There is a wide array of music that evokes fear. However, some of it was specifically created for that purpose.
Halloween may not be a holiday typically associated with music like Christmas is, but there are still some delightful surprises hidden among the spooky tunes.

This connection often arises through association — take Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells,” for instance, which gained its eerie reputation from its use in The Exorcist back in 1973. Additionally, any song featuring a creepy creature — whether it’s “Werewolves of London” or “Bat Out of Hell” — can easily fit into a Halloween theme.

Interestingly, this does not apply to princess or cartoon character costumes.

So, amidst the ghosts, ghouls, and perhaps a geek or two…there’s a playlist to be enjoyed. Here are four songs that should be at the forefront of any Halloween soundtrack…

Read More: 11 Famous Halloween Rock Concerts

"I Put a Spell on You"
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, 1956

The theatrically inclined Hawkins was one of rock’s most frightening figures, utilizing shock-rock props and gothic attire long before Alice Cooper and his contemporaries began performing Yardbirds covers in Phoenix.

Co-written with Herb Slotkin, “I Put a Spell on You” was initially intended as a love ballad but transformed into something entirely different when Hawkins infused it with his chilling screams. (His first wife, Anna Mae Vernon, claimed she actually penned the song but allowed Hawkins to take credit.) Hawkins released “Spell” twice — first in 1955 with little success and then again the following year for Okeh Records, accompanied by a B-side titled “Little Demon” — which turned out to be quite popular.

Nina Simone experienced even greater success with “Spell” as the title track of her 1965 album and one of her signature songs. The Animals’ Alan Price recorded and released it the following year with his Alan Price Set, while Creedence Clearwater Revival included it on their self-titled debut album in 1968.

Eurythmics’ Annie Lennox achieved a Hot 100 hit with her version in 2014, and it has also been covered by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Bryan Ferry. Jeff Beck’s rendition, featuring Joss Stone on his 2010 album Emotion & Commotion, received a Grammy Award nomination.

"Monster Mash"
Bobby “Boris” Pickett, 1962

The quintessential Halloween song. Pickett — a singer, songwriter, and comedian from Massachusetts — conceived “Monster Mash” after performing a Boris Karloff-style monologue while his band the Cordials played a rendition of the Diamonds’ “Little Darlin.'”

He co-wrote “Monster Mash” with bandmate Lenny Capizzi, crafting the sound effects-laden track during May of 1962 with local musicians known as the Crypt-Kicker Five. It was released in August on producer Gary Paxton’s Garpax label and topped the Billboard charts two months later, just before Halloween.

“Monster Mash” also inspired its own mythology, including unverified claims that Ventures drummer Mel Taylor and Darlene Love both participated in the recording. The song re-entered the Billboard charts in August 1970 and May 1973, the latter time when it was certified gold. It was also banned by the BBC early on for being deemed “too morbid.”

Pickett continued to capitalize on the Monster theme with a Christmas adaptation titled “Monster’s Holiday” in 1962 and a “Monster Rap” in 1985. Rush even sampled “Monster Mash” for their instrumental “Limbo” from the 1996 album Test for Echo. Pickett passed away from leukemia in April 2007, and as of 2023, the song reportedly generates $1 million in royalties annually according to Billboard.

"Haunted House"
Jumpin’ Gene Simmons, 1964

A decade before another Gene Simmons helped elevate rock music to new heights, Morris Eugene Simmons — a rockabilly singer from Mississippi — sang about one man’s unwelcome discovery regarding his newly purchased home. Bob Geddins wrote “Haunted House,” which was first recorded by Johnny Fuller in 1958 and later by Domingo Samudio (aka Sam the Sham), before Simmons turned it into a No. 11 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Simmons was already well-known in the music industry by then; born in Tupelo, he toured as an opening act for Elvis Presley and performed with the Bill Black combo.

Simmons, who passed away in August 2006, also co-wrote “Indian Outlaw,” which became Tim McGraw’s first hit in 1994. “Haunted House” has also been covered by Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens, Ace Cannon, and Roy Buchanan among others; Bruce Springsteen even performed it during his Halloween night show in 1980 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, emerging from a coffin at center stage before starting the song.

“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”
Blue Oyster Cult, 1976

This misunderstood classic written by guitarist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser became part of Halloween lore thanks to its inclusion in John Carpenter’s iconic slasher film titled…surprise!…Halloween. The haunting guitar pattern and melody can be heard while characters Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and (Nancy Kyes) are driving to their babysitting gig while being stalked unknowingly by the seemingly invincible villain Michael Myers.

This association solidified the song’s connection to Halloween; however, Roeser has long maintained that despite darker interpretations, “Reaper” conveys a positive message about overcoming one’s fear of death rather than something meant to frighten us — or make us crave more cowbell. His protests may be excessive; inclusion in Halloween gave “Reaper” another boost two years after it reached the Top 15 in 1976. Director David Gordon Green revived it as the end credits song for 2022’s Halloween Ends.