Halloween Songs
I know you guys are all familiar with holiday music, probably Christmas carols in particular. But hey! Let’s not forget about songs for Halloween, ok? Annie Cardi is going to tell us her favorites to get everyone in the spirit! Take it away, Annie!
I’m not big into Christmas carols. Stations that start playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving get my ultimate scorn, and I’m picky about the Christmas carols I like. (Don’t worry, Mariah Carey, you’re on the good list.) I like celebrating the holiday, but I don’t need to go overboard.
But Halloween music? Come October 1, I am dancing around my bedroom to the Ghostbusters soundtrack.
Costumes, candy, and creepiness are all things we associate with Halloween and the month of October. Music, not so much. But I love the kitschy spooky fun of songs on a Halloween party playlist. While horror movies are often too scary for me (okay, the trailers are often too scary for me), Halloween music lets me participate in the eerie spirit of Halloween without giving me zombie-infested nightmares. And while Christmas carols can be overly sentimental, Halloween songs know they’re silly and totally embrace it.
So if you’re hosting a Halloween party or carving pumpkins or just want to eat a bowl of mini-Snickers while waiting for trick-or-treaters, here are my thirteen suggestions for an awesome Halloween playlist (no Monster Mash required):
1. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
The song is just as great as the movie. Just try not to shout “Bustin’ makes me feel good!” It even gets local weathermen dancing.
2. Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
Werewolves aren’t generally known for their dance skills, but I’m pretty sure even Lupin would get on his feet for this one.
3. Thriller by Michael Jackson
Sorry, George A. Romero—I’ll take my zombies from the Michael Jackson classic.
4. I Put a Spell on You by Bette Midler
From another one of the greatest Halloween movies ever. Bette forever!
5. Black Magic Woman by Santana
Nothing beats Carlos Santana’s guitar. This song makes me want to get up and wave my arms around, pretending I can do spells.
6. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by the Backstreet Boys
The song isn’t especially Halloween-ish, but the music video is like so delightfully monstrous I have to include it.
7. Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The Halloween song for people who think they’re too cool for Halloween songs.
8. Devil Town by Tony Lucca
I first encountered this song from “Friday Night Lights” but when it mentions a devil town and vampires, it goes on my Halloween list. Plus it s a really cool song.
9. Time Warp from Rocky Horror Picture Show
What’s more Halloween than getting stranded at a creepy house and interacting with the weird inhabitants?
10. Witchcraft by Frank Sinatra
Even Frank can’t resist the charm of the Halloween song.
11. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder mixes funk with black cats and triskaidekaphobia.
12. The Boogie Monster by Gnarls Barkley
The perfect blend of cool and unsettling.
13. This is Halloween from the Nightmare Before Christmas
You’re never too old for Danny Elfman’s beautifully creepy music.
Hope this inspires your playlist for the rest of October. Happy Halloween, everyone!
Awesome! Thanks so much, Annie! HOCUS POCUS FOREVER!
Annie Cardi is the author of The Chance You Won’t Return, which was named a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year for 2015. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College and a BA from the University of Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys running, baking, and spending too much time on Tumblr. Annie lives near Boston with her husband and a portrait of a sea captain. You can find her sharing funny gifs and pictures of corgis at: Blog Facebook Twitter Tumblr
