The Best Halloween Songs Over The Years

With October halfway over, Halloween is right around the corner. Lovers of the scary and supernatural everywhere will be celebrating the glory of this holiday of horror. Get in the Halloween spirit with some of these menacing and memorable spooky songs.

Monster Mash – 1962

This song by Bobby Picket is the staple of every Halloween party and the oldest song on this list. This instant classic was the number one song in the US for Halloween week the year of its release. Despite being banned for its “morbid” lyrics, after its re-release in 1970, it returned to the top of the charts, hitting number three in the UK. The ghoulish story told in the song’s lyrics and its quintessential background vocals create the perfect Halloween hit.

I Put a Spell on You – 1965

The ubiquitous Halloween song “I Put a Spell on You” has been around for decades, first written and sung by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in 1965. The song itself has been covered by multiple artists, including American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and music legend Nina Simone. With so many artistic interpretations of the Halloween song, you are bound to find a version of “I Put a Spell on You” that you’ll love to listen to all season long.

Thriller – 1982

The “King of Pop” does not disappoint with this song. The album “Thriller”, which features this song, is estimated to have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. The music video cost over $900,000 to produce, but was a truly innovative filming style for the time, with an entire storyline accompanying the music. The lyrics tell a scary tale featuring the pop star himself turning into a “were-cat” and a zombie throughout the video.

Ghostbusters – 1984

Released in 1984 alongside the iconic film, “Ghostbusters”, this song has become one for the ages. It wouldn’t really be the Halloween season without hearing Ray Parker Jr. ask the question, “Who ya gonna call?” in this catchy tune. But if there’s really something strange in the neighborhood, come on over to the Jazz Cafe, where we welcome all our living guests with open arms and turn away undead monsters at the door.

This is Halloween – 1993

Featured in the classic stop-motion film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, this chilling track features the citizens of the fictional town of Halloween harmonizing to introduce everyone’s favorite Halloween hero, Jack Skellington. A combination of sinister solo verses and upbeat orchestral music makes this a perfect song to celebrate the scariest day of the year.

Spooky Scary Skeletons – 1996

After initially being released by Andrew Gold as a children’s song in 1996, this song soon took the internet by storm. Aside from the commentary on socially deprived skeletons, this song delivers a mesmerizing beat that draws the attention of anyone within earshot. The internet is saturated with countless edits of this tune, including fast-paced electronic remixes and instrumental covers.

Make the Perfect Playlist for the Spooky Season with These Halloween Songs

With all these spooky songs and terrifying tunes, you are sure to create the perfect Halloween playlist! Though, we will always be ready with the perfect playlist for any time of year at the River Street Jazz Cafe. Check out our upcoming shows and start planning your next night out!