Are you searching for the best tracks to put on your Monster Mash playlist? Then, we’ve got you covered. From pop hits to rock legends, these 15 classic songs belong on every Halloween playlist. Do you agree?
1. People Are Strange by Echo & the Bunnymen
As the name suggests, People Are Strange is a song about feeling alienated. This song was a part of the movie The Lost Boys. Although this song goes way back to the 1900s, it has received immense popularity in the world of music lovers.
2. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult
The song title encapsulates exactly the jist of the entire song. The song’s main theme is immortal love and the certainty of death. The song’s lyrics mention Romeo and Juliet, who set the example of loving each other in the afterlife. However, the theme of the inevitability of death emerged from the thought of Osters’ fear of dying at a young age.
3. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
The word Ghostbusters is almost always associated with Halloween. Many children dress up as Ghostbusters inspired by the movie. This song, from the same movie, carries a somewhat weirder meaning than you could anticipate. Despite that, the audience applauded this song, and it topped the Billboard charts.
4. Black Magic Woman by Carlos Santana
The lyrics of this particular song were inspired by Peter Green’s girlfriend, Sandra. She was given the nickname “Magic Mamma,” and the lyrics talk about how she had blinded him with love by casting a magic spell on him.
But despite casting a spell, he can’t stop distancing himself from her. Green was a former member of Fleetwood Mac, and although other people from the band also did a cover of this song, the most well-known version is sung by Carlos.
5. Psycho Killer by Talking Heads
Talking Heads is a rock band, and the message being passed on in this song is closely related to the thoughts of a serial killer. Psycho Killer appeared on the most loved TV show, the Simpsons. It was starred in the episode where the villain is hired to kill celebrities, signifying the song’s meaning.
6. I Put a Spell on You by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
The original intention behind releasing this song was innocent. As the singer mentioned, he wanted to talk about the loss of a lover he wanted back. However, the song’s initial release did not gain enough appreciation; hence, it was released as a spooky song to notch it up.
The meaning was then changed to casting a spell on his girlfriend to have her back. This version became more popular and is now a famous Halloween song.
7. Thriller by Michael Jackson
Almost every song with a slightly haunted and spooky theme is associated with Halloween. Thriller is precisely one of those upbeat and catchy songs. The literal meaning of the lyrics talks about how a werewolf creature spooks a couple on a date. As we dig deeper into the meaning, the song signifies the fears all humans face as a part of their everyday lives.
8. Highway to Hell by AC/DC
AC/DC is an Australian band that released this song in the 1970s. The theme of this song talks about the difficulty of touring and constantly being on the road. The Highway that is talked about in the song is the Canning Highway, which was the road to the favorite places of the band member, Bon Scott.
9. Heathens by Twenty-One Pilots
Heathens is a popular song from the movie Suicide Squad. It has been a record-breaking song since 2016 and is still played by many music lovers. This song follows the genres of Alternative and Indie and has won almost three awards.
This song talks about the feeling of isolation people face. Almost everyone has felt out of place in a specific situation, and this song talks about that feeling. However, isolation here is closely related to the people who suffer from mental illness and face discrimination.
10. Lil’Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs
We all have heard and read about Little Red Riding Hood in our childhood storybooks. As the song title suggests, it talks about a man disguised as an innocent being trying to get the girl. The music video shows us how the man is disguised as a sheep when he is a wolf. Almost every listener interprets the song and the music video differently. It all depends on your perceptions.
11. Love Potion No. 9 by The Searchers
Another classic song from the 1900s, Love Potion No.9, talks about a man trying to find love. After tireless efforts, a palmist suggests he needs the love potion number nine. This potion fascinates him with everything he sees, whether living or non-living. Later on, inspired by the song’s title, a movie was released by the same name.
12. A Nightmare On My Street by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Part of this song’s theme involves the plot of a movie, A Nightmare On Elms Street, 2:Freddy’s Revenge”. The deeper meaning of this song helps us understand how our fears have immense control over our emotions and reactions. The plot is described as the main character being confused between the dream and reality. Often, the lines between what is actual and what is imaginary are quite blurred.
13. Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers
Monster Mash was released right before Halloween, making it the perfect song for your playlist this Fall. The story revolves around a scientist who created a monster that rises to dance. The scientist then hosts a party, inviting other monsters over to have a fun and spooky event.
14. Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell
The chorus of this song was sung by Michael Jackson, who, at that time in his life, was going through this state of paranoia. This paranoid feeling was mostly surrounded by the fear of being stalked and surveilled by the unknown, hence the title.
15. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder wrote this song for the people who believed in superstitions. He, however, did not believe in such things as he mentioned in an interview. This song came to him as an intuitive feeling while he was wandering in his studio.
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