Trick-or-treating, a backyard Halloween party or just getting the house decorated all need a soundtrack. Instead of relying on the same three Halloween songs every October, we’ve put together a list of our favourite spooky tunes so you can build your own playlist, on whatever app you use.
Just search for each song and add it to a playlist. Ten minutes now means it’s ready to go every year from here on.
Halloween Classics Everyone Knows
The songs that come on the moment anyone says the word Halloween. Perfect for decorating the house or as the backdrop while the kids get into costume.
- Thriller, Michael Jackson
- Ghostbusters, Ray Parker Jr.
- Monster Mash, Bobby “Boris” Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers
- Somebody’s Watching Me, Rockwell
- Superstition, Stevie Wonder
- I Put a Spell on You, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
- Spooky, Classics IV
- The Addams Family Theme, a genuine must-have if it’s not already in your playlist
Fun and Kid-Friendly Halloween Hits
These are the ones that get requested on repeat by younger kids. Good for a school holiday craft session, a Halloween party game, or trick-or-treating around the block.
- This Is Halloween, The Citizens of Halloween
- Grim Grinning Ghosts, from Disney’s Haunted Mansion
- Shake Them Skeleton Bones, The Kiboomers and Wendy Wiseman
- Spooky, Scary Skeletons, Andrew Gold, a favourite from school Halloween discos if it’s not already on your list
- Jeepers Creepers, Louis Armstrong
- The Skeleton in the Closet, Louis Armstrong
- Time Warp, Glee Cast (a gentler take than the original Rocky Horror version below)
Disney and Movie Halloween Favourites
If your kids are into Disney Channel or the Descendants movies, these get requested constantly through October.
- Rotten to the Core, Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce and Booboo Stewart
- Ways to Be Wicked, Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson and Cameron Boyce
- Evil Like Me, Kristin Chenoweth and Dove Cameron
- Once Upon a Dream, Lana Del Rey (from Maleficent)
- Stranger Things, Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
Classic Rock and Retro Spooky Vibes
For a Halloween party where the adults want a say in the playlist too. These lean more into the mood of the season than jump scares.
- Highway to Hell, AC/DC
- Werewolves of London, Warren Zevon
- (Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Blue Öyster Cult
- Witchy Woman, The Hollies
- Season of the Witch, Donovan
- Voodoo Child (Slight Return), Jimi Hendrix
- Black Magic Woman, Santana, a great add if it’s not already on your list
- You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), Dead Or Alive
- I Want Candy, Bow Wow Wow
- Love Potion No. 9, The Searchers
- People Are Strange, The Doors
- Ghost Town, The Specials
- The Boogie Monster, Gnarls Barkley, CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse
Spookier Songs for Older Kids and Teens
A few tracks with a darker, more atmospheric edge. Nothing explicit, just a moodier Halloween than the kids’ party playlist above.
- Halloween, Siouxsie and the Banshees
- Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), David Bowie
- Zombie, The Cranberries
- You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween, Muse
- Dracula’s Wedding, Outkast featuring Kelis
- I Put a Spell on You, Alice Smith (a moodier cover of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins original above)
Novelty and Retro Fun
The slightly kitschy, always fun additions that round out a Halloween playlist nicely.
- You Spin Me Round is worth pairing with these if you want a full retro disco run
- Happy Halloween, John Zacherle
- Let’s Twist Again (Mummy Time Is Here), John Zacherle
- Time Warp, Little Nell, Patricia Quinn and Richard O’Brien (the original Rocky Horror version)
- Abracadabra, Steve Miller Band
Frequently Asked Questions
Around 40 to 60 songs works well for a party, roughly two to three hours without repeats. For trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood, a shorter 20 to 30 song playlist is usually plenty.
Most of the tracks in the Classics and Kid-Friendly sections are safe for young children. A few in the Classic Rock and Spookier sections have a darker, more grown-up tone rather than explicit content, so they’re better suited to older kids, teens and adults.
Yes. Every song on this list is widely available, so you can search for each one and add it to a playlist on whichever streaming service you use.
Keep the Spooky Season Going
Once your playlist is sorted, check out our Halloween Guide for everything happening across the region this October, from trick-or-treat trails to family-friendly Halloween events.