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

vampireOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – vampire (Official Video)

This song is striking for its intense lyrics and dramatic melody.

Released by Olivia Rodrigo in June 2023, it’s rooted in goth-tinged pop rock, beginning as a piano ballad and unfolding into a grand, expansive sound.

Announced as the lead single from the album Guts, the track received high praise from critics.

Inspired by the motif of a vampire, the lyrics depict a relationship where one’s emotions are exploited.

Play it at a Halloween party and its eerie power is sure to elevate the atmosphere.

A perfect pick for anyone who wants to revel in a darker mood.

ZombieThe Cranberries

The Cranberries – Zombie (Official Music Video)

They’re from Ireland, and this is one of the signature songs by the popular 1990s rock band The Cranberries! While the lyrics make it an anti-war song, given that the title is “Zombie,” it could also work as a Halloween track.

Bad HabitsEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits [Official Video]

Ed Sheeran, the UK-born artist who’s hugely popular in Japan as well.

His 2019 release “Shape of You” still shows up frequently in Japanese media.

Among his works, the perfect Halloween party song is “Bad Habits.” As you can tell from the music video, it’s a vampire-themed piece with an overall eerie vibe.

The melody is crafted with a structure reminiscent of 1980s synth-pop, so many listeners may find it pleasantly nostalgic.

Howlin’ For YouThe Black Keys

The Black Keys – Howlin’ For You [Official Music Video]

This is a song by The Black Keys, a two-piece band without a bass that emerged during the garage revival! It’s included on their hit 2010 album “Brothers.” With its eerie vibe, it’s perfect for Halloween.

The Great Pumpkin WaltzVince Guaraldi

“The Great Pumpkin Waltz” – It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

You know Snoopy and the comic strip he appears in, Peanuts, right? In that story, the character associated with Halloween is Linus.

His defining trait is that he believes in a fictional figure called the Great Pumpkin.

The original animated special in which he waits for the Great Pumpkin on Halloween features Vince Guaraldi’s The Great Pumpkin Waltz.

It’s a gentle piano piece that enhances the mystical side of Halloween rather than evoking fear.

Surfin’ DeadThe Cramps

The Cramps – Surfin Dead

The Cramps were an American garage punk band active from 1976 to 2009.

This is included on their first live album, Smell of Female, which reached No.

4 on the UK charts.

The song’s uncanny lyrics really help set the Halloween mood, don’t they?

Monster MashBobby Boris Pickett

Monster Mash

It’s a song released in 1962 by American pop singer-songwriter Bobby “Boris” Pickett.

The lyrics are about zombies and Frankenstein having a party in a graveyard, making it a track that perfectly represents a Halloween party!