For Halloween, it’s essential to have a playlist to drive the night. While there are plenty of overplayed — some deserving, some not so much — holiday songs, this list also includes some lesser known tunes.
• D. Grant Meets the Reaper’s “People Under the Stairs”
This tune is from a young Derek Grant, the drummer of Alkaline Trio. The song is based on Wes Craven’s horror film of the same name, and it definitely carries its tone as well.
• The Misfits’ “Halloween”
It’s hard to think of the Halloween season without this song. The horror band definitely makes Halloween into a grotesque thriller.
• Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”
It’s been nearly 30 years since the King of Pop released “Thriller,” and it would be difficult to find a Halloween playlist that didn’t include the song. It’s for a good reason, too.
• “30 Rock” TV show’s “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah”
Tracy Morgan’s character performs this for Geffen Records in “30 Rock.” In terms of goofy horror songs, this is one of the best. It’s impossible to pass up lyrics like, “Werewolf bar mitzvah — spooky, scary. Boys becoming men; men becoming wolves.” It doesn’t hurt that the song is catchy, too.
• Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer”
Frontman David Byrne helps give the atmosphere of “Psycho Killer” quite a chill with creepy lyrics, inspired by his idea that villains are more interesting than heroes.
• Kanye West’s “Monster”
The menacing growls and heavy instruments help drive this into the playlist. What’s better for Halloween than a song about proclaiming to be a monster? Nicki Minaj’s verse truly makes it a powerful song.
• Nina Simone’s “I Put a Spell on You”
While the Sanderson sisters’ version might be more recognizable for people who grew up with “Hocus Pocus,” Nina Simone’s version of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ song is the most haunting.
• Harley Poe’s “I Could Always Eat Your Brain”
Indiana natives, Harley Poe is almost as if the Violent Femmes decided to play horror tunes. This humorous song deals with a man who came back from the dead to find out his girlfriend isn’t fond of doing the old routine with a rotting corpse, prompting him to sing the title of the song. Be sure to check out more of Poe’s music if you’re into the genre.
• The Ramones’ “Pet Sematary”
Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary” is one of his creepiest films, and the Ramones paint the haunting well.
• Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”
“The bats have left the bell tower; the victims have been bled.” This 1979 single is named as the first gothic rock song recorded. It’s a bizarre song that lasts for more than nine minutes, but it’s worth it to get into a creepy mood.
• Kavinsky feat. Lovefoxxx’s “Nightcall”
Kavinsky, a French house artist, and Lovefoxxx of CSS feature a spooky cadence in the song, perfect for a haunting night. It also was featured in the film “Drive.”
• Fever Ray’s “If I Had a Heart”
Fever Ray is the solo act of Karin Andersson from The Knife, a Swedish electronic band. Andersson’s use of voice modulation is hypnotic and dark with a driving organ and synth beat.
• Bobby “Borris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash”
“Monster Mash” is a go-to song for any DJ at a Halloween party, and it’s easily overplayed. However, it’s a song people expect to hear, and it comes with iconic lyrics that any college kid knows.
• Harry Belafonte’s “Day-o (Banana Boat Song)”
While Belafonte’s song isn’t exactly spooky, for many people, the song brings to mind the dinner season in “Beetlejuice.” Go ahead and do the dance moves from the film.
• Mogwai’s “Hungry Face”
This song is the theme song for “Les Revenants,” a French TV show about the reanimated. Mogwai, a Scottish band, put together an extremely haunting score for the show and released it as an album under the same name as the show. It’s guaranteed to put you in a trance.
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