A playlist of the top Halloween songs is important to the success of any Halloween event, along with a terrific costume and a queue full of quality scary movies. As a result, we’ve combed through the vaults of our favorite streamers and blown the cobwebs off our Jewel cases to create the ideal Halloween music soundtrack.
Whether you’re braving the horrors of an indoor gathering or content to binge on fun-sized sweets in the comfort of your own home, or if you’re looking for top 50 or top 100 Halloween songs of all time these songs are sure to get you moving. Today, we have collected some of the top Halloween songs of all time.
So, let’s get started.
- “SPOOKY” BY LYDIA LUNCH
We hope you’ll agree that Lydia Lunch of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks adds a spookier edge to Dusty Springfield’s song.
- “THRILLER” BY MICHAEL JACKSON
“Thriller” is a must-have for any Halloween playlist. May the eerie choreography motivate you to get up and dance.
- “PSYCHO KILLER” BY TALKING HEADS
You’ll be bopping along to David Byrne’s portrayal of a deranged killer because it’s so cheery. Even worse, it makes the Norman Bates type appear a little more, ahem, relatable.
- “HENRY LEE” BY NICK CAVE AND PJ HARVEY
Nick Cave is the undisputed king of murder ballads. This duet with PJ Harvey, on the other hand, transforms a frightening plot into something oh-so-romantic.
- “RED RIGHT HAND” BY NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS
Here, Cave’s haunting depiction of a mysterious (and terrifying) figure is set over a thunderous bass beat.
- “ZOMBIE” BY THE CRANBERRIES
There’s no doubting that a) Dolores O’Riordan can sing, and b) this song will be “what’s in your head, in your head…”
- “SEASON OF THE WITCH” BY DONOVAN
Although the vibes are more flower power than anything else, the refrain is bang on, and it’s nearly impossible not to sing along.
- “THRILLER” BY MICHAEL JACKSON
One of the genuinely great (and horrifying) pop songs of the 1980s begins with creaking doors, footsteps, and bloodcurdling howling. You might change into a pumpkin if you listen to it at the witching hour on Halloween.
- “NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRE” ROKY ERICKSON
“Night of the Vampire,” with its fuzzed-out and menacing start and Roky Erickson’s hair-raising howl, is one of those terrifying songs that hits a little too close to home. With unsettling effects, the late 13th Floor Elevators’ vocalist combines his love of psychedelic rock and pulp horror.
- 10.The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Time Warp
This song was your cue to bounce up and down in the aisles if you were a member of the Rocky Horror Picture Show cult. This was writer Richard O’Brien’s most heartfelt homage to glam rock, despite the fact that it had only a tangential connection to the plot. Procol Harum’s B.J. Wilson’s absolutely devastating drumming is the song’s secret weapon.
- 11.Santana: Black Magic Woman
Halloween songs have a distinct undercurrent concerning strange women. And if you look closely enough at this one – penned by Peter Green for Fleetwood Mac – you’ll notice that it’s either about an unhealthy relationship or about a neurotic guy.
- 12.Redbone: The Witch Queen of New Orleans
Welcome to the early 1970s voodoo lounge, and the beautiful, otherworldly sound of Native American rockers Redbone.
- 13.MAXWELL’S SILVER HAMMER” BY THE BEATLES
A strangely happy little tune about a serial murderer who uses a hammer to bash his victims. (Didn’t you ever listen carefully?)
- 14.“YOUR GHOST” BY KRISTEN HERSH
Throwing Muses’ Kristen Hersh displays her hauntingly lovely vocals, while Michael Stipe joins in on the refrain, creating an unsettling and graceful impact.
- 15.“I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF” BY THE CRAMPS
This song about a teenage werewolf is hilarious and just plain fun, with the Cramps’ characteristic surf guitar stylings and punk-rock attitude. To put it another way, it will make you want to get up and move.
- 16.“SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL” BY THE ROLLING STONES
Nothing says Halloween like a Satanic song, but let’s be honest, this one is worth listening to any time of year.
- 17.“THE FREAKS COME OUT AT NIGHT” BY WHODINI
An excellent example of old school hip hop that also happens to be ideal for a costume party playlist.
- 18.“LITTLE DROP OF POISON” BY TOM WAITS
Tom Waits’ raspy growl is eerie no matter what he’s singing about, but when the lyrics are about poison, you’ve got a Halloween winner on your hands.
Final Thoughts
So, these were out best picks for top Halloween songs of all time. Halloween parties can be either a lot of fun or a lot of work. There is no middle ground. However, there is one thing that can strongly tilt your shindig in the right direction: Halloween songs that go wonderfully with all of your friends’ fantastic couples’ Halloween costumes and Halloween makeup.
There’s no better way to get into the Halloween spirit than to watch terrifying Halloween movies and, maybe more importantly, to listen to the best Halloween songs. They’ll turn every Halloween party into your very own Monster Mash, not just as background music for setting up your interior Halloween decorations, but also as your very own Monster Mash.
Happy Halloween 2021!
