Six Spooky Halloween Songs

By Lauren Babcock

Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett

Any self-respecting Halloween party should be required to play this song. It’s an oldie but a goodie written in the 60s with the low voice of Bobby Pickett’s impression of Boris Karloff which explains the lyric “When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you. Then you can mash.” Interestingly the song was actually a parody of the song “Mashed Potato Time” which was the most popular song at the time. After the success of the Monster Mash Pickett tried three other times to write hopefully popular spinoffs to no success. These include a Christmas version, “Monster’s Holiday”, a rap version called “Monster rap” in the 80s, and in 2005 he release another called “Climate Mash” to raise awareness for climate change. He even wrote a screenplay for “Monster Mash: The Movie.”

Thriller by Michael Jackson

Another Halloween party requirement, Michael Jackson created a Halloween jam and dance that will last until the end of time. Not only is this thriller a great song, but it is an iconic music video. It was almost destroyed weeks before the music video was released because the supernatural themes didn’t go along with Michael Jackson’s Jahovah’s Witness beliefs and the church was threatening to excommunicate him. This is the real reason why the famous disclaimer, “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.” Was included in the music video

Ghostbusters

The only appropriate answer to “Who you gonna call?” is “Ghostbusters” this season.
Two months after the release of the film, “Ghostbusters” reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Aug. 11, 1984. It stayed at the top of the chart for three weeks.

Zombie by the Cranberries

While this is not necessarily a Halloween song, anything that repeats the word zombie over and over in the song is great for this time of year. Angry and grungy, this song was actually made in response to the IRA bombing in Warrington, England in 1993, supposedly in memory of two boys who were killed.

This is Halloween from The Nightmare Before Christmas

The nightmare before Christmas was inspired by the clash of decorations in the store between Halloween and Christmas. This song is creepy and perfect to sing along to around this time of year. If you are looking for something even creepier, then listen to Marilyn Manson’s version of the song to really send chills down your spine.

The Time Warp

All the Rocky Horror Picture Show lovers know this is a staple of Halloween each year. Whether going to see it live or enjoying it in the comfort of their own home many will be doing The Time Warp this Halloween.