung by the female prisoners about their motives for committing murder.

* ''Film/TwelveMonkeys'': the title theme is also the leitmotif of the Army of the 12 Monkeys, the AnimalWrongsGroup believed responsible for causing the apocalypse. It's written and performed by legendary tango musician Astor Piazzolla.

* There are shades of this in [[https://vimeo.com/17954602 Ares' seductive song]] in the XenaWarriorPrincess musical episode ''Bitter Suite''.

* The Arrancar {{leitmotif}} from ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' often makes use of this trope, especially in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiJ-GRwTubo Nube Negra]].
** Although that's not tango, but closer to flamenco.

%% Which version? * ''WesternAnimation/LittlestPetShop'' has an episode wherein Pepper and Blythe duet "The Guilty Tango" and the animation goes all dark and gloomy.

* ''Film/TheAddamsFamily'': ''Addams Family Values'' has Gomez and Morticia doing a Tango that is equal parts sinister and sexy.

* In ''Theatre/PokemonLive'', [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Jessie, James, and Meowth]] get a tango VillainSong called "[[https://youtu.be/LgDZUY4Vg9Y The Best at Being the Worst]]." Unusually, the song is about the villains ''berating'' themselves, yet at the same time, they seem to take pride in how incompetent they are.

* ''Film/TheAddamsFamily'' has Gomez and Morticia doing a Tango that is equal parts sinister and sexy.

* ''Film/AddamsFamilyValues'' has Gomez and Morticia doing a Tango that is equal parts sinister and sexy.

* ''WesternAnimation/LittlestPetShop'' has an episode wherein Pepper and Blythe duet "The Guilty Tango" and the animation goes all dark and gloomy.