Your ultimate Halloween playlist for a howling good time


Graphic courtesy of awayed, Tumblr

Graphic courtesy of awayed, Tumblr

From Black Friday to Christmas Day itself, it is impossible to turn on the radio and not be bombarded by the incalculable renditions of Jingle Bell Rock or Mariah Carey belting about what she wants for Christmas.  I think it’s fair to assume the holiday most Americans associate with music is Christmas. However, there’s one other holiday that definitely deserves its own soundtrack. I’m talking about Halloween.

To quote Halloweentown’s Marnie Piper, “Halloween is cool.” I love Halloween especially now that I’m older.  As much as I loved trick-or-treating, I feel empowered buying my own candy and much prefer going to costume parties than running around cul-de-sacs begging for Butterfingers all evening. However, nothing is more tragic than when you get to a party and the hosts clearly don’t know what they’re doing with the aux cord and sound system.  As much as I love Thriller (and yes, spoiler, it is included in the playlist I have made), playing obvious choices on a constant loop doesn’t give Halloween the respect it deserves. So, to help you get started with your own party playlists, I’ve thrown together a list of songs that I believe covers all the loveable clichés (i.e. “Monster Mash”) while doing the holiday some justice.

  1. “Spooked” by Bro Safari feat. DJ Craze
  2. “Scylla” by RL Grime
  3. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson 
  4. “EDM Death Machine” by Knife Party 
  5. “Genesis” by Grimes 
  6. “Tear You Apart” by She Wants Revenge  
  7. “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon 
  8. “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” by Father John Misty 
  9. “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
  10. “Coronus, The Terminator” by Flying Lotus
  11. “Kingpin” (Wuki Remix) by RL Grime feat. Big Sean 
  12. “Heads Will Roll” (A-Trak remix) by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  13. “Bankrupt!” by Phoenix
  14. “Frankenstein Stomp” by Count Lorry and the Biters
  15. “Control Movement” by Gesaffelstein
  16. “I Put A Spell On You” by Bette Midler (from film Hocus Pocus)
  17. “Seven Devils” by Florence + the Machine
  18. “Obedear” by Purity Ring
  19. “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett 
  20. “Weekend” by gLAdiator 
  21. “Casper The Friendly Ghost” by Daniel Johnston  
  22. “Light Years Away” by Oliver 
  23. “The Sun” by The Naked And Famous 
  24. “Night of the Living Dead” by Misfits 
  25. “Hey!” by MF Doom 
  26. “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran 
  27. “Talk” by XXYYXX
  28. “Sweet Transvestite” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
  29. “Night Is On My Mind” by Oliver 
  30. “Don’t be Afraid, You’re Already Dead” by Akron/Family 
  31. “Disturbia” by Rihanna
  32. “Demons” by Sleigh Bells 
  33. “Black Magic Woman” by Santana 
  34. “Season Of The Witch” by Donovan
  35. “Suffocation” by Crystal Castles
  36. “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr. 
  37. “Yung Rapunxel” by Azealia Banks 
  38. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult
  39. “Hip To Be Square” by Huey Lewis & The News 
  40. Tthhee Ppaarrttyy” by Justice