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I’ve always enjoyed autumn, but my ears can’t say the same. From the car radio to crappy Spirit Halloween speakers, I’ve grown tired of having “Thriller” and “This Is Halloween” haunt me ad infinitum. Desperate for a change, I began compiling other songs that deserve to be heard alongside the screams of children and cheap lawn decor. I figured I should share some of my findings with the rest of the world in case people out there care about staving off Mariah Carey with something other than “The Monster Mash” as much as I do.

Everyone’s criteria for what is considered a Halloween song will vary, but for me, anything somewhat related to the macabre or scary is fair game. The connection has to be stronger than just mentioning a creature in the title (sorry to all fans of “Zombie” by The Cranberries) but it doesn’t need to explicitly describe midnight on October 31st. I don’t expect you to add all or even any of these songs to your playlist, but I do hope this inspires you to look for the perfect Halloween song for you.

But enough talk, let’s get to the songs!

1. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – Brian David Gilbert

Video producer Brian David Gilbert released a collection of ABBA Halloween parodies called AAAH!BBA in 2021, and his rendition of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” showcases a cross between Victor Frankenstein and a theater kid in the best way possible. His humor and innuendo shine alongside an 80s-style synth once the monster comes to life. Perhaps it’s reductive to call this the culmination of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, but BDG shows the campy side of Halloween at its peak here.

2. I Wanna Be Your Ghost – Gen Hoshino

Spirits aren’t always malicious, an idea perfectly exemplified in this pleasant tune from Japanese artist Gen Hoshino. Singing of a world where ghosts would rather dance together with humanity, Hoshino provides a great groove for the listener to dance along as if no one (alive or undead) is watching. It’s not scary in the slightest, but it doesn’t have to be when it’ll make you smile like a jack-o’-lantern.

3. An Unhealthy Obsession – The Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra

Songs about supernatural monsters outnumber songs about monstrous humans, but “An Unhealthy Obsession” shows that quality can triumph over quantity. A heavy cello immediately hits you before the rest of the synthetic orchestra starts playing. The lyrics themselves are a monologue from an obsessive stalker whose ramblings make for an unforgettable earworm if you ignore the blatant disregard for privacy and safety.

4. Dracula’s Wedding – OutKast feat. Kelis

There are not many things scarier than heartbreak, at least if you ask Dracula (as portrayed here by André 3000). The filtering and distortion on the vocals is the main focus, accompanied by the harpsichord and the low hums of the electronic bassline. Of course, the show is stolen halfway through when the sultry voice of Kelis comes in, singing from the perspective of Dracula’s Bride.

5. Ghosting – Mother Mother

Speaking of heartbreak, “Ghosting” tells the story of a relationship gone wrong. The exact details of how awry things are are unclear, but Ryan Guldemond’s vocals make it clear that the narrator is hurting badly. Combined with the melancholic melody from the backing guitar, this song achieves a catharsis that might just leave you screaming alongside Guldemond.

6. Necromancin Dancin – Bear Ghost

The zombie apocalypse has never sounded so rockin’. Ryan Abel of Bear Ghost takes the role of a necromancer giving rise to a dancing undead. Despite the macabre subject matter, the lyrics have exaggerated embellishments a la Rocky Horror when sung, making it a joy to sing along to. When combined with the guitars (which itself feels like a blend of everything from ska to surfer rock), it makes for something that you can have fun bopping your head to as you’re walking around on Halloween night.

7. Cabinet Man – Lemon Demon (Neil Cicierega)

Truthfully, anything off of Cicierega’s paranormal Spirit Phone album could’ve taken this place, but “Cabinet Man” takes the cake. The instrumental is reminiscent of the cacophony of arcades, compressed into an almost-irritatingly hummable melody. However, the true appeal is the vocals that tell the story of a human-turned-arcade machine. Cicierega gives enough room for interpretation to leave the words lingering in your mind. Does it eat maintenance men out of malice or necessity? What happens to the kids at the end? While we may never get answers, at least these questions provide the perfect excuse to put this song on loop.

By Scarlet M, a writer who thought her favorite color would make for a good writing pseudonym.