50 Best Halloween Songs That Belong on Your Spooky Season Playlist

Get ready to haunt your playlist with 50 spine-tingling tracks perfect for Halloween.

Music list · 20 titles

Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at thepioneerwoman.com.

About this

The Pioneer Woman's Halloween music roundup ranks spooky-season songs, from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to Catherine O'Hara's "Sally's Song." Each numbered entry pairs a song and artist with a short blurb on why it fits October, spanning dance-pop, rock classics, and movie soundtrack staples. The headline promises 50 songs, but the page as shown names 20 numbered picks.

The list

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

Vincent Price monologue and iconic video make it a spooky spectacle; impossible not to dance.

"This Is Halloween" from 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'

Skeletons, vampires, witches get their moment; chaotic track sets tone for eerie October.

"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.

Bouncy beat, campy lyrics; crowd shouts the chorus at full volume. Playlist must-have.

"Zombie" by The Cranberries

Grunge and soul with haunting chorus that lingers; not typical but mood undeniable.

"Monster Mash" by Bobby "Borris" Pickett

Silly, spooky, timeless novelty song that's charmed October traditions for over 60 years.

"Pet Sematary" by Ramones

Written for the horror film; one of band's biggest radio hits; Sleepy Hollow-shot video.

"Disturbia" by Rihanna

Hypnotic hit; lyrics feel like a haunted house, music video is nightmare fuel.

"Superstition" by Stevie Wonder

Funky favorite tapping eerie energy of black cats, broken mirrors, bumps in night.

"Spooky Scary Skeletons" by Andrew Gold

'90s kids' Halloween song turned internet sensation; catchy beat sticks until Thanksgiving.

"Dark Horse" by Katy Perry

Pulsing beat, lyrics about spells and danger; pop witchcraft at its finest.

"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads

Featured in many scary movies and shows; equal parts cool and creepy.

"Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd

Dark '80s synth vibe suits Halloween parties; feels like haunted late-night drive.

"Season Of The Witch" by Lana Del Rey

Cover of groovy '60s tune made for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark; floats like fog.

"She Wolf" by Shakira

She wolf comes out on a full moon; beat could raise the dead.

"Calling All the Monsters" by China Anne McClain

Disney dance number, siren song for monsters; great for kids and partiers.

"The Killing Moon" by Echo & The Bunnymen

Haunting sound from '80s English rock band; ominous lyrics about the moon.

"Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran

Song about a wolf with an appetite, fittingly a werewolf; harmless to hear.

"Maneater" by Nelly Furtado

Maneaters come out at night and pounce; early 2000s mega hit.

"Black Magic" by Little Mix

Little Mix are fond of a little black magic, depending on who you ask.

"Sally's Song" by Catherine O'Hara

Sleeper song from A Nightmare Before Christmas; O'Hara's voice inviting or eerie.