When the weather finally drops below 75 degrees, the trees start shedding their leaves and the smell of spiced apple cider fills the air, I know Halloween is approaching. As friend groups plan — and often squabble over — their outfits (I mean, who really wants to be Gretchen Wieners) and anxious men await their fate on the wrong side of a couples costume, the festivities of the month bring welcome distractions from the drudgery of midterm season.
Whether you enjoy a night out, a pumpkin carving contest or just a simple scary movie, this holiday offers something to everyone. For me, Halloween is my mom dressed as Bob the Builder after Hurricane Matthew sent a tree through our roof in 2016, rating the Halloween decorations on the neighbor’s lawn and dancing to the perfectly curated playlist that echoed throughout the house every Oct. 31.
So without further ado, I must admit that this Cat’s Collection is not entirely my own. This playlist was curated first and foremost by my mother, the original Halloween fanatic, who instilled within me a deep love of all things spooky, spunky and seriously catchy.
‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ by Rockwell (1984)
In “Somebody’s Watching Me,” Rockwell describes an eerie sensation – that someone is watching his every move. Underneath the joyous rhythm is a palpable unease, divulged in the anxious lyrics. “All I want is to be left alone in my average home / But why do I always feel like I’m in the twilight zone?” Rockwell sings. When the first note of this track hits, I transport to an alternate realm. In black and white, I stare at my reflection in the mirror, feeling a shiver creep up my spine and urge me to spin on my heels — but when I turn, no one’s there. Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” is playful and paranoid, creepy and catchy, upbeat and unsettling – the perfect expression of all things Halloween.
‘Monster Mash’ by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers (1962)
While “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers does not explore an otherworldly sensation, the track is a quintessential Halloween banger. The track tells a Frankensteinian story of a science experiment going rogue, rising from the metal table to dance. “For my monster from his slab, began to rise / and suddenly to my surprise / (He did the mash) He did the Monster Mash,” the group sings. This phenomenon of dancing phantoms continues throughout the song as more monsters gather to perform. With a doo-wop harmony, rhythmic clapping and simple crooning, The Crypt-Kickers deliver a classic anthem that brings together creatures from across the supernatural pantheon — zombies, monsters and vampires alike. In their own words, this track is a “graveyard smash.”
‘I Put a Spell on You (In the Style of Hocus Pocus)’ by PattyCake (2019)
As a Halloween fanatic and a proud journalist, I must be honest with the readers about the context of this track. I did not watch “Hocus Pocus” (1993) until I was 19. Two decades I went on, pretending to be a Halloween lover and yet ignoring this timeless cult classic. Since then, I have repented and dedicated myself to honoring this film with all my might. In doing so, it is only fair to add “I Put a Spell on You (In the Style of Hocus Pocus)” by PattyCake to this playlist. While the track has multiple adaptations from various artists, this version is my personal favorite. It embodies the theatricality of the movie and the infectious energy of Halloween. “I put a spell on you / And now you’re mine” the singer croons, grasping the listener’s attention and not letting them go until the final note.
‘Thriller / Heads Will Roll (Glee Cast Version)’ by Glee Cast (2011)
The mash-up “Thriller / Heads Will Roll (Glee Cast Version)” is one of the best songs ever performed on “Glee” (2009). The Glee Cast begins this track on a powerful note, shout-screaming, “Off with your head / D-dance-dance-dance 'til you're dead.” In the show, the Glee Club performs this on a smoke-swallowed football field, dressed as zombie temptresses and paranormal football players. However, even without the visual display, the song successfully spikes the spook factor through the cast’s emphatic vocal performances and the sinister lyrical narrative. The dynamic movement of the songs “Thriller” (1982) by Michael Jackson and “Heads Will Roll” (2009) by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs echoes the sensation of walking through a haunted house, never knowing what’s lurking around the next corner. “Thriller / Heads Will Roll (Glee Cast Version)” is the perfect Halloween banger for anyone who feels they have graduated from the “Monster Mash” — although if you ask me, you are never too old to do the Mash.
‘The Purple People Eater’ by Sheb Wooley (1997)
More than any other track on this list, “The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley transports me to childhood Halloween celebrations, sporting Cinderella’s crown and carving pumpkins in the front yard. Every year on Oct. 1 this is my go-to track to ring in the festive season. Just like the “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers, “The Purple People Eater” encourages listeners to look beyond the superficial and celebrates the revolutionary power of music in facilitating connection. In the track, a one-eyed purple people-eater descends to earth not for villainy, but because he wants to “get a job in a rock and roll band.” He demonstrates his musical ability by later playing his horn like a trumpet. The track is creative, with contagious groove-rock beats and an interesting lesson on morality, making it my favorite Halloween anthem.
