27 Top Halloween Songs for Your Spooky Playlist in 2025
Looking for a playlist of the top Halloween songs for this year’s Monster Mash? There are a number of delightfully sinister tunes in all musical genres and eras that fit the bill, from classic fun novelty to songs to dark and moody rock legend favorites. Many feature Halloween's favorite figures like vampires and Frankenstein's monster, while others are catchy meditations on death and mortality.
This list is great if you're looking for Halloween party ideas or something to listen to while doing your random Halloween activities. This playlist is also fun to get in the holiday mood as you decorate, or if you're getting ready for Trick-or-Treating with your besties. Many of the older songs on the list have multiple versions by newer artists and across different genres, so you’re sure to find one you love.
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- Classic Halloween Songs
- Popular Halloween Songs For Kids
- Halloween Songs For Adults
- Halloween Songs FAQs
Classic Halloween Songs
1. Thriller — Michael Jackson (1983)
One of Michael Jackson’s most well-known hits, this 1980s classic is almost as famous for its signature sound as it is for its music video’s zombified choreography and the voice-over from horror and Halloween movie icon, Vincent Price. More than four decades later, it's still a Halloween party favorite among all ages.
2. (Don’t Fear) the Reaper — Blue Oyster Cult (1976)
Recorded by Blue Oyster Cult, this song appeared on their Agents of Fortune album. Despite being about confronting your own mortality, it was one of the rock band’s highest charting hits and considered one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s top 500 greatest songs of all time. The only question you'll be asking while listening to this song is, "What if they added more cowbell?"
3. Season of the Witch — Donovan (1966)
The original version of this song was released by Scottish performer Donovan on his Sunshine Superman album. There have been several versions since, including one by Lana Del Rey, who recorded it for the closing credits of the movie adaptation of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
4. Spooky — Dusty Springfield (1967)
Originally recorded as an instrumental song to which lyrics were added later, this tune was a Billboard hit in the U.K. that was later re-recorded by various musicians, including Dusty Springfield and The Atlanta Rhythm Section.
5. I Put a Spell on You — “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins (1956)
This often re-recorded hit was originally released by “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins on an album of the same name. It landed Hawkins in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll” and has been redone by artists like Nina Simone and Annie Lennox. A popular version was also recorded by Bette Midler for the 1990s Halloween hit Hocus Pocus.
6. Black Magic Woman — Santana (1970)
Santana’s version of this classic Halloween song, released in 1970, is the most well-known, but it was actually recorded as a single by Fleetwood Mac two years prior. The song was written by early Fleetwood Mac member and founder Peter Green.
7. Somebody’s Watching Me — Rockwell (1983)
Released and recorded by Rockwell at the dawn of the music video age, this song was on his album of the same name. The song featured uncredited background vocals from Michael Jackson and charted high internationally in many countries, becoming a classic Halloween song in the decades since.
8. Witchy Women — The Eagles (1972)
This song, written by the Eagles' Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, was included on the band’s debut self-titled album. According to Henley, the song was inspired by many wild and outrageous women, including the famed Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, known for her scandalous behavior in the Flapper era.
9. Bad Moon Rising — Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
Originally recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the song was written by John Fogerty and has been re-released in multiple genres of music, including reggae, psychedelic rock and country, with popular covers by Bo Diddley and Emmylou Harris. Its popularity hinges on its catchy and upbeat melody with darker and creepier lyrics.
10. You’re the Devil in Disguise — Elvis Presley (1963)
Recorded by Elvis Presley as a single in 1963, this song was a hit on the Billboard R&B chart. It was later included in Volume 4 of Elvis’ Gold Records in 1968. It has since been re-recorded by The Misfits and country singer Trish Yearwood for the “Honeymoon in Vegas” film soundtrack. There is also a more recent cover by Post Malone.
11. The Devil Went Down to Georgia — Charlie Daniels Band (1979)
An immediate hit for the Charlie Daniels Band at the dawn of the 80s, this song tells a story of a young fiddler who rivals the devil’s skill. It's known for its popular and lengthy instrumental portions. It was included on the album Million Mile Reflections and is one of the country band’s biggest all-time hits.
Popular Halloween Songs For Kids
12. Ghostbusters — Ray Parker Jr. (1984)
Written by Ray Parker Jr., this theme from the hit movie Ghostbusters remains a staple on Halloween party playlists for all ages. It was a number 1 Billboard hit the summer the movie was released and was later nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar.
13. Monster Mash — Bobby Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (1962)
A legendary Halloween hit, this song was recorded by Bobby Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers as a novelty song. It was later included on an album, The Original Monster Mash, climbing to number one on charts in the weeks leading up to Halloween. It’s one of the most popular Halloween songs in pop culture and has appeared in many television shows and films.
