Yes, the spookiest, most spine-chilling, tense, exciting, passionate, and downright fun-filled time of the year is upon us - are you ready for it? Are you prepared?
Now, decorations and costumes aside, the playlist is the most crucial element to any Halloween party worth its salt. The Halloween playlist will essentially become the soundtrack of your entire evening, making or breaking the festive excitement, entertainment, and skin-crawling festive fun from the outset. So it's essential.
But lucky for you, there are a host of incredible Halloween-themed songs in existence, and we've made our very own Halloween playlist for your listening pleasure! Suppose you're hosting a Halloween shindig this year, or you're planning a spooky night in with some incredible horror movies and sweet treats. In that case, this ominous selection of festive songs will go down a treat. You can read all about our selections, and also follow the playlist on Spotify:
Rob Zombie - "Dragula"
This demonic, sinister, and rocking anthem is a bonafide classic. It conjures up the most deliciously dark festive imagery and its four to the floor pomp. Synth lines make this the perfect track for a spot of Halloween headbanging.
The Stranger Things Soundtrack
Stranger Things is perhaps one of the most iconic shows ever to emerge from the Netflix Original camp. Both volumes of its eerie synth-driven soundtrack, written and arranged by Kyle Dixon, will create a hypnotically spooky backdrop for your Halloween festivities. As you enjoy monsters such as the Demogorgon causing mayhem, enjoy the soundtrack that runs along with it.
Lazer Hawk - "Skull & Shark"
The creeping intro of this track alone is enough to send shivers up your spine and deep into your skull. The rest of this moreish Halloween-themed creation will take you on a musical journey so fascinating that when it's finished, you may never be the same again. Enjoy the thrill of skeletons and death, that thrill and shock in equal measure.
Alice Cooper - "Welcome to My Nightmare"
It wouldn't be right to have a Halloween playlist without giving at least a nod to the snake-clad king of the underworld, Mr. Alice Cooper. This funky, blues-tinted, almost Jim Morrison-like arrangement speaks of nightmarish breakdowns, scary slumbers, and all manner of other inappropriate things. Please make sure you play it at your shindig. Rock nightmarish looks like ghost costumes as you jam to this spooky tune.
Gerard McMahon - "Cry Little Sister"
Immortalized by the legendary 80s Vampire flick, The Lost Boys, Gerard McMahon's "Cry Little Sister" is a classical dreary, pining Halloween anthem. The chorus is to die for, featuring pure ill-hearted magic.
Marilyn Manson - "Sweet Dreams"
Again, how could we create a Halloween playlist without including a certain Mr. Marlyn Manson? Answer: we couldn't. This slower-paced, amped-up cover version of the Eurythmics classic will stop even the excitable party-goers in their tracks. It will make them nod their head in appreciation.
Mike Oldfield - "Tubular Bells"
An instrumental that will give you nightmares, this entirely unnerving and unmistakably recognizable instrumental became the theme for The Exorcist. Yes, The Exorcist. Need we say anymore?
Danny Elfman - "This is Halloween"
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" is one of Tim Burton's most delicate moments; as such, it's clad in a cloak of delicious darkness that oozes sinister charm. And Danny Elfman's "This Is Halloween" is a song that not only mentions 'Halloween' several times. However, its musical, pantomime-esque leanings make this an essential song for this year's festivities.
Echo & the Bunnymen - "The Killing Moon"
Without this absolute belter from Echo and The Bunnymen blaring in the foreground, the opening scene of Donny Darko wouldn't have half as much impact as it does. This anthem is not only draped in spectral, minor overtones, but it's sacrificial themes and catchy hooks make it a Halloween treat for the ears, as well as the soul.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show - "Time Warp"
Suppose you're looking for something offbeat, spooky, sinister, unsettling, catchy, euphoric, weird, odd, brilliant, outlandish, theatrical, we got you sorted. In that case, something from The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an absolute must. And, of course, if you want to get everyone dancing (or at least attempting to dance) in unison, "Time Warp" is almost impossible to beat. Enjoy other horror movie costumes as you groove to these spooky tunes.
Blue Oyster Cult - "Don't Fear the Reaper"
This ghost-like arrangement from The Blue Oyster Cult is nothing short of epic. Plus, the lyrics are centered around the one and only Angel of Death - so omitting this from a Halloween playlist would be complete and utter sacrilege. This song, while decidedly moody, is colossally catchy. We're sure you and your pals will be humming along as one by the dawning of the second chorus—the ghoulish overtones, with undead vibes that remind you of skeletons.
The Horrors - "Jack the Ripper"
Yes, this is a tune about that proper 'horrible bloke, Jack The Ripper. The track is intense, noisy, and chaotic, and it's something that will make you dance around, well, like a complete maniac. This tune is a perfect floor-filler for the heart of your Halloween evening.
Black Sabbath - "Black Sabbath"
You could not have a selection of Halloween songs without including Black Sabbath's self-titled anthem of blackness and featuring the Devil's Interval chord progression - a sound with ties to the occult. This song is ideal for bringing your party into a stunned silence before building it back up into a festive frenzy.
“Be afraid... Be very afraid.” - Ronnie, The Fly (1986)
We hope our Halloween playlist will see you right during this year's fright night. We didn't include "Enter Sandman" or "Thriller" because we're sure you've already got them covered). If you're sick to death of pumpkin spice, here are some alternatives for your taste buds (and sanity)