Halloween is one of those nights when music matters almost as much as the costumes. The right playlist can make a party, a trick-or-treat stroll, or even a night in feel ten times more festive. From classic horror themes to creepy rock hits, these songs bring out the spooky, the campy, and the downright fun side of October 31st.
Be sure to check out the Halloween Songs Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Halloween Songs
1. Halloween Theme – John Carpenter
This instrumental track from the 1978 horror film “Halloween” is a masterclass in building tension with just a few piano notes. The eerie, repeating melody immediately creates a sense of dread.
2. “Thriller” – Michael Jackson
Lyric Sample: “And no one’s gonna save you from the beast about to strike.”
Michael Jackson’s iconic hit turns a night of fright into a choreographed dance party. It features a memorable voiceover from horror legend Vincent Price.
3. “Monster Mash” – Bobby “Boris” Pickett
Lyric Sample: “It was a graveyard smash.”
This 1960s novelty song tells the story of a mad scientist’s monster who creates a new dance craze. It’s hard to imagine a Halloween party without this song on the playlist.
4. “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC
Lyric Sample: “Hey, Satan, payin’ my dues, playin’ in a rockin’ band.”
The title alone makes this hard rock song a perfect addition to any Halloween list. Bon Scott sings about a reckless life without consequences, framing it as a one-way trip to a fiery place.
5. “Bury a Friend” – Billie Eilish
Lyric Sample: “What do you want from me? Why don’t you run from me?”
Eilish gets into the head of a monster lurking under the bed in this creepy, modern track. She describes a creature that lives in the dark, watching and waiting.
Related: Best Songs About Ghosts
6. “Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell
Lyric Sample: “I always feel like somebody’s watching me, and I have no privacy.”
Rockwell’s song taps into a common fear of being watched, especially when you’re alone. The song creates an anxious feeling of paranoia and constant surveillance.
Related: Best One-Hit Wonders
7. The Addams Family Theme – Vic Mizzy
Lyric Sample: “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky.”
The famous finger-snapping theme song perfectly captures the eccentric and spooky nature of the Addams family. It’s a short, catchy tune that’s been a Halloween staple for decades.
8. “Disturbia” – Rihanna
Lyric Sample: “It’s a thief in the night to come and grab you, it can creep up inside you and consume you.”
Rihanna’s pop hit describes a mind that feels out of control, as if something evil is taking over. It’s a high-energy dance track about feeling trapped in a scary mental space.
9. “Pet Sematary” – Ramones
Lyric Sample: “I don’t wanna be buried in a pet sematary, I don’t want to live my life again.”
This 1980s punk rock song was written for the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name. It’s about the unnatural and dangerous consequences of bringing the dead back to life.
10. “Dragula” – Rob Zombie
Lyric Sample: “Dig through the ditches and burn through the witches.”
“Dragula” is a high-octane celebration of all things macabre, named after Grandpa Munster’s dragster in The Munsters. The industrial metal track is a staple for anyone wanting a loud and chaotic Halloween song.
11. “Werewolves of London” – Warren Zevon
Lyric Sample: “I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand.”
This classic rock song tells a fun, quirky story about a werewolf roaming the streets of London in the 1970s. It’s equal parts goofy and unsettling, making it perfect Halloween listening, and one of the top picks for Halloween-themed karaoke songs.
12. “Heads Will Roll” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Lyric Sample: “Off with your head, dance ’til you’re dead, heads will roll.”
This 2000s indie rock track blends dark lyrics with a danceable beat. Its horror imagery feels ripped right from a slasher flick.
13. “Time Warp” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Lyric Sample: “It’s just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right.”
“Time Warp” is a call-and-response song that teaches a specific dance. It’s a fun and theatrical song that invites everyone to join in on the chaos.
Related: Best Songs with Their Own Dances
14. “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads
Lyric Sample: “Psycho killer, qu’est-ce que c’est?”
The Talking Heads’ hit is about a person who is losing their mind and imagining dark thoughts. It has a jittery and tense sound, fitting the theme perfectly.
Related: “Psycho Killer” Song Meaning
15. “Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr.
Lyric Sample: “If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?”
Cheerful and campy, this 1984 movie theme is one of Halloween’s most fun sing-alongs. The song puts a positive spin on dealing with supernatural problems.
