21 Great Halloween Pop Songs
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Fun beats for your trick-or-treats!
Celebrate Halloween with artists like Janelle Monáe, Becky G, Taylor Swift, Will Smith, Black Keys, OutKast, Olivia Rodrigo, and more!
Getting ready to celebrate Halloween? Once you’ve carved your pumpkins, set up the decorations, and filled the big bowl with candy—all that’s left is to put on the right tunes.
Below are a set of pop songs to get you into the spirit. We’ve got music videos from Janelle Monáe with Big Boi, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Oingo Boingo, The Cranberries, OutKast, Evanescence, Chubby Checker, Shakira, Whodini, Rockwell with Michael Jackson, Black Keys, Ray Parker Jr., Katy Perry, Will Smith, Billie Eilish, Otis Redding, Becky G and will.i.am, Lou Rawls, Olivia Rodrigo, and Nina Simone. We also have a really fun medley of Halloween songs acted out by Peter Hollens.
What we did not include on the list…
NOTE: There are several great songs we did not include because they’re already on Monster Complex in other posts. We’ve covered Halloween(ish) songs by the likes of artists Beyonce, Duran Duran, Megan Thee Stallion, Blue Oyster Cult, Harry Belefonte, Manhattan Transfer, Hammer, White Zombie, Marvin Gaye, Rina Sawayama, Christopher Lee (!), CeeLo Green, Elton John, Metallica, Puff Daddy with Jimmy Page, The Eagles, The Munsters, and more.
But first check out our list below!
Whether you’re sitting alone on the couch waiting for trick or treaters, or you’re preparing to hit the dancefloor at the Halloween party, check out the songs. And enjoy the holiday!
Related links:
Duran Duran celebrates Halloween all-year-round with DANSE MACABRE
Beyonce shares the trauma of being disrespected in “Haunted”
How “Total Eclipse of the Heart” turned out to be a vampire love song
Funky cover of Addams Family and The Munsters Themes by Rodney Skinner
27 Monster Musicals: From Addams Family and Spirited to Wicked and beyond
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“Tightrope” by Janelle Monáe - featuring Big Boi (2010)
The song “Tightrope,” from Janelle Monáe’s 2010 album The ArchAndroid, spells out the importance of keeping your balance while being praised or criticized. In the music video, Monáe plays an assylum patient who can walk through walls—and joins the other patients dancing. The video imitates 1943 film Meshes of the Afternoon.
“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo (1985)
Find “Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo on Amazon
The song “Dead Man's Party” is the title track from the album by the band Oingo Boingo. Some of the lyrics point to the 1906 short story by E. F. Benson “The Bus-Conductor.” The story has been adapted multiple times, with different versions often using the catchphrase, “Room for one more.”
Songwriter Danny Elfman, following his time as a member of Oingo Boingo, now writes movie scores. His resume includes writing the music for Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Good Will Hunting (1997), Men in Black (1997), Spider-Man (2002), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), plus the TV shows Desperate Housewives, The Simpsons, and Wednesday, as well as lots more.
“Disturbia” by Rihanna (2008)
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The song “Disturbia” was recorded by Rihanna for Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (2008). The lyrics detail the experiences of anguish, anxiety, and confusion.
“Haunted” by Taylor Swift (2010 / 2023)
Find “Haunted” by Taylor Swift on Amazon
Originally released in 2010, Taylor Swift re-recorded “Haunted” for her 2023 album Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). Bolstered by swelling instrumentals, Swift sings about the end of a relationship that she wishes she could still hold onto. The intensely sorrowful song oozes with confusion and desperation.
“Dracula’s Wedding” by OutKast featuring Kelis (2003)
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The song “Dracula’s Wedding” by OutKast featuring Kelis comes from the 2003 album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The project is a double album featuring solo albums from both of the group’s members, ranging musically across several styles, including Southern hip hop, psychedelic, pop, funk, electro, and jazz.
“Zombie” by The Cranberries (1994)
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The protest song “Zombie” by rock band the Cranberries comes from the 1994 album No Need to Argue. The lyrics are about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, a conflict that lasted from the 1960s to 1998. More than 3,500 people died and more were injured.
“Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell with Michael Jackson (1984)
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The song “Somebody’s Watching Me” was written and recorded by Rockwell, the son of Motown CEO Berry Gordy. The lead single from Rockwell’s 1984 debut studio album, the song also featured backing vocals by brothers Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson.
Related: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”—listen to 60 cover versions here!
“Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence (2003)
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The song “Bring Me to Life” by rock band Evanescence first appeared on their 2003 debut album Fallen. The lyrics, by band vocalist Amy Lee, detailed the psychological results of an abusive relationship—and realizing what she had missed in life. The song was re-worked for Evanescence’s orchestral-electronica 2017 album Synthesis.
