13 spooky songs to serenade your soul this season

The season of the supernatural is upon us, and it’s been a long time coming. Thou who shall not be named (hint: rhymes with “shmaronavirus”) hindered our chances of celebrating last October’s divine dark day in any real, enjoyable capacity. But now that we’re back in masked-action, a new playlist to accompany us as we embark on our favorite fall festivities is in order, whether that means trick-or-treating, applying scary makeup, or dancing the night away. So to make this Halloween the horrifying holiday of your dreams, here are 13 spooky songs to satisfy your soul this season.

1. Fast As You Can (1999) – Fiona Apple

Though this song describes Apple’s torrid relationship with a lover, its rapid percussive instrumental and predatory lyrics such as “I let the beast in too soon” and “baby run, free yourself of me” will leave you triple-checking that your door is locked at night. Run fast, or this “apple”-beast will get you right down to your core. 

2. Guillotine (2011) – Death Grips

Death Grips’s Zach Hill described the song as “anxiety-fuelled” and “claustrophobic.” The sheer volume of the song coupled with its allusion to beheading makes it quite the terrifying track. Better put on a few scarves, or you’ll go the way of King Louis XVI.

3. People Are Strange (1967) – The Doors

Turning the familiar into the unfamiliar, this creepy classic embodies a feeling of psychological torture that will send shivers down your spine if you fear being alone. Jim Morrison describes a narcissist’s worst nightmare: “no one remembers your name—” what could be worse?

4. Colour Me In (2003) – Broadcast

Ambiguous, dissonant sounds juxtapose this song’s youthful lyrics and nursery-rhyme-esque melody, allowing it to reach peak creepiness. Broadcast’s band members are true masters in blurring the sonic line between comfort and discomfort, embodying everything that makes both Halloween and art, itself, hauntingly beautiful.

5. Boogieman (2016) – Childish Gambino 

As its title’s play on words suggests, this funky yet fearful track is perfect for a Halloween disco bash. Catchy, upbeat, and spirited in more ways than one, “Boogieman” mixes 70s funk with a 21st-century twist that will leave listeners dancing till dawn.

6. Strange Magic (1973) – Electric Light Orchestra 

Master of the mystical, ELO’s “Strange Magic” will add an element of “hocus pocus” to your Halloween hullabaloo. Who doesn’t want strange magical powers? 

7. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980) – David Bowie

The title of this artful rock number (by none other than the late, great odd-ball David Bowie) speaks for itself. The song’s references to classic horror symbols combined with its catchy post-punk/new-wave instrumentals will leave listeners rocking out this Halloween.

8. Grave Architecture (1995) – Pavement

If you like authentic indie rock, this song should be #1 on your Halloween playlist. Pavement has seen a recent resurgence thanks to Tiktok’s revival of “Harness Your Hopes,” but this catchy, cryptic jam has yet to reach the current zeitgeist. With lyrics describing “the monuments to those who fall,” Stephen Malkmus’ casual critiques of urban society are ripe with morbidity (oxymoron intended.) 

9. Vampire (2020) – Dominic Fike

With humor and humility, Fike compares red wine to blood as he describes the undead nature of fellow party attendees. Musically lively, yet lyrically deathly, this 21st-century jam is a must-have at every Halloween dance party. 

10. Ready or Not (1996) – Fugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean

Like Apple’s “Fast As You Can,” this iconic hip-hop number relies on a predator-prey metaphor to describe a relationship. Its catchy hook, “ready or not, here I come, you can’t hide,” will leave you ducking under your bed in fright. There’s no use hiding, though— Ms. Hill assures she’s “gonna find you and take it slowly.” 

11. Excitable Boy (1978) – Warren Zevon

Don’t be fooled by this song’s soothing, youthful melody— its psychologically excruciating lyrics are not for the faint of heart. Often overshadowed by Zevon’s other horrifying hit “Werewolves of London,” this comically creepy tune tells the tale of a villainous juvenile whose behavior ranges from rubbing meat on his chest to committing murder against his prom date. Definitely one for lovers of gore. 

12. Graveyard Theme (recorded 1966, released 2018) – Vince Guaraldi 

You’re probably familiar with Guaraldi’s classic “Linus and Lucy,” arguably his most iconic contribution to the Charlie Brown sonic universe. Occupying a spookier space within this universe, “Graveyard Theme” combines jazzy piano with ominous howling vocals: perfect for a creepy cup of coffee. 

13. Gretel (2019) – Alex G

We end with “Gretel,” an alternative-indie staple by Gen Z’s favorite sad cowboy. Powerful electronic soundwaves supplement the song’s soft acoustics as Giannascoli asks, “did they bury me here?” Though “Gretel” doesn’t explicitly reference Halloween, its eerie allusion to the Brothers Grimm fairytale— a running theme throughout Alex G’s album House of Sugar (2019)— complements the song’s childlike musical components, which go as far as to feature children’s voices throughout. It’s the ideal Halloween jam— after all, what is Halloween if not an oxymoronic celebration of youth and death? 

Listen to this playlist yourself here. Happy haunting!

Article and Playlist by Piper Samuels

Design by Elise Rodriguez