Halloween is almost here and we could honestly not be more excited. What better way to celebrate than by making a spook-tacular Halloween music playlist starring the best songs from popular culture?
Playlists are not only appropriate for all occasions, but they’re pretty much required. How else would you continue to celebrate the wonderful Halloween season after you’ve put up all of your decorations? Yes, planning Halloween costumes and watching Halloween movies like Hocus Pocus definitely keep us in the spirit. However, you can’t multitask while indulging in these activities.
That’s where our pop culture-themed Halloween music playlist comes in. With these songs, you can stay in the Halloween spirit at all times: when you’re bored at work, in the car, studying or doing homework… This is the best Halloween music, making it perfect for all times of the day throughout the season (including your upcoming Halloween party).
Now, you may be asking yourself, “What does Hypable mean by calling it a ‘pop culture‘ Halloween playlist?” Our playlist consists of Halloween tunes that come from frighteningly delightful Halloween movies or TV shows (as well as a few that you may have grown up listening to with your parents). From theme songs to musical numbers, our Halloween playlist is sure to get you singing along and tapping your toes. Who knows, maybe it’ll even coax you into doing the time warp… again!
The best Halloween songs for your playlist
‘This is Halloween’
In case, for some reason, you forgot what holiday it is, this song is a good reminder. But really, this is such a fun song to sing along to. Plus, it reminds us of all of the things we love about Halloween!
‘The Time Warp’
With just a jump to the left and a step to the ri-ii-ii-ii-iight, you can celebrate Halloween with a super fun dance. You may have to put this song on your Halloween playlist a few times because you won’t be able to get it out of your head.
‘I Put a Spell on You’
As we’ve mentioned countless times before, Hocus Pocus is one of the best Halloween movies of all time (if not THE best). The Sanderson sisters’ version of “I Put a Spell on You” is so much better than the original because of all of the energy and fun they put into it.
‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’
Though it wasn’t meant to be a Halloween tune, this Blue Oyster Cult hit definitely gives off a bit of a spooky vibe. Especially to those of us who are a part of the Supernatural fandom. Not to mention the fact that the song is filled with glorious cowbell.
‘The Munsters’ Theme
If you haven’t seen The Munsters, you definitely need to. It never fails to put a smile on our faces. That, and we can never get this theme song out of our heads once we hear it (even though it doesn’t have any lyrics at all).
‘Purple People Eater’
Even though this song came out way before the majority of us were born, it’s still so pervasive in pop culture. Please tell us that we’re not the only ones who have seen the super cheesy Purple People Eater movie that came out in the ’80s? Fun fact: The movie stars Neil Patrick Harris!
‘The Addams Family’ Theme
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, and their theme song is seriously catchy. Whether we hear it on a commercial, at a sporting event, or while watching the actual TV show or one of the movies, we’re always singing along. And snapping too. Can’t forget about the infectious snapping.
‘Dracula’s Lament’
Put this song on your Halloween playlist and you’ll have everyone yelling “Dracula musical!” Forgetting Sarah Marshall is one of our favorite movies and this is definitely one of the reasons why we love it so much. It may not be spooky, but it’s still a fun Halloween song.
‘Double Trouble’ (from ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’)
This song from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is probably one of our favorite tunes on any Harry Potter soundtrack. It takes the popular rhyme from Shakespeare’s MacBeth and uses it to set a mysterious, spooky tone. We can’t help but love it.
‘The Monster Mash’
What Halloween playlist would be complete without “The Monster Mash”? It’s the quintessential Halloween song, although we really don’t know why. We don’t know where it came from or how it got so popular, but it’s super fun and definitely here to stay.
‘Feed My Frankenstein’
We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy! This may have not been one of Alice Cooper’s more popular songs, but it’s definitely a favorite among us Wayne’s World aficionados. The song’s lyrics are creepy and sexy at the same time, which is sort of a weird combination. But, for this song, it totally works.
The ‘Beetlejuice’ Theme
Danny Elfman is seriously the man. He’s on our Halloween playlist multiple times, and for good reason. We almost even included a song from his band, Oingo Boingo! Anyway, we just love the Beetlejuice theme, whether it’s the one from the movie or the one that was in the (unfortunately) short-lived Beetlejuice TV show.
‘Sally’s Song’
Because it’s “Sally’s Song.” It’s not necessarily “Halloween-y,” per say, but it’s a classic song for Halloween. If that makes sense. It’s melancholy and captures raw emotion while still giving off a very festive vibe. There’s no specific reason why this song should be on your Halloween playlist. It just should.
‘Science Fiction Double Feature’
Even if you’re not really a huge Rocky Horror Picture Show fan, you’ll definitely be able to appreciate a Halloween playlist that includes this song. While it’s not necessarily spooky, it name drops a lot of creatures and sci-fi characters. Heck, it’s a song about going to a science fiction double feature picture show (which is a standard Halloween tradition for many people). You won’t regret adding this one to your playlist.
‘Ghostbusters’
Who you gonna call when you need a great Halloween song? Ray Parker Jr., that’s who. Ok, so he may not be a household name and “Ghostbusters” may have been his one and only hit, but what a hit to create. Even if you haven’t seen the Ghostbusters movies, you most likely know every word to the song and sing along whenever you hear it. It’s impossible not to.
