We've assembled our favorite Halloween songs and compiled the ultimate Halloween playlist. Some of these songs are about Halloween, while others just have that Halloween vibe—but we think that all of them deserve a spin at your next Monster Mash, Ghostly Gala, or Scary Skelebration!
We've also put them on our Ultimate Halloween Playlist on Spotify. The playlist is somewhat organized by genre, but feel free to play the songs on random/shuffle if you want to be surprised. Happy listening!
"Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett
"Monster Mash" is the iconic Halloween song, and has been since its release in 1962—more than 60 years ago! The novelty song includes Bobby "Boris" Pickett imitating Boris Karloff (an actor known for playing Frankenstein) and Bela Lugosi (Dracula).
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
"Thriller" is another iconic Halloween track, complete with a voiceover from Vincent Price and plenty of scary sound effects—and then there's the extended music video with zombies dancing and Micheal Jackson's transformation into a werecat. (Yes, a werecat.)
"This Is Halloween" by Danny Elfman
"This Is Halloween" gets plenty of play at Disney Halloween events and has been widely covered. It's a catchy song that everyone loves to sing along to, which makes it perfect for any Halloween playlist.
"My Solution" by the Beach Boys
"My Solution" feels like a 50s novelty Halloween song—which isn't a bad thing. The song is also a great conversation starter: it was officially released only recently, so most listeners will be unfamiliar with it!
"The Addams Family Theme" by Vic Mizzy
Music from The Addams Family is less creepy than kooky, but it's guaranteed to get your party-goers fingersnapping!
"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.
The Ghostbusters theme song has transcended the film franchise and become a Halloween track of its own. It's upbeat and guaranteed to get everyone singing!
"Halloween Theme – Main Title" by John Carpenter
The main title theme of Halloween is another piece that has transcended the original film. It's simple but eerie and atmospheric—and perfect at building suspense.
"Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield
The Exorcist used only a short portion of "Tubular Bells", but to great effect! It's also somewhat reminiscent of the Halloween theme: an eerie, repeated motif that's dripping with suspense.
"Out of Limits" by The Marketts
No, "Out of Limits" isn't the same thing as the Twilight Zone theme, though it's thematically similar. It's also an unsettling, Halloween-appropriate track in its own right.
"Pet Sematary" by The Ramones
"Pet Sematary" is, perhaps surprisingly, the only song from a Stephen King film adaptation to appear on this playlist. It's also one of the Ramones' biggest hits.
"Time Warp" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Rocky Horror is a wild trip that defies expectations. Just embrace the Halloween spirit, dress up, and attend a showing. You'll never be the same! Also, you can't beat a song like "Time Warp"—it literally tells you how to dance to it!
"I Put A Spell On You" by "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins
We could have picked the versions by Nina Simone or Bette Midler, but the original is such a classic! What's more Halloween than a song so outrageous that it sold a million copies while banned from most radio?
"The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
Admittedly, most Halloween songs are about ghosts and vampires, not aliens. But when they're one-eyed, one-horned, and want to be in a rock 'n' roll band, they get a pass from us.
"I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow
Anyone who's trick-or-treated and reveled in a hoard of candy should understand the appeal of this new-wave anthem.
"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon
Look, at some point, any song with supernatural creatures (like werewolves) will get described as a "Halloween song". But this toe-tapping novelty song gets tons of play around Halloween, so we're counting it.
"Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell
At first glance...er, listen, "Somebody's Watching Me" might not seem like a Halloween song. But the music video is filled with creepy scenes, decor, and a zombie mailman!
"Season of the Witch" by Donovan
"Season of the Witch" isn't about witches or the supernatural, but it's got a dark, psychedelic vibe that's perfect for any Halloween playlist.
"Grim Grinning Ghosts (The Screaming Song)" by Buddy Baker
"Grim Grinning Ghosts" is played at Disney's Haunted Mansion attractions and is featured in plenty of other Disney films, television shows, and other media.
"Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo
"Dead Man's Party" is a danceable number with dark lyrics referencing an urban legend about a hearse driver. The song also closed out many of composer Danny Elfman's The Nightmare Before Christmas concerts, cementing its status as Halloween playlist material.
"Elegia" by New Order
"Elegia" is gloomy and ambient, already an excellent start for Halloween music. But its appearance in Stranger Things really makes it a must-have on your playlist.
"Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus
This reverb-filled, dub-influenced classic basically created goth rock, so it's fitting on any Halloween playlist. The "Bela Lugosi" in the title is, of course, one of the most famous actors to play Dracula.
