Although Ohio University’s Halloween weekend is over, there is still more time for tricks and treats for Halloween on Thursday. For this eerie event, here are six more tracks to add to your spectacularly spooky Halloween playlist.
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult
It wouldn’t be a Halloween playlist without Blue Öyster Cult’s 1976 soft rock hit, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” Featured in horror films like “Halloween” (1978) and “X” (2022), the song has become a staple for the scary season. Its echoing guitar riffs, dreamlike vocals and smooth percussion seem rather chill for a creepy tune. However, its harrowing guitar solo and drilling drums in its middle section bring it home. And of course, no one could forget the cowbell.
“Cannibal” by Kesha
“Cannibal” will certainly bring the energy to your Halloween party. Kesha’s dance pop banger relies more on the gory lyrical descriptions rather than its instrumentals for its spooky vibes. In a “Jennifer’s Body” fashion, the song describes Kesha as a cannibal who eats boys. She raps playfully, “Whenever you tell me I’m pretty that’s when the hunger really hits me / Your little heart goes pitter-patter, I want your liver on a platter.” It’s disgustingly perfect for your Halloween party playlist.
“goosebumps” by Travis Scott
Travis Scott’s psychedelic rap track, “goosebumps,” can help settle the vivacity from the last song. However, its groovy beats teeter on the ominous side as Scott’s vocals drone on through his rhymes.
Kendrick Lamar features on the track and offers his rapping expertise during the second verse, which adds to the song’s overall theme of complicated love. Nevertheless, the creepy instrumentals and eerie sense of dread are the quintessential fit for your spooky playlist.
“Ghost Town” by The Specials
Speaking of spooky, The Specials’ “Ghost Town” is an eerie reggae track, drifting on the side of down-right haunting. Like a ghost, the vocals sway with the subtle drums and reverberating guitar riffs. The brass instruments tie it together as the horns blare through the ghastly synths. The sinister police sirens at the end pull it all together as it evokes an off-putting feeling within the listener.
“Calling All the Monsters” by China Anne McClain
Bringing back the energy is China Anne McClain’s pop hit, “Calling All the Monsters.” First heard in the Halloween themed episode of Disney Channel’s “A.N.T Farm” called “mutANT farm,” McClain performed the song as her character, Chyna Parks, at the school’s Halloween dance. Two weeks after its premiere, the song was fully released as a single.
With a buzzing four-on-the-floor beat and catchy melodies, the listener is easily infatuated, especially with the additional creepy sound effects. It’ll be the perfect track to get all the ghouls and ghosts to the dance floor.
“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo
Last but not least is Oingo Boingo’s rocking tune, “Dead Man’s Party.” The band’s frontman, Danny Elfman, is no stranger to the macabre as he’s scored several scary movies like “Beetlejuice” (1988), “Nightbreed” (1990) and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993).
The song acts as the precursor to these projects having been released in 1986, yet he’d already perfected his signature playful, yet off-putting musical style. It’s uniquely Elfman with its bumbling bass line, tickling brass section and groovy guitar riff. Along with its morbid lyrics, this track is the ultimate Halloween song.
