It’s spooky season! Get hyped for Halloween with these hair-raising hits.
Read below to find out why our staff chose these songs then check out our Spotify playlist to listen on repeat.
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“This is Halloween” by Danny Elfman [from Tim Burton’s – The Nightmare Before Christmas]
“Though this comes from a Disney movie, I just feel like it so eloquently captures the essence of Halloween and this spooky time of year. From fang-toothed vampires to bloodthirsty clowns, this titular song from the Halloween classic really brings out the shock and fun that is anything Tim Burton. All hail the Pumpkin King, Sally, and of course ghost-dog Zero!” —Eddie
“Spooky” by Dusty Springfield
“My favorite song at the moment is ‘Spooky’ by Dusty Springfield. It’s jazzy and fun, and I’ll definitely be playing it at my Halloween-themed wedding next year!” —Rachael
“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo
“It was the first song that came to mind! ” —Deedee
“Monster Mash” by Bobby (Boris) Pickett
“This song instantly transports me back to the awesome Halloween parties the family of my childhood best friend would throw every year—complete with apple bobbing, a fortune teller, jello brains and so much more.” —Taylor
“Frankenstein” by The Edgar Winter Group
“This monstrous song could serve as the backdrop for the Swiss doctor’s lab as he throws switches, turns dials, and commands life back into the creature.” —Ben
“Pet Sematary” by Ramones
“I would love to tell you some deep-cut trivia about Stephen King or the Ramones, but the truth is I have a twelve-hour Halloween Playlist and when I randomized it this was the first song that came up. The next classic cuts were DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s ‘Nightmare on My Street’, The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies’ ‘Dr. Bones’, and Van Halen’s ‘Runnin’ With the Devil’. You can listen to the whole thing here.“—Jack
“Spooky, Scary Skeletons” (Dma Illan Trap Remix)
“Since coming of age, Halloween has evolved for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still love going Trick or Treating with my little cousins or friends’ siblings, but now I live for the costume parties: everyone dressing up, dancing, playing games, and having a good time. This remix of a classic is the perfect song to get down to in your spookiest attire.” —Todd
“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon
“One of my go-to Halloween songs.” —Deedee
“Run Boy Run” by Woodkid
“It’s always captured those spooky vibes for me and showcased hope on the horizon no matter how desperate the odds are!” —DJ
“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
“The reason I like it is because my grandmother was extremely superstitious. She would not directly hand you salt. You had to put it down on the table first. She passed this on to my mother and every once in a while we still try to hand her the salt shaker. If you drop any, then immediately you have to throw it over your shoulder. Strange I know.” —Liz
“Skeleton Sam” by LVCRAFT
“I really enjoy this song because of its fun, upbeat tempo! It reminds me of a song that would play at a Halloween party! I enjoy most of LVCRAFTs music because it’s all pretty Halloween based and really puts me in the spooky spirit!” —Tessa
“Egg Man” by The Beastie Boys
“Although this song isn’t spooky, it is an egg-cellent pick for a Halloween playlist! Pure ridiculousness about ‘throwing the yolk,’ the Beastie Boys shell out another song that is guaranteed to crack you up. So watch out, ‘Come Halloween, you know I come strapped / I throw it at a sucker…’k-pap.’” —Victoria
“I Put a Spell On You” from Hocus Pocus
“Hocus Pocus is one of my all-time favorite spooky season movies. It’s iconic, just like this song.” —Taylor
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
“I just recently heard that it was intended to be a vampire love song (read more about that fact here). Also, I have loved this song since its release!” —Deedee
“Come Little Children” performed by Erutan
“A very good spooky vibe.” —DJ
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