Chillin’ and Killin’: Kinley’s Top Tracks for Halloween 2023

Kinley Weber·

‘Tis the season to be spooky! With numerous festive activities to do this month, a killer Halloween soundtrack is a must. Here’s a playlist curated for the spookiest season and its ventures. 

PUMPKIN CARVING

Carving a Jack-o-lantern is a classic Halloween tradition that sparks creativity and amusement. Set the vibe with these grungy alternative classics to bring out that spooky fall spirit.

  1. Them Bones – Alice in Chains
  2. Bodysnatchers – Radiohead
  3. Bullet With Butterfly Wings – The Smashing Pumpkins
  4. Possum Kingdom – Toadies
  5. Dead & Bloated – Stone Temple Pilots
  6. How Soon Is Now? – The Smiths
  7. Song For The Dead – Queens of the Stone Age

HALLOWEEN PARTY

What’s Halloween without a costume party? Here’s a few upbeat tracks to make your gathering festive and frightening.

  1. Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  2. Living Dead Girl – Rob Zombie
  3. Little Dark Age – MGMT
  4. Dead Man’s Party – Oingo Boingo
  5. Eyes Without A Face – Billy Idol
  6. Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
  7. Looks That Kill – Motley Crue

TRICK OR TREATING

Whether you believe you’re too old for trick or treating or otherwise, the Halloween tradition has remained prominent for literal centuries — and playing some good music is perfect for amplifying the fun. Here’s a list of some creepy trick or treating tunes. 

  1. Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne
  2. Twilight Zone – Golden Earring
  3. Halloween – Misfits
  4. Killer Queen – Queen
  5. Psycho Killer – Talking Heads
  6. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper – Blue Öyster Cult
  7. Paint It, Black – The Rolling Stones

CASTING SPELLS

Being witchy is fun year round, but it just hits different in October. If you believe in magic or not, you can jam to these classic mystic songs this Halloween season.

  1. Voodoo Lady – Ween
  2. Strange Brew – Cream
  3. My Girlfriend is a Witch – October Country
  4. Witchy Woman – Eagles
  5. People are Strange – The Doors
  6. Season of the Witch – Donovan
  7. Black Magic Woman – Santana

THE CLASSICS

Finally, it goes without saying that these tunes are Halloween music staples and it would be criminal not to mention them. Here are the biggest Halloween hits that simply can’t be ignored this spooky season. 

  1. Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr.
  2. Thriller – Michael Jackson
  3. Monster Mash – Bobby “Boris” Pickett
  4. Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell
  5. This Is Halloween – The Citizens of Halloween
  6. Spooky, Scary Skeletons – Andrew Gold
  7. Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon

Kinley Weber

I’m a Houston based photographer who loves being around live music and all the creative people involved in the local music scene. I enjoy capturing performers and artists doing what they love and the essence of how live music makes people feel. When Im not behind the lens, I love trying new things and visiting new places.