The Ultimate Halloween Festivities Playlist
Whether you're throwing your annual Halloween bash or just handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, a Halloween playlist is essential to get everybody in the spooky spirit. While some songs are written specifically for the Halloween season, others have slowly grown to become Halloween classics. So, to help you compile the ultimate playlist for this year's festivities, we've created a list of some of the best Halloween-themed songs as well as others that simply fit well with the holiday. Happy Halloween!
"This Is Halloween" - Danny Elfman
"This is Halloween" is a song written by Danny Elfman for the film, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Whether you consider it to be a movie about Halloween or Christmas, there's no denying that many of the songs fit perfectly into any respectable Halloween playlist. However, this song in particular is the essence of the Halloween season. The introduction song to film, "This is Halloween" is one of the most obvious Halloween songs out there.
The song is performed by the residents of "Halloween Town," introducing the town's Halloween-centered way of life. The songs has been featured in numerous theme parks, video games, and has been covered by a variety of artists. This is probably the best song to kick off the night.
"I Put A Spell On You" - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Although not originally a Halloween-themed song, "I Put A Spell On You" is a 1956 song written and composed by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. The song was a critical and commercial success, yet the song's eerie sound and lyrics have established it as a perfect song to play during the Halloween season.
This began after Hawkins started performing the song while wearing a long cape, and appeared onstage by rising out of a coffin surrounded by fog. The song has been covered countless times by and was revitalized after it was featured in the Halloween flick Hocus Pocus 1 as a small musical number performed by the witches.
"Superstition" - Stevie Wonder
Black cats, witches, full moons, Halloween is packed full with superstitious beliefs, so "Superstition" only makes sense. "Superstition" is a track written by the legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder and was released as the single for his fifteenth studio album Talking Book in 1972. The lyrics in the song describes common superstitions among people and the damages that such beliefs can do on a person's life.
Although the song is rather upbeat, Halloween is arguably the most superstitious day of the year, making it a classic funk song that can usually be heard around Halloween time as well.
"People Are Strange" - The Doors
If there's a time of the year when people are most strange, it's Halloween. In September 1967, the rock and roll group The Doors released "People Are Strange" as a single for their second album Strange Days. The song was written by Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger, reaching No. 12 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart.
The instrumentation of the song is enough to make anyone feel uncomfortable with the lyrics and Morrison's almost whispering vocals make it particularly creepy. Plus, with everyone walking around in costumes, the lyrics "people are strange" are more than fitting for the Halloween season.
"The Munsters Theme" - Jack Marshall
A family comprised of a Frankenstein creation, vampires, and werewolves, what's more Halloween than that? For this reason, the theme song for The Munsters should be one of the first songs on any Halloween playlist. Although it isn't very long and doesn't have any lyrics, it perfectly fits the Halloween vibe being a little playful but also slightly spooky.
It's a song that anybody can enjoy and the people who recognize it will love. Turn it on, and turn it up.
"Thriller" - Michael Jackson
If you haven't danced to "Thriller" during Halloween, you've been missing out. Although the instrumentation isn't exceptionally scary, there are certain elements that make the song an instant Halloween classic. Sound effects such as creaking doors, thunder, foreboding narration, wind, and more, make the song particularly uneasy. On top of that, the lyrics of the song also contain frightening descriptions and ominous scenarios.
However, what truly turned the song into a Halloween staple was the 14-minute music video narrative featuring scenes from various horror movies. It became a Halloween classic when Michael Jackson leads a group of zombies in a choreographed dance.
"The Time Warp" - The Rocky Horror Picture Show
"Let's do the time warp again!" Featured in the 1973 rock musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, "Time Warp" has become a Halloween standard. It has also been used in the 1975 film and 2016 TV production of the same name. What makes "Time Warp" a Halloween-related song is because Rocky Horror Picture Show is one giant parody tribute to science fiction and horror B movies.
The dance accompanying the song is one of the biggest audience-participation activities in both the show and the movie. Today, it wouldn't be uncommon to see a group of inebriated mothers cutting loose to "Time Warp" like the old days.
"Halloween Theme" - John Carpenter
If there's one song that truly captures the horror of Halloween, it's the "Halloween Theme" from the 1978 horror classic. The composition was written by John Carpenter who also happened to direct the film. Much like the soundtrack to Jaws, the simplicity of the theme music makes it all that more terrifying, especially since it plays whenever something horrible is about to happen.
While it may a little hard to dance to at a Halloween party, it will definitely help to set the tone and will have people watching their backs as they make their way around.
"Monster Mash" - Bobby "Boris" Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers
Although it was released back in 1962, from young to old, everyone knows the "Monster Mash." It's a novelty song that was written and recorded by Bobby "Boris" Pickett as the single for his Halloween-themed albumThe Original Monster Mash. After releasing the song, it quickly became No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from October 20-27, just in time for Halloween. The song was widely accepted by audiences and has been a Halloween favorite for many since.
If you can't get enough of Monster Mash, Pickett's entire LP is full of monster-themed tunes such as "Me and My Mummy," "Wolfbane," "Graveyard Shift," and more. The entire album is perfect for any Halloween get-together.
