[2025] Recommended for Halloween Parties! A Special Feature on Western Halloween Songs

This Is HalloweenDanny Elfman

Danny Elfman-This Is Halloween

A true classic among classics—when this track starts playing, surely many people instantly slip into full-on Halloween mode.

Also known in Japan by the title “Welcome to Halloween Town,” this piece is a soundtrack song from the 1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas, composed by film-music maestro Danny Elfman.

Since the film itself—conceived and written by Tim Burton—centers squarely on Halloween, you could almost say you can’t even begin Halloween without listening to this song.

To make the most of your Halloween in your own way, crank this track up loud and dive right in!

I Put A Spell On YouScreamin’ Jay Hawkins

Screaming Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You (Audio)

If you’re looking for Halloween BGM, “I Put a Spell on You” is another indispensable classic.

Released in 1956 by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins—celebrated in the Black blues world as a maverick and a genius who performed in outlandish costumes like a character from a horror film—the song went on to become a standard covered by many artists.

Some may have discovered it through Jim Jarmusch’s film Stranger Than Paradise.

Or perhaps many of you remember the witch sisters singing it in the 1993 Halloween-themed fantasy film Hocus Pocus.

That latter image is so strong that the song is hugely popular overseas as Halloween background music.

So by all means, dress up as a witch and sing it!

HalloweenHelloween

HELLOWEEN – Halloween (Official Live Video)

In September 2023, Helloween—the German pioneers of melodic power metal, renowned worldwide—wrapped up their Japan tour, including a performance at the Nippon Budokan, to great acclaim.

For those unfamiliar with the band who find their name a bit unusual, there’s a story behind it: when they borrowed the name from the famous horror film “Halloween,” they deliberately changed it to “Helloween” to incorporate “HELL” instead of using “HALLOWEEN.” The band even has a pumpkin-themed mascot character named “Judas,” and, in fact, they also have a song titled “Halloween.” It appears on their highly acclaimed early masterpiece, the second album Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1, and it’s a track over 13 minutes long that showcases technical playing and a complex, dramatic progression.

It’s an essential classic for any Halloween party with metal fans!

Keep Your Head on HalloweenCast – Descendants

Keep Your Head on Halloween (From “Descendants Wicked Woods”/Official Lyric Video)

The song performed by the cast of Disney’s popular series Descendants is a perfect track to liven up a Halloween party.

Its lyrics are filled with Halloween-themed elements like ghosts and dancing in graveyards, and it features a catchy melody.

Released in October 2019, it was also used as the theme song for Disney’s short animated film Descendants: Wicked Woods.

While it has a pop sound, it also captures the eerie vibe of Halloween, making it a fun song that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages, from children to adults.

It’s definitely a recommended pick for anyone looking to pump up a Halloween party or for fans of Disney works.

Halloween Theme SongJohn Carpenter

John Carpenter – HALLOWEEN Theme

As the eerie piano melody rings out and layers of synthesizer join in, this track instantly plunges you into Halloween mode.

Composed in just one hour by John Carpenter for the 1978 film Halloween, the theme is simple yet leaves a powerful impression, becoming a milestone in horror film music.

Its unusual 5/4 time signature creates a sense of instability, heightening tension to great effect.

The latest version, released in October 2018, is sure to be a go-to hit for livening up Halloween parties.

Dress up however you like and do a zombie dance to this track—the party will be a guaranteed smash!

ThrillerMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson – Thriller (Official 4K Video)

This is the title track from the 1982 release Thriller, a historic masterpiece by the greatest pop star of all time, Michael Jackson.

Not only did it become a record-breaking hit that left its mark on music history, its innovative sound has continued to profoundly influence generations of musicians.

Beyond Quincy Jones’s superb production, the music video’s groundbreaking creativity—fueling the MTV boom of the era—cannot be overstated.

With top-tier talent like John Landis directing and Rick Baker handling special makeup, Michael’s acting and dancing are in peak form.

The narration by the legendary horror film actor Vincent Price is also unforgettable.

On Halloween night, throw on a red jacket and turn this track up to celebrate!

Blinding LightsThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (Official Video)

The Weeknd continues to pursue original music that transcends genre boundaries.

It might surprise some people to hear that he has a song perfect for Halloween.

The piece introduced here is a track from his 2020 album After Hours.

Driven by ’80s-style synths, it portrays the protagonist’s restless yearning as he roams the city at night to see someone, along with a frenzy that borders on madness.

This blind passion aligns perfectly with Halloween’s slightly dangerous, out-of-the-ordinary atmosphere.

At the 2021 Super Bowl, he performed the song with dancers whose faces were wrapped in bandages, and the nightmarish staging became a hot topic.

If you’re aiming for an artistic and slightly dark Halloween mood, be sure to check it out!