It’s not Halloween season without the songs that complete the holiday. Here is a compilation of songs for the frightful season. 

Caleb’s picks: 

1. Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, Richard O’Brien – “Time Warp” 
2. Alanna Ubach, Antonio Sol – “La Llorona”  
3. Sharon Needles, RuPaul – “This Club Is a Haunted House”

The lyrics “Time is fleeting / Madness takes its toll” perfectly embody the truly zany antics of “Time Warp.” Released in 1975 in the iconic musical film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” the song has a timeless appeal that can still be felt today. It’s the perfect song to fill you with energy and get you in the party mood. I remember on my 21st birthday, getting up on the stage to do some karaoke and having selected “Time Warp,” and the results were delightfully maddening. Half the crowd started getting up dancing as the song has a very specific dance attached to it. At one point, a couple people got on stage and danced with me. 

My next song is a bit more of a solemn choice. “La Llorona” is a Mexican folk song derived from the Mexican folktale of the same name. While the specifics of the tale vary, common elements include a mother killing her children and her being forced to wander weeping forever looking for them. The song itself is sort of a requiem for loss and grief, and this particular version of “La Llorona” was made for the 2017 animated film “Coco.” The song is heavily tied to the loss and love the characters experienced and is a deeply emotional scene in the movie. Overall, the song and the movie did a great job at connecting with the Mexican folk roots, and my family and I really enjoyed this song, especially because Día de Muertos is an important tradition for us, and it is a time of reflection to reconnect with our loved ones. 

“This Club Is a Haunted House” is a great way to round out the feels of spooky season. What better way to spend Halloween than with drag queens. “This Club Is a Haunted House” is a delightful energetic spooky beat by drag artist Sharon Needles, known for winning Season 4 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” This song perfectly blends Needles’ campy humor and her horror inspired aesthetic. It’s also sure to keep your blood flowing with its sick electronic beats. This song was first released in 2013 from her album “PG-13” and also contains vocals from RuPaul. Although the lyrics can be a bit dark, it’s all in good fun. Imagine Jason Varoohees and Freddy Krueger celebrating Halloween in a nightclub – it’s just like that, a slashing good time, if you will. 

Nick’s picks:

1. Bernard Herrmann – “The Murder”
2. Vince Guaraldi – “The Great Pumpkin Waltz”
3. Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick – “Dammit Janet” 

Bernard Herrmann may be the most influential horror composer of all time. Herrmann wrote classics like the “Twilight Zone” theme song, composed the soundtrack to “Vertigo” and created the most influential musical moment in horror history: the murder scene in “Psycho.” The quick, striking strings scream out, warning the viewer of the film that something horrific is about to happen. The one minute song perfectly captures the scene of Marion Crane’s shower curtain getting pulled to the side and … well, you know the rest.

While Halloween is mostly known for its scary elements, everyone forgets about the childhood joy that comes with losing who you are for a night. Vince Guaraldi, composer of the “Peanuts” cartoon series, penned some of the most happy music I’ve ever heard. “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” is a flowery, happy song known for – and made for – the Charlie Brown Halloween special: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Colin Bailey’s brushed snare drum and Ronald Lang’s gliding flute pair with Guaraldi’s simple piano to create the perfect encapsulation of an autumn evening. 

On the exact opposite hand, “Dammit Janet” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is the perfect intro song to the most chaotic, amazing Halloween experience. I fell in love with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” during my freshman year of high school, and every year since it’s been an important part of my Halloween celebrations. The song “Dammit Janet” draws the audience into the movie and prepares them for the perfect mess that is about to come. Featuring Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as the innocent, milquetoast couple of Brad and Janet, the song is so cheesy, any viewer knows the song is making fun of the couple, and most viewers are willing to join the fun and hurl insults back at the song. 

  Eli’s picks: 

1. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – “Halloweenhead”
2. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – “I Put a Spell on You”
3. Falling in Reverse – “I’m Not a Vampire”

“Halloweenhead,” a lively rock song by Ryan Adams, uses themes of Halloween as a symbol for mental illness and addiction. The lines “Costume shops and punks in drag / Head full of tricks and treats / Places where junkies meet and / It leads me through the streets at night” paint a vivid picture of the narrator struggling to maintain self-control and sobriety. While lyrically “Halloweenhead” is nowhere near Adams’ most profound or poetic song, it’s undeniably fun and the raw energy of his backing band, The Cardinals, brings the track to life.

