Insomniac
by Memo Boy
“Insomniac” from “Songs & Demos 2015-2017” has grown in popularity under the Fall tag on TikTok, the song itself covers topics about past troubles and finding hope in the future. The song encapsulates heavy use of drums and embraces the alternative/indie genre.
Spooky
By Classics IV
“Spooky” from their self-titled album “The Classic IV”, was first released in 1996. While saxophonist Mike Sharpe originally made the song, Classics IV popularized it with added lyrics. The song tells the story of a “spooky little girl” that he plans to propose to on Halloween. This song falls into the soul and pop genre.
Thriller
By Michael Jackson
“Thriller” from the titular album “Thriller” was first released in 1982. The song creates a suspenseful story of someone running from a monster. The iconic music video directed by John Landis, references many horror films like Phantom of the Opera, The Wolf Man and House of Wax and shows Jackson with a group of zombies. The song, although scary, draws listeners in because of its contradictory disco and dance-pop genre.
Bad Moon Rising
By Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Bad Moon Rising” from the album “Green River” was first released in 1969. The short story and 1941 film The Devil and Daniel Webster inspired the folk rock song. The song itself talks about bad weather and the idea of something apocalyptic happening. Appearing in horror movies like An American Werewolf in London and Twilight Zone: The Movie, this song is reminiscent of Halloween.
Wuthering Heights
By Kate Bush
“Wuthering Heights” from “The Kick Inside” was first released in 1978. The song is based on the perspective of Catherine Earnshaw from the novel Wuthering Heights. The song includes intense vocals and heavy guitar embodying the art rock genre while serving a consistent witchlike rhythm.
Exploration
By Various Artists
“Exploration” from the “Coraline” soundtrack was created for the feature film Coraline released in 2009. The language sung in the song is made up, it includes instrumentals of piano and guitar and has an overall ominous tune.
Decode
By Paramore
“Decode” is a single created for the “Twilight” soundtrack, the movie takes place in Forks, Wash. and includes magical creatures such as Vampires and Werewolves with the song playing in the credits of the movie. The song is meant to embody the character Bella Swan’s perspective towards Edward Cullen. The song itself is classified as alternative rock and includes powerful vocals.
Rhiannon
By Fleetwood Mac
“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac is a song about a witch, inspired by the novel Triad. The song is featured in The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list by Rolling Stone. The song stands out due to Stevie Nicks singing and its classic reputation.
Season of the Witch
By Donovan
“Season of the Witch” by Donovan from the album Sunshine Superman was first released in 1966. The song encapsulates the psychedelic rock genre of the time with its electric guitar, keyboards and lyrics telling a story about paranoia. In 2019 Lana Del Rey covered this song for the horror movie Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, signifying the spirit of Halloween even further.
Time Warp
By Nell Campbell, Patricia Quinn and Richard O’Brien
“Time Warp” from the “Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack,” was released in 1973. This pivotal song from the production explains how to do a dance called the “Time Warp.” The Rocky Horror Picture Show critiques many aspects of society including 1950s horror movies and gender norms of the time. The song itself falls under the glam-rock genre and is heard in many theaters with the showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show near and on Halloween.
