By Silvana Smith
We’ve all had more than our fill of horrors this year. Maybe this Halloween we can try to forget all the scary shit going on in the world, lock ourselves in our houses, and focus on something a little less scary, like zombies, demons, or vampires. Escapism is a lifeline for many — now more than ever — and when is a better time to escape into another world, or another persona, than Halloween? With a mask on, you can be anyone or anything you want. I think we could all use some spooky songs to drown out our thoughts, so I made a point to make a playlist with spooky vibes all the way through because dammit, you deserve it! Enjoy<3
“You don’t need treats, and you don’t need tricks. You don’t need no Halloween”
With a slow but spooky start, the creepy violin opening appropriately set the tone of the song (and playlist). This track will resonate with anyone who’s had more than their fair share of ghosts haunting their life, or done some haunting of their own (we see you insta stalking your ex, don’t lie). So forget that person living in your head long after you’ve said goodbye and watch a scary movie instead. Let’s be honest: we’ve all dealt with a lot of shit this year; we don’t need extra ghosts this Halloween.
For anyone who has survived the season of quarantine breakups and came out the other side stronger than ever, (or at least trauma bonded) this catchy tune from MCR’s frontman Gerard Way captures how even with a few skeletons in your attic, you can still find someone who will laugh at your own misery with you. “We’re gonna stay in love somehow, Cause baby you’re a haunted house now.”
“Baby, it’s Halloween, and we can be anything.” As the proverbial title track of this playlist, this song perfectly encaptures the somber tone of a starry October night spent wandering your neighborhood woods trying to forget that the world (or in the context of the song, a dead relationship) is falling apart. With slightly eerie and haunting lyrics, the incomparable Phoebe Bridgers delivers another perfectly spooky ballad from one of the best albums of 2020.
“And all the kids cried out, ‘please stop you’re scaring me.’”
Whether the villains in your life live in your head or in reality, a lot of people have been confronting their worst fears lately. But there’s a certain kind of terror that makes you feel like a kid again and I think Halsey captures that feeling perfectly in this eerie track off her 2015 debut album. A bitter reminder that even as an adult you never stop asking “Who is in control?”
“If you could only see the beast you’ve made of me.”
They say being in love changes you, but it’s not always for the better. This song delves into the scarier, vicious, almost visceral sides of love. In a 2011 radio interview, Florence once said “love is a madness, a sickness, it can possess you… I think that’s frightening. It taps into deep, primal fears.”
Back with some more spooky violins, we have a classic from Louis Armstrong, with creepy sound effects and all. The song depicts the story of a spooky encounter, finding a whole family of spooks just ~vibing~ and creeping out some humans one night. In a classic ‘50s musical fashion, this song is perfect for anyone having a vintage-inspired Halloween.
Jumping to the 1980’s, we have a Talking Heads classic. This also happens to be the origin of the iconic baseline sampled in that one Selena Gomez song. Nevertheless, the perfect spooky vibe for this playlist.
Although this song doesn’t actually have that many lyrics and is basically the same few lines repeating, it’s pretty clear this song is about ghosting. Whether you're the one leaving or the one being left, sometimes it’s best to let your own ghosts go. There’s nothing scarier than having an ex live in your head rent-free.
“I’ll stop the whole world from turning into a monster.” This Halloween there is definitely more than a few ways the world feels like it’s turning into a monster. Although 2020 can feel like you’re fighting against a new obstacle each day, it’s good to give yourself some grace. This October weekend, give yourself space to recharge. Whether that means unwinding with a seasonal latte or blowing off angst by headbanging to a pop punk song. “I’m only human, I’ve got a skeleton in me.”
The opening track to an infinitely interesting project from Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley, is the song “Evelyn Evelyn” from the album Evelyn Evelyn by the fictional musical duo called Evelyn Evelyn. The album tells the story of two dicephalus conjoined twin sisters, Eva and Lyn Neville, who survive a series of Tragic Events™ and perform in a traveling circus before getting discovered on Myspace by Amanda and Jason who then rescue them and help them record an album and take them on tour. The album goes on to feature many guest vocals from icons such as Tegan and Sara, Frances Bean Cobain, Margaret Cho, Gerard Way, Weird Al, and even Neil Gaiman, on a song called “My Space.” You can read the full, fictional, origin story on Amanda Palmer’s blog, and I highly recommend checking it out this Halloween.
Sick of those demons in congress? Try dealing with your inner demons instead! From the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist M.A.G.S., and indie rock artist from Buffalo, “Demons” is about ““facing your fears but not necessarily conquering them more so coming to terms that there are some things that are so deep-rooted that you can never fully get past. You learn to cope with it instead of fighting it”
“Poor little vampire babies, we bleed holy water” Best song in the scene about insta stalking, hands down. The creepy imagery paired with the hypnotic guitar tones make this song as addicting as clicking that purple insta icon. “Just keep on sucking on your memory of him.”
Another song about the aftermath of a dead relationship. A bop though.
Slowing down the tempo for a slightly darker vibe, “Virgin” is off the band’s 2011 album Simple Math. Complete with a chorus of singing children, the ending chorus is truly epic (and spooky). The track describes the feeling of defeat, of having poured your heart, time, and blood into building something you cared about only to have it get torn down. The song captures the feeling of being witness to the downfall. “It’s never gonna be the same”
Honestly, Panic! At the Disco is a Halloween band if there ever was one. Especially on their third album, Vices & Virtues, their signature cabaret sound matched with a decidedly spooky concept album made for the perfect album to soundtrack your spooky October nights.
Maybe the only upside to having gone through a year like 2020 is that something like that makes you reexamine your priorities and realize what actually matters. Although no one welcomes the reminder that we can die at any moment, it’s an important lesson to learn. Despite what capitalism tries to teach you, you don’t get to die taking all your possessions with you. Being the “richest man is the cemetery” means nothing when you’ve lived a miserable life.
What’s spookier than a chorus of children singing in French? Not much. Add the orchestral violins and you’ve got the perfect spooky ~vibe~. With beautifully composed lyrics that describe the intoxicating and bewitching power of falling for someone, “Nearly Witch” was perfect for the playlist. As the song follows a siren-like storyline, sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that men can be so attracted to women that the only explanation is that we have supernatural powers.
From the iconic voice from the TikTok sensation “Supalonley,” “Evil Spider” is BENEE’s more playful take on the sinister idea of seducing someone who’s already taken.
“Evil, bad intentions on my mind
Got my fangs out, better hide”
“My heart is like a haunted house
There's things in there that scream and shout
They make their music in the night
Wish I could find a way to let them out, oh”
A brief but delicate song, “Haunted House” is the B-side track to her latest album, Moderation. With mostly piano and vocals, this nostalgic melody finishes this playlist on a softer note, slowly building to the line “I’m not free yet.” A bitter sweet reminder that even though we might be trapped in the hell that has been 2020, one day we’ll be free.
Stay Spooky :)
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