The Theme from ‘Psycho’
First of all, if you haven’t seen Hitchcock’s masterpiece Psycho, stop what you’re doing right now and watch it. Second of all, this song is creepy and creates tension in such subtle ways that, until the song ends and you breathe a sigh of relief, you won’t notice how much of an effect the song really has on you. It’s just fantastic.
‘Thriller’
Because it has to be on every single Halloween playlist, ever. Even though we can’t name a specific Halloween movie or TV show that we’ve heard this tune in at the moment, we’d be remiss not to add it. The music video is classic, as is the song’s iconic zombie dance and catchy lyrics. This is definitely a Halloween playlist must-have.
Haunted Mansion queue and ride music
While it may not be your typical “sing along”-kind of Halloween music, there’s nothing quite like the music from Disney’s Haunted Mansion attraction to get you into the cheesy-spooky kind of mood. Now, this writer personally prefers the music from the Disney World ride rather than the Disneyland (because WDW >>> DL), but either will do!
‘Bad Moon Rising’
Whether you know it from Supernatural or your local oldies radio station, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” is a great Halloween tune. It combines a fun, catchy beat with ominous lyrics. Though there are many versions of the song (one of which was expertly used in one of the last seasons of Teen Wolf), there’s nothing quite like the original.
‘Over at the Frankenstein Place’
All playlists have to have a few slower songs thrown in, right? While it’s not a banger, “Over at the Frankenstein Place” is definitely one of those songs that you can’t help but belt out (even if the lyrics don’t make all that much sense).
‘A Taste for Love’
Put this musical number on during your Halloween party and you’ll find yourself finishing the song in the same way that Bill Hader does: Passionately and over-dramatically! This may be an unexpected addition to your Halloween playlist, but it’s a good one.
‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’
Looking for a tune to get everyone at your party dancing? Then make sure you have Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” in the mix. Even those who don’t consider themselves fans of music with fiddles and the like won’t be able to help themselves from cutting a rug or two.
‘Psycho Killer’
It may have not been written as a Halloween song, but it’s one of our favorites. The bass line is toe tappingly good and the song catchy as crazy, considering the fact that the singer is going on about a psycho killer.
‘Love Potion No. 9’
If this song doesn’t remind you of a groovy episode of Scooby-Doo, we don’t know who you are. This is an oldie but a goodie.
‘Little Red Riding Hood’
The Grimm’s story of “Little Red Riding Hood” is creepy enough (depending on what version you read), but hearing it from the Wolf’s leering and conniving point of view in a sing-songy manner is enough to give you goosebumps. It doesn’t help that it’s a catchy tune as well.
‘Epiphany’
This song from Sweeney Todd is one of the highlights of the entire musical, on stage or on film. It’s maniacal and passionate and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s not your typical Halloween tune, but it’s appropriate mood music. While Halloween is usually all about the creepies and the crawlies and the monsters, sometimes humans are the true monsters.
‘Werewolves of London’
Confession: We don’t know all of the words to this song, but you can bet your bottom dollar that when the chorus kicks in we’re howling with the best of them. After all, how many people actually know all of the words to this song, really? The chorus is reason enough to put this on your Halloween playlist.
‘Somebody’s Watching Me’
Okay, so this is another slightly older song that we don’t know all the words to. (Hey, nobody’s perfect!) But the atmosphere of paranoia and uncertainty make it perfect for Halloween. It’s like “Thriller” but more mood music and less danceable.
Tower of Terror queue music
If you’ve never gone on the classic Tower of Terror ride, we feel terribly sorry for you. It’s one of our favorite things in the world. The queue music really brings the 1930s aesthetic of the classy Hollywood Tower Hotel to life. But it’s perfectly suited for Halloween because it has a tinny, far-away sound to it, almost as if you’re hearing it through a phantom radio. We have this on repeat most days in October because it’s that lovely.
‘Dead Man’s Party’
Whether you know this Oingo Boingo tune from Ready Player One, you knew it before it became more mainstream, or you’ve truly never heard it before, this Halloween classic deserves to be on your Halloween playlist this year and every year.
‘A Nightmare on My Street’
Did you know that Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff had this “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”-like song that makes reference to Freddy Kruger and Nightmare on Elm Street? It’s both campy and creepy and all-around entertaining. Who knows, this Halloween tune might become your new jam!
‘Superstition’
How could this classic Stevie Wonder song not be on your playlist? It’s one of those songs that you can’t help but recognize and start tapping your toe after hearing just the first few notes. It’s not creepy, but it definitely has a fun air of mystery to it!
‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’
We’ll be honest: Every time we listen to this song we try to make ourselves actually comprehend the lyrics, but we never actually do. The aesthetic and atmosphere this tune creates is just too alluring. It’s hard not to get caught up in it. So if you’re looking for some good Halloween music to set the mood, definitely include this one.
‘Jump in the Line’
Finish off your Halloween playlist in a very appropriate Beetlejuice-esque way with Harry Belafonte’s “Jump in the Line.” No, dancing to it probably won’t cause you to levitate and flip and see a crew of dead high school football players as backup dancers, but you can certainly imagine these things as you shake, shake, shake Senora.
What songs would you put on your pop culture Halloween playlist?
Make your recommendations in the comments below!