From the dungeon of Barrows: a B-side Halloween playlist

With Halloween upon us, we invite you to join us for an unconventional playlist, filled with haunting songs from a wide variety of artists. This playlist is an attempt to avoid the cliche (albeit classic) Halloween favorites like “Thriller” and “Ghostbusters”. So, if you’re tired of blasting “Monster Mash” until your ears bleed, come with us on a frightening, guided journey oddly reminiscent of the Haunted House ride at Disneyland.

Johnny Cash – “Ghost Riders in the Sky”

We start off our program with a cover of Stan Jones’ 1948 classic song “Ghost Riders in the Sky.”  Combining elements of a cowboy style western song with haunting lyrics and the gravelly baritone of Cash’s voice, this track will ease you into the spooky mood of an October evening.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – “I Put a Spell on You”

Next up is the 1956 classic “I Put a Spell On You”, a song covered numerous times throughout the years by everyone from Nina Simone to Creedence Clearwater Revival. We will go with the original by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins because it carries a cannibalistic voodoo quality that’s oh-so perfect for the scary season.

The Doors – “Strange Days”

Not exactly a Halloween song in the traditional sense, but the creepy album artwork and use of a Moog synthesizer makes this a great addition to any Hallow’s Eve studying you may be doing.  And clowns? Scary.

Flying Lotus – “Descent Into Madness” (feat. Thundercat)

Woah, Flying Lotus? Not exactly what you expect to see on a Halloween playlist, but fear not (or do, this is scary stuff after all). Thundercat’s vocals and the descending bass melody bring visions of a staircase spiraling downward into Hell – which is certainly our final destination.

Swans – “Lunacy”

Ah, welcome to the darkest and most horrible part of our journey, accompanied by a song that can only be described as terrifying.  Swans’ “Lunacy”, off their 2012 album The Seer, is more of an incantation than a song, summoning some lurking evil to the surface.  

The Growlers – “Graveyard’s Full”

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations.  We’re on the final stretch of our journey out of the haunted land, and this catchy track by The Growlers is sure to revive you.  Make sure to gather your belongings and soiled underwear on the way out, and have a fantastic Halloween!

Written by Everett Williams