The Best Circus Music (Our Playlist)

When you hear those bouncy, upbeat melodies at the circus, you're listening to a special type of music that's been entertaining audiences for over 150 years.

Circus music combines marches, waltzes, and galops to create the perfect soundtrack for acrobats, clowns, and daredevils under the big top.

This musical style kicked off in the 1800s when circuses needed energetic sounds to match their wild performances.

You might recognize the most famous circus song, "Entry of the Gladiators," which plays during almost every circus act you've ever seen—or at least, it feels that way.

Today, circus music pops up in movies, TV shows, and even video games.

These classic tunes are all over streaming platforms, and you can even download them for your own projects if you’re feeling inspired.

Our Playlist

To listen to all of the best circus music, click here.

Otherwise, read on to learn more about this compelling style of music!

What is Circus Music?

Put simply, circus music is a special kind of music made to go with circus shows and performances.

It uses fast beats, bright sounds, and exciting rhythms to make the circus feel magical and fun—like you’ve stepped into another world.

Characteristics and Elements

Circus music has a sound you can spot instantly. The music usually plays very fast, around 200 beats per minute, which is pretty wild if you think about it.

Key instruments include:

• Calliope (steam organ)

• Brass instruments (trumpets, trombones, tubas)

• Accordion

• Drums

• Clarinets and cornets

The "brassy" wind band sound is what most people think of as circus music. Just a few notes from songs like "Entry of the Gladiators" can make you picture a circus right away.

Circus music loves to surprise you with sudden stops. There are big "ta-da" moments with major chords that just scream circus.

Drum rolls build up suspense before big acts. The melodies have lots of jumps, runs, and fanfare sounds that grab your attention and refuse to let go.

Most circus music falls into a category called "screamers" or circus marches. These pieces are tough to play because they're so fast and full of tricky bits.

Historical Overview

Circus music started out simple. The first circus shows used just one fiddler or flute player—imagine that, just one person trying to fill a whole tent!

Things changed a lot in the 1800s when brass bands joined circuses. The loud sounds of cornets, trumpets, and tubas could reach whole towns, letting everyone know the circus was coming.

Over time, drums and saxophones joined the circus bands. Most of those traditional circus themes you know were written in the 1900s.

Merle Evans became famous as the "Toscanini of the Big Top." He led the Ringling Brothers circus band until he died in 1988.

His band could play about 200 different circus themes in one three-hour show—impressive, right?

Traditional circus music pulls from many styles. It uses rags, waltzes, marches, and dance music. Popular songs also got changed up to work for circus bands.

Role in Circus Performances

Circus music does way more than just play in the background. It helps create the whole circus experience and backs up everything happening in the ring.

Traditional circus music tries to create a sense of wonder and spectacle. The loud, exciting music matches the amazing acts you see.

Modern circus shows use music differently. Today's circus music focuses more on creating mood and helping tell stories during performances—sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes not.

The musicians who play circus music are called "windjammers." That name comes from how they "jam wind" into their instruments for six to seven hours a day. Talk about dedication.

Music signals important moments during circus acts. It builds excitement before dangerous stunts and celebrates when performers nail those tough tricks.

The timing between music and performance is crucial. Musicians have to watch the acts closely and change the music to match what's happening. That’s what makes each circus theme feel so connected to the action in the ring.

Origins and Evolution of Circus Music

Circus music started with simple instruments like fiddles and flutes but eventually grew into full bands by the 20th century.

The music changed from basic accompaniments to complex arrangements that helped tell stories and ramp up the excitement.

Early Circus Bands

You can trace circus music back to ancient Roman times when circuses first existed. But the music you know today started much simpler.

Early circus performances only had one musician playing a fiddle or flute. Not exactly the spectacle we expect now.

The real change came in the 20th century. That's when circus music became the big band sound you might recognize.

These bands played loud music to match the exciting acts under the big top.