Before there was Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson, there was Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the original shock-rocker. His unique brand of macabre, voodoo-infused performing style has cemented his 1956 hit “I Put a Spell on You” as one of the most iconic songs of the early rock n’ roll era. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins lives up to his name throughout the track, powerfully screaming and wailing over the thumping, stunted piano chords that comprise the instrumental. Hawkins’ over-the-top theatrical performances would go on to influence countless future rock musicians, making him a pivotal figure in the foundation of the genre.

Falling in Reverse is a band that’s simultaneously difficult to love but hard to hate. Ex-convict lead singer Ronnie Radke’s chaotic, politically incorrect antics over the years have given the band an unfavorable reputation in the post-hardcore scene, but their early work is endlessly fun and nearly impossible not to enjoy. “I’m Not a Vampire” from the band’s 2011 debut album “The Drug in Me Is You” is a classic horror-infused pop-punk song. The track is as catchy as it is kitschy, and while it’s overwhelmingly influenced by bands like My Chemical Romance, the song would also fit into the oeuvre of any ‘80s glam metal band. 

Tamya’s picks:

1. Rihanna – “Disturbia”
2. Eurythmics – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”
3. Radiohead – “Creep”

“Disturbia” contains a catchy early 2010’s pop beat that is an instant toe tapper. This song reminds me of Halloween growing up as a kid and hearing “Disturbia” played over cartoon Halloween commercials. This song is also very different from Rihanna’s newer music. She was at a stage in her career where she was breaking free from a pop mold, and this song is an amazing example of her breaking away from that genre.

“Sweet Dreams” contains an eerie, techno pop feeling. This song is very popular around Halloween time due to the peculiar vocals. The vocals are raspy but high pitched, almost like a scratchy voice, but it sounds perfect with the haunting feeling of the song. The song’s lower register keeps the spooky vibes going. 

“Creep” is a classic song by Radiohead that is on the more gloomy side of Halloween. This song is best in the later fall days as the temperatures are dropping and it adds to the song’s ambiance. While the song isn’t creepy, it embodies the energy of Halloween perfectly. 

Lindsay’s picks:

1. Talking Heads – “Psycho Killer”
2. Donovan – “Season of the Witch”
3. Rob Zombie – “Dragula”

“Psycho Killer” was released by the band Talking Heads on its debut studio album “Talking Heads: 77.” The song is a commentary on the thoughts of a serial killer. The new-wave, rock song is funky and is easy to get into the groove of the song. Even with part of its chorus in French, it is incredibly catchy because of its simplicity.

Switching to psychedelic rock, Donovan writes and sings “Season of the Witch.” This is a great Halloween song for those looking for something laid-back and languid. The track isn’t the most “Halloweeny” song out there, so it’s a great listen for any time of the year. The song can be found in a variety of movies and TV shows and has been covered by various musicians and bands like Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Lana Del Rey.

An unconventional Halloween song, “Dragula” by Rob Zombie refers to the drag racer DRAG-U-LA from the sitcom “The Munsters.” Zombie directed the cult-classic horror movie “House of 1000 Corpses” and his love of horror is evident in the track. The lyrics contain many common Halloween motifs like witches, rats and the devil. This nu-metal song is a great bass-bumper for anyone looking for an aggressive Halloween song. 

Angelina’s picks:

1. Matthew Gray Gubler – “What are you going to be for Halloween?” 
2. Michael Jackson – “Thriller” 
3. China Anne McClain  – “Calling all the Monsters” 

Matthew Gray Gubler, known for his role of Dr. Spencer Reid in “Criminal Minds,” is a massive fan of Halloween. Gubler begins celebrating the season as early as September, specifically Sept. 15, which he calls “Gublerween.” On Sept. 15, Gubler dresses up in a costume and delivers a pumpkin to his friends to welcome the Halloween season, Gubler told BUILD. As a part of his love for the spooky season, Gubler has a song highlighting popular costumes. “What are you going to be for Halloween?” is simply a fun song that can get its audience ready for the frightful night. 

