10 Songs to Put on Your Halloween Playlist
While we all love a bit of “Monster Mash”, “Thriller”, and now newly-revisited “Ghostbusters”, it’s understandable that we want to throw ourselves - and our friends - for a loop by putting on something different, but songs gives us the same amount of chills and treats that our old favorites give us. Without further ado, here are 10 spine-tingling tunes that’ll put you in the Halloween spirit.
1. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead - Set It Off
If “spooky pop” were a sub-genre of the scene, Set It Off would be at the forefront of it. With Cody Carson’s rough tenor, the band’s haunting instrumentation, and lyrics that so vivid that you can picture yourself going insane, this song is the lullaby of your worst nightmares.
2. Control - Halsey
This one acts as a slow burn as it builds to its chorus. It recalls an energy of fear and terror as the songstress, singing like a siren, asks, “Who is in control?”
3. It’s Almost Halloween - Panic! At the Disco
This one feels like an old fashioned song you’d hear at a sockhop or ice cream social while also being very Pretty. Odd.-era Panic! Feel free to do the trick-or-treat to this one to relieve yourself of the rest of the tracks on here.
4. What’s This? - Fall Out Boy
If you thought we’d go a whole playlist without A Nightmare Before Christmas, you’re crazy. Who doesn’t love rock-and-roll versions of childhood favorites?
5. Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
It’s been 10 years since MCR put out this masterpiece of an album. While an argument could be made that that album could be your whole Halloween playlist, the title track is forever iconic. Maybe even iconic enough to have your and your best friends dress up as TBP one last time?
6. All Around Me - Flyleaf
Secret places, an all-consuming presence, and being completely overcome with emotion on both extremes seem to be captured by this Flyleaf classic, which is why it has earned its place on here.
7. Serpents - Neck Deep
“I gave her my heart, she didn't want it, took it anyway and put a dark spell on it, since then I haven't been the same.” A theme of many a Halloween folklore is love gone wrong, reeking havoc on the rest of space and time as we know it. Angst and the lovelorn are a perfect pair in this song that can stalk your memories this holiday.
8. Paranoia - A Day to Remember
You get exactly what you expect from this title. Similar to our first song, Paranoia runs through the idea of being so deep into your own head that it eats you alive. That’s scarier than any monster we could probably dream up.
9. Safest Place - Echosmith
Ignorance offers more bliss than the truth in the darkest tune this band has ever put out. If you can see yourself running through the valley and the shadows AND getting through alive, you’re probably one of the few.
10. Howl - Florence and the Machine
This one’s up to your interpretation. Ravenous lovers? Toxic werewolf-like love? Both? Either way, this last song will likely release your inner demons. (Just try not to actually howl.)
I hope you enjoy a few off this and tell me what you’d add to it!