Traditional circus bands had these features:

• Loud volume to fill large tents

• Fast tempos to match acrobatic acts

• Simple melodies that crowds could follow easily

The bands needed to grab your attention quickly. They played music that made you feel excited and ready for amazing acts.

This was a big shift from the kind of quiet music you’d hear in a concert hall.

Key Composers and Influencers

Charles Dibdin was the first known composer to write circus music specifically. He helped create the style that other musicians would follow for years.

The most famous circus music leader was Merle Evans. People called him the "Toscanini of the Big Top." Evans led the Ringling Brothers circus band until he died in 1988.

Evans made circus music special by:

• Creating about 200 different circus themes

• Leading three-hour performances with non-stop music

• Making the band a key part of every show

Evans and his band could play different songs for each act. They matched the music to what was happening in the ring, making the whole show feel more exciting and alive.

Transition to Modern Styles

Circus music in the 20th century mixed lots of different styles. You can hear rags, waltzes, marches, and dance music all mashed together.

This gave circus songs their unique sound—kind of like a musical stew.

Modern circus music works differently than the old stuff. Traditional circus music tried to create a big spectacle with loud, exciting sounds.

Today's circus music focuses more on telling stories and creating specific moods. Sometimes it’s more atmospheric, less in-your-face.

Key changes in modern circus music:

• Less focus on loud, attention-grabbing sounds

• More emphasis on supporting the story being told

• Use of recorded music alongside live bands

Many circuses now use recorded music instead of live bands. But live bands still give the best experience for circus music, at least in my opinion.

They can change the tempo and volume to match what's happening in real time, which recorded tracks just can't do.

Iconic Circus Music Styles

Circus music features three main styles that create the classic big top sound. Fast-paced marches drive exciting acts, elegant waltzes accompany graceful performances, and bold fanfares announce special moments.

Marches and Galops

Circus marches form the backbone of traditional circus music. You'll recognize these fast-tempo songs that play during acrobatic acts and animal performances.

The most famous circus march is "Entrance of the Gladiators" by Julius Fučík. This song has played in circuses for over 100 years, and honestly, you’ve probably heard it more times than you realize.

Galops are even faster than marches. These racing rhythms match high-energy acts like:

• Trapeze artists

• Tightrope walkers

• Clown chase scenes

• Horse riding displays

Circus bands play these songs at crazy quick tempos. The music builds excitement and keeps your attention glued to the performers.

Brass instruments like trumpets and trombones usually take the lead.

Waltzes in Circus Settings

Waltzes bring elegance to circus performances. You'll hear these flowing 3/4 time songs during graceful acts.

Aerial silk performers often use waltz music. The smooth rhythm matches their flowing movements through the air.

Equestrian acts also feature waltzes when riders perform ballet-like routines on horseback.

Popular circus waltzes include classic pieces arranged for circus bands. These songs create a dreamy atmosphere that contrasts with the high-energy marches.

The waltz tempo gives everyone a moment to catch their breath between the more intense acts. You feel transported to a more refined world while watching elegant performances float above.

Entrances and Fanfares

Fanfares announce important moments in circus shows. These short, bold musical pieces grab your attention in an instant.

You'll hear fanfares when:

• The ringmaster enters

• Star performers take the stage

• Dangerous acts begin

• Special announcements happen

Entrance music builds anticipation as performers walk into the ring. The music starts quietly and grows louder as they approach center stage.

Brass instruments dominate fanfares. Trumpets play bright, heroic melodies while drums add power.

These musical moments last only 10-30 seconds but really make you sit up and pay attention.

Circus themes often combine fanfares with marches. The fanfare gets your attention, then flows right into march music for the performance.

Popular Circus Songs and Themes

Circus music features plenty of well-known songs that create excitement and wonder. Clown music uses specific musical styles to make audiences laugh, while carnival music adds energy to the entire circus experience.

Famous Pieces in Circus Music

"Entry of the Gladiators" is the most famous circus song ever written. Julius Fučík composed this march in 1897, and you hear it when performers enter the ring.