"A Forest" by the Cure
Here's another goth anthem that appears on plenty of Halloween playlists. It's just non-stop atmosphere. Pop in the earbuds and get lost in the forest—and reverb.
"Spellbound" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Siouxsie and the Banshees have plenty of gothic, Halloween-adjacent songs, so we went with their biggest hit, "Spellbound". It was a thrill when it popped up in Stranger Things!
"The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen
So "The Killing Moon" is about several things, according to songwriter Ian McCulloch. But it sounds like it's about surrendering to some deathly figure, like a vampire. That and the gothic vibes make it ideal playlist material.
"Every Day Is Halloween" by Ministry
This one's an anthem for goths who dress for Halloween year-round. We get it! Musically, it's a dark wave bop from early Ministry, before their turn to industrial metal.
"All Hallows Eve" by Type O Negative
Type O Negative bridges the gap between goth and metal, as exemplified in this fan favorite song. Plus, it's called "All Hallows Eve", which makes it a must for any Halloween playlist!
"Dragula" by Rob Zombie
The title of this one is a reference to The Munster's DRAG-U-LA coffin-hotrod, and the song samples Christopher Lee, another actor who played Dracula. The music video is a fun watch with plenty of Halloween references, too!
"Stranger Things Title Sequence" by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, half of the electronic band Survive, scored Stranger Things—and what a fantastic and creepy 80s-sounding score it is.
"Dirge" by Survive
The Stranger Things theme is so short that we had to include Survive's "Dirge", which appeared later in the series. It also recreates that perfect 80s Halloween mood, sustaining it over 7+ minutes.
"Disturbia" by Rihanna
"Disturbia" isn't directly connected to Halloween, but it's got a creepy vibe that's perfect for any Halloween get-together.
"Tell Me It's A Nightmare" by Kim Petras
Some of our favorite tracks on this playlist are from Halloween-centric albums or EPs, like "Tell Me It's A Nightmare". This is our favorite kind of dance-pop, catchy on the surface but dark if you pay attention to the lyrics.
"She Wolf" by Shakira
Halloween playlists include plenty of ghosts and vampires, but we need some werewolves—or she-wolves! "She Wolf" is like a modern "Thriller", danceable and with plenty of howls!
"Haunted" by Beyoncé
Like "Tell Me It's A Nightmare", Beyoncé's "Haunted" uses horror as a metaphor for real-life issues. The vocals are also haunting, which more than anything makes it playlist-worthy.
"Bury a Friend" by Billie Eilish
This dark synth-pop about the monster under your bed is one of our favorite modern tracks with a Halloween vibe.
"Heads Will Roll" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Heads Will Roll" isn't directly related to Halloween, but the "heads will roll" line (likely) references Alice in Wonderland and the music video references Michael Jackson's "Thriller"—so we think it's fair to consider it a Halloween song.
"Baby You're a Haunted House" by Gerard Way
"Baby You're a Haunted House" is the perfect power pop Halloween song that we never knew we needed. It's catchy, driving, bouncy, and it's got a fun skeleton-filled video.
"Oh Klahoma" by Jack Stauber
There's a TikTok trend with "Oh Klahoma" and ghosts and pumpkins and—it's just so wholesome, you should see for yourself.
"Mind Playing Tricks on Me" by Geto Boys
"Mind Playing Tricks on Me" only references Halloween in the final verse, but it's become iconic within hip-hop—referenced by Notorious B.I.G., Kid Cudi, Atmosphere, and others!
"Doctor" by Loïc Nottet
"Doctor" is another modern Halloween track, influenced by horror films and with a music video featuring Nottet as a creepy clown. (Sadly, we couldn't find this one on Spotify, so it's not on the linked playlist.)
"Bloody Mary" by Lady Gaga
"Bloody Mary" is another banger that made the list thanks to the Wednesday series and TikTok. That version is sped-up but we're including the original version on the playlist.
"Fashion Monster" by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Many of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's singles are Halloween-themed, and "Fashion Monster" is no different. We're big fans of the music video, which includes plenty of meticulously crafted costumes, instruments, and other imagery.
"Freak (feat. REI AMI)" by Sub Urban
"Freak" has a dark carnival vibe and lyrics referencing circus freak shows—clearly a metaphor—but the music video maintains the Halloween mood.
"Ghost Town" by the Specials
Who would have thought that a discordant, minor-key reggae/two-tone song about early-80s British hopelessness would make such a perfect Halloween song? We're not saying it's appropriate for everyone's playlist, but it's a welcome addition to ours.
