Sing Your Way to Halloween

At the edge of August, my Halloween alarm rings loud and clear. We’re getting into reasonable countdown territory. But who says you have to be reasonable? Start with some karaoke songs to get everyone into the Halloween spirit. Not a singer? These songs will also make a fantastic playlist. Enjoy.

Classic Rock

“Spooky” by The Classics IV

• Featured in American Horror Story: Murder House, this is fun for karaoke.

“(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult

• The Stand, Halloween, The Frighteners, Supernatural, and Scream all use this song.

“Black Magic Woman” by Santana

• If you can handle being on stage for the long intro, the singing itself is simple.

“I Put a Spell on You” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

• I love Bette Midler’s version in Hocus Pocus.

“Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

• Featured in Supernatural. Did I mention that Dean Winchester has great taste in music?

No, Dean. You’re awesome.

“The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals, “People Are Strange” by The Doors, and “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones

• If you love Halloween, the 60’s were a great time to be alive and own a radio. Also, Supernatural uses the first song.

“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen

• Since this was used for the big fight scene in Shaun of the Dead, you can fantasize that zombies are busting their way into the bar while you’re singing.

“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac

• American Horror Story: Coven celebrated Stevie Nicks’ witchy ways with this number. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly from episode 1 would also be a good choice.

“Stuck in the Middle with You” by Stealers Wheel

• I’m going to claim that stabbing scene in Reservoir Dogs as horror.

Alternative Rock

In general, alternative rock seems preoccupied with the macabre. Yay!

• “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden
• “How Soon is Now” by The Smiths
• “Heart Shaped Box” by Nirvana
• “Zombie” by The Cranberries
• “#1 Crush” by Garbage
• “Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz
• “Love Me Dead” by Ludo
• “Voodoo” by Godsmack
• “Criminal” by Fiona Apple
• “Karma Police” by Radiohead
• “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• “Seven Nation Army” by White Stripes
• “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seed (used in The X-Files and the Scream franchise)
• “Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger (used in Disturbing Behavior)

Pop

“E.T.” by Katy Perry

• This song is just plain creepy.

“Maneater” by Nelly Furtado

• Unleash your inner vampire with this one, ladies!

“Weird Science” by Oingo Boingo

• A funny one, but definitely inspired by Frankenstein.

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson

• Despite this song’s popularity, I’ve never seen it done for karaoke. It’s long, but if you knew the dance, people would love it.

“Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell

• Good old-fashioned paranoia.

 “Sweet Dreams” by Eurhythmics

• As heard in House on Haunted Hill (Marilyn Manson’s version), Trick ‘r Treat, and Grimm.

“Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett

• This one may make it too obvious that you’re trying to make it Halloween prematurely. Oh well.

“Mad World” by Tears for Fears

• The REM version in Donnie Darko could be a good choice, but don’t expect anyone to cheer when you finish. In fact, you better hand out some Kleenexes.

Proof that I do karaoke. And that I have friends.

Showtunes

In this category, we have classics like “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr., and The Addams Family Theme Song. I’m also putting “Down With the Sickness” by Richard Cheese in this category from Dawn of the Dead. It’s a great lounge/comedy cover of Disturbed’s song.

Metal

The metal bands tend to walk on the darker side. AC/DC is a particular favorite of one Dean Winchester.

• “Living Dead Girl” and “Dragula” by Rob Zombie

• “Enter Sandman” by Metallica

• “Hell’s Bells” by AC/DC

Old Songs that are Accidentally Creepy

“Mr. Sandman” by The Puppini Sisters

• See Metallica above.

“Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim

• I don’t know if this one is available, but after Insidious, singing this one will give everyone nightmares.

“Jeepers Creepers” by Paul Whiteman and His Swing Wing

• After the movie by the same name, this song is forever altered.

“Happy Together” by The Turtles

• Filter’s haunting remake is featured in The Stepfather and Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. Stalk much?

Johnny Cash

Johnny gets his own category, because basically any song would work. Start with “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” or “When the Man Comes Around.”

What would you add to a Halloween karaoke or party playlist? We’ve only got two months to get ready!