"Sympathy For The Devil" - The Rolling Stones
In a sense, Halloween is a day when people have a little sympathy for the Devil, making this Rolling Stone's song a nice match. Written by Keith Richard and Mick Jagger, "Sympathy For The Devil" was released as the opening track for the 1968 album Beggars Banquet. Although the song has no reference to Halloween whatsoever, the lyrics are particularly dark, describing all of the atrocities in the history of mankind as seen from Satan's point of view.
The groove and energy of the song make it great to play at any party, but since the title and lyrics revolve around the Devil, people began putting it into their Halloween playlists where it has stayed since.
"Season Of The Witch" - Donovan
Donovan's psychedelic rock song "Season of the Witch" was released in September 1966 on his album Sunshine Superman. Although the song wasn't a single, it became popular enough that Donovan ended up playing it for the majority of his music career. The lyrics and the haunting guitar melody provided by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page allowed it to become particularly appropriate during Halloween.
It's a perfectly groovy and mellow song with a chorus and lyrics that don't let you forget that it's Halloween time. Also, any older people who remember Donovan will appreciate hearing this tune replayed.
"Hungry Like The Wolf" - Duran Duran
Halloween and werewolves go hand in hand, so, Duran Duran's 1982 "Hungry Like The Wolf" perfectly fits the theme of Halloween. The song reached the top 5 of the UK singles chart and received a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry. The music video for the song was shot to be like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and was admired by MTV before the band made a presence in the United States.
The band went on to become an international sensation and their song "Hungry Like the Wolf" eventually found its way into people's list of favorite songs for Halloween. This is mostly due to the song's upbeat music with lyrics that can be interpreted as someone being eaten or chased by a werewolf.
"Black Magic Woman" - Fleetwood Mac
Written by Peter Green, "Black Magic Woman" first appeared as a Fleetwood Mac single in 1968. Although the song was already well-received, after it was covered by Santana, his version became the most popular yet. However, it's no surprise that "Black Magic Woman" became a popular song during the Halloween season.
For starters, "Black Magic Woman," has eerie instrumentation, and it's easy to listen to. It's also a rock and roll classic that most people recognize and enjoy, making it a perfect song to play during a party.
"Ghostbusters Theme" - Ray Parker Jr.
You know you're in for a good time when "Ghostbusters" is playing as you walk through the doors of a Halloween party. The film's theme song was written by Ray Parker Jr., and is popular for its upbeat music and classic line" You you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" The song debut at No. 68 in June 1984, but was at the No. 1 spot by August 11.
Today, the song is a piece of nostalgia that can be heard at just about any Halloween party and is usually played by someone dressed up as a Ghostbuster.
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" is a song by rock group Blue Oyster Cult on their album Agents of Fortune in 1976. The song is written and sung by lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, as he tackles themes of eternal love and inevitability of death. The song is Blue Oyster Cult's biggest hit, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2004, the song was ranked No. 405 on the Rolling Stone list of the top 500 songs of all time. The song's popularity and energy, combined with its morose theme of death make the tune a great option to play around Halloween.
"The Killing Moon" - Echo And The Bunnymen
If you're looking for a song to creep out people at a Halloween party, look no further. "The Killing Moon" by Echo and the Bunnymen was released in 1984 and was the single off of their album Ocean Rain. The song was the band's most successful hit with lead singer Ian McCulloch crediting part of the song to God after the chorus of the song came to him in a dream.
Aside from the song feeling exceptionally dark, it's associated with the cult classic filmDonnie Darko, with the climax of the film occurring during Halloween. This is a song that no one would disagree with if they heard it at a Halloween shindig.
"Spooky" - Classic IV
If there's a word that best describes Halloween, "Spooky" is the number one. The original "Spooky" was an instrumental that was performed by saxophonist Mike Sharpe and written by Sharpe and Harry Middlebrooks. However, the best-known version of the song was by James Cobb and Buddy Blue for the band Classic IV. It was then they added the lyrics about a "spooky little girl."
The added lyrics about a spooky girl and the eerie whistling throughout the song has established it as a Halloween favorite over the years.
"Witchy Woman" - The Eagles
Written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, "Witchy Woman" is a song recorded by the rock ban The Eagles. The song was the second single for the group's debut album Eagles, and went on to peak at No. 9 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.
The song about a seductive and destructive woman was inspired by a variety of women, however, the song was truly inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald. It didn't take long for the song's slow and ominous tempo with the details of a "witchy woman" to become another song often played during Halloween celebrations.
"Heads Will Roll" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Although most likely for a younger crowd, the song "Heads Will Roll" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is another song that should be in everyone's Halloween music arsenal. The song was the single for the band's third album It's Blitz! and is sung from the viewpoint of the Queen of Hearts from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
While the song itself is more poppy and upbeat than anything, the description of chopping people's heads and dancing until your dead screams Halloween. So, if you need to give your party a little kick of energy, this would be a nice touch.
"The Addams Family Theme" - Vic Mizzy
Much like the "Munsters Theme," having any theme song about a family who basically lives Halloween year-round is a no-brainer. The theme was written and arranged by Hollywood composer Vic Mizzy who perfectly captures the family in a short song. The opening lyrics go, "They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're all together ooky, the Addams family," simply, Halloween in a nutshell.
On top of that, the music in the song is exactly what you would think after taking one look at the Addam's family. it's a quick song, but certainly packs a punch.
