eek.
For some reason, possibly because I look like the missing member of The Addams Family, I always seem to get asked to play songs at people’s Halloween parties. This has resulted in me becoming something of an expert on the Halloween music genre and have probably heard every remotely spooky song ever made (‘Halloween’ by Status Quo, anyone?). To save your guests from hearing ‘Thriller’ on loop for the duration of the evening, here's my pick of the best songs to play at your party this year – the result of hours of careful thought and research (and typing the word 'Halloween' into Spotify).
Pet Cemetery - Ramones
Gonna Raise Hell - Cheap Trick
If you haven’t seen the Halloween episode of ‘Freaks and Geeks’ you’re missing out. For its inclusion in the episode and a guitar riff that never gets old it makes the list. The perfect soundtrack to egging your neighbour’s house.
Jump In The Line - Harry Belafonte
Has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween other than the fact that it’s played at the end of Beetlejuice. Word of advice: gelling your fringe à la Lydia Deetz for a Halloween costume is a look only Winona Ryder can pull off. Take it from me.
I Eat Cannibals - Toto Coelo
This one hit wonder from 1983 is a catchy little ditty about the nutritional benefits of eating human flesh.
Bela Legosi’s Dead - Bauhaus
If you’re stuck in a DJ booth this Halloween, at nearly 10 minutes in length this gothic anthem is the perfect time to run to the loo/get a drink/have a fag.
Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead by jamiee23
Halloween - Sonic Youth
Not really a party banger admittedly, but it’s too good to not include. See also Mudhoney’s cover, which is ace.
Halloween Parade - Lou Reed
OK this isn't really one to get people moving either, but it’s physically impossible for me not to include a Lou Reed song on every compilation I make. Sorry. Maybe you could wind the evening down with this one?
Last Caress - The Misfits
No Halloween party would be complete without everyone’s favourite horror punk band The Misfits. You could pretty much put their entire back catalogue on shuffle for the evening and it would fulfil the specification.
Everyday is Halloween - Ministry
Kind of like October 31st’s version of Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’. But less creepy.
Monster Mash - Bobby “Boris” Picket
Probably the best song in the history of recorded music. The Misfits do a version too, but you can’t beat the original. Should be played all year round at weddings, birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs etc…
See also: ‘Halloween’ Dead Kennedys, ‘Ghost Rider’ Suicide, ‘I Was A Teenage Werewolf’ The Cramps, ‘Vampire Girl’ Jonathan Richman,'I Put A Spell On You' Screamin' Jay Hawkins, ‘Wolf Like Me’ TV On The Radio, ‘Halloween’ Siouxsie and The Banshees, ‘Blood Witch’ Melvins, ‘It's Halloween’ The Shaggs, ‘Devil Town’ Daniel Johnston, ‘Cuts You Up’ Peter Murphy, ‘Psycho Killer’ Talking Heads, ‘Scary Monsters’ David Bowie, ‘Hellbound’ The Breeders.
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