Sandy's Motherhood Blog: Food, Fun, Fashion: Fun Halloween Playlists for Every Musical Taste

Halloween is coming, and whether you're hosting a huge party for yourself or your kids or you're just sitting on the porch handing out candy to Trick-or-Treaters, you'll need a playlist. Depending on your take on Halloween - and your audience - you might want songs that are creepy, funny, dramatic, danceable, or just fun background pop. Here are some suggestions for each of those playlists!

Creepy

"Anthem" from Us

The composer describes the opening piece from this psychological thriller to sound like an "evil march." I think it's fair to say that he succeeded, between the ominous drumbeats, the staccato Latin lyrics, and the just slightly "off" quality of the vocals.

Stranger Things Theme

Beginning with eerily wavering sustained notes, it adds in a pulsing heartbeat, a hint of trembling snare drum, and just gets creepier from there. Can't you feel your own heart racing?

"This is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas

This song is apt for both the "Creepy" and the "Funny" categories (as are most things Tim Burton). The minor key, the odd harmonies, the stilted voices, the scraping chords on the strings - everything's just a tiny bit off, in a deliciously eerie way.

"Disturbia" - Rihanna

The opening licks are directly out of the soundtrack of a horror movie. The electronic processing of Rihanna's vocals also give it a creepy mechanized feel.

Theme from Halloween

Those dramatically stark piano notes raise the hair on the back of your neck, even if you've never seen any of the Halloween films. Is that Michael Myers lurking in the corner? *shudder*

"Run" (from Us)

A pounding drum and slashing strings reminiscent of Psycho create a terrifying atmosphere without saying (or singing) a single word.

"Red Right Hand" (Peaky Blinders Theme) - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

The intensity with which Cave sings the lyrics "red right hand" may send shivers up your spine, but the creep factor of the whole song is pretty off the charts.

"Burn the Witch" - Queens of the Stone Age

This cut was used in Peaky Blinders, which should be enough to certify its creepiness, although the repeated whispers of "Burn me" in the introduction was enough for me.

"Night on Bald Mountain" - Moussorgsky

Moussorsky's famous orchestral masterpiece has been used in many films, perhaps most notably Disney's 1939 film Fantasia, which depicts a huge demon with glowing yellow eyes and enormous bat wings swooping down from a mountaintop for a night of revelry with other spirits and witches.

"Bela Lugosi's Dead" - Bauhaus

The first third of this almost-10-minute song consists almost entirely of percussion and sound effects, with just a hint of a bass guitar line and an occasionally electric guitar lick. It's eerie and suspenseful, and when the vocals finally enter, they're just as weird and off-putting

Also worth checking out:

"Cold Blows the Wind" - Ween
Theme from The X Files
"Living Dead Girl" - Rob Zombie
Theme from The Twilight Zone
"Double Trouble" from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Funny

"Monster Mash" - Bobby Pickett

The original Halloween novelty song, this definitely falls under the "funny/spooky" category. It also works well as part of a dance mix.

"A Nightmare on My Street" - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Even if you're not old enough to remember when Will Smith was a rapper and not an actor, you'll get a kick out of this Nightmare on Elm Street parody.

"I Put a Spell on You" (from Hocus Pocus 2) - Bette Midler

The original version of this song was written and recorded in 1956, and it has been covered by everyone from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Nina Simone to Annie Lennox. But it's Midler's slightly modified version from the movie Hocus Pocus 2 that's perfect for a fun but still spooky playlist.

Theme from Ghostbusters - Ray Parker, Jr.

A classic song from a classic movie, both of which combine the paranormal and the humorous. Who ya gonna call?

Theme from The Addams Family

Get your snapping fingers ready, because everyone will join in with this one. There are lots of versions out there from more recent film and Broadway versions, but you can't beat the original from the television series starring John Astin and Yvonne DeCarlo.

"I'm in Love with a Monster" from Hotel Transylvania - Fifth Harmony

Halloween and sexy are somehow intertwined, and this funky song makes the most of the idea. It's also a great dance song.

"Werewolves of London" - Warren Zevon

"Ahoooooo! Werewolves of London!" Who can beat that hook? This song is just nostalgic 1970s fun.

"Skeleton in the Closet" (from Pennies from Heaven) - Louis Armstrong

This clever little number from the movie Pennies from Heaven is not nearly as well-known as it should be. Armstrong sings and plays along with the Tommy Dorsey orchestra and you can imagine the happy skeletons bursting our of the closet to dance along.

"Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead!" - Ella Fitzgerald

This is NOT the version from The Wizard of Oz - Ella's jazzy, extended take is much more fun.

"Spooky Scary Skeletons" - Andrew Gold

My kids loved this one when they were in preschool, and the xylophone introduction still tickles me.

Also worth checking out:

"Purple People Eater" - Sheb Wooley
"Zombie Jamboree" - Rockapella
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" - Charlie Daniels Band
"With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm" - The Kingston Trio
"Dinner with Drac" - John Zacherle
"Witch Doctor" - Alvin and the Chipmunks

Dramatic

"Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" - J.S. Bach

Perhaps the most recognizable organ piece ever written, "Toccata and Fugue" is a horror film staple, having been featured in classics like Jekyll and Hyde (1932) and Phantom of the Opera (1962). It has also been both sampled and parodied in numerous other films and compositions.

"Danse Macabre" - Camille Saint-Saens

Can't you just imagine the dancing skeletons when you hear this piece? And the ghosts and witches swirling around in the air?

