Spooky season is upon us, and American Songwriter is here to provide the playlist for this year’s hauntings and happenings. Whether you’re observing Halloween surrounded by ghosts and witches or monsters and werewolves, this collection of songs is some of the holiday’s best musical offerings.
While our number one song may not be the jump scare you anticipated (‘Cause this is thriller), there are other horrors on this list that will inspire a spirited All Hallows’ evening.
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Read below for American Songwriter’s top Halloween songs.
13. “Season of the Witch” by Donovan
12. “Boris The Spider” by The Who
11. “Witchy Woman” by the Eagles
10. “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
9. “The Monster” by Eminem (ft. Rihanna)
8. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
7. “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell
6. “A Nightmare On My Street” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
5. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult
4. “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
3. “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
2. “Werewolves Of London” by Warren Zevon
1. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
BONUS: “This Is Halloween” written by Danny Elfman
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Photo by Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images -
American singer, songwriter and musician Tom Petty (1950-2017) attends a press conference for his debut solo album 'Full Moon Fever', 1989. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images) -
(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Musician Willie Nelson attends 24th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 10, 1989 at Disney Studios in Burbank, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
BERKELEY, CA – SEPTEMBER 1977: Linda Ronstadt performs at the Greek Theater on September 17, 1977 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images)