Halloweekend: COVID Style, Ten Essential Songs From My Halloween Playlist That Should Be Added To Yours

Posted On October 30, 2020

Samantha Colleran, October 2020

Happy early Halloween readers! I was so excited that I would get to spend Halloween with my friends at school on a Saturday (which never happens), and then COVID hit and, well, you all know the rest of the story. I began curating a playlist over the summer for my friends and I to listen to for Halloweekend, and then gave up on it once school started. I went back to it a little while ago and started to really think about songs that would sound cool together. So, here are ten songs from that playlist I wanted to highlight! Some you may expect and others may come as a surprise. I hope you can add them to your playlists as well and enjoy a very safe and happy Halloween despite the circumstances! You can also find my full playlist linked below, so be sure to give it a like on Spotify! 

“Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met…)”, Panic! At The Disco

Panic! has always given me Halloween vibes. The title is an obvious choice for being added to this playlist, with the mention of witches. The beginning starts off with a children’s chorus singing in French, and kicks in with an organ sound. Very spooky if you ask me. Mentions of “cobweb headaches” and “wing tips waltz[ing] across naive wood floors” make this song not only a Panic! standout, but a perfect addition to a Halloween playlist. 

“Hot Patootie- Bless My Soul”, Meat Loaf (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

You were all expecting “Time Warp”, weren’t you? Of course that’s on my playlist, but this one has such an upbeat energy that’s unmatched and deserved the spotlight. Rocky Horror is a cult classic, and a movie I’ve always associated with Halloween, so having a few songs from this movie is a must. It’s got the 50s rock vibe with the Rocky Horror element, and this scene in the movie is one of the best which doesn’t hurt either!

“Witchy Woman”, Eagles

The lyrics and the combined minor key the song is in make it a perfect song for any spooky season needs! Describing a woman with “raven hair” and “sparks fly[ing] from her fingertips”, the Eagles paint a picture of a mysterious woman with mystical and witchy energy, she can capture anyone in her spell. “Witchy Woman” is a bit slower than some of the other songs on this playlist, but it’s an essential one to fit the spooky Halloween mood!

“Rhiannon”, Fleetwood Mac

What’s a witchy/spooky playlist without the mystical sounds of the Mac? There’s something so magic about the way “Rhiannon” possesses the band. Especially in their younger days, when Stevie would sing this it took over her entire soul, like the spirit of Rhiannon (“the old Welsh witch”) took control of her body and made her wail out her calls. This song is one of their most magical, and it’s only right to have this magic included on this list. (If you have the time, watch this performance from The Midnight Special. I’ve watched it about a million times and I still get chills, I could talk about this version of “Rhiannon” for hours!)

“Black Magic”, Little Mix

This one is one of the more pop sounding songs on the playlist, but it’s one of my favorites! How do you want someone you’re interested in to fall in love with you? Just ask Little Mix for some of their “secret potion”! This song will definitely add some fun spunk to your evening, whether you’re chilling at home with a big bowl of candy or going out for a (safe) night out! A lighthearted addition to any playlist, and essential to fit the witchy themes of Halloween!

“Psycho Killer”, Talking Heads

Although it’s instrumentation and delivery is rather simple, “Psycho Killer” is sure to add a bit of flair to your Halloweekend plans! The song is about a serial killer, the lyrics are inspired by Norman Bates from the Alfred Hitchcock movie Psycho. What else could you need to add a bit of a thriller element to the weekend of spookiness?

“Pet Sematary”, Ramones

I mean, the title explains itself pretty well! Written for the Stephen King movie adaptation of his book Pet Sematary, this Ramones hit from 1989 sums up the plot of the movie in its lyrics. It’s a song with dark lyrics masked with an upbeat guitar driven musical riff. “Ancient goblins and warlords”, “the smell of death”, “molars and fangs, the clicking of bones”, these lyrics scream creepy and give off the perfect vibes for Halloween. 

“People Are Strange”, The Doors

The Doors have an eerie element to their music that has always struck a chord in me. With their easily recognizable organ sound and Jim Morrison’s deep, breathy vocals, it’s obvious why some of their songs would earn a spot on a Halloween playlist. This Doors classic sets a mysterious mood, and gives off a haunting vibe as Jim sings about being alone, how strange people look around him, and “wicked” women.

“I Was A Teenage Werewolf”, The Cramps

A parody of the 1957 film I Was A Teenage Werewolf, this song has the perfect guitar riff that makes it sound mysterious and can easily fool anyone into thinking this song is serious. We follow the main character of the song, who can’t stop himself from turning into a werewolf. There are some funny elements to the song (like the werewolf having “braces on [my] fangs”) which is balanced out by the slightly more intense instrumentals. The little howl around one minute and fifty five seconds in ties this song together perfectly. It’s the fine line between the fun side of Halloween and the creepy, scary aspect. 

“Hells Bells”, AC/DC

That classic bell intro as the guitar slowly creeps in is something that will never get old. Toying with the idea of Hell, satanic references, and good ol’ evil in general, this song covers the slightly creepier side of this playlist. It’s hard, classic rock that’s guaranteed to get you in a Halloween mindset! This playlist certainly would not be complete without the iconic AC/DC sound and lyrics, and that’s why it’s my final pick from the songs featured on my Halloweekend playlist!

Have a safe Halloween and stay spooky everyone! Let me know your favorite Halloween songs in the comment section!