The Songs Your Halloween Party Playlist NEEDS
Halloween is undoubtedly one of the best seasonal excuses to throw an epically crazy party! One where everyone has a perfectly valid reason to be dressing up however and as whomever they desire whilst playing party games with the strangest (yet most exciting) concepts. What’s not to love about this time of year?
Nevertheless, creating such a great night will require some careful planning! If you’re hosting this year, you’ll certainly have a pretty big job to deliver: the house needs to be decorated top to toe with the wackiest and most imaginative decorations; your speakers need to be loaded with the best tunes to boast the ultimate Halloween vibe. Sounds a little overwhelming, but we’ve got you sorted! Look out for my other article, 15 Over The Top Halloween Decorations, for some homely inspiration, and your must-have playlist is right here.
1. Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics
This is the perfect dance track to get everyone going – you may even catch a few guests trying to imitate Stifler’s dance-off from American Pie! While many can’t decide what the song’s definite meaning is, it’s often agreed that there are some darker themes within the lyrics. If you’re after an even spookier vibe, try the versions by Marilyn Manson and Emily Browning.
2. Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell
The lyrics kind of say it all – no one can honestly say that the feeling of being stalked/watched doesn’t send a shudder down their spine.
3. The Exorcist – Halloween All-Stars
Whether the classic horror movie scares you or not, the theme itself is incredibly creepy and will certainly have some guests feeling on edge!
4. Thriller – Michael Jackson
All you have to do is watch the star’s famous music video to realise this song screams Halloween. It’ll have everyone getting into the real seasonal spirit whilst attempting all of the crazy dances demonstrated by Jackson himself.
5. Highway To Hell – ACDC
A real rock classic! This will truly get your party kick-started with some moves from even the most reluctant of dancers. Plus it’s talking about riding off to Hell – so it’s totally relevant, too!
6. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
The beat and back music generally gives off a monstrous feel – you’ll most likely find your guests attempting their strangest dances along to the bridge of this track.
7. Ghostbusters Theme – Peter Rutcho
You can hardly have a Halloween party without some famous tracks from beloved Halloween-based films! Plus, if your guests make an effort with fancy dress, it’s very likely someone/a group have actually come impersonating the Ghostbusters , so it’ll definitely speak on levels with them.
8. Time Warp – Richard O’Brien
Just as above, any horror movie theme tracks will go down a real treat with everyone! If no one has come dressed as a Ghostbuster, maybe there’ll be some Rocky Horror fans instead!
9. Disturbia – Rihanna
An epic Halloween party playlist needs to tick two boxes: to make guests want to dance the night away, and to create a scary/crazy atmosphere in relation to the seasonal theme. This song ticks both.
10. Dead or Alive – Bon Jovi
I’m pretty sure you can filter out a zombie pun from the song meaning somewhere. Nevertheless, it makes a great party hit, pun or not.
11. This is Halloween – Danny Elfman
From the lyrics to the general feel of the music, I’m not sure you’ll be able to play a more suitable song to fit the theme than this one! Fancy an even darker vibe? Try Marilyn Manson’s cover – it’ll be the perfect piece to stick on at midnight.
12. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
Perhaps the song itself doesn’t scream Halloween, but it’s certainly a well known track in a zombie favourite, Shaun of the Dead – that counts, right? Either way, you just can’t miss this song at your party; I doubt anyone will even care it’s not talking an ounce of monsters or gore.
13. The Twilight Zone – Jerry Goldsmith
This musical piece will particularly call out to anyone who has had the terrifying experience of riding the Tower of Terror in Florida/California. To all the other guests, it’s one creepy track that will lurk in their heads for ages after.
14. E.T – Katy Perry
Everyone will be singing about extraterrestrial lovers to this song – which naturally fits the creepy tone. It’s almost as if Halloween-themed lyrics by nature just go with a great dancing beat – perhaps that’s why these parties are always the best ones.
15. Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
I know we’ve already had a song from Jackson above, but this guy just sets the perfect tone for Halloween bashes! The track itself may not be talking of ghosts or zombies, but Annie is certainly running away from something/someone disturbing – so surely it counts as something monstrous? Or, in this context, it can.
16. Sweet Dreams – Beyonce
I can imagine that most of your guests would like to consider themselves a ‘beautiful nightmare’ in all their spooky attire!
17. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
If this doesn’t get everyone excited and dancing, I don’t know what will! This song may not be scarily intentioned, but we can make exceptions for such a party hit. Besides, going out in moonlight alone is still pretty eerie…
18. The Monster – Eminem ft. Rihanna
Everyone’s going to be friends with monsters at this party – not literally, but you get my point.
19. Maneater – Nelly Furtado
While this song may not be talking about a woman who literally eats men, I’m sure we can pretend it is to amp up the party’s maniac vibe. The theme of Halloween itself is, after all, reliant on wild imaginations!
20. Welcome to the Black Parade – My Chemical Romance
The theme of death in this song is quite clearly not intended in a scary way, but the song itself is too good not to have on your playlist. It’ll send all of your guests right back in time to old nostalgic memories whilst having them all singing and dancing along!
