Spectacular Spooky Songs

Logan Salabaj

Staff Writer

It is Halloween season again, the time of the year that our neighborhoods transform into a creepy wonderland. One of the many ways to set the mood for a good Halloween is the music selection. I have decided to put together a list of the best spooky songs that embody the spirit of Halloween. While creating the list, I also considered spookiness and overall popularity. If you want to listen to the songs, click on the photographs adjacent to the writing.

I Put a Spell on You - Screaming Jay Hawkins

Nothing screams Halloween more than Voodoo. Although I put a spell on you didn't quite make the list, I felt obligated to include it in the article. In this catchy song, Hawkins is casting a spell on his loved one. This song was first released in 1955. This is not the version that made the song a staple in Halloween music, however. Later, Hawkins went back into the studio and recorded a more haunting version, which is the one we still hear today. The band admitted to being intoxicated during the recording. Hawkins claimed this added to the sound of the song.

Monster Mash - Bobby Picket (5)

"Monster Mash" has always been a family favorite Halloween tune. Originally, the song was meant to be a parody of novelty dance songs of the early 60’s. Yet, not long after the songs release, it became a favorite among kids and even parents. "Monster Mash" was so popular that it was actually made into a film in 1995. Although not nearly as popular as the song, the film helps you visualize the events that occur during the song. It is common to see movies inspire songs, but quite rare to see songs inspire movies.

This is Halloween - Danny Elfman (4)

The Nightmare before Christmas has been the go to “scary” movie for children for quite awhile now. The most popular song from the movie is undoubtedly "This is Halloween." The characters living in Halloween Town all contribute to the spooky tune, making "This is Halloween" feel special. The song helped set up a spooky environment for the movie and can do the same in the real world. It is consistently one of the most played songs every Halloween. This ghoulish tune can send shivers down anyone's spine. It will remain a staple Halloween song for years to come.

Ghostbusters Theme - Ray Park Jr. (3)

“Who ya gonna call?” has become one of the most popular calling cards around Halloween. With the popularity of the movie, the song was destined for greatness. The Ghostbusters theme topped the Hot 100 in 1984 and has been popular with all ages ever since. The song has a magic to it that makes you want to join in and scream “GhostBusters!” Even though the movie’s popularity has died down over the years, the song lives on. It is one of the most popular tunes to play at Halloween parties or on your porch handing out candy to trick or treaters.

Michael Meyers Theme - John Carpenter (2)

One of, if not the most, notorious movie villains, Michael Myers is scary enough as he is. This song adds on a whole new level of bone chilling horror to the Halloween films. When you hear this song, you expect Myers to emerge with his signature kitchen knife. The menacing tune reassures viewers that something bad is about to happen in the film. The latest Halloween movie made 32 million dollars over the opening weekend and some of that credit has to go to the iconic theme. Many fans were very happy to hear the tune from the big screen again.

Thriller - Michael Jackson (1)

We all knew this was coming. The most iconic song linked with Halloween is Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Jackson is one of the only people talented enough to make a seasonal song that is popular year round. Michael’s album Thriller is still the best selling album worldwide. "Thriller" is a main piece to that album’s success. The song is so impressive that it inspired arguably the most popular music video of all time. The timeless tune is many people’s favorite song to play at Halloween parties or to just get in the Halloween spirit.

Report abuse