“Doin’ the Zombie” by Chubby Checker (1997)
Find “Doin’ the Zombie” by Chubby Checker on Amazon
Pop music legend Chubby Checker is known for popularizing several dance styles. In September 2008, his classic 1960 hit “The Twist” topped the Billboard list of the most popular singles to have appeared in the Hot 100 since the song’s debut.
The CD single for “Doin’ the Zombie” lists four songs: “Doin’ The Zombie” and a new recording of “The Twist” by Chubby Checker, and the songs “House Of Horror” and “Screams From Beyond” from Dr. Frankenstein.
The song “Doin’ the Zombie” also appears on the anthology Halloween Party. Other artists on the album include Bobby “Boris” Pickett, The Coasters, Redbone, The Troggs, and several more.
“She Wolf” by Shakira (2009)
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The song “She Wolf” by singer-songwriter Shakira comes from her 2009 album of the same name. Written by Shakira, she told Radio 1 that the song is about women feeling empowered and able to fully express themselves.
“Haunted House of Rock” by Whodini (1983)
Find “Haunted House of Rock” by Whodini on Amazon
“The Haunted House of Rock” comes from the 1983 debut album from hip hop group Whodini. Big on sound effects, the track is loaded with references to the likes of the Invisible Man, Dracula, and Bloody Mary.
The website SongFacts points out that Whodini “combined the goofy fun of The Fat Boys with the virtuosity of Run-DMC to create what is the rap equivalent of a clever horror movie.” The site also mentions that the song refers to the haunted house of rock—not rap. “In the early years of New York hip-hop, groups often considered themselves offshoots of rock and roll, which was based on black blues music.”
“Haunted House of Rock” is available on Whodini’s greatest hits.
“Dark Horse” by Katy Perry featuring Juicy J (2013)
Find “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry on Amazon
The Katy Perry song “Dark Horse” was inspired by the 1996 movie The Craft. Featuring rapper Juicy J, the song comes from the 2013 album Prism.
Sporting a “Southern rap-techno mashup” musical sound that combines hip hop, pop-rap, electropop and more, Perry wanted the song to have a “witchy, spell-y kind of black magic-y idea.” She said the song was written as a witch’s warning to a man not to fall in love with her—because, if he does, she would be his last.
“Men in Black” by Will Smith (1997)
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The song “Men in Black” from Will Smith was recorded for the 1997 sci-fi action comedy Men in Black, in which Smith also starred. The song appears on both the movie’s soundtrack album and Smith’s 1997 album Big Willie Style. (This was Smith’s first solo album following his career working with DJ Jazzy Jeff.)
Featuring samples from the Patrice Rushen pop hit “Forget Me Nots,” the “Men in Black” song focuses on the character played by Smith in the movie. The lyrics revolve around his role and duties as a new agent of the Men in Black organization.
“Howlin’ For You” by Black Keys (2010)
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The song “Howlin’ for You” by band The Black Keys comes from the 2010 album Brothers. The music video—a parody of movie trailers—stars Tricia Helfer, Diora Baird, Sean Patrick Flanery, Christian Serratos, Corbin Bernsen, Todd Bridges, and Shaun White. Band members Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney appear as “Las Teclas de Negro” (translated from Spanish as “The Keys of Black”).
“Trick Or Treat” by Otis Redding (1966)
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“Trick Or Treat” was recorded by “King of Soul” Otis Redding (1941-1967). He is considered one of the best singers in the history of American pop music, soul music, and rhythm and blues.
Shortly before dying in a plane crash, Redding wrote and recorded his big hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” the first posthumous No. 1 record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. His other hits include “Respect” and “Try a Little Tenderness.”
Redding got several posthumous awards, including Grammies, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
“Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish (2019)
Find “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish on Amazon
The song “Bury a Friend” by singer-songwriter Billie Eilish came from her 2019 album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Co-written by Eilish, the dark and violent lyrics come from the perspective of a monster under someone’s bed.
According to Eilish—who was still only 17 years old at the time they shot this video—the “monster” in the song can represent lots of things. “It could be someone you love so much that it’s taking over your life,” she said. “I think love and terror and hatred are all the same thing.”
“Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr. (1984)
Find “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr. on Amazon
Recorded by Ray Parker Jr., the song “Ghostbusters” was the theme for the 1984 supernatural comedy movie featuring a ghost-catching business in New York City. The movie starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, plus Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, and William Atherton.
The music video for the song was directed by Ivan Reitman—who also directed the Ghostbusters movie. It revolves around a young woman (played by actress Cindy Harrell) haunted by a ghost portrayed by Parker. The music video includes the stars of the movie, plus cameos by celebrities Irene Cara, George Wendt, Teri Garr, John Candy, Melissa Gilbert, Chevy Chase, Carly Simon, Al Franken, Danny DeVito, Peter Falk, and more.
Of course, the movie Ghostbusters exploded in the pop culture, leading to several movies, an amazing cartoon series, comic books, and more. Find Ghostbusters stuff here.
