A Spooktacular Party!
Music to get even the Undead grooving
Halloween. That magical one night of the year when children and adults alike get to play dress-up. For some, it's a night spent going around the neighborhood collecting candy. For others, it's staying up all night watching horror films. This year, let's add some music to our evening.
Toccata & Fugue (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Imagine this: you pull up to a house in the middle of the woods and you hear Toccata & Fugue, a piece often heard in horror movies when the characters enter a large and spooky mansion, especially if it’s haunted.
Supposing the party begins before sundown, you might have some lighter songs to get things going.
The Time Warp (Rocky Horror Picture Show)
This song has a good beat. It’s a good piece to get people dancing and can help lighten the mood after the spooky welcome while keeping a small part of the fright.
Monster Mash (Bobby Pickett)
Of course, what Halloween party would be complete without the Monster Mash? This piece is an iconic Halloween song that people of any age should be able to enjoy. It’s funny, has a great beat, and anyone can dance to it.
I Put a Spell on You (Original song by Annie Lennox, though for this occasion I think the version from Hocus Pocus is a better fit)
Does this piece need an explanation? It’s All Hallows’ Eve, the night when ghouls and goblins stalk the land. Witches are practically a hallmark of the holiday, and it’s an excellent piece to lead into our introduction to the darkness, Night on Bald Mountain. Of course if you need some filler music you can play just about any piece in a minor key. Beethoven’s later works are definitely a good option for that. Bonus points if you interrupt the piece with Night on Bald Mountain as sunlight begins to fade.
Night on Bald Mountain (Modest Mussorgsky)
Is there anyone who hasn’t seen Fantasia? This piece would ideally be played as the sun dips below the horizon and darkness descends, bringing to mind the spectacular imagery of an enormous demon rising up from the earth. Who could possibly argue that this wonderfully eerie piece doesn’t belong in this list? Follow up that beautiful ending with something a little more lighthearted, such as…
Spooky Scary Skeletons (from the 1929 Disney short “The Skeleton Dance”)
This is a light and fun piece that’s great for all ages and keeps with the Halloween theme. Follow it up with…
Ghostbusters (Ray Parker Jr.)
How could this possibly not make the cut for a Halloween playlist? It’s literally about ghosts, and it has a good beat. Need I say more?
Massacre (Kim Petras)
It’s a song about sacrifice. Bonus points for the use of a Christmas melody (Carol of the Bells) and making it creepy.
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Something a little more upbeat to take the edge off from that last spooky song. Plus this song was made for Halloween. It’s about monsters out to get you and it’s catchy. What’s better for a Halloween party than that? Of course, this would be best if played after 10 PM. The closer to midnight, the better.
Haunted Mansion opening title 2-hour loop (Mark Mancina)
Now, you might choose to show a scary movie at your party. An excellent choice if you do. However, if you decide not to watch a movie- maybe you have too many guests and not enough space in your tiny living room to accommodate everyone or maybe you just want to socialize with your friends- whatever the reason, you can fill any music gaps with a soundtrack from a scary movie or a horror comedy like The Haunted Mansion.
There Will Be Blood (Kim Petras)
As far as I can tell, Kim Petras is the queen of spine-chilling music. This song is one of the more mild pieces from her album “Turn Off the Light”. It’s both spooky and fun with a beat that makes it a great choice to get the party jumping after a movie or conversational breather.
Poor Unfortunate Souls (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, song by Pat Carroll)
In my opinion, Ursula is one of the best Disney villains and her song is certainly the most likely option for Halloween.
Phantom of the Opera Overture (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
What better way to end the night than with some Phantom of the Opera eerie pipe organ music? This piece is both eerie and beautiful. A perfect end to your Halloween night.
About the Creator
Antonia Mele
A cat mom who loves to bake, I've always dreamed of living in the stories I've read. I've often been told I should write more so I'm trying to make more time for that. After all, I still owe my college roommate a story.
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