14. This Is Halloween — Danny Elfman (1993)
Included on the soundtrack of Tim Burton’s classic animated The Nightmare Before Christmas, one of the best Halloween movies, this song was written by the famed composer Danny Elfman and is well-loved by adults and children. Later versions include re-recordings by Marilyn Manson and Panic! At the Disco.
15. Spooky Scary Skeletons — Andrew Gold (1996)
Recorded in 1996 by Andrew Gold on his popular Halloween Howls: Fun & Scary Music, this song, usually accompanied by its famous dancing skeletons video, is still a perennial hit. You will likely hear it played at Halloween parties and flood short-form videos during each Fall season. It was also adapted into a children’s picture book with the same title published by Random House in 2024.
16. Purple People Eater — Sheb Wooley (1958)
Another fun mid-century novelty song, this tune, recorded by Sheb Wooley, was based on a joke he was told by a friend’s child: “What has one eye, one horn, flies and eats people? A one-eyed, one-horned, flying people eater.” Wooley wrote the song immediately within an hour. It has remained a popular kid’s Halloween song ever since and was later included on children’s Halloween albums along with other classics like “The Monster Mash.”
Halloween Songs For Adults
17. Living Dead Girl — Rob Zombie (1998)
This fun modern classic was written and recorded by Rob Zombie for his “Hellbilly Deluxe” album. This song, in Zombie’s distinctive sound, has popped up more than a few times in horror films like Bride of Chucky and the 1998 remake of Psycho.
18. No One Lives Forever — Oingo Boingo (1985)
Written by Danny Elfman in his signature spooky, yet whimsical style, this Oingo Boingo hit from their Dead Man’s Party album has become a Halloween favorite. It was also featured in 2007's Casper: A Spirited Beginning.
19. Bark at the Moon — Ozzy Osbourne (1983)
Recorded by Ozzy Osbourne for an album of the same title, this was the first single released from it. It is often considered one of Osbourne’s best songs, according to critics. The music video, which depicts Ozzy in a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde story that ends with his werewolf transformation, made waves in the first few years of MTV and helped further Ozzy’s wild persona. May he rest easy.
20. Pet Sematary — The Ramones (1989)
Based on Stephen King’s popular novel of the same name, this catchy Ramones song was featured in the closing credits of the 1989 film adaptation of King’s work. The famous author was reportedly a huge fan of the band and personally asked them during a visit to his home to write and record a song for the film.
21. Feed My Frankenstein — Alice Cooper (1991)
The most famous version of this song is Alice Cooper’s 1992 release, but it was originally written and released by Britain's Zodiac Mindwarp and Love Reaction a year before. The song was featured prominently in 1992’s Wayne's World, where Cooper himself made a cameo.
22. Bloodletting — Concrete Blonde (1990)
This lesser-known song is taken from Concrete Blonde’s third album of the same name. Set in New Orleans with an array of lush vampire lyrics and bluesy guitar hooks, it’s the first song on the album and sets the tone for the album’s gothic overtones.
23. All the Good Girls Go to Hell — Billie Eilish (2019)
Included on Billie Eilish’s debut album, this song is supposed to be about climate change, but it’s also perfect for a Halloween playlist if you’re looking for more recent songs from contemporary artists that are fun and dismal at the same time.
24. Hotel California — The Eagles (1977)
The second song on this list, from The Eagles, comes from their 1977 album of the same name. It begins with a lengthy guitar solo followed by lyrics centered around a creepy roadside motel with strange rituals and guests that never leave.
25. Werewolves of London — Warren Zevon (1978)
Written and recorded by Warren Zevon, this song became his only popular hit and chart topper. The song was prompted by a joke and a challenge to write a song with the same title as a 1935 film, Werewolf of London.
26. Psycho Killer — The Talking Heads (1977)
Included on their self-titled debut album, this song by The Talking Heads explores the mind of a serial killer with a catchy, high-energy beat. While not intended, the late 70s release of the song coincided with and is often misinterpreted as a comment on NYC’s famous Son of Sam murders in 1976-1977.
27. Everybody Scream — Florence and the Machine (2025)
Just recently released as a single ahead of a new album due out in October of the same name from Britain’s Florence and the Machine, this is sure to become a new spooky classic with its dark lyrics and undercurrent of screaming voices that rise to a frenzy.
Halloween Songs FAQs
What Is The Most Played Song On Halloween?
One of the most popular Halloween songs for all ages is Bobby Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers’ “Monster Mash,” which has remained popular for over 60 years as a song for Halloween activities and parties for all ages.
What Music Should I Play At A Halloween Party?
The music you play at our Halloween party depends on the age, the Halloween party’s theme, and the musical tastes of the attendees. For a mixed-ages group, it's best to add in a few funny and silly songs that kids will love in addition to retro favorite classics and newer songs with a dark and spooky vibe.
These Halloween songs will set the spooky mood, whether it's something fun and catchy or something more gothic and foreboding in tone.
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