“Problem” (The Monster Remix from Hotel Transylvania) by Becky G + will.i.am
Find “Problem” (The Monster Remix from Hotel Transylvania) on Amazon
Featured in the movie Hotel Transylvania, the song “Problem” was released as a single and a music video. The song features singer/actress Becky G and guest star will.i.am (from hip hop musical group Black Eyed Peas). The video shows the two wandering around a hotel as scenes from the movie also appear.
The Hotel Transylvania trademark—created by comedy writer Todd Durham—is a family comedy brand that reimagines classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man, the Invisible Man, and more. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the franchise has grown over time to include several movies and short films, a TV show, and video games.
Related links:
“Season Of The Witch” by Lou Rawls (1969)
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The song “Season of the Witch,” covered by Lou Rawls, was written by Donovan in 1966. (Apparently, there’s a question whether it was also co-written by Donovan’s occasional collaborator Shawn Phillips.)
In a review, AllMusic’s Lindsay Planer called the song “a sort of sinister tale of paranoia and the paranormal.”
While Donovan recorded the song for his album Sunshine Superman, a number of other artists have also recorded their own versions. In additon to Rawls, the song has also been recorded by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Vanilla Fudge, Dr. John with the Blues Brothers Band, Lana Del Rey, Al Kooper and Steve Stills, Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger and the Trinity, Terry Reid, and Luna.
The song has also shown up on TV shows, including the series Mr. Mercedes and Grimm (episode 1.16).
“Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo (2023)
Find “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo on Amazon
The song “Vampire” from singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo is the lead single from her 2023 album Guts. A goth-esque pop song, Rodrigo sings the song as striking back at someone who caused her problems.
Throughout, as she expels her repressed anger, Rodrigo makes several references to vampires. Rodrigo told Rolling Stone that she leaned into referring to the bloodthirsty monsters because there was “a lot of vampire lore to be played with.”
“I Put a Spell on You” by Nina Simone (1965)
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The song “I Put a Spell on You” recorded by jazz singer and pianist Nina Simone, was the title track of her 1965 album. She said that the song is “the kind of a song that no one can ignore.”
The song was written in 1956 by “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins. His own version of the song was selected as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
In addition to the cover by Nina Simone, other artists who have recorded “I Put a Spell on You” include Bryan Ferry, Sonique, Jeff Beck with Joss Stone, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and Marilyn Manson. There was also a version sung by Bette Midler that she recorded for the 1993 Disney movie Hocus Pocus.
BONUS: “Epic Halloween Medley” by Peter Hollens
An entrepreneur, educator, and classically trained vocalist, Peter Hollens specializes in a cappella music on YouTube and Facebook. He’s got more than 5 million followers and subscribers (and more than a billion views)!
His “Epic Halloween Medley” is a fun, costumed, character-driven project that pulls together familiar songs from Ghostbusters, Scooby Doo, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, the Addams Family, and Rocky Horror Picture Show. The medley also includes the rock song “Bring Me To Life” (by Evanescence) and the classic “The The Monster Mash.”
A regular presence on YouTube, Hollens has released more than 160 digital singles, and continues to release new music regularly. A founding member of the YouTube creator advisory board, Hollens has collaborated and performed with lots of great artists—including Gladys Knight, Brian Wilson, Lindsey Stirling, The Piano Guys, and a bunch more.
More from Monster Complex
Marvin Gaye: “A Funky Space Reincarnation” is from this unusual album
Megan Thee Stallion on “Crazy” Addams Family + She-Hulk twerking
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”—Blue Oyster Cult says it’s not what you think
He’s Back! Beetlejuice The Musical + Alternate Versions of “The Whole Being Dead Thing”
Beyonce shares the trauma of being disrespected in “Haunted”
How the director got Hammer to deliver Addams Family “Groove”
27 Monster Musicals: From Addams Family and Spirited to Wicked and beyond
Further reading online
99 Best Halloween Songs Your Party Playlist (Cosmopolitan)
17 Creepy & Scary R&B Music Videos for Halloween (ThisisRnB.com)
13 Metal Songs That Should Be On Every Halloween Playlist (wearethepit.com)
53 Best Halloween Songs to Play During Your Costume Party (Good Housekeeping)
Happy Halloween — 15 Scary Songs in Hip-Hop & R&B (TheBoombox)
Top 20 Spooky Country Songs For Halloween (topcountry.ca)
The Best R&B And Hip-Hop Halloween Songs (Radio Facts)
Broadway Jukebox: 75 Spooky Showtunes for a Haunted Halloween (Broadway World)
120 Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Party Playlist (The Bash)
10 Best Horror Movie Songs For Your Halloween Party (Collider)
The Haunted House Of Rock by Whodini (Songfacts)
Why Is Taylor Swift Re-Rerecording Her Old Albums? (Time Magazine)
Go backstage to see how Broadway brought Beetlejuice back to life. ABC News’ Will Ganss went one-on-one with the ghost with the most himself, Alex Brightman.