Halloween, for some reason, really doesn’t inspire sing-a-longs like it’s big brother, Christmas. Maybe it’s because that very rarely is it ever actually on a weekend or folks get the day off to, you know, do Halloweeny type stuff. Regardless, it does alright for itself in relation to it’s ugly step-siblings of holidays like Easter or Thanksgiving where, even when days are given for relaxation in reverence for these days, songs about them are few and far between.
Halloween songs have many different levels of popularity and quite frequently many of them are simply overlooked because they either, a) are not included in a spooky setting or movie, b) don’t mention ghosts, ghouls, goblins, or other ghastly creatures, or c) simply never were popular in the first place.
Fear not, however, for I have categorized these for you very plainly in which I dub the Playback Guide to Halloween.
The Classics
These aren’t necessarily old, but these are the ‘Silent Night’ or ‘O Tannenbaum’ of Halloween classics.
The Monster Mash
Ghostbusters Theme
This Is Halloween
The Time Warp
Sadly Overlooked
Most of the songs in this category are the ones that are overlooked and forgotten about but still are on heavy rotation blasting from inside as the trick-or-treaters start coming around
Sweet Transvestite
Purple People Eater
Witch Doctor
Tales from the Crypt Theme
The Addams Family Theme
If you grew up in Southern Ontario, you’ll be singing along to this one!!!
C’est l’halloween
The Nightmare Before Christmas Category
Yes. This movie, THE Halloween movie of all-time deserves it’s own category, and I know that there are going to be some Rocky Horror Picture Show-nutbags out there that are going to give me hell for this, but it’s the truth. That is why, with the exception of ‘This is Halloween’ which was featured earlier, we need to focus on the other gems from this cinematic Halloween masterpiece.
Jack’s Lament
Sally’s Song
What’s This?
Oogie Boogie’s Song
The Spooky Disney Category
Disney is really, really good at holidays of all sort (again, not so good with Easter or Thanksgiving). However, one thing that they’re even better at is creating super-creepo villians with absolutely excellent songs. I won’t include them all here, but I’ll try and give you a taste of some of the ones that maybe you (or your kids) have dressed up as in the past.
Cruella De Ville
You’re Only Second Rate
Petey’s King of France
Poor Unfortunate Souls
In The Dark Of The Night
Gaston
Prince Ali (Reprise)
Be Prepared
The How The Heck is this not Sung Round the Pumpkin Patch Every Year Category
This song gets it’s own category becuase this song is so Halloweeny that you’d expect it to be sung just like ‘Happy Birthday’, regardless of the copyright infringements that may come as a result.
Grim Grinning Ghosts
BONUS TV CARTOON CATEGORY
Alright, so let’s be honest, you could go to that party tonight… or … you could stay in and watch Halloween specials on Youtube!! Seriously, what could be better?
Here’s a good place to start, and oh, Happy Halloween!!
