October is here, and with it, the buzzing excitement of Halloween. To celebrate the season, I’ve compiled a spooktacular playlist that will get you hyped for the holiday. So, consider this your invitation to get into the Halloween mood: Snuggle up with a warm cup of hot cocoa, treat yourself to a pumpkin spice-flavored pastry, and immerse yourself in these spooky tunes. From chilling classics to family-friendly tunes, there’s something here for every ghost, ghoul, and goblin out there.

The Nostalgic Nightmares

Are you yearning to revisit your childhood memories of Halloween? Are you nostalgic for the days when trick-or-treating was all you looked forward to? If so, this subcategory is tailor-made for you. These tunes tap into the nostalgic childhood memories of Gen Zers, spanning from Disney classics to playful Chipmunk hits.

“Calling All the Monsters,” China Anne McClain

This first song comes from Disney’s Ant Farm, a television series about high school prodigies. China Anne McClain’s character is a musical prodigy who comes up with this exciting song in a Halloween-themed episode. This upbeat anthem will have you dancing for hours with its catchy rhythm and infectious energy.

“This is Halloween,” The Nightmare Before Christmas

How could we forget this masterpiece from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas? This whimsical track has become synonymous with the Halloween festivities and offers an enchanting entr’acte to a phenomenal movie musical.

“Witch Doctor,” Alvin and the Chipmunks

The Chipmunks always manage to bring their A-game when it comes to holiday music. It’s a silly, romantic song in which a witch doctor represents an outsider commenting on the relationship bubbling between the singer and another person. This quirky tune is just too fun to leave behind.

“Addams Family Theme,” Andrew Gold

The Addams Family’s theme song is a timeless tune instantly recognizable from the snapping fingers that kick off the song. So snap along and let the spooky vibes take over!

The Timeless Terrors

This Halloween playlist would be incomplete without paying homage to the classic music that has defined and enriched the spooky season for years. These are tracks that share haunting experiences waiting to be revisited year after year. The Timeless Terrors subcategory resurrects and honors legendary and spine-chilling tracks to set the ambience for the Halloween season.

“Thriller,” Michael Jackson

No scary playlist would be complete without the infectiously groovy melody of “Thriller.” The best part of listening to this song is being able to dance along to its iconic choreography.

“Spooky,” Classics IV

“Spooky” is quite different because of its romantic nature. It sets love akin to spookiness, which is an interesting play on the emotional tendencies of the holiday. The playful lyrics are matched with a spellbinding melody.

“Bring Me To Life,” Evanescence

This powerhouse of a song awakens the gothic nature of Halloween. Amy Lee’s gorgeous vocals are evocative of a haunting, yearning feeling. It’s a reminder of the range the season’s tunes hold.

“Exit Music (For a Film),” Radiohead

This hauntingly beautiful arrangement transports the listener into a place of serenity, giving a more subdued bodily experience. This song is quite different from the others in this playlist, but still quite scary.

“Zombie,” The Cranberries

“Zombie” is a dark and poignant track. It’s much less mystical than the rest of the songs on the list; it speaks not to the monsters that might live under our bed, but to the frightening thoughts we may tell ourselves. The vocals crescendo in the chorus, capturing a harsh and violent perspective  of humanity.

The Modern Macabre

As we bring this playlist to a close, we venture into the realm of contemporary hits. This subcategory is perfectly suited for the new generation of Halloween enthusiasts with its modern sounds and timeless allure. This collection is a testament to the enduring power of the Halloween spirit. Embrace these modern-day hits that are sure to become new classics in the near future.

“vampire,” Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo sinks her teeth into the Halloween spirit with her track “vampire.” Her pop-punk vibe fits the holiday spirit, and the topic of mythical creatures makes the song all the more alluring.

“Dead!,” My Chemical Romance

“Dead!” is an incredibly high-energy theatrical piece. It combines punk rock with gothic undertones, transporting listeners to a world that blurs the lines between life, death, and rock ‘n’ roll.

“Bloody Mary,” Lady Gaga

“Bloody Mary” had its moment on TikTok earlier this year as part of the Wednesday Addams dance challenge. The song draws inspiration from the legendary Bloody Mary ghost story, which      states that the ghost of the brutal Queen Mary I will rise from the dead if an individual stands in front of a mirror late at night and says “Bloody Mary” three times. It stands out as a dark pop masterpiece for its hypnotic sounds and entrancing energy.

“Disturbia,” Rihanna

Thumping bass and sinister melody are the two characteristics of “Disturbia” that capture the essence of horror and unease. It’s the perfect tune to get people on the dance floor at a Halloween party.

“bury a friend,” Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish brings her signature whispers, vocals and atmospheric production to this song while exploring the nature of the human psyche. It’s chilling and introspective. Eilish offers an innovative take on Halloween anthems with this song.

This Halloween, let the golden leaves fall and the spooky tunes play, as you lose yourself in the magic of the season. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

If you’d like to hear all of these songs in a single playlist, you can find them here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IG2XVz5i5EkZMTvkoW3ca?si=86d140a1e61e42fa