Spooky decorations – check!
Menu for hungry goblins – check!
Best costume ever – check!
Good for you! You’re well on your way to planning a Halloween party that friends and neighbors will be talking about for weeks. Now, you just need to load your favorite music player with the perfect Halloween mood music. Be sure to keep the age group of your guests in mind—not all these songs are meant for little ears to enjoy.
25 Terrifying Tunes for a Halloween Party
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Monster Mash
Artist: Booby "Boris" Pickett
No Halloween party would be compete without this billboard buster including vampires, ghouls, and Dracula—it’s a must-have at your spooky bash! Let your guests ponder: what is the Transylvania twist anyway?
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Casper the Friendly Ghost
Artist: Little Richard
Whether you remember Casper from the early cartoon years or from the movie released in 1995, this theme song belted out by Little Richard will have the ghosts at your party moving! As a matter of fact, you might want the entire movie soundtrack.
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Black Magic Woman
Artist: Santana
You have your pick of recording artists for this magical tune but Santana’s cover will surely cast a spell on your party guests.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Where Do Monsters Go?
Artist: Ratboy Jr.
This newcomer children’s group from upstate New York will have the kiddos at your party jumping and giggling to this tune that asks, “Where do monsters go when it’s not Halloween?” Hmm, that’s a good question!
Appropriate for: kids
Download it here.
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Werewolves of London
Artist: Warren Zevon
With lyrics that are more comical than creepy, this song is a howler and a party must! A word of warning: a few lyrics are not suited for kids.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Moon Over Bourbon Street
Artist: Sting
A sinister ballad and haunting bass line combine to make this a quintessential creepy song that any vampire would be proud to take as his theme.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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I Want Candy
Artist: Bow Wow Wow
Not only are the lyrics a perfect fit for a sweet-filled holiday, but also the “Bo-Diddley” beat makes this song perfectly danceable.
This beloved song was originally recorded in 1965 by Bow Wow Wow and covered by over a dozen pop artists since. Some of the subtly suggestive lyrics may not be the best for kids.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Thriller
Artist: Michael Jackson
The first few bars of this MJ classic are sure to conjure up visions of zombies and ghouls with your party guests, creating Halloween perfection!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Ghost Busters
Artist: Ray Parker Jr.
When you’re looking for the perfect Halloween party tune, “Who ya gonna call?” Check out the movie soundtrack and you might find more spooky tunes as well.
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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This is Halloween
Artist: The Citizens of Halloween
With lyrics like “I am the one hiding under your bed , teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red “ this song is a terrifyingly perfect fit for your play list. Citizens of Halloween Town perform the soundtrack version but you may want to include the cover by Marilyn Manson and watch the movie for decorating inspiration!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Beetlejuice
Artist: Danny Elfman Movie Soundtrack
Speaking of the perfect Halloween movie soundtracks and Tim Burton, no spooky playlist would be complete without the eerie and suspenseful Beetlejuice theme song.
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Lil' Red Riding Hood
Artist: Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Beware of the Big Bad Wolf! This 1966 song recorded by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, does a fabulous job evoking a spooky walk in the dark woods!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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She's a Zombie Now
Artist: The Meteors
Pure Psychobilly plus zombie lyrics, equals a great Halloween song list pick!
Parents beware—these lyrics aren’t for little ears.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Somebody's Watching Me
Artist: Rockwell
Have you ever had the feeling your being watched? Well, that’s just creepy, but others can relate as described in this spooky song!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Purple People Eater
Artist: Sheb Wooley
This song pick for a kid or adult Halloween party describes the perfect Halloween costume, don’t you think? “One eyed, one horned flying purple people eater!” It might even inspire a game or craft idea.
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Abracadabra
Artist: Steve Miller Band
These magic words with a danceable beat are the perfect potion for a Halloween party song pick. Parents please note there is mild suggestive language.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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The Addams Family Theme Song
Artist: Vic Mizzy
“They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky . . .”
Try a sing or snap along for this popular spooky tune and your guests will be cracking up!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Scary Monsters Super Creeps
Artist: David Bowie
As an artist, Bowie personifies the best parts of Halloween, dress-up, light shows and super cool make-up which make this song a must have on your party playlist.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Haunted House
Artist: Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs
Complete with a ghostly laugh or two this song about moving into a haunted house shows the unwanted inhabitants who’s boss!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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I Put a Spell on You
Artist: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Delivered with a spooky minor key, zombie-like rhythm and vocal howls (the artist’s name says it all) the original recording from 1956 really nails it for Halloween, but you can also add the Credence Clearwater popular cover version to your playlist, as well.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Witch Doctor
Artist: Sha Na Na
A perfect tune for a kids' party—watch them as they try to sing along to the chorus!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
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Highway to Hell
Artist: AC/DC
This classic hard rock tune with its dark lyrics is at home on any adult party playlist.
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Season of the Witch
Artist: Donovan
This tune—aptly titled for Halloween—was one of the first psychedelic songs written and recorded by Donovan. It has been used numerous times as a soundtrack for spooky movie and television scenes, which makes it perfect for your grown-up party!
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Frankenstein
Artist: New York Dolls
This part hard rock, part punk band from the early 70’s likely didn’t expect their cult classic would become a Halloween favorite. But with a title like this, why not?
Appropriate for: teens and adults
Download it here.
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Psycho Killer
Artist: Talking Heads
Not really creepy or gory but with a title like this you can’t go wrong and the music is undeniably awesome!
Appropriate for: kids and adults
Download it here.