16. “Season of the Witch” – Donovan
Lyric Sample: “You’ve got to pick up every stitch.”
Donovan’s psychedelic rock song uses the idea of a “season of the witch” to talk about a world that is a little off-kilter and strange. The song creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspicion.
17. “I Put a Spell on You” – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Lyric Sample: “I put a spell on you, because you’re mine.”
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ famous song is a dramatic performance about using a spell to make someone stay with you. His over-the-top delivery makes it theatrical and a great listen on Halloween night.
18. “People Are Strange” – The Doors
Lyric Sample: “When you’re strange, faces come out of the rain.”
Jim Morrison sings about feeling like an outsider in an unfamiliar place. It’s a moody rock track about feeling isolated when you don’t fit in.
19. “Ghost Town” – The Specials
Lyric Sample: “This town is coming like a ghost town.”
“Ghost Town” is about the decay of urban areas and the feelings of hopelessness. Its unique reggae and ska sounds give it a tense and eerie feel.
Related: Best Ghost Songs
20. “Hungry Like the Wolf” – Duran Duran
Lyric Sample: “I’m on the hunt, I’m after you.”
Duran Duran’s 1980s hit song is about a person pursuing something they desire, using the imagery of a wolf on the hunt. The song has a frantic and energetic pace.
Related: Best Songs with Animals in the Title
21. “Spooky” – Classics IV
Lyric Sample: “Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you.”
This one uses the word “spooky” to describe a feeling of being in love. The jazzy tune gives the word a completely different meaning from the one we usually associate with Halloween, but it has a great sound for the holiday.
22. “Sympathy for the Devil” – The Rolling Stones
Lyric Sample: “Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste.”
This 1960s rock epic presents the devil as a smooth storyteller. It’s sinister and theatrical, making it fit neatly on just about any Halloween playlist.
Related: “Sympathy for the Devil” Song Meaning
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23. “Lil’ Red Riding Hood” – Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs
Lyric Sample: “What big eyes you have, the kind of eyes that drive a wolf mad.”
This garage rock track takes the classic fairy tale and turns it into a song from the wolf’s perspective. The growling delivery keeps it spooky enough for the holiday.
24. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” – Blue Öyster Cult
Lyric Sample: “Seasons don’t fear the Reaper, nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain.”
This 1970s hit suggests that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, so there’s no reason to be afraid of it. Its cowbell may have become a punchline, but it still has a Halloween vibe.
Related: Songs About Death
25. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Lyric Sample: “Don’t go around tonight, well, it’s bound to take your life.”
CCR’s song uses a rising “bad moon” to signal that something terrible is about to happen. The lyrics warn of impending disaster and chaos, which are great fitting themes for Halloween.
Related: Best Songs About the Moon
26. “Enter Sandman” – Metallica
Lyric Sample: “Sleep with one eye open, gripping your pillow tight.”
“Enter Sandman” is a ’90s hit about the nightmares a person can have while they’re sleeping. The song taps into the anxieties and fears that come with going to bed.
27. “Hells Bells” – AC/DC
Lyric Sample: “I won’t take no prisoners, won’t spare no lives.”
“Hells Bells” uses the sound of a church bell to announce the arrival of a destructive force. It’s a Halloween metal essential thanks to its heavy sound and serious mood.
28. “Spooky, Scary Skeletons” – Andrew Gold
Lyric Sample: “You’ll shake and shudder in surprise.”
What began as a children’s Halloween song became a famous internet meme in the 2010s. Now it’s a quirky Halloween must-play.
29. “The Number of the Beast” – Iron Maiden
Lyric Sample: “Six, six, six, the number of the beast.”
“The Number of the Beast” is a classic example of heavy metal with a dark theme. The song recounts a dream the singer had about being confronted with a nightmarish figure.
30. “Burn the Witch” – Radiohead
Lyric Sample: “Burn the witch, we know where you live.”
Radiohead’s song is a cautionary tale about mob mentality and paranoia. The track has a frantic, almost chaotic string arrangement that builds a sense of fear.
31. “Witchy Woman” – Eagles
Lyric Sample: “She got the moon in her eye.”
This 1970s track mixes mystical lyrics with a dark, folk-rock sound. It’s one of the most famous witch-themed songs in rock history.
