Christmas has carols, summer has pop anthems, but Halloween? Halloween has spooky, thrilling and ominous music. For years, music has shaped the excitement around Halloween, with eerie-themed songs starting to trend two weeks before Oct. 31. These tracks help create anticipation and set the tone for the holiday. While many songs resonate with the spooky season, a few have become classic favorites closely associated with Halloween, returning to playlists year after year.
Some of the most listened-to songs that define Halloween and are played annually are:
- “Thriller” by Michael Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA&list=RDsOnqjkJTMaA&start_radio=1
- “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsPdVsIXqzU&list=RDtsPdVsIXqzU&start_radio=1
- “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaV1r341wYk&list=RDTaV1r341wYk&start_radio=1
- “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY&list=RD7YvAYIJSSZY&start_radio=1
- “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY&list=RD7YvAYIJSSZY&start_radio=1
“Thriller” by Michael Jackson is likely one of the most iconic tracks associated with Halloween. The music video features many spooky themes like zombies, werewolves and chasing scenes, which make many viewers connect it to Halloween. With its supernatural, horror-inspired video and eerie beat, it is a song everyone recognizes. Even decades after its release, “Thriller” remains one of the most played Halloween songs and appears on nearly every playlist annually.
While “Thriller” is more on a dark tone, “Monster Mash” has a more playful tone. “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett was released in 1962. This track is popular in films and often featured in Halloween-themed movies, TV shows and soundtracks. With its catchy melody and playful tone, “Monster Mash” remains a classic favorite among listeners of all ages. Despite being over 60 years old and bringing nostalgia for many, it remains a popular song in Halloween playlists.
Another popular Halloween track is “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr. This song was originally made for the film of the same name. It is instantly recognizable with its upbeat rhythm, funky bass line and its most famous “Who you gonna call?” line. The song also perfectly captures the 1980s beat with classic synthesizers. Today, “Ghostbusters” remains a fun track to listen to and dance to.
Additionally, “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell is another popular Halloween track. The lyrics are dark and eerie, fitting perfectly with Halloween’s spooky vibe. With Michael Jackson also singing on this song and its groovy 1980s beat and odd tone, it feels thrilling yet unsettling at the same time. Its unique sound helped it grow in popularity over time. Over the years, the track has been popular in films, commercials and internet trends. So, it’s no surprise it returns every year.
Finally, while this song and “Somebody’s Watching Me” have a similar tone, and even though this song was not originally written for Halloween, “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads has become a favorite among listeners due to its title, dark rhythm and dark lyrics. It explores the mind of a disturbed individual in a way that matches the psychological horror themes often associated with Halloween.
In the end, Halloween would not be the same without its iconic music. The music sets the mood for an eerie and enjoyable atmosphere for trick-or-treating or parties. Halloween music is evolving, but these classic tracks continue to influence the modern scene with their spooky vibes and recognizable tunes. With these influential songs, many more Halloween classics are yet to come.
