Need some Halloween jams that still rock? If you’re looking to stay spooky and keep the music at that sweet classic-rock caliber, we’ve got you covered. No Ghostbusters, no Monster Mash, though we do love a good throwback. This playlist is reserved for the rockers and anyone ready to crank it up while carving pumpkins.
Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon
Warron Zevon’s howling (literally) top 40 hit of 1978 is one of the prime examples of spooky rock done right.
The lyrics are straight out of a B horror flick and seamlessly meld with the song’s danceable, bluesy rock piano. Surprisingly, Werewolves of London has an overall upbeat character, managing to describe gruesome scenes in a playful tone … which kind of makes it even more spooky.
After its initial success, Werewolves of London saw another big bump in popularity when Tom Cruise lip-synced the song in a memorable scene from the film The Color of Money.
Pet Cemetery – Ramones
One of the Ramones’ biggest hits, Pet Sematary, was written for the classic horror film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. It turns out Stephen King is actually a huge Ramones fan. The band visited King’s residence while on tour, and King gifted the bassist, Dee Dee Ramone, a copy of the book. Dee Dee immediately went to the basement and wrote the song in an hour.
Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
As the lead single from CCR’s Green River Album, Bad Moon Rising reached No. 2 on Billboard in 1969 and No. 1 in the UK. The song’s lyrics were inspired by a farmer’s deal with the devil from the film The Devil and Daniel Webster. The song itself is classic CCR, with raw guitar tones, strong vocals, and high energy.
Highway To Hell – AC/DC
This iconic classic rock song was the opening track of AC/DC’s Highway to Hell album. While the song’s rocking chorus definitely fits the vibe of a Halloween house party, the song is actually about the craziness of band life on the road, inspired by a route in the band’s home country of Australia that led to many of the band’s favorite bars and hotels. If you’re looking for a rocking anthem to keep the Halloween energy up, this one definitely fits the bill.
People Are Strange – The Doors
This one makes the list purely off of vibe; if you told a ghost to play the piano, it would undoubtedly produce a similar tune as the Doors’ 1967 hit, People Are Strange. The song reached No. 12 on Billboard. While the song’s generally about isolation, its spooky melodies and atmosphere will definitely complement your Halloween festivities.
Dire Wolf – Grateful Dead
Definitely the folkiest song on the list, Dire Wolf’s chorus oozes Halloween feels as Jerry Garcia pleads “Don’t murder me” to a wolf described as “600 pounds of sin.” The song is supposedly about not letting your vices kill you, but the execution fits a Halloween setting well.
Halloween – Siouxsie And The Banshees
This pick adds a bit of post-punk to your spooky season with creepy dissonant chords, strong vocals, and a chorus tailored perfectly to the holiday.
Witchy Women – The Eagles
The Eagles no. 9 Billboard hit, Witchy Women, is a slower minor key jam with some awesome guitar work. For the lyrics, Don Henley was heavily inspired by a biography of Zelda Fitzgerald and books on Shamanism.
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s 1983 disco horror anthem is one of the biggest spooky hits of all time. This severely danceable megahit is a must for any Halloween playlist worth its salt. It’s also got the music video to match.
Black Magic Women – Fleetwood Mac
Black Magic Women is another guitar-solo-heavy, bluesy track with percussion that moves all over the map, keeping things interesting. Although it’s a Fleetwood Mac song, Santana’s version is the most well-known. Both are great.