Even the pandemic cannot stop our staff, who have written in from all over the world to bring you the spookiest Halloween playlist possible. Read below for a mix of classics, soon-to-be classics and hidden gems. As they say in “Twin Peaks,” let’s rock! The playlist is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Saru Garg: ‘Halloween’ by Phoebe Bridgers
It’s all in the title, isn’t it? This is the perfect pandemic Halloween song. For maximum effect, listen while sitting alone in your room, preferably in costume, pondering how we got here and whether things will ever be normal again. There’s nothing scarier.
Ayushi Agarwal: ‘Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om’ by Shaan
Featured in the original soundtrack of 2007’s “Om Shanti Om,” this evocative ballad recounts the horrifying murder of actress Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone) illustrated in the film. Paired with veteran poet Javed Akhtar’s haunting lyrics, this ominous song will serve as a fresh addition to your typical Halloween playlist.
Maddie Bober: ‘Witchcraft’ by Frank Sinatra
A chilling and timeless Halloween bop. Sinatra’s vocals leave you in a reverie, a particularly spooky one. The lyrics of “Witchcraft” describe a beguiling love interest, reminding me of just how scary and unnerving an all-consuming romance can be. That uncontrollable, out-of-body experience of being in love with someone else — can you think of anything more frightening? I can’t.
Forrest Martin: ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson
Cliche? Yes. But you can’t not include this song. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” has always been and will always be the quintessential Halloween-horror-pop song. The wolves howling in the wind blending into the deep synth bass line, Jackson’s creepy vocals and the organ-backed narration during the bridge all combine to make a haunting classic that never gets old.
Aidan Vick: ‘The Killing Moon’ by Echo & The Bunnymen
This new wave classic is such a perfect blend of gloom and catchiness that any Halloween party playlist would be incomplete without it. The expressive and ominous vocals are perfectly paired with the song’s creeping bassline and jangly guitar solo.
Jada Chambers: ‘Pet Sematary’ by Ramones
Here’s another classic this list would be incomplete without. This punchy punk track by the Ramones for 1989’s “Pet Sematary” has a catchy hook and high energy to get the party going. It’s perfect for blasting when your neighbor’s cat is an evil zombie in cahoots with their evil zombie toddler to sever your Achilles tendon.
Brammhi Balarajan: ‘Calling All The Monsters’ by China Anne McClain
Legendary. If you don’t think this song is a bop, you’re lying.
Anjali Huynh: ‘bury a friend’ by Billie Eilish
To be honest, I’m not the biggest Eilish fan in the world, but this song has perfect mildly-scary Halloween vibes. The vocal distortions, heavy bass line, weird sound effects, lyrics and the album cover come together to create a rather creepy song.
Gabriella Lewis: ‘Monster Mash’ by Bobby Picket, The Crypt-Kickers
This is the OG Halloween hit for a reason. The beat: immaculate. Lyrics: even better. I can’t help but dance and I’m sad for you if this isn’t on repeat during your Halloween season.
Zimra Chickering: ‘Whip My Hair’ by WILLOW
I really am throwing it way back with this nostalgic bop. This was Willow Smith’s very first single, and Halloween just happens to be Smith’s birthday! Smith will be turning 20 this year and I have been listening to both throwbacks like this and her current hits to celebrate the occasion.
Sara Khan: ‘5% TINT’ by Travis Scott
I know this album is seriously overplayed, but I think this song is extremely underrated. The beat is amazing, and the spooky adlibs practically beg you to add this track to your Halloween playlist this year.
Becca Moszka: ‘Disturbia’ by Rihanna
An iconic 2000s hit, the dark tone and catchy lyrics of “Disturbia” are definitely Halloween-esque. The music video also gives off some seriously spooky vibes.
Cailen Chinn: ‘This is Halloween’ by Danny Elfman
Does this one even need an explanation?
Jeffrey Rosen: ‘Little Fang’ by Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks
This horror-pop indie side project by Avey Tare (from Animal Collective) is a catchy and brilliantly layered song. On the surface, "Little Fang" is a simple indie-pop song. On the other hand, the song is filled with sonic and lyrical depth evoking a more disturbing image; a darkness from inside you. Tare encourages listeners to “embrace the darkness, never be ashamed,” which fits perfectly with the Halloween spirit … embrace your darkness!
Stephen Altobelli: ‘XS’ by Rina Sawayama
What’s spookier than late-stage capitalism?
Eythen Anthony: ‘Dream Warriors’ by Dokken
The best horror film requires the best original song. Released by the heavy metal band Dokken for “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987) the song captures the spirit of Freddy Kreuger thanks to the haunting vocals of Don Dokken and the killer guitar solo of George Lynch.
Abby Williams: ‘Wild World - Intro’ by Bastille
The scariest part of this Halloween has got to be the year it’s happening in. Bastille’s acapella reimagining of the 1971 Cat Stevens classic, encapsulates the feeling of living in a world that is spinning out of control.
Aayush Gupta: ‘Maar Dala’ by KK and Kavitha Krishnamurthy
This tragic tune is from the cult classic and Cannes award-winning film “Devdas” (2002). It blends classical Indian music with Western styles, as it narrates the tale of Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan), a man who turns to alcoholism and seeks refuge in a brothel with Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit) after his family rejects his marriage to the love of his life, Paro (Aishwarya Rai). The stunning, somber music does an extraordinary job of depicting Devdas’ struggles and descent into madness.
Rhett Hipp: 'Phanto(me)'/'ゆーれいずみー' by Reol
It’s a song about ghosts — what more can you want? Japanese electronic pop duo Reol and producer Giga managed to capture the sound of Halloween and put it into a fun electronic song (originally released in the summertime, I might add). Whether the listener understands Japanese or not, the song is nonetheless catchy, spooky and exemplary of Reol’s unique sound.
Ben Thomas: ‘Jack’s Lament’ by Danny Elfman
A skeleton is only a dry, dead heap of bones. A vampire is a weirdo who doesn’t get enough vitamin D. A ghost is just a cloud with an attitude. But an eternity of meaninglessness? A life doomed to brutal isolation and excruciating unfulfillment? That’s spine-chilling.
Phyllis Guo: ‘Sigh (Killing Eve)’ by Unloved
Yes, this is from the “Killing Eve” soundtrack, and who doesn’t love a psychopathic assassin like Villanelle?
