Spooky season is among us, which means it’s time to shuffle the Halloween playlist, splurge your money and appetite on candy corn, and stream Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween. Here are my personal 10 favorite songs to encourage getting festive for the holiday.
1. Monster – Kanye West ft. JAY Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, and Bon Iver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK2zzhgMlJA
First thing’s first, blast this song. From the intense beat to the extreme lyrics, this song attacks. It’s perfect for getting hype for really anything, but its frightening verses and screams makes it totally fitting for Halloween.
2. This is Halloween – Citizens of Halloween from The Nightmare Before Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGiYxCUAhks
This song is nostalgia. I really shouldn’t have to explain why it’s the perfect addition to this list, but for argument’s sake I will. This movie is a Halloween classic, and this song specifically explains the storyline of the film along with including all of the characters in their “town of Halloween.”
3. Thriller – Michael Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA
If you’ve seen the music video, then you understand the importance of this song. This screams Halloween between the dance, the famous costumes, and the creepy evil laugh at the end. Forever a part of the Halloween season.
4. Sycamore Tree – Kali Uchis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAaE8CmOf9k
This gory sounding track is the perfect way to get in a Halloween mood. As previewed by American Horror Story in their Freak season, this song is so gruesome sounding that it’s a song that only comes around this time of year.
5. Gods & Monsters – Lana Del Rey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzkt9t_e75o
Honestly, you could convince me that any Lana Del Rey song is Halloween inspiration because her voice is incredibly chilling. Her delicate shrilling vocals leave a nervous feeling. ‘Gods and Monsters’ is an essential fit because of the monsters reference and effect of her sound.
6. Ghostbusters – WALK THE MOON from Ghostbusters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGT_hNEBYQ
Or Ray Parker Jr., both amazing and iconic. Ghostbusters is an everlasting classic Halloween film, and the theme song is just too catchy to not add. It also adds a bit of pop to the mix.
7. Time Warp – Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, and Richard O’Brien from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umj0gu5nEGs
A cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is iconic between the crazy costumes and eccentric characters. The soundtrack has so many great songs that are appropriate for Halloween spirit, however, ‘Time Warp’ is the ultimate fan favorite from the movie and deserves a rightful place in this compilation.
8. Once Upon A Dream – Lana Del Rey from Maleficent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8waJ7W3QcJc
This song provokes pure chills. Her voice as I’ve mentioned is incredibly horrifying, and I mean that in a complimentary way. The music is even shrieking, which makes it a perfect fit in this list.
9. I Put A Spell On You – Annie Lennox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TrSMaOZm3Y
Okay, automatic classic. There are so many versions to this song, but Annie Lennox’s is kind of iconic (alongside Bette Middler’s in Hocus Pocus).
10. Haunted – Beyoncé
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4r4lysSgLE
Lastly, Beyoncé’s ‘Haunted’ is not only an incredible song, but has the craziest visuals in the music video. It’s creepy, uncomfortable, and shocking. Everything you look for in a Halloween mood.
