Music

Playlist: Halloween music special

This Halloween we’re eschewing all levels of coolness and celebrating the classic and most fiendishly cheesy tracks we could think of with our ghoulish new playlist.

Check them out below and then let us know what we’ve missed over on Twitter. You can listen to more of the same on our Spotify playlist here – the perfect way to kick-start your Halloween celebrations.


Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr.
The quintessential Halloween song of the season; frankly, if you don’t listen to this track, has Halloween even happened?

Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (Official Video)


Highway to Hell – AC/DC
Hard rock is surely the genre for Halloween, and things don’t get more fitting than this AC/DC classic… don’t stop me, people!

AC/DC - Highway to Hell (Official Video)


Thriller – Michael Jackson
“It’s only a movie!” Sure, Michael, sure. It’s time to bust out those dance moves like some sort of crazed, zombie flash mob…. ‘cus this is Thriller night!

Michael Jackson - Thriller (Official Video - Shortened Version)


The Addams Family Theme – Vic Mizzy
Who doesn’t want to be creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky this Halloween? And the way Vic Mizzy makes “see ’em” and “scream” [“scree-yam”] rhyme here is pure gold.

The Addams Family Theme song


Monster Mash – Groovy Goolies
You will dance to this. You will think you’re in an episodes of Scooby Doo. Go with it.

Groovie Goolies Monster Mash Music Video


Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf
Every playlist needs some Meat Loaf, that’s just cold hard fact; and this song is just perfect for Halloween hauntings.

Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell (PCM Stereo)


Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
This is surprisingly catchy for a song about the grim reaper to be fair – still, it’s practically perfect for this time of year.

Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper 1976 [Studio Version]cowbell link in description


Red Right Hand – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Made famous by being featuring on the Scream soundtrack, this song is hauntingly good and never fails to make us think of that immortal line: “What’s your favourite scary movie?”

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand (Official Video)


I Put A Spell On You – Bette Midler
A much cooler take would, of course, be Nina Simone’s stunning version of this classic number, but we’ve plumped for Better Midler’s hilarious take from the Halloween caper Hocus Pocus. “Hello Salem!”


Halloween Theme Song – John Carpenter
Sticking with the movie theme, John Carpenter’s spine-tingling Halloween theme might not get people on the dance floor, but it is a genuine classic as far as 31 October listenings are concered.

Halloween Theme Song


Bad Moon Rising – Creedance Clearwater Revival
“I see a bad moon a-rising, I see trouble on the way…” sounds about right for Halloween. Also, just an amazing, amazing record.

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising


Psycho Killer – Talking Heads
Synth-pop legends Talking Heads might not scream Halloween at you, but it’s all there in the lyrics… Qu’est-ce que c’est?

Talking Heads - Psycho Killer


Still no plans for Halloween? Check out our guide for fun things to get up to this weekend here.