As one of the biggest holidays on the calendar, Halloween is a ripe subject for song-writing material. While it might not touch Christmas in terms of overall scope, there are so many songs that fall under the Halloween umbrella.
So, to get you in the mood for another Halloween season, we here at For The Win have taken it upon ourselves to rank the best songs for the holiday! And yes, everything is on the table, even if the songs aren’t necessarily about Halloween itself. Vibes, after all, are one of the major components of a song.
MORE HALLOWEEN: The 10 coziest fall movies and TV shows to watch this Halloween season.
Whether it be you’re looking to add to your party playlist or just browsing for some seasonal jams, here are the 10 best Halloween songs of all time.
10
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Between the iconic music video, Michael Jackson’s dance moves, and the evocative lyrics, “Thriller” is a Halloween classic. And everyone knows it too, as it continuously re-enters the Billboard charts around spooky season without fail every year.
9
My Girlfriend Is a Witch - October Country
A bit of an out-of-left-field pick, but wouldn’t we all want a witch for a girlfriend?
8
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
Not only has Ghostbusters the movie remained a part of the cultural zeitgeist since its release in 1984, the song has been a popular pick for Halloween playlists as well.
7
Grim Grinning Ghosts - Buddy Baker, X. Atencio
Disney fans will recognize this tune instantly as the theme to “The Haunted Mansion” ride and it’s a perfect addition to any Halloween jam session. The song’s spooky introduction segues perfectly into a jaunty romp with some friendly ghosts that will have you tapping your feet.
6
Spooky Scary Skeletons - The Living Tombstone
The original by Andrew Gold is a masterpiece, but The Living Tombstone remix inserts a pulsing beat that livens up the song dramatically. No doubt a popular club song around Halloween, and for good reason.
5
The Addams Family - Vic Mizzy
The Addams Family not only makes our list of the best cozy fall movies to watch this Halloween, its theme song is a staple this time of year. While Netflix’s Wednesday became a hit over the last year, the Addams Family itself has always been a Halloween icon.
4
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
“Superstition” is a great song any time of the year, but around Halloween time, it’s a must-listen.
3
I Put a Spell on You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Hocus Pocus catapulted this song into the stratosphere, but the original from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins is still an incredible people pleaser. The way he rasps and screams out the lyrics is absolutely unmatched.
2
Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
It’s not Halloween without the “Monster Mash”! It was a graveyard smash, indeed.
1
This Is Halloween - Danny Elfman
If you want Halloween distilled into a song, “This Is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas is absolutely it. This song has all the whimsy of a Tim Burton film distilled into a jovial and catchy Halloween tune.