32. “The Monster” – Eminem ft. Rihanna
Lyric Sample: “I’m friends with the monster that’s under my bed, get along with the voices inside of my head.”
This 2013 rap-pop hit uses horror metaphors to describe inner battles. Its catchy chorus makes it a Halloween party favorite.
33. “The Dead Dance” – Lady Gaga
Lyric Sample: “Yeah, I’ll keep on dancin’ until I’m dead.”
Lady Gaga’s 2025 track blends dark, theatrical imagery with a defiant message about survival through music. It feels like a supernatural club anthem made for Halloween night.
34. “House of the Rising Sun” – The Animals
Lyric Sample: “Oh, mother, tell your children, not to do what I have done”
Though more tragic than spooky, this 1964 folk-rock classic feels haunted. It’s a tale of ruin and despair that fits the Halloween mood quite well.
Related: “House of the Rising Sun” Song Meaning
35. “Gods & Monsters” – Lana Del Rey
Lyric Sample: “In the land of Gods and monsters, I was an angel, living in the garden of evil.”
“Gods & Monsters” dives into Hollywood excess with dark, surreal imagery. It has a slow, eerie tempo that gives it a chilling and mysterious vibe.
36. “Burn the Witch” – Queens of the Stone Age
Lyric Sample: “Burn the witch, burn to ash and bone.”
“Burn the Witch” leans into paranoia and mob justice, using witch-hunt imagery to make its point. With its heavy, sinister groove, it’s another great modern track for Halloween playlists.
37. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Marilyn Manson
Lyric Sample: “Sweet dreams are made of this, who am I to disagree?”
Manson’s industrial rock cover takes the 1980s pop song and gives it a dark and unsettling tone. It’s a Halloween staple for many thanks to its dark makeover.
38. “A Nightmare on My Street” – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Lyric Sample: “He’s burnt up like a weenie and his name is Fred.”
This ’80s novelty rap song from Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff tells a playful story about Freddy Krueger. It’s campy, fun, and pure Halloween.
39. “This Is Halloween” – The Citizens of Halloween Town
Lyric Sample: “This is Halloween, this is Halloween, pumpkins scream in the dead of night.”
“This Is Halloween,” from The Nightmare Before Christmas, acts as an opening number to the Halloween world. Its playful spookiness is perfect for all ages.
40. “You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween” – Muse
Lyric Sample: “When you turn out the lights, you make me feel like it’s Halloween.”
Muse’s track uses horror-movie imagery to capture paranoia inside a toxic relationship. Its eerie synths and haunted-house atmosphere make it a great modern Halloween song.
41. “Red Right Hand” – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Lyric Sample: “He’ll rekindle all the dreams it took you a lifetime to destroy.”
Nick Cave’s song uses a piano and sinister sound effects to create a spooky atmosphere. He sings about a mysterious, dangerous figure who shows up in moments of trouble.
Related: Best Songs with “Red” in the Title
42. “Monster” – Skillet
Lyric Sample: “I feel it deep within, it’s just beneath the skin.”
“Monster” is about someone feeling trapped by an uncontrollable inner rage. Its heavy sound and themes have made it a modern Halloween favorite.
43. “Black Sabbath” – Black Sabbath
Lyric Sample: “Big black shape with eyes of fire, tellin’ people their desire.”
This 1970 track basically invented heavy metal’s horror vibe. Its chilling riffs and dark lyrics have made it a go-to Halloween song for over a century.
44. “Devil’s Haircut” – Beck
Lyric Sample: “Got a devil’s haircut in my mind.”
This ’90s alt-rock hit mixes surreal, fragmented images with a driving beat. Its cryptic lyrics and Halloween-y sounds create a slightly unsettling atmosphere.
45. “The Phantom of the Opera” – Sarah Brightman & Steve Harley
Lyric Sample: “The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind.”
This theatrical song from the famous musical tells the story of a mysterious figure who exerts control over a young woman. Its gothic, suspenseful feel that suits Halloween. It’s also a great choice for a Halloween karaoke duet.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a pop song with a spooky theme or a heavy metal track about creatures of the night, music is a big part of the Halloween season. They bring the dark, playful, and eerie energy of the holiday to life.
If you liked this list, you might also enjoy our Songs About Ghosts, Songs About Death, Songs About Autumn, and Songs About Thanksgiving lists!
