So, you love Halloween, you’re having a party, and you’re making a playlist. The Monster Mash kicks things off, I Put a Spell on You fades into Thriller, and then it’s time to call Ghostbusters! In other words, you’ve covered the essentials. But, Halloween only comes once a year, and you want this playlist to be legendary! Time to dig in and find more creepy tunes to keep the coffin’ rockin’! Here’s a list of bewitching songs that will leave you spellbound!
Ghosts in the Graveyard-Prairie Ramblers
This gem from the 1930s tells a tale of supernatural revenge, and things really ramp up when a gravely throated ghost takes over on lead vocals! It’s a great song to kick off your playlist, easing everyone into a fun but spooky mood.
Vampcamp-The Ventures
The only instrumental on our list is a diabolical mix of eerie sound effects and reverb drenched guitar. Many have attempted to combine surf music and horror themes, but nobody has ever delivered like the Ventures did on this classic scorcher. It’s sure to get the ghoulies grooving!
Are You Ready for Freddy?-Fat Boys
Ready for Freddy by the Fat Boys and Nightmare on My Street by D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince both offer opportunities to experience the horrors of Elm Street via old school rap. They feature crisp, vintage drum machine beats, and funky rhymes that’ll have you trying to break dance before you can say “Don’t Fall Asleep”. Either song would make a great playlist addition, but Ready for Freddy is my favorite, because the Fat Boys give Mr. Krueger a little more space to rock the mic!
Playground Twist- Siouxsie and the Banshees
Siouxsie and the Banshees‘ songs are up-tempo and melodic, but also hypnotic and dark, making them the perfect band for the witching season. With titles like Spellbound, Staircase Mystery, and even one called Halloween, it’s easy to see why. My Halloween Playlists usually contain about three of their songs, but if I had to choose only one, I’d go with Playground Twist. From the toll of the bell at the beginning, to the creepy kid laughter at the end, this song is a whirlwind tour of your childhood fears that will not disappoint.
Swamp Witch- Jim Stafford
Here’s a fantastic country-rocker with a witch-positive message. Clever lyrics tell a chilling tale, while otherworldy vocals tickle your ears, adding a heaping helping of awesome to your Halloween soundtrack. With songs like this, it’s no wonder that the mysterious Bobbie Gentry was once married to Mr. Stafford.
Creep in the Cellar- Butthole Surfers
If you want your playlist to be genuinely scary, look no further than the Butthole Surfers. Their disjointed, distorted, disturbing, and (some would say) disgusting output is not for the faint of heart. Creep in the Cellar falls on the PG-13 end of their catalog, and is one of their more melodic offerings to boot. But, it contains plenty of the band’s signature mind-warping, horrific qualities.
Salem Witch Trials-Kiriae Crucible
How in the hell did I not hear this song until 2019? Despite being covered by the Fleshtones, this garage rock monster by Kiriae Crucible flew beneath my radar, but I’m glad I’ve finally picked up on it. From the weird (theremin?) intro to the tight backing vocals and killer keyboard solo, this song is a total barn burner. And it’s about witches!
Scream and Run Away- The Gothic Archies
If you’re not familiar with Lemony Snickett’s Series of Unfortunate Events books, you’ll get to know plenty about the villain Count Olaf through this morose little ditty, served up in waltz-time with gloomy baritone vocals and a side of dry accordion. Songwriter Stephen Merritt is best known for his work with the Magnetic Fields, but he and his cohorts in the Gothic Archies knocked it out of the park with Tragic Treasury:Songs from a Series of Unfortunate Events, the collection that Scream and Run Away comes from. If this song doesn’t do it for you, check out the rest of the record, you’re sure to find something to your liking.
My Wife and My Dead Wife-Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians
This song’s story line bears more than a slight resemblance to the plot of the play/movie Blithe Spirit. I don’t know if that’s intentional or not, but what I do know is that My Wife and my Dead Wife showcases Robyn Hitchcock‘s oddball pop at its finest. It’s witty, weird, catchy, and more than a little macabre. If one Robyn Hitchcock song isn’t enough, check out The Man with the Light bulb Head.
The Evil Wiener Halloween Record
Many years ago, three friends and I embarked on a journey through the a dark rock and roll forest and emerged with six ominous songs. Black cats, poltergeists, devils, she-devils, ogres, and even an ode to the fall season are represented in this theremin heavy Halloween romp. Once you’ve listened to all of the songs, they’re repeated again in an audio drama called “Case of the Haunted Recording Studio.” If you want to know what my musical life outside of Custom Serenade is like, here’s your chance. We’d be grateful if you’d throw us a bone and give this a listen!
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