"Overture" from Phantom of the Opera

There's something innately both dramatic and terrifying about classical organ music, and Lloyd Webber makes the most of it in this eerie but beautiful overture.

"Tubular Bells" (theme from The Exorcist) - Mike Oldfield

Somehow the beauty and simplicity of this melody makes it dramatic rather than creepy, and yet there is still a mental association with the horrific imagery and paranormal terror of The Exorcist.

"Don't Fear the Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult

I don't know if it's the lyrics or the cowbell, but this song has a wonderfully dramatic take on death that works well in a mix that includes a lot of orchestral classics.

"In the Hall of the Mountain King" (from Peer Gynt) - Edvard Grieg

Grieg's "tiptoe music" which opens the piece has been used and imitated in countless cartoons, but the theme which gradually becomes faster and more intense keeps the listeners on the edge of their seats right up until the dramatic, crashing finale.

"Beginning to End" - Aimee Norris

This piece for unaccompanied cello is hauntingly lovely and incredibly sad. Someone's heart is tragically breaking, and I think it might be mine.

"Paint It Black" from Wednesday

This arrangement for solo cello and orchestra of the Rolling Stones' hit completely changed its feel. The ethereal chorus in the background sings like angels yet somehow evokes demons.

"Suspiria: Main Theme" - Goblin

The sostenuto of the drums, the whispered, hissing lyrics, the vaguely exotic instrumentation, the techno beeping at the midpoint...it all adds up to dramatic and suspenseful.

"Ghost Riders in the Sky" - Johnny Cash

Cash's song may not be the same style of drama as the other pieces on this list, but it is plenty dramatic and spooky.

Also worth checking out:

"Allegro" from Symphony No. 10 in E Minor - Dmitri Shostakovitch
"O, Fortuna" (from Carmina Burana) - Carl Orff
"Der Erlkonig" ("The Elf King") - Franz Schubert
"Devil's Dance" (from The Witches of Eastwick) - John Williams
"Isle of the Dead" - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Dance Mix

"Thriller" - Michael Jackson

Arguably the coolest dance video ever made, any guest over the age of 40 should know at least part of the choreography, and any guest over the age of 50 will not be able to resist breaking into that choreography. This is a must-have if you have guests in this age bracket.

"Somebody Watching Me" - Rockwell

With guest vocals by Michael Jackson, this "stalker" song has a sweet sound that belies the creepiness of the lyrics, making it even creepier. But it also has a great beat that you can dance to.

"Time Warp" from Rocky Horror Picture Show

It's just a jump to the left, and then a step to the riiiight....yeah, we all know it. This is another must-have for any Halloween dance mix.

"Get Ur Freak On" - Missy Elliott

The pulsing beat will encourage all your guests to get their freak on. I'm no rap fan, but I'd definitely be on the dance floor at a party when this song came on.

"Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" - David Bowie

Bowie is always good for a few singalong dance tunes, and this is a great one. Plus it's deliciously eerie both musically and lyrically.

"True Blood" - Justin Timberlake

This song has a great dance beat and just a hint of a creepy, otherworldly sound that's perfect for Halloween.

"Dead Man's Party" - Oingo Boingo

This song is upbeat yet creepy, and has the perfect beat for a dance mix playlist. Leave your body at the door!

"Dig, Gravedigger" - Corb Lund

What better to add to a dance playlist than a country western song begging for a line dance? This boot-stomping tune about a guy with an unusual occupational will get everyone on their feet.

"Highway to Hell" - AC/DC

The ultimate head-banging anthem, this song is sure to draw everyone to the dance floor to flip their hair around and sing into an imaginary microphone.

"Crazy Train" - Ozzy Osborne

I loved this song in my youth, and when I worked at a high school, it was clearly the band members' favorite piece. Head banging, air guitar, and the whole room belting out "AY! AY! AY!" in unison. This one will bring all ages onto the dance floor.

Also worth checking out:

"Calling All the Monsters" - China Anne McClain
"Runnin' with the Devil" - Van Halen
"Magic Dance" (from Labyrinth) - David Bowie
"Devil in My Car" - The B-52s
"Super Freak" - Rick James

Background Pop

"Superstition" by Stevie Wonder

This is such a great song, I'd be afraid I'd get seven years of bad luck just for not including it on this list.

"Wolves" - Selena Gomez & Marshmello

Great sound, great lyrics. The breathless vocals and parallel octaves are haunting and beautiful, particularly as the final note hangs in the emptiness.

"Dark Horse" - Katy Perry ft. Juicy J

This minimally scored song makes the most of Perry's rangy, raspy vocals and Juicy J's techno interludes. And lyrics that reference Jeffrey Dahmer and putting Sleeping Beauty in a coma? Yeah, the creep factor is high here.

"Zombie" - The Cranberries

The singer's almost yodel-like vocals, with numerous gasping breaths, is evocative of watching a scary movie. Great background atmosphere music.

"She Wolf" - Shakira

This one doesn't quite feel like a dance track to me, but it's great background pop for a Halloween party. Don't be surprised if your guests howl and pant along now and then.

"Hungry Like the Wolf" - Duran Duran

It's the story rather than the sound that keeps this one on the Halloween playlist, but it's still great for background music, especially if your guests were around in the 1980s, when this song was a huge hit.

"Witchy Woman" - The Eagles

This song is a classic for a reason. And aren't all of us a little bit witchy on Halloween?

"Season of the Witch" - Donovan

Donovan's mannered diction in the semi-spoken sections sounds trancelike and creepy, which only adds to the otherworldly sound of this retro hit. Lana Del Rey also has a cover version.