You’ve picked out your costume, put out bowls of candy corn, made some sick caramel apples and draped fake spider webs all over your living room. Now, all you need to make your Halloween party perfect are some scary tunes. We’ve got you covered with everything from childhood classics to dance tracks and everything in between—so put on your hockey mask and press play.
1. “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
Why not start with a classic favorite? It’ll get everybody up and moving in their candy corn sugar highs. Just don’t cross the streams…
2. “Aha!” by Pentatonix
A spooky cover (and a zombie-themed music video) from everyone’s favorite a capella group. We honestly couldn’t tell you why it’s not on every Halloween playlist ever made because it should be.
3. “I Put a Spell on You” by Bette Midler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaC-WDrvmUQ
This one will have everybody on the dance floor picturing Bette Midler and the Sanderson Sisters and flashing back to the best Halloween movie ever. It’ll make them want to dance until they drop—literally.
4. “Spooky Scary Skeletons” by Andrew Gold
You’ve probably been hearing this on Tumblr for the past month and a half, but it deserves a spot in your Halloween mix, even if it’s just to give your guests a cringe-laugh.
5. “Witchcraft” by Frank Sinatra
A sweet classic—the perfect follow-up to the nightmare you’ve just put your guests through with the previous track. Impress your friends with your tastes and pour yourself a scotch, you classy SOB.
6. “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” by Tracy Jordan
This iconic hit from 30 Rock will fit the mood of your party to a T—spooky, goofy and clever as hell. Rejoice in the looks on your guests’ faces as the lyrics dawn on them, and have a quiet moment of pride and love for Tracy Morgan.
7. “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett and the Crypt Kickers
You knew this one was coming. No Halloween playlist is complete without the “Monster Mash,” and even if the whole room groans when it comes on, they’ll be singing along by the chorus. It’ll be a regular graveyard smash. *crickets*
8. “Ghost Town” by Adam Lambert
This killer dance track gets just spooky enough to keep the Halloween vibe while simultaneously pumping your party full of bass and beats. Seriously, it’s impossible not to dance to this song.
9. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
Keep the dance vibe going with everyone’s favorite accidental Halloween classic. Watch as your party goes from a mass of unorganized movement to line dance perfection—‘cause this is Thriller.
10. “This is Halloween” by Danny Elfman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpvdAJYvofI
What’s this? It’s the theme from the greatest Halloween-Christmas crossover movie ever, that’s what. Expect a handful of screams of recognition from your guests and embrace that shit.
11. “Monster” by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is basically the patron saint of Halloween: ridiculous costumes, a discography of dance hits and a closet full of skeletons. Let her take you away to her world of monsters, including the boy that a-a-ate her heart.
12. “Time Warp” by Richard O’Brien
Look on with amusement as half the people at the party sing and dance along to the Rocky Horror classic, while the other half of the party pretends to know what’s going on. Luckily, they’ll catch on to the dance pretty quick because the steps are right there in the lyrics.
13. “Heffalumps and Woozles” by The Mellomen
Not gonna lie, heffalumps and woozles were the subjects of many a nightmare when I was little. Even watching this trippy clip as a semi-adult gave me the creeps. Re-awaken some old mental scars in your former Winnie-the-Pooh-loving guests.
14. “Every Breath You Take (Minor Key)” by Chase Holfelder
This song will send literal chills down your spine. It’s the classic song by The Police that we all always thought was a little creepy, but it’s in a minor key instead of major, making it every bit as terrifying as it was meant to be.
15. “Monster” by Kanye West
OK, yeah. Everything with “monster” in the title is probably going to end up on this list. But it’s spooky too–Kanye’s eyes are “more red than the devil is,” and he does that creepy shriek after Rick Ross’s part.
16. “Dance in the Dark” by Lady Gaga
Let Gaga return to drag you into the dark—the dark of the dance floor, that is. This one will have you dancing, but will still raise goosebumps on your arms. Gaga’s really good at that.
17. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson is the king of taking things you love and making them scary, and this song is no exception. Enjoy a terrifying version of an 80s classic and maybe turn the volume down just a little.
18. “Frankenstein” by Lenny Kravitz
You might think this song is only on the list because of the title, but you’d be wrong. It’s on the list because it’s Lenny Kravitz, and Lenny Kravitz is an angel. “You say that I’m your baby. But I feel like Frankenstein.” Who would dare treat Lenny like that? Scary, right?
19. “Howl” by Beware of Darkness
Get it? ‘Cause werewolves howl! Haha! But seriously, this one gives off a killer rock vibe, and will kick up the party with some head-banging (at least, I hope so).
20. “Bark at the Moon” by Ozzy Osborne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnNWUUZ7cEA
Another werewolf song. I’m sorry y’all. But at least it’s actually about a werewolf this time. Plus, everyone will recognize it from Guitar Hero, and it’ll be totally worth it to see the whole party start shredding on air guitars.
