As the end of October looms, I find myself looking beyond autumnal orange leaves and cups of tea, and into the misty mornings and dark evenings that signal spooky season is upon us. Whether you are walking to an early lecture or getting ready in your Halloween costume courtesy of last-minute Amazon/Bargain Store shopping, these songs should evoke that macabre feel to get you in the Halloween spirit. I find that some of these songs contain lyrics that directly conjure ideas of spooky activities or maybe just that their rhythm has the right melancholic tone. Either way, these should be your guide to romanticising the Halloween period.
1. ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson
This would not be a true Halloween song guide without some Michael Jackson. His song catalogue features many haunting tracks, including ‘Ghosts,’‘Scream,’ ‘Is It Scary’ (recorded for the Addams Family Values soundtrack), — but for me ‘Thriller’ takes top spot. Listening to ‘Thriller’ feels like you are stuck in a horror movie — the opening door creak and werewolf howls, and lyrics like “Creatures crawl in search of blood” set up the perfect Halloween scene. If Halloween for you means jump scares and slasher horror, ‘Thriller’ is the right song to kick off the eerie period.
2. ‘She’s My Collar’ by Gorillaz feat. Kali Uchis
If, however, Halloween means perfecting the coolest costume and hitting up Why Not nightclub’s Filthy Fridays, then ‘She’s My Collar’ by Gorillaz featuring Kali Uchis might be more your speed. The dark and nocturnal atmosphere this song creates makes it a perfect tune to play before heading out for a late night. The breathy lyrics describe a possessive, almost creepy relationship that almost feels like a psychological thriller you would watch on a gloomy autumn night — “She’s the serpentine/ she’s my collar.”
3. ‘Hypnotized’ by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are known for their dreamy and ethereal vibe, a vibe which is perfectly captured in their song ‘Hypnotised.’ Looking over a misty Arthur’s seat when walking to a 9am tutorial, I find myself resonating with this song, where everything “Seems like a dream.” Halloween is not just about dressing up — whether that be for Trick-or-Treating or the club — it is also about being cosy. Play this song as you prepare yourself a cup of tea or a midnight margarita and snuggle up on the sofa to watch a witchy film like Practical Magic.
4. ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ by Rockwell
Less dreamy and more creepy, Rockwell’s ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ speaks to the fears of being stalked and reminds us that we cannot be too careful on Halloween night. Combined with lyrics like “And I don’t feel safe anymore,” the heavy synthesizer on this track builds suspense right up until the end of the song.
5. ‘Season Of The Witch’ by Lana Del Rey
It is well observed that Lana Del Rey has a pretty perfect low melancholic voice that creates a ghostly intimacy. Her cover of ‘Season Of The Witch’ — recorded for the 2019 film Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark — encapsulates her eerie tone effectively, blending heavy bass sounds and breathy vocals. Of course, the song title too naturally ties to the Halloween holiday — it summons spooky images of witches looming over cauldrons or on broomsticks.
No matter whether your Halloween entails a cosy night in carving pumpkins or watching an autumnal film, or whether you prefer hitting up Edinburgh’s nightlife, this song guide covers all approaches to the haunted season.
Illustration by Anna Benson for The Student.
