Get ready to send shivers down your spine and groove to the beat of these timeless Halloween classics! We’ve curated a spine-tingling list of 25 songs from the 1950s to the 1980s that will transform your Halloween party into a monster mash of epic proportions. From eerie ballads to danceable hits, this playlist has it all!
- “I Put a Spell on You” – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (1956)Hawkins’ haunting vocals will bewitch you from the first note. This song set the standard for spooky rock ‘n’ roll.
- “Monster Mash” – Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers (1962)No Halloween playlist is complete without this graveyard smash! Pickett’s Boris Karloff impression is eerily spot-on.
- “The Witch Queen of New Orleans” – Redbone (1971)A funky tribute to Marie Laveau that’ll have you dancing under the moonlight.
- “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads (1977)David Byrne’s jittery vocals perfectly capture the unhinged energy of this new wave classic.
- “Werewolves of London” – Warren Zevon (1978)Howl along to this wickedly funny tale of well-dressed lycanthropes prowling the streets of London.
- “Don’t Fear the Reaper” – Blue Öyster Cult (1976)A hauntingly beautiful melody that reminds us that love transcends even death.
- “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” – Bauhaus (1979)The undisputed anthem of goth rock. Close your eyes, and you can almost see Lugosi rising from his grave.
- “Thriller” – Michael Jackson (1982)The King of Pop’s magnum opus still gives us chills. Don’t forget the iconic dance moves!
- “The Time Warp” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast (1975)It’s just a jump to the left… and a step to the right! Get ready for some audience participation.
- “Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr. (1984)Who you gonna call? This catchy theme will have everyone singing along.
- “The Blob” – The Five Blobs (1958)A delightfully campy tune that captures the B-movie horror vibe perfectly.
- “Season of the Witch” – Donovan (1966)Donovan’s psychedelic folk rock creates an atmosphere of mystical unease.
- “Sympathy for the Devil” – The Rolling Stones (1968)Mick Jagger’s devilish persona shines in this rock classic. Woo-woo!
- “Black Magic Woman” – Santana (1970)Carlos Santana’s guitar work casts a spell that’s impossible to resist.
- “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder (1972)Not explicitly Halloween-themed, but its funky groove and lyrics about bad luck fit the mood perfectly.
- “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC (1979)Crank up the volume and take a ride with Bon Scott to the other side.
- “Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell (1984)Paranoia never sounded so good. Michael Jackson’s backing vocals add an extra layer of creepy fun.
- “The Addams Family Theme” – Vic Mizzy (1964)Two snaps and you’re instantly transported to the kookiest, spookiest family on TV.
- “Witchy Woman” – Eagles (1972)Don Henley’s tale of a mysterious enchantress will cast a spell on your ears.
- “Godzilla” – Blue Öyster Cult (1977)A monstrous riff for the King of Monsters. Watch out for that radioactive breath!
- “Dead Man’s Party” – Oingo Boingo (1985)Danny Elfman’s quirky new wave hit is the perfect soundtrack for your Halloween bash.
- “The Witch” – The Sonics (1964)This garage rock classic will make you want to dance… or run for your life!
- “I Was a Teenage Werewolf” – The Cramps (1980)Lux Interior howls his way through this psychobilly ode to lycanthropy.
- “Bark at the Moon” – Ozzy Osbourne (1983)The Prince of Darkness himself delivers a howling good time with this heavy metal Halloween staple.
- “Nightmare on My Street” – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1988)Will Smith’s playful rap about Freddy Krueger is a fun way to close out our spooky playlist.
There you have it, ghouls and boys! A hauntingly good mix of classic Halloween tunes that’ll keep your party rocking all night long. From the soulful screams of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins to the fresh beats of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, this playlist spans decades of spooky musical history.
Remember, these songs aren’t just for Halloween – they’re perfect for any time you need a little extra thrill in your life. So dim the lights, light some candles, and let the spirits of rock ‘n’ roll past guide you through a night of musical mayhem!
Don’t forget to share your favorite Halloween tunes in the comments below. Who knows? You might introduce us to our next favorite spooky song!
Happy haunting, music lovers! 👻🎃🦇
