By Sadie Tresnit
Halloween is coming up, and that means it’s time for my favorite tradition: comparing Halloween playlists with my friend in our annual competition/show-off fest. Sure, it’s fun to dress up and eat candy, but playlist-making is where it’s really at. Not convinced? Check out a sample of what I’ve put together this year.
The Monster Mash - Bobby “Boris” Pickett
What kind of Halloween playlist wouldn’t include this song? It was a hit when it was written, a hit at every elementary school Halloween party, and it’s a hit now. Bonus points if you sing along at the top of your lungs while making weird faces (watch the original video for inspiration).
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Like the previous item, this belongs on every Halloween playlist. You’ve heard it a million times by now, so what’s one more?
Halloween Parade - Lou Reed
This was the first song from Reed’s “New York” that I really loved. I bought the CD without hearing it and was immediately captivated. His interesting vocal style really shines on this song.
Vampire Girl - Jonathan Richman
Arguably the best song ever written, this is a light, catchy note in a playlist filled with darker and creepier songs. It still fits the Halloween theme but with a Jonathan Richman spin.
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Funkiest song ever? Signs point to yes. No one can sit still when they hear it, so it’s the perfect choice if you’re planning a Halloween party.
Season of the Witch - Donovan
This brooding Donovan song may not have that energetic dance party vibe that other songs on this list embody, but it’s well suited to a spooky late-night walk. Go check out your neighbors’ jack o'lanterns and revel in the crisp fall air while listening to this tune
Yes, I’m A Witch - Yoko Ono
And on the topic of witches, Yoko Ono hits the mark with an incredible witchy feminist song that’s completely underrated despite being the most popular song on the album. If you think Ono is only known for her scream singing, prepare to be surprised.
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
Fantastic at any time of year, this big hit is perfect for setting the mood at any Halloween get-together, whether that involves all of your friends at a horror movie watch party or just you alone in the dark with a massive bag of candy.
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) - David Bowie
My love for Bowie knows no bounds, and naturally, the goblin king deserves a spot on the list. This song can get a room full of people dancing and thinking about monsters. Multitasking is spooky stuff.
Boris The Spider - The Who
This song was apparently written in six minutes and while that shows a little, it’s a lot of fun —A Halloween playlist should never take itself too seriously.
Wicked Annabella - The Kinks
This song sounds foreboding from the first guitar riff and it just gets better from there. The Kinks were practically the soundtrack to my childhood and this song always used to scare me, but now I can appreciate the psychedelic rock sound.
Be True To Your Ghoul - The Ghouls
This adaptation of the Beach Boys’ “Be True To Your School” will make you feel like a very spirited 1960s teenager at a Halloween party, and that’s a feeling I strive to experience.
My Girlfriend Is a Witch - October Country
I got really into this song right before I first left for college for some reason, and hearing it brings me back to the Halloween party I had with my freshman-year roommates. We all sat on the floor together in costume playing card games and eating gummy candy. It was the best night of my life.
Time Warp - Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, Richard O’Brien
I can’t watch Rocky Horror without getting this stuck in my head but I’m not complaining in the slightest. It’s super catchy, a little goofy, and a lot of fun: everything you want in a Halloween song.
No More Hot Dogs - Hasil Adkins
The title might not convince you, but Adkins’ creepy laugh at the beginning of this song proves that it’s definitely Halloween-appropriate. If hearing him sing about how he wants to hang your head on his wall doesn’t scare you at least a little, nothing will.
Cruella Deville - The Replacements
The best song in 101 Dalmatians gets an alternative rock makeover here as one of the Replacements’ zanier cover songs. Make sure you listen to the All for Nothing / Nothing for All version.
There’s a Ghost in My House - The Fall
I recently found out that this is a cover of a Motown song, but this is still my favorite version. It was the first top 50 single for the Fall and it has the perfect unsettling feeling for late October night.
The Beast - Aphrodite’s Child
Not a traditional Halloween tune by any means, this 70s track from Greece is groovy, funky, and just plain strange enough to catch anyone’s attention. It’s unlike anything else I listen to and I love that. Always good to shake things up once in a while.
Eaten By The Monster Of Love - Sparks
Sparks are criminally underrated and this power pop song is a perfect example of what makes them so popular with the people who follow their output.
This is Halloween - The Citizens of Halloween
If this song isn’t stuck in your head by the time Halloween rolls around, something is seriously wrong. The Nightmare Before Christmas is practically required viewing at this time of year. While every single song from the soundtrack is catchy and seasonally appropriate, this one takes the cake (or the candy?). Happy Halloween!