"Thunder and Blazes" is another classic. You might know it as the song that plays during exciting acts. It builds tension and keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

The song "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite" became a hit in American circuses. It plays during animal acts and acrobatic performances. A lot of people think of this song first when they picture the circus.

Modern circus music includes "The Greatest Show" from the movie soundtrack. This song brought circus music to new audiences, mixing traditional circus sounds with modern pop music. Not everyone loves the blend, but it’s definitely catchy.

Popular Circus Songs:

• Entry of the Gladiators

• Thunder and Blazes

• Barnum and Bailey's Favorite

• The Greatest Show

• Circus Galop

Use of Clown Music in Performances

Clown music leans on silly sounds and playful rhythms. You’ll catch tubas, kazoos, and slide whistles during clown acts.

These instruments get laughs before the clowns even crack a joke. The music keeps things light and goofy right from the start.

The tempo shifts a lot. Sometimes it crawls, then suddenly races.

This matches the clowns’ unpredictable movements. It just makes everything feel a bit more ridiculous.

Common Clown Music Elements:

• Silly sound effects

• Tuba bass lines

• Fast tempo changes

• Carnival-style melodies

Clown music often borrows from regular circus songs. But musicians twist them with wobbly notes or odd noises.

You can usually tell when something funny is brewing just by listening. Musicians watch the clowns closely and play along with their antics.

Carnival Music in Circus Contexts

Carnival music comes out of street festivals and traveling shows. Circus bands grabbed these tunes because they set a party mood.

People hear carnival music as soon as they enter circus grounds. It’s basically the welcome mat for the whole event.

This music uses accordions, brass, and drums. The songs are catchy—hard not to tap your foot.

Carnival music plays before the show and during breaks. It fills the space with energy.

Carnival Music Features:

• Upbeat rhythms

• Folk song melodies

• Dance-like beats

• Festive atmosphere

Lots of circus songs started off as carnival music. "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin is a big one—ragtime that made its way into the circus world.

Carnival music gives the circus that magical, rare feeling. It’s like a special celebration that doesn’t come around every day.

Circus Music in Contemporary Media

Circus music pops up all over movies, TV, and games to set a certain mood. Modern media blends old-school circus themes with fresh takes for today’s crowd.

Movies and Television

You’ll hear circus music in tons of films—usually when things are playful, odd, or downright creepy. Horror movies especially love circus themes for unsettling scenes.

Tim Burton’s films are loaded with circus music. "Big Fish" and "Batman Returns" both use carnival sounds to build their weird, dreamy worlds.

The TV show "American Horror Story: Freak Show" is set in a 1950s circus. Its soundtrack mixes old circus tunes with modern twists.

Animated movies seem obsessed with circus music too. "Madagascar 3" and "Dumbo" crank up the carnival sound in their wildest scenes.

Commercials and TV shows turn to circus music when they want to grab you fast. The bright sound and quick tempo work wonders in short bursts.

Video Games and Pop Culture

Game developers use circus music to give levels a fun, tricky vibe. You’ll stumble into circus themes in all sorts of games.

"Cuphead" is a great example—its carnival-style music fits the old cartoon look perfectly. Circus levels throw in marches and waltzes for extra flair.

Pop artists sometimes sneak circus sounds into their songs. Calliope effects and march rhythms help tracks stand out in the crowd.

"Five Nights at Freddy’s" flips the script and makes circus music creepy. Familiar carnival tunes get twisted into something pretty unsettling.

On social media, creators use circus music for magic tricks or funny clips. It’s playful and instantly recognizable—hard not to smile.

Key Takeaways

• To listen to all of the best circus music, click here.

• Circus music uses marches, waltzes, and galops to create energetic soundtracks for performances

• The musical style began in the 1800s and features iconic songs like "Entry of the Gladiators"

• Modern circus music appears in movies, TV shows, and digital media beyond traditional circus venues