What are some good mature Halloween songs (or anything of the spooky nature)?
Well, the absolute standard Halloween song is of course "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett, and I’m definitely not going to stand in your way if it’s something you want to blare over and over all night long while people chow down on candy corn and cut holes in white sheets to drape over their heads. But…I think we can do a little better than that. So, here are some tunes to set the mood in a bit more grown up fashion.
"This is Halloween" – Ask in any kid in your local Hot Topic and they’ll tell you that this signature tune from Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas," composed by the great Danny Elfman, is definitely a mood setter for a spooky time. If you’re looking for something just a little bit darker, go for Marilyn Manson’s cover version.
"Dragula," "Living Dead Girl," "American Witch," etc. – Rob Zombie is the heir to Alice Cooper’s throne of skulls when it comes to horror rock. Grab any one of his albums and you’re likely to find a healthy handful of spook-themed tunes, all armed with the industrial metal beats that have made him a star.
"The Time Warp" – If you’ve never seen "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," I just pain feel sorry for you. While it’s not necessarily a horror or Halloween themed song, it is definitely strange enough to blend in with the costumes, and it’s a dance. You know…It’s just a jump to the left…
"Thriller" – Also has a dance, though it’s a little more complex. And if Michael Jackson isn’t enough to sell you on it, remember Vincent Price’s legendary voice permeates the thing.
"Don’t Fear the Reaper" – Ask your Dad if you don’t know this one. Blue Oyster Cult was and is a great band for many reasons, but their love of horror themes is definitely something that cemented them in my head. And "Reaper" is just the beginning when it comes to BOC Halloween tunes. You can also check out "Nosferatu," "Joan Crawford" and "Astronomy."
"Grim Grinning Ghosts" – It’s the them for Disney’s Haunted Mansion Ride. I believe I’ve said enough.
Nearly anything by Alice Cooper- The man performed mock executions at his concerts for most of the 1970s. His music is perfect for this holiday. Start with "Welcome to My Nightmare" and work your way through.
"Black Sabbath" – The song that heralded the coming of the band of the same name. It’s one of the creepiest tunes you’ll ever hear, and was allegedly inspired by bassist Geezer Butler’s encounter with a spectral figure at the foot of his bed. This was the beginning of Ozzy Osbourne’s reign as The Prince of Darkness
Horror Film Themes: There are endless possiblities here. Of course, there are the classics, like the themes from John Carpenter’s "Halloween" and "Friday the 13th," but go ahead and get more creative than that. Do a little digging. The eerie voices at the beginning of "Rosemary’s Baby" are not to be missed, and the eerie piano melodies that permeate "The Exorcist" are definitely effective. But you could go even further, you could seek out Goblin’s eerie soundtrack for Dario Argento’s classic "Suspiria."
Hopefully that’s enough for a good start. Happy Halloween.
