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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From left, Paul McCartney (playing a Hofner 500/1 violin bass guitar) and John Lennon (playing a Gibson J-160E acoustic guitar) of English rock and pop group The Beatles perform on stage for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) music television show 'Shindig!' at Granville Studios in Fulham, London on 3rd October 1964. The band would play three songs on the show, Kansas City/hey-Hey-Hey!, I'm a Loser and Boys. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns) -
English singers, musicians, and songwriters Mick Jagger (at microphone), Keith Richards and Bill Wyman (far right) of the rock band 'The Rolling Stones,' perform on stage at Madison Square Garden, November 28, 1969. Jagger stands with his hands on his hips, eyes closed, and lips pursed together as he sings. (Photo by David Fenton/Getty Images) -
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 01: Rex Allen, Jr. performs on stage at the Country Music Festival held at Wembley Arena, London in April 1986. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns) -
Don Henley on 7/3/85 in Chicago, Il. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage) -
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Lindsey Buckingham, former member of Fleetwood Mac, performs onstage at the Lobero Theatre on April 15, 2022 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)