"Hell" by Squirrel Nut Zippers
Whether or not they remember the swing revival of the 1990s, this upbeat, jazzy bop will get your party-goers moving. The music video is fun with an authentic vintage feel—including the devil makeup!
"Jeepers Creepers" by Louis Armstrong
"Jeepers Creepers" is a jazz standard that had nothing to do with Halloween, at least until its unnerving appearance in the Jeepers Creepers film franchise. We included the iconic recording by Louis Armstrong on the playlist.
"The Wobblin' Goblin" by Rosemary Clooney
There aren't enough songs about goblins, in or out of Halloween playlists! This is a fun one, with a bouncy feel and plenty of sound effects. (We weren't able to find this version on Spotify, so we included another version that's also fun!)
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads
If you need a song written from the perspective of a serial killer for your Halloween playlist—and we'd argue that you do—then let it be "Psycho Killer".
"Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones
If you need a second song written from the perspective of a "serial killer", then let it be "Sympathy for the Devil". It's simultaneously bright and dark and super groovy as it builds to that epic crescendo!
"The Mercy Seat" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
If you need a third song written from the perspective of—okay, all joking aside, "The Mercy Seat" is a strong choice for a dark Halloween playlist. "Red Right Hand" is another one. There are probably dozens, really.
"In the Woods Somewhere" by Hozier
Is "In the Woods Somewhere" about an actual monster, or a more human tragedy? We're not sure, and the moody ambiguity stuck with us. There's great Halloween atmosphere here!
"(Don't Fear) the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult
"(Don't Fear) the Reaper" isn't actually about Halloween, of course, but the dark middle section is pure Halloween vibes. This has led some to adopt the song as a Halloween rock anthem.
"Halloween" by Helloween
We admit that it's a bit of an anomaly on most playlists, but we couldn't forget Helloween's epic power metal masterpiece, "Halloween".
"Halloween" by the Dead Kennedys
DK's "Halloween" mocks conformity and suggests that we be ourselves and not care what others think, like hardcore punk's Rocky Horror. Halloween is a metaphor, of course, but it's also an example of a time when everyone can let loose. I think we can all agree with that!
"Halloween" by The Misfits
Look, we could have chosen just about any Misfits song. But we went with "Halloween" because it's clearly appropriate for the playlist—and we had to set up this triplet of "Halloween" songs.
"Goo Goo Muck" by The Cramps
After Jenna Ortega's dance to the psychobilly song "Goo Goo Muck" (from the show Wednesday) went viral on TikTok, we knew it had to make the playlist!
"Sisters of the Moon" by Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks has penned her share of lyrics with occult or witch themes, but "Sisters of the Moon" is both driving and entrancing, making it ideal for our Halloween playlist.
"Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
With its references to signs of bad luck, "Superstition" is more Halloween-adjacent, but it's just so very funky!
"Waking the Witch" by Kate Bush
"Waking the Witch" is a song about a witch trial, ordeal by water, drowning, and rescue. It's a difficult song, but we thought it was another "must include" thanks to Kate Bush's post-Stranger Things revival.
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics
While "Sweet Dreams" is a synth-pop/new wave classic, there's a dark undercurrent that we've always loved. It reminds us of 80s horror, especially A Nightmare on Elm Street.
"Calling All the Monsters" by China Anne McClain
What the world needs is more dance-pop songs about monsters. The music video for "Calling All the Monsters" is a treat, thanks to its epic costumed dance sequence!
"Spooky, Scary Skeletons" by Andrew Gold
This novelty song is basically a meme at this point, but it's so fun! We love to throw it into the playlist randomly—so here it is!
"IxC999" by White Ring
What Halloween playlist would be complete without some "witch house"? The genre might be new to most, but it's dark and atmospheric and walks the line between catchy and dissonant.
"Seven Devils" by Florence + The Machine
The moody chorale and keys are enough to make this song playlist-worthy—and that's before Florence Welch's piercing vocals gave us the shivers. What a perfect Halloween song!
"Little Ghost" by The White Stripes
This fun, folksy number from the White Stripes was such a surprise the first time we heard it, and we couldn't get it out of our heads! We also love how it contrasts with our next, final track!
"Unholy Hymns" by Bridge City Sinners
We'll end our playlist with the relatively little-known Bridge City Sinners and their dark folk banger "Unholy Hymns". It's catchy but has a spooky core that reminds us of our favorite vintage Halloween tracks—but with a modern twist. You can end the playlist here or replay back to the "Monster Mash"!
What did you think of the Halloween playlist? Did we miss any songs, or do you disagree with any that we included? Let us know in the comments! And if you're a music fan, be sure to check out our music legends costumes this Halloween!
