Hallow-Beats!

It's hard to properly celebrate any season without a great playlist. We've all attended parties year after year playing classics like Monster Mash and Thriller. And hey, nothing wrong with that! Here are 10 songs you may not have heard or considered for your Halloween playlist, in case you're looking to (pumpkin) spice it up this year. From chill vibes to absolute bangers, this playlist has got you covered from the pumpkin patch to the haunted house!

First on the list is "Bury a Friend" by Billie Eilish. She released this song along with a splendidly spooky music video in January 2019. Between the gentle percussion and screeching noises, this song takes you to that moment when you're sitting on the couch watching a scary movie, and you know something's about to jump out. Her soft tone makes the chilling lyrics sound slightly menacing, bringing it together as a perfect ballad for every Halloween playlist.

Stephanie Mabey blessed us with "The Zombie Song" in August 2012 and it deserves more attention! The song itself is spunky and creative, telling a story about a zombie in love with a human. The chorus sings, "If I were a Zombie / I'd never eat your brain, / I'd just want your heart". It's a catchy song that will surely get stuck in your head, and it has a fun music video with drawings of the story to go with it!

One of the latest releases from PVRIS is the perfect song for a Halloween party, in case you can't already tell from the album cover. Titled "Monster", it'll get your blood pumping, and probably your fist too. Lyrics in the bridge say, "Monster / In your blood on a cold night, monster / It's a curse, it's a sure sign". While the monster visual gives it all the spooky it needs to be listened to this holiday, the song as a whole is about outside expectations and opinions taking it's toll on someone - which let's be honest, that can be pretty terrifying.

Speaking of parties, "Vampire" By Dominic Fike kicks right off with the words "I only showed up to tell you / Everyone at this party's a vampire". It has the perfect autumn-indie vibes for driving through the mountains watching the leaves fall. It's riddled with vampire references and impressive guitar riffs, and it definitely belongs on your 2021 Halloween playlist.

Okay, I had to include a classic; the song "This is Halloween" is next on the playlist. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is always a good movie choice for the season, and for the same reasons, this song is always a good choice for a spooky season playlist.

For big Jack and Sally fans such as myself, I recommend also adding "I Miss You" by Blink 182 to your playlist. If you're wondering why that is, pay attention to the lyrics, "We can live like Jack and Sally if we want... And we'll have Halloween on Christmas".

Calm, cool and creepy. Blas gave us the perfect slow spooky song to play in the background of scary stories told around a fire: "Spooky Scary Skeletons". The haunting harmonies are easy on the ears, but just may "Send shivers down the spine", as the lyrics say of spooky, scary skeletons.

Lana Del Rey has been keeping it spooky since (at least) 2012 with the song "Dark Paradise". It's relatable for anyone that's ever loved and lost. In this case, Rey writes about a lover who has passed away. Lyrics like "Your soul is haunting me" bring the right mood for spooky season and gives listeners insight to some powerful feelings.

Halsey released the Badlands album in 2015 and gave us the spooky alternative bop "Haunting". It's a good one for anyone whose love life has a spooky past. Lyrics include "Now I think I'm possessed" and "I'm begging you to keep on haunting me". It's an excellent modern song to mix-up your playlist of Halloween classics!

Originally by Screamin Jay Hawkins, the song "I Put a Spell on You" has been redone many times. My favorite cover is by Annie Lennox. It's last on the Hallow-Beats playlist because every Halloween playlist needs some witchy business. Lyrics include: "I put a spell on you / Because you're mine". Whether you're listening to it for the jazzy melody or to try to manifest your crush liking you back, it's an excellent and a classic choice.

Those are all the recommendations I've got this year! Use the Spotify link below to find the playlist. Regardless of the tunes you choose to listen to this spooky season, may it be the best you've had yet! Happy Halloween!