Are you looking for a playlist to get you in the spooky spirit? Whether you need something to jam out to while getting ready or you’re in need of a party mix, we’ve created the ultimate playlist for you to trick-or-treat yourself this Halloween. Cheers witches!
Lana Del Rey is an American singer and songwriter who prides herself on portraying old Hollywood glam and 50s Americana in her records. “Serial Killer” is one of the singles that was ultimately cut from her popular Born to Die album, but even though unreleased, has gained fan-popularity for its contagious and dreamy sound. The song’s eerie lyrics are almost paradoxical to the upbeat tempo, which makes for the perfect mysterious addition to our Halloween soundtrack.
Though people usually get goosebumps when frightened, the eerie nature of this love song will still leave you with a chill. Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps” is great for Halloween because it’s not only a little dark and twisted, but it’s also energetic and will get you in the spooky spirit.
What better song to add to our Halloween playlist than Paramore’s “Monster”? Lead singer Hayley Williams hits some killer notes as she belts out phrases about humankind turning into monsters. The perfect mix of alt-rock and pop-punk, “Monster” is a throwback that has us shaking — for both its graphic lyrics and hypnotic sound.
Rihanna is a multi-genre artist who delivers constant bangers, and “Disturbia” is the perfect anthem for you and your girls to go out and tear up the dance floor. While disturbia is, by definition, a dark and dystopian place, the song’s aggressive beat will put you in your best mood and have you hyped for the night to come.
Canadian singer-songwriter Fefe Dobson’s “Ghost” is a song that will have you singing along into your hairbrush by the second chorus as you get your costume ready. Dobson’s lyrics tell a story about a disloyal boyfriend who seriously underestimates her ability to creep into all aspects of his mind. Her power-pop single not only embodies female empowerment but is a reminder that the past (among other scary things this season) can come back and haunt us.
A far cry from the Cindy Lou Who and Jenny Humphrey, actress turned musician Taylor Momsen’s vocals shine in The Pretty Reckless’ “Zombie” and send us a message loud and clear: when people are bringing you down, the best you can do is get up and continue to live your life — even if it means metaphorically coming back from the dead. If you’re dressing up as the living dead this Halloween, the alt-rock track will put you in the zombie mindset.
Lady Gaga always knows how to make a statement, and this song is no exception. “Monster” highlights what happens when you only go after and stay with the bad boy. The lyrics “He ate my heart” and “That boy is a monster m-m-m-monster” allow us to see how Lady Gaga feels in this addictive relationship, and these highly contagious lyrics will have you singing along this Halloween.
Best known for her single “Promiscuous”, Nelly Furtado brings the same energy as her hit song to “Maneater”, but this time with a hint of savagery. She shares the power she holds over men and how she preys on them, which can be a fun pun for the Halloween spirit. This song is great for empowering you as you go out on Halloweekend and slay in your costumes.
Don’t let Billie Eilish’s ethereal voice fool you. In “Bellyache”, the sixteen-year-old sings from the perspective of a psychopath. The song’s extremely upbeat for such a dark concept being presented, but the song is a surefire way to get you and your squad pumped up as you take on the night.
R&B singer Ciara slays this cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black”. Not only does this single showcase the singer’s powerhouse vocals, but it fits our Halloween playlist perfectly; its buildup rivals the moment a protagonist reaches the climax in any good horror movie. The song maintains everything we love about the original but adds an extra layer of suspense through rhythmic and instrumental buildup. This track could double as the perfect background music in any suspenseful film, or for any party, you want to throw with an air of mystery to it.
Into Things – Stranger Things Theme VS Into You Ariana Grande
The product of user Bostwick Things on SoundCloud, “Into Things” is a combination of Ariana Grande’s “Into You” and the “Stranger Things Theme (C418 Remix)”. If you’re a fan of Ariana’s hit, the layer of the popular Netflix series’ theme adds an otherworldly element to the original song. This track plants you right into the supernatural town of Hawkins, Indiana, but remains a perfect party bop with synths and hints of EDM brought on by “Into You”.
Although unrelated to the hit movie of the same name, “Poltergeist” by American singer-songwriter Banks promises insight into her “crooked nature” – her ghost is representative of her dark past that has a habit of showing up uninvited. Her hauntingly beautiful vocals, mixed with some seriously scary imagery, makes this track an unexpected but welcomed feature for our Halloween playlist.
We hope these songs give you the boost you need to get in the Halloween mindset. Check out this playlist on Spotify! Whether you plan on going out or staying in, celebrating alone or celebrating with some good friends, we urge you to stay silly, stay scary, and above all — stay safe!