Halloween Playlist

It's almost Halloween and we are setting the mood here at Glitter and Gardenias with a spooky and cool, playlist! 

Photo Credit: Victoria Pedigo

I'm not talking about scary creaky Haunted House sounds with screams and thunder, just good old everyday songs that could be interpreted to have a spooky theme- not too scary, family friendly and won't drive parents crazy!

Thriller, Michael Jackson 1982: Any good Halloween playlist has to start with Thriller.  And you have to watch the video at least once every Halloween.  

Monster Mash, Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers, 1962.  This one seems to be a favorite of kids.  

My original Ghostbusters button from 1984 

Ghostbusters, Ray Parker, Jr. 1984. The theme to the original (and best, in my opinion) Ghostbusters movie, is not only appropriate for the holiday, but brings back a lot of nostalgia these days now that the second movie has come out. Why not have a movie marathon during the Halloween season and watch both?  

Frankenstein, Edgar Winter Group, 1973.  This is an entirely instrumental piece. 

All You Zombies, The Hooters, 1985. This song brings back memories of my college days. The small radio station in town played this song alot.  And it wasn't Halloween!

Voodoo Child (Slight Return), Jimi Hendrix, 1968.  There is also a cover by Stevie Ray Vaughan, a blues-rock artist.  

I Put a Spell on You, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, 1955.  This is the version that I hear most at Halloween (and the one my husband suggested), but there are some awesome versions of this song by other artists. Jeff Beck and Joss Stone performed it on American Idol, Credence Clearwater Revival recorded it and of course, it was also performed by Bette Midler in one of my favorite Halloween movies, "Hocus Pocus"! 

Werewolves of London, Warren Zevon, 1978. I found a version of this song performed by Jimmy Buffett as well! 

Witchy Woman, The Eagles, 1972.  There is an interesting article in Rolling Stone where Don Henley explains the inspiration for this song.  You can find the article here. 

Time Warp, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975.  You must learn the dance too!  I have not yet seen the 2016 version, it will be interesting to compare the two. 

Somebody's Watching Me, Rockwell, 1984.  Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson provide vocals in this song about '80s era paranoia.  Rockwell is the son of Motown CEO Barry Gordy. 

Ghost Riders in the Sky, The Outlaws, 1980.  Many great artists including Johnny Cash and Burl Ives have performed this spooky song about red-eyed cattle ("the devil's herd") being chased by ghost cowboys.  

Superstition, Stevie Wonder, 1972.  I don't think any spooky playlist could get by without including this hit written and performed by Stevie Wonder.  There is a pretty cool cover by Stevie Ray Vaughan also. 

A Night on Bald Mountain, any version.  Apparently, the composer, Modest Mossorgsky was inspired by a witches ritual when he wrote this spooky instrumental piece in 1867.  It was featured in Disney's Fantasia in 1940.  You may also like the disco version, Night on Disco Mountain performed on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. 

So, what do you think?  Did I miss anything?  What do you listen to during this spooky season? 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

~Cynthia