“Darkness falls across the land / the midnight hour is close at hand / Creatures crawl in search of blood / To terrorize y’all’s neighborhood / And whosoever shall be found / Without the soul for getting down / Must stand and face the hounds of hell / And rot inside a corpse’s shell / The foulest stench is in the air / The funk of forty thousand years / And grizzly ghouls from every tomb / Are closing in to seal your doom / And though you fight to stay alive / Your body starts to shiver / For no mere mortal can resist / The evil of the thriller!” Vincent Prince said in the chilling “Thriller” outro. 

“Calling all the Monsters,” by China Anne McClain is a fun, catchy and energetic Halloween beat. The song was released in 2011 in the Disney Channel film “Spooky Buddies.” The main message throughout the lyrics is encouraging everyone to embrace their imperfections, and not be ashamed of who they are, be proud of their inner monster. The lyrics describe the main character realizing that everyone around her is pretending to be something they are not, hiding their true selves beneath a mask, much like we do on Halloween. Throughout the song, she realizes that she too has been hiding under a mask, but decides to change and embrace her own personality. “Calling all the Monsters” is a song anyone can relate to, and dance to in full costume. 

Emily’s picks:

1. Bobby “Boris” Pickett – “Monster Mash”
2. Ray Parker Jr. – “Ghostbusters”
3. Danny Elfman – “This Is Halloween”

“Monster Mash,” released by Bobby “Boris” Pickett, is such an iconic Halloween song. The beginning of the song sounds like a creaking door opening and then sounds like a witch’s cauldron bubbling. There is also an iconic dance that goes along with the song. The use of the drums in the song makes it upbeat and a song that everyone wants to dance to. The song is the epitome of Halloween and items associated with Halloween such as making references to zombies and Dracula. “Monster Mash” is the true graveyard smash of Halloween.

“Ghostbusters,” released by Ray Parker Jr., is another classic Halloween song. The song was made famous from being the main song in the movie “Ghostbusters.” The lyrics “If there’s somethin’ strange / In your neighborhood / Who ya gon’ call? / Ghostbusters,” illustrates that there are ghosts swarming the neighborhood and the rescue team known as Ghostbusters are attempting to stop the ghosts. Ghosts are a big topic around Halloween. The song is a classic that everybody knows and sings along to when it is played. 

“This Is Halloween” by Danny Elfman is a song that has a spooky vibe to it. The song was released in 1993 and is from the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The song gives off spooky vibes throughout the whole song. In the chorus, the song gets more intense and uses repetition with the lyrics “This is Halloween, this is Halloween” to illustrate how important Halloween is in the movie and the song. The song appears to represent a celebration of Halloween with Jack Skellington getting introduced at the end of the song. This catchy Halloween song is a must for a Halloween playlist.

Sarah’s picks:

1. Fifth Harmony – “I’m In Love With a Monster”
2. Rockwell – “Somebody’s Watching Me”
3. Tim Curry – “Sweet Transvestite”

Fifth Harmony released one of the best Halloween songs in their prime in 2015. “I’m In Love With a Monster” was written for and featured on the “Hotel Transylvania 2” soundtrack. The song is a fun, upbeat pop listen that’s easy to bop your head to. All members of the band showcase their vocal abilities, as well as harmonizing with the other girls during the chorus. As a kid, I listened to this song all year long simply because it’s not strictly for the Halloween season. Even now since Fifth Harmony has broken up, listening to this song when I’m feeling nostalgic will always get me in a good mood. 

As someone who grew up listening to ‘70s and ‘80s music, Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” was a radio favorite when Halloween season would roll around. The song remains popular today and should be considered a staple Halloween listen. Rockwell sings about how he begins to feel paranoid during everyday activities such as washing his hair and watching TV as he feels like someone is watching him. He starts to question whether he’s been put into the Twilight Zone or whether he’s actually dreaming. The song contains eerie, hypnotic beats that emphasize the unsteady sensation Rockwell sings about.

From ”The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Tim Curry sung his heart out in “Sweet Transvestite.” Curry’s character Frank sings about being a sweet transvestite from the planet Transylvania and uses a confident, booming voice as he talks to Brad and Janet, characters that play opposite him. The entire soundtrack to The Rocky Horror Picture Show contains fun, sing-along hits but Curry’s song in particular is one of my favorites. This may be because of his captivating tone and rhyming verses.