Halloween Playlist

If you need a playlist for your Halloween party, look no further! I put this together a couple of years ago and, barring a few edits and additions, it's remained the same since then. This post is about my reasons for including the songs, and why I love them - a playlist origin story, of sorts. I hope you enjoy the list, and find some tunes to put on your own Halloween song repertoire!

Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold

Aside from the fairly apt song title, I don't think I could have a Halloween playlist without an Avenged Sevenfold song. There are many tunes of theirs that I could have included (like A Little Piece Of Heaven and Afterlife), and narrowing it down to just one was so difficult. I eventually settled with Nightmare because it has more of a Halloween-y feel to it, especially the opening vibraphone notes.

Bela Lugosi's Dead - Bauhaus

I absolutely adore Bela Lugosi. His portrayal of Dracula is the only portrayal to me (sorry, Sir Christopher Lee!). So this song had to make it on the Halloween list, simply for naming the actor who brought the best horror character to life. It's also a spooky, subtle song, and it's by Bauhaus. What more is there to ask for? It's a bit of a slower, softer one, so it's good as a calm interlude amongst the rest of the brilliant noise in this list.

Zombie - The Cranberries

Another very suitable song title. Perhaps not an obvious contender for a Halloween playlist, but I wanted to include it all the same because it's a brilliant song.

Burn - The Cure

Not only is this from one of the best 80s Goth bands ever, it's also taken from the soundtrack of an almost perfect Halloween-time movie - The Crow, with the wonderful late Brandon Lee. A winning combination for Halloween! If you haven't seen the movie, do watch it - it's a tale of romance, vengeance, an inner city burning itself down, death and resurrection. I adore it. I also adore The Cure, and this song is one of my favourites of theirs.

Grimly Fiendish - The Damned

Like Avenged Sevenfold, it was really difficult to narrow down a song from The Damned for this playlist. They basically are Halloween music. I decided this was probably the best one for the occasion, though many of their other songs would have sufficed. I like this one because of the opening music, and Dave Vanian's silky vocals.

Freak on a Leash - Korn

I hope this one reminds a lot of you of your angry teenaged selves. It does me. It's also still a brilliant song, and one of the rare rock songs that one can actually dance to effectively.

Personal Jesus - Marilyn Manson

Technically a cover song, but Manson did such a good job of it. Like many of the other artists on this list, it was hard to pick just one MM song. I chose this one because it's diabolical and has a fantastic beat.

Thriller - Michael Jackson

It's THE LAW to have this song on a Halloween playlist. I will not hear any differently. It's an iconic classic by an iconic popstar, with probably the best choreography ever. Fun fact: When I was 2, I accidentally saw the video for Thriller on the TV. Far from being upset or scared, I begged my Mum to videotape it so I could watch it over and over. As I grew older, I came to appreciate the cameo from the incredible Vincent Price, too.

Halloween - Misfits

I mean, the title of this song instantly got it onto the list anyway. It's also a change of pace - a faster, grittier, more punky song. It can't all be spook and screams, you guys. It's a super short song, but a lot of fun.

The Devil's Workday - Modest Mouse

An exquisitely strange song, by a brilliant band. This one sticks out like a sore thumb in the playlist, but at the same time it totally fits. It's funny and almost over-the-top theatrical. Perfect for a costume party.

This is Halloween - Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those strange films that can't really be categorised. Is it a Christmas film or a Halloween film? It's a classic for either holiday, really. This song, however, is Halloween through and through, and I don't think any respected Halloween playlist should go without it.

Mein Herz Brennt - Rammstein

I adore Rammstein, and there are so many songs of theirs that I would consider for this playlist. If you want extra spooky, check out the piano version of it.

Pet Sematary - Ramones

Written for the movie based on the Stephen King book (an absolute blinder, by the way - read it if you haven't), this simply had to be part of the Halloween playlist. For those not aware, the pet sematary is a magic place that resurrects animals (and sometimes people) buried there. A perfectly spooky story for All Hallow's Eve. I'm also biased toward this song because I love Ramones and I love Stephen King.

Gloomy Sunday - Reszo Seress

This is a sad, strange old song. It sounds kind of out of place on the playlist, but it - and its odd back story - deserved a place here. Known as the 'Hungarian Suicide Song', this tune evokes a heavy sadness every time I hear it while still being a beautiful lamenting piece of music. Also, Billie Holiday did a fantastic Englsh cover of it.

Dragula - Rob Zombie

This one always takes me back to second year of university, when my housemate Jo and I used to go to 'Ink', the metal music night at our uni's club/venue. They would almost always play this, and it got everyone dancing and moshing without fail. It's an absolute banger.

Living Dead Girl - Rob Zombie

Yes, Rob Zombie gets two tracks on this playlist because, let's face it, the guy looks like Halloween personified.

Halloween - Siouxsie & The Banshees

Another one titled Halloween! Siouxsie Sioux's voice is one of the most recognisable from the 80s Goth band scene, and her band definitely deserves a place on any Halloween playlist.

Dead Memories - Slipknot

I thought a slightly calmer Slipknot song would suit more people than one of their absolutely raging ones. How considerate of me. The vocals in this are wonderful, and the song has an overall morbid vibe.

Ghost Town - The Specials

Come on, this song's a classic! And it's talking about a ghost town. It was practically made for Halloween.

Dead and Bloated - Stone Temple Pilots

I'll admit it, a lot of this playlist is incredibly lazy in that I picked titles that were morbid, creepy, and suitable for Halloween. This is another title like that, but this song is a total belter. Thrashy, complete with harsh vocals and a hard beat.

God's Away On Business - Tom Waits

I will never understand this song, but that's why it had to be on this list. It's bizarre and nonsensical and very, very creepy. Waits' vocals are discordant and unnerving, and this song somehow gives you a kind of existential horror without even trying - I love it!

All My Friends Are Dead - Turbonegro

A very morbid title, but a very fun, punky anthem. This is definitely one you can dance to.

When You're Evil - Voltaire

Another incredibly strange, theatrical song. This one talks about how much fun it is to be evil to people (pretty obvious from the title), and the instrumental background adds so much to it. It's a very fun song.

~

I am always looking for new songs to add to my Halloween playlist, so if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. Stay spooky!