Whether for a Halloween party, scary movie marathon, or passing out candy to trick-or-treaters, music can add to any spooky season event or celebration. Classics like “Thriller” and “The Monster Mash” rightly deserve their praise and recognition but can easily be overplayed.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 Songs to Get You in the Mood for Halloween. With some deep cuts and tracks spanning all genres, these songs deserve a spot on your autumn or Halloween playlist right away.
1. Sisters of the Moon – Fleetwood Mac
While “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac might be the bigger hit, telling the tale of an old Welsh witch, “Sisters of the Moon” is the band at its most mysterious.
With lyrics about black widow spiders, black moons, and trailing black robes, Stevie Nicks’s vocals are also at their most haunting here, too. Perfect for dancing under the light of the moon and stars and dressing up in your best Stevie Nicks-inspired costume.
2. Full Moon – The Black Ghosts
Even the band name is spooky! This song has all the eerie and otherworldly vibes, and its lyrics are enchanting.
The bass lines and chorus will get you in the All Hallows Eve groove. Singer Simon Lord’s wail-like vocals will haunt you like a ghost. You’ll want to keep hitting the repeat button once it’s over so you can stay in the supernatural world of the song.
3. Moonlight – Free
Any song that starts out with lyrics like “Sitting in a graveyard” and “Leaning on my tombstone” is bound to be a good fit for any Halloween playlist. This British blues band’s first album, where this song appears, is moody and often dark.
“Moonlight” isn’t the only song from this band fitting for a melancholy fall night. Mournful vocals and other standout lyrics about moons hanging in black skies are the chilling finishing touches here.
4. Season of the Witch – Lana Del Rey
Sorry to Donovan, who wrote and recorded the original, but Lana Del Rey’s version of “Season of the Witch” is downright eerie, sending chills down your spine with her iconic soft yet spellbinding voice.
Del Rey was the perfect choice to record this song as part of the Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark soundtrack. After all, she made it her own while also conjuring her witchy side.
5. Boris the Spider – The Who
Arachnophobia is no joke–fear of spiders can be crippling. So in that spirit, this song, about a hairy spider crawling around, is not for the faint of heart.
It’s just the right amount of creepy crawly and is complete with some truly ominous bass and grizzly vocal work. And the spider meets his sticky demise at the end.
An offbeat tune, “Boris the Spider” is quirky enough with nearly sinister undertones –if you’re truly afraid of spiders, that is.
6. Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon
Paying homage to the iconic black-and-white werewolf horror films, including those starring Lon Cheney, almost everyone can howl along to this classic tune that may or may not have a double meaning about a Victorian-era womanizer prowling the streets of London.
Sure, some of the lyrics are kinda confusing, but we’re all having too much fun to care. It’s delightfully silly and creepy, and the piano work really completes the song’s eccentric and novelty atmosphere. A-whooo!
7. Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
The iconic cowbell song is (not so) surprisingly appropriate for this time of year. Set to some seriously wicked guitar solos and spooky-sounding call-and-response vocals, the faint sound of a cowbell can be heard here, too.
With lyrics about love, death, the mysterious reaper, and more, it’ll get you thinking of your own mortality. And what’s scarier than that?
8. I Put A Spell on You – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Fans might recognize a version of this popular song from the iconic ’90s cult classic film Hocus Pocus. And while we all love listening to Bette Midler, as Winifred, sing the lyrics, we think there is a better option for your spooky holiday entertainment.
With so many covers around, this version by CCR is the best fit for your autumn vibes playlist. Just be careful not to get too enchanted.
9. Mr. Crowley – Ozzy Osbourne
An organ-heavy hit, no Halloween mix would be complete without something from the Prince of Darkness himself.
This song is hard-hitting and guaranteed to get your blood pumping for a night of frights. Any song invoking the devil and named after an infamous occult leader is certainly scary enough to get you in the Halloween mood.
10. My Girlfriend is A Witch – October Country
Songs about witchy women are always a hit. And this one by the aptly named October Country is a fun blend of witchy and whimsy.
It’s okay to take a break from truly scary songs and play a love song this time of year. Short and simplistic, “My Girlfriend is a Witch” has a hint of that hypnotic psychedelic sound. There’s something about that late-’60s sound that never gets old.
Amanda Larch Hinchman
Amanda Larch works as a writer and editor when she’s not in the middle of a good book. Learn more about her work and view her portfolio at www.amandalarchwriter.com/ and keep up with her on Goodreads @_groovyginger_.
