The spooky season won’t be complete without Halloween songs. Haunting music about ghosts, monsters, and other scary things can put people in the mood for Halloween. Before you play Christmas songs for the holidays, you can indulge in the best Halloween songs to make the season more worthwhile.
If you are throwing a Halloween party, try curating a playlist with a spooky Halloween theme and feel. Read on to see the list of the best spooky songs to give you and your guests a hauntingly good time.
Black Swan by BTS
Black Swan is a hauntingly-catchy song performed by the popular South Korean boy band, BTS. The track’s catchy hook and slow beats comprise a great Halloween song vibe. Paired with its dramatic message on losing passion for art, it can be truly haunting in a different way.
Thriller by Michael Jackson
This hit by Michael Jackson is one of the top songs that can boost the spooky vibes in any Halloween party. While the song itself is remarkable on its own, Thriller’s music video has even more pizzazz to it. Quality was truly taken into account, as the music video cost over half a million dollars to produce.
As you watch the Thriller video, gather your friends and dance along to its iconic choreography. You can also dress up as the King of Pop himself or as his zombie back-up dancers while you party like there’s no tomorrow.
Haunted by Taylor Swift
Some people may argue that the only thing more haunting than Halloween songs is heartbreak. That said, Haunted by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is a great example of good music with both heartbreak and Halloween vibes.
The song’s dramatic music — filled with intense drum beats and powerful orchestra melodies — will have your heart racing. Haunted will make you even more emotional with its dramatic lyrics on lingering heartbreaks and dreadful break-ups.
Monster by Lady Gaga
A great addition to your list of great Halloween songs is from none other than the Mother Monster, Lady Gaga. The international pop star released Monster in 2009. Since then, the track’s lyrics on Gaga’s earlier uneasiness to sex haunted people in a whole other way. The pop star’s yelps of “he ate my heart” makes the track more unnerving while still being an absolute banger. With Monster’s dramatic message and evocative lyrics, the song is truly a must-play at any Halloween shindig.
E.T. by Katy Perry feat. Kanye West
Another great song to add to your Halloween playlist is E.T. by Katy Perry and Kanye West. The track is full of lyrics that talk of various supernatural and extraterrestrial themes. Perry’s breathy vocals make the song even more intense, with strong beats that will make bodies move on the dance floor. What makes the song even more fitting for Halloween are its bleeps and beats, giving the track a futuristic and creepy feel.
bury a friend by Billie Eilish
Upon merely learning the title of this track, you might get the impression that bury a friend is a spooky song. Indeed, Billie Eilish is recognized for her horror-fueled pop songs. Her reputation for dark lyrics and themes continued in bury a friend, making it a perfect fit for any Halloween music playlist.
True enough, one can find the lyrics of bury a friend quite disturbing and dark. With occasional cries of “what do you want from me,” any listener might easily get goosebumps. Even though the track is quite haunting, it remains to be a banger that can turn your Halloween party into a sing-along party, as well.
Wolves by Selena Gomez and Marshmello
Your curated playlist of great Halloween songs won’t be as amazing without an electronic dance track. Selena Gomez and Marshmello’s Wolves is one of the best Halloween-related tracks in the EDM genre. This song will not only make you and your friends bust out your best dance moves, but it will also enthrall your emotions over heartbreak and loss.
While it does not make a direct reference to Halloween, the song compares a lot of spooky things to relationships and love. With lyrics such as “saw the dark side of the moon” and “been down the darkest alleys,” this love song can indeed reflect the theme of creepy experiences and sad love memories.
Don’t Call Me Angel by Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey
If you want a break from scary songs that might not let you sleep soundly at night, Don’t Call Me Angel is a refreshing track that still goes with the spooky season. This song features the collaboration of vocally-talented artists: Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey. Don’t Call Me Angel was also produced as a lead single for the 2019 Charlie’s Angels official movie soundtrack.
With lyrics such as ”ain’t from no Heaven” and “I fell from Heaven, now I’m living like a devil,” the song can haunt you with the fear of falling for the wrong person. Not to mention, it is also an absolute bop where each singer’s personal sounds stand out and blend well.
Haunted by Beyonce
If you are searching for a Halloween song with a more modern feel, Haunted is the track for you. As it’s a track by none other than Beyonce herself, you can rest assured that it has the superb vocals we know and love Queen Bey for. On the other hand, Haunted’s music video also shows various eerie scenes on top of its sensual ones. These make it a must-watch for any Halloween event.
Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus
The psychological horror film, Silence of the Lambs, features an iconic scene where the fictional character named Buffalo Bill danced along to Q Lazzarus’ Goodbye Horses.
The track served as the scene’s background music while the fictional serial killer dances and even mouths some of the song’s lyrics. In the same scene, he was made a new skinsuit and later revealed his newly-stitched woman body —deeming himself successful and undoubtedly scary.
Since then, Goodbye Horses has been a widely-recognized Halloween theme song. It still gives people the creeps, making it the perfect addition to your playlist of scary music for the spooky season.
Little Dark Age by MGMT
MGMT’s single, Little Dark Age, is another great example of songs that have that spooky Halloween music feel. The track came from their fourth album of the same title, with the American band showing off their smooth synth-pop sound. There’s truly nothing quite like a song that has a dark, mysterious tune to sing and bop to in your Halloween costume.
Time Warp by Rocky Horror Picture Show
Of course, among the best Halloween songs of all time is none other than Time Warp. The track was featured in the comedy-horror musical movie, Rocky Horror Picture Show. Since then, it has always been a Halloween staple.
The majority of the track’s lyrics are composed of instructions on various dance movements such as jumping to the left or stepping to the right. With this Halloween classic, you can encourage more people to participate and dance along with you.
Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Superstition by Stevie Wonder is another one of those classic Halloween songs. While there are many things that stir people’s irrational superstitious beliefs, this track describes how such illogical thoughts can lead to your personally-induced suffering. Still, the song can also make you think that being frightened can keep you safe one way or another. Whatever Superstition makes you feel as you hear it, one thing is for sure: the track’s groovy bassline will make your head bop at any Halloween shindig.
Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
If you are looking for Halloween songs for kids, there might be nothing better than Ray Parker Jr.’s Ghostbusters. This track is more popularly known as the theme song of the 1984 film with the same title. With its upbeat melody and catchy lyrics, everyone in the room won’t help but groove to the track. Moreover, the kids and even the young-at-heart will have fun singing the iconic lines, “Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” over and over.
Every Breath You Take by The Police
When considering what Halloween songs to play at your Halloween event, the last thing option might come to mind is a song from English rock band The Police. Notably, it’s much more than just its rhythmic melody and Sting’s vocal talents.
If you listen closely, you will notice that the song’s lyrics went way over the line of admiration or love. In fact, it leans towards pure obsession. It might initially come off as romantic, but listening intently will make you hear the thoughts of a creepy stalker. These qualities helped the song make it to this list despite its harmless façade. Not to mention, playing the track is still a great way to encourage guests to sing along, too.
Highway to Hell by AC/DC
AC/DC’s Highway to Hell is undoubtedly one of the best Halloween rock songs. The track’s haunting imagery and intense guitar riffs make it appropriate for any Halloween party. Highway to Hell’s upbeat melody will get you grooving and bring you back to the ‘80s as well.
The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
The musical play, The Phantom of the Opera, has one of the most recognizable introduction melodies. Its track of the same title is not only catchy to the ear, it also has the intense orchestral sounds that will easily give you goosebumps. Without a doubt, it is one of the greatest spooky songs.
The track’s haunting lyrics of the strange affiliation of the play’s characters, Christine Daee and The Phantom, will have you wondering whether you can endure such a creepy experience. Whether you are a fan of the musical or not, its musical arrangement will surely be enough to give you goosebumps.
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) by David Bowie
This song compares frightening love to scary Halloween monsters and creeps, making it fitting as another Halloween song. David Bowie performed the song and indeed brought chills to its listeners ever since it was released in 1980. Aside from its haunting lyrics, the song’s awesome guitar solo by Robert Fripp also makes it even more worth listening to.
Eyes Without a Face by Billy Idol
If you are looking for a song with spooky music and lyrics, Eyes Without a Face is the one for you. The track is sung by the English musician-actor Billy Idol. In the music video, you can see how creepily poetic the song is. The track features how guilt and selfishness can eventually haunt you.
Since Eyes Without a Face acquired its inspiration and theme from the 1960 horror film with the same title, it makes for a good Halloween song that will make you look over your shoulder from time to time.
Love Song for a Vampire by Annie Lenox
With the right tunes, even Halloween can be a season for love. Love Song for a Vampire is a great track to play at your Halloween party to get everyone in a romantic mood. With this slow, eerie song by Annie Lenox, you can make your guests slow-dance even as they wear their most terrifying costumes.
Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell
Paranoia is one of the recurring themes of Halloween songs and videos. Indeed, a Halloween party won’t be complete without terror-filled things and, most importantly, tunes. Among the best kids Halloween songs that will get your young guests dancing is Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell. The track features a groovy melody paired with creepy lyrics that will have you glancing in all directions to check if someone is indeed keeping an eye on you.
Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones
Add more flavor to your Halloween music playlist by including Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones. This track features Mick Jagger’s powerful vocals as he portrays Satan himself.
Sympathy for the Devil talks about various historical events that may be deemed as demonic acts. Many people have misjudged it, saying that it promotes the acceptance and worship of evil. In reality, the song actually aims to recognize man’s faults and errors that cause bad things to happen. With the track’s devilish and haunting theme, it can indeed be perfect for any Halloween party.
Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac
Nothing compares to making the rock star trademarked stank face from a good blues-rock rhythm. Fleetwood Mac’s Black Magic Woman will give you just that. Hailing from the vintage musical titles of 1969, this track is something you won’t get tired of listening to all night long.
Disturbia by Rihanna
Any Halloween playlist just won’t be as amazing without a track from the Barbadian pop star, Rihanna. Disturbia is a catchy song that will undoubtedly give you a lot of dancing energy. Rihanna’s occasional “bum, bum, bee-dum, bum, bum” chants will also make you feel as though you are caught up in a trance. Don’t even bother trying to fight your urge to dance with this bop on your Halloween playlist.
Zombie by The Cranberries
This track by the popular alternative-rock band The Cranberries is more than appropriately-titled for Halloween. More than a rhythmic, drum-filled song, Zombie was actually written with a deeper purpose.
The lyrics were composed due to the 1993 Irish Republican Army’s bombing in England where many people, including two children, died. Thus, the rock band used the song to talk about the Irish people’s seemingly endless fight towards freedom. Moreover, they also composed Zombie as a way to promote their desired peace between Ireland and England.
Indeed, enjoying the spooky season does not end with costumes and parties. It is also a great opportunity to inform and remind people of the true horrors outside of Halloween movies that we have to face and eventually, purge.
Final Thoughts
Skip the Halloween tricks and treat yourself with the best Halloween songs. Whether you intend to have a private concert in your room or throw a Halloween party for your loved ones, these tracks will be perfect for the spooky season. Their haunting lyrics, eerie beats, and unnerving melodies will surely give you a scary-good time.
