In preparation for Halloween, I have compiled a playlist of songs that I associate with the spooky time of year. This was before COVID-19 hit and the world essentially canceled Halloween so, in an effort to express my love for the holiday, I would like to share some of the tunes on this spooky list of 13.
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“Calling All the Monsters” – China Anne McClain
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Disney Channel’s Monstober still remains a very vivid memory from my childhood, especially this music video playing for the duration of the month of October. When I hear this iconic tune, I think it’s time to get spooky.
- “Uma Thurman” – Fall Out Boy
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The fact is this song is not only a banger, but also sampled the theme song of the Munsters, a TV show that I hold very near and dear to my heart. It follows a family of monsters and their interactions with those in their community. It is very similar to the Addams Family in its layout but I always go back to it around the fall season.
- Love Potion No. 9 – The Clovers
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I found this song by pure coincidence when my mother purchased a CD called “Halloween Party Mix” and I would put it into my stereo/ CD player to wake me up for elementary school. I distinctly remember this song from that compilation CD and it has stuck with me since then as I continue to play it every Halloween to get into a spooky mindset before going out for the evening.
- “Jump in the Line” – Harry Belafonte
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I watched Beetlejuice too many times growing up and this song is the only thing I remember consistently.
- “Season of the Witch” – Donovan
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In my book this song is the epitome of Halloween playlists; it is essential to set the tone for the month. I start playing this immediately on September 30th in preparation, it’s that serious.
- “Right Where You Want Me” – Jesse McCartney
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This song was featured in Return to Halloweentown so I knew I had to include it on this playlist. This just has immaculate vibes that no other song can capture making me wish I was flying on a broomstick type of feeling.
- “Birthday Suit” – Cosmo Sheldrake
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I saw Winnie the Pooh’s “Heffalumps and Woozles” as a child and I haven’t been the same since. This song eerily reminds me of it, for some reason. When I first heard it on TikTok, I was instantly brought back to watching that trippy sequence with an uneasy feeling in my stomach. The strangest thing is that around October I kinda like that feeling, it fascinates me to no end.
- “She Wolf” – Shakira
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This song transports me to being nine years old searching up song lyrics on YouTube on my home computer. I have no idea how I found this song but it must have come up as a recommended video and I have never let it go because I’m so obsessed with Halloween. I have had this song on my radar for so long that it is on multiple playlists for very different moods.
- “I Put a Spell on You” – Nina Simone
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An undisputed classic. I had to add a little Hocus Pocus on this list, I’m only human. This version of this song is IMMACULATE, no other word can describe it.
- “Disturbia” – Rihanna
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Like “She Wolf” by Shakira, I’m pretty sure I found this song by accident, but something about the “off-kilter” vibe from this song drew me to keep it on my playlists. I think this song captures the feeling of going out on Halloween with friends but it’s really catchy and danceable, which I love. I just imagine a haunted house when I listen to this song, nothing else.
- “You’re So Creepy” – Ghost Town
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I found this song in middle school and it just has really creepy vibes to it that makes me think of Halloween. It also has a little bit of nostalgia because I remember being fourteen years old listening to this song on full blast through my little earbuds. This song deserves to be on a movie soundtrack at some point.
- “Ghosts” – Michael Jackson
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I know, you were expecting “Thriller” on this list. Yes, “Thriller” is cool but the music video for this song is so well done. I remember being mesmerized by the story being told in the music video and it made me develop a special love for this song. Just as spooky as “Thriller” but not as well known.
- “Time Warp” – Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, and Richard O’Brien
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This song is essential; nothing else is as important for a Halloween party playlist as this song. I have made a tradition out of watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Halloween and this song just makes me so excited for October 31 like no other. This is a movie that everyone should see at least once because it is nothing short of an experience to watch Tim Curry’s performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
Use this playlist, as you keep your friends and family safe and your Halloween spooky from the comfort of home!