Ten Creepiest Halloween Songs

Halloween songs can usually be divided into two categories: the playful, cheesy variety and the truly creepy. This list will focus on the latter group, those Halloween songs that (either through their atmosphere, lyrics, or a combination) truly send shivers up the spine. Play these songs during your Halloween party to both delight and scare your guests.

Morning Bell - Radiohead

According to Thom Yorke, this song was inspired by a supposedly haunted house where he lived. The song can be found, in different versions, on Kid A and Amnesiac. Both are creepy and atmospheric, though the Kid A version is a bit darker. Those opening verses are sure to unsettle even the most cynical of Halloween party-goers.

Closer - Kings of Leon

The persistent and pulsing synth track provides a genuinely spooky feel to this song. Pair that with lyrics straight out of a horror novel and Caleb Followill's mournful wails, and you've got a perfect Halloween song.

Down in the Park - Foo Fighters

Originally recorded by Gary Numan, the Foo Fighters version of this song takes its creepiness to a new level. The lyrics bring to mind a post-apocalyptic future where machines play "kill-by-numbers" and humanity hides in fear. This is a great song for any Halloween get-together.

Furnace Room Lullaby - Neko Case

Neko Case's country-noir retelling of "The Tell-Tale Heart" is perfect for any Halloween playlist. Case's soaring, haunting vocals and the stark, gritty instrumental make for a shiver-inducing song. This is just a really dark and really beautiful track.

Red Right Hand - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

This tune about a demonic but charming force is creepy all the way through. The lyrics are cryptic and threatening ("a shadow is cast wherever he stands..."), the music is atmospheric, and the vocals are of course thoroughly spooky. Cave has made a career out of scary songs, and this one is a particularly good choice for Halloween.

Country Death Song - Violent Femmes

When making this list I was torn between this song and Bob Dylan's The Ballad of Hollis Brown. Both songs deal with the same thematic issue: a family patriarch forced to make an unthinkable decision, but Country Death Song increases the creepiness and injects a bit of dark humor, making it a bit more suitable for Halloween.

Black Mirror - Arcade Fire

The fuzzy, pulsing backing track and the urgent, moody lyrics make this song very creepy indeed. From the first chords, you know that you are going to be in for something spooky and atmospheric. The song may not be as overtly frightening as others, but it builds its tension in a very effective way.

Superstar - Sonic Youth

This song is a perfect example of an atmospheric Halloween song. The wispy vocals and spare backing track (with electronic and dissonant tones, adding to the creepy vibe) match the ever-increasing intensity in the lyrics.

Heroes (Aphex Twin Remix) - Aphex Twin

I never considered the classic David Bowie song Heroes to be scary before I heard this remix. Electronic noises and ghostly voices raise out from behind Bowie's simple vocals, making the song itself seem haunted. This one is a must have on any Halloween playlist.