TikTok Fans Have Been Going Bonkers for This Classic Halloween Song
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TikTok Fans Have Been Going Bonkers for This Classic Halloween Song
Music makes it easy to set a Halloween mood. A little too easy. When it comes to Halloween songs, there are plenty of chilling tunes that will scare the heck out of the youngest trick-or-treaters out there. (Heck, I still feel creeped out whenever I hear Vincent Price's voiceover in "Thriller.")
If you're planning a family-friendly affair, though, and you need some music to set the tone, there are still plenty of Halloween songs for kids that won't keep them up at night. Some are made by beloved children's musicians, like Laurie Bernker, Dan Zanes or Lucy Kalantari, who know their audience well and know how to keep things spooky, but not terrifying. Others are really adult songs that aren't too scary for kids (though, as always, your mileage may vary). And still some are from favorite movies and TV shows that will have kids, tweens, teens and adults all up and on the dance floor together. But who will have the best Transylvania Twist?
When you’re done checking these out, take a look at some of Good Housekeeping’s other great family Halloween ideas, including Halloween movies for kids, Halloween crafts for kids and easy pumpkin-carving ideas.
Granger Wootz - Getty Images - 2/46
"The Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett
It just isn't a spooky playlist without this classic Halloween song, which both offers a stone-cold groove and teaches you how to dance to it. Throw it on, and the dancing will catch on in a flash.
wolfluvr7367@Youtube - 3/46
"The Human Bash" by Billy Kelly
Is the "Monster Mash" too scary? This song hilariously flips the words around to describe an extremely normal Halloween party. Instead of famed guests zombies, the Wolfman and Dracula, this song tells tales of a party that includes "neighbors, family, friends and people from work." It's part of Billy Kelly's Ha Ha Halloween EP, which has lots of funny, Halloween-themed songs.
8 Pound Gorilla Records@Youtube - 4/46
"What Am I Gonna Be (For Halloween)?" by The Laurie Berkner Band
Laurie Berkner is the undisputed queen of kid's Halloween songs. She has a whole 35-minute video compilation of Halloween songs, with faves like "I Picked One Pumpkin," "Monster Boogie" and this ditty, which runs through different options for Halloween costumes. A new song, “Halloween Train,” will be released on September 9, but these should tide you over until then.
The Laurie Berkner Band - Kids Songs@Youtube - 5/46
"Spooky, Scary Skeletons" by Andrew Gold
TikTok star Boomer brought this old tune back into the limelight. You can go with the classic version (link below), or the more dance-able "Undead Tombstone Remix" (as heard in this video).
Andrew Gold@Youtube - 6/46
"Party Monsters" by Suzi Shelton and FYÜTCH
The creators of this song say they're inspired by pop music by Sia and the Beastie Boys. The tune, which describes a party, is sure to get your own bash going.
Suzi Shelton: Singing and Dancing for Kids @Youtube - 7/46
"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
There's nothing better than the faces kids make when they say, "Who you gonna call?"
RayParkerJuniorVEVO@Youtube - 8/46
“Ghost in the Closet” by Wendy & DB
This song has a jazzy feel that kids can groove to. It also offers helpful advice for what to do when there's a ghost in the closet. (Do you answer the door and say, "How do you do?" Or do you just yell, "Boo!")
Wendy and DB - Topic@Youtube - 9/46
"This Is Halloween" From 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
The best Disney Halloween song, in this tune Danny Elfman blends pop catchiness with goth moodiness in a way that celebrates all of the fun, creepy things about the holiday.
Leelah@Youtube - 10/46
“Confusing Costume” by Joanie Leeds
This singer-songwritery Halloween song is an ode to the homemade costumes that aren't easy to ID on first glance. Anyone can be a princess, but it takes someone special to go door-to-door as Andy Warhol.
Joanie Leeds@Youtube - 11/46
"Halloween Sharks" by Pinkfong
You think you'd be able to avoid "Baby Shark" at Halloween? Think again. This song is the classic "Baby Shark" melody with a slower, spookier twist.
Pinkfong Baby Shark - Kids' Songs & Stories@Youtube - 12/46
"Los Esqueletos" by Musiquita
Husband-and-wife duo Blanca Gonzalez and Jesse Elder perform kids' music together as the band Musiquita. Their first album comes out in the fall, but they do have a whole playlist of Halloween-themed YouTube songs in Spanish.
Musiquita@Youtube - 13/46
The Theme From 'The X-Files'
This song is 100% mood, no lyrics, so you don't have to worry about putting any scary images into their heads (but the whistling might creep them out).
baanetland@Youtube - 14/46
"Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell
Paranoia has never sounded so groovy. It'll get them all moving — and looking over their shoulders.
RockwellVEVO@Youtube - 15/46
"Under My Bed" by Recess Monkey
Who knows what lurks under there? When they hear these folky hooks, kids might not be afraid to go look under their beds anymore.
Recess Monkey - Topic@Youtube - 16/46
"Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
Running afoul of a superstition will give you bad luck. Getting this song stuck in your head, though, is all good vibes.
lozzagermain@Youtube - 17/46
"I Put a Spell on You" Performed by Bette Midler, From 'Hocus Pocus'
There are many versions of "I Put a Spell on You" that you can choose from — you could go with the classic Screamin' Jay Hawkins track, the inimitable Nina Simone cover or the terrifying version by Nick Cave — but if you have the opportunity to add more Sanderson Sisters into your Halloween, why wouldn't you?
RELATED: See How the Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Has Changed Over the Past 26 Years
Freeform@Youtube - 18/46
"Little Shop of Horrors" from "Little Shop of Horrors"
This song is a word of warning, wrapped in a '60s girl group dance-a-thon.
GingerSpice414@Youtube - 19/46
"Magic Dance" Performed by David Bowie, From 'Labyrinth'
Bowie transforms into the Goblin King for the movie Labyrinth, but, surrounded by his chorus of goblins, he makes it sound really fun. Kids love repeating the call-and-response "You remind me of the babe" beginning.
Lyric Movies@Youtube - 20/46
The Theme From 'The Addams Family'
Kids don't have to have seen the original TV series to be familiar with this song — they all know when to snap. (Or, if you really want to throw it back, put on "The Addams Groove" by MC Hammer — it's still a banger and you know it.)
Steven Brandt@Youtube - 21/46
"Five Little Pumpkins" by the Kiboomers
This simple song is easy to learn and fun to sing along to, making it a great choice for toddlers and pre-schoolers.
The Kiboomers - Kids Music Channel@Youtube - 22/46
"The Time Warp" From 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'
Another dance craze! There are classic Frankenstein story elements in there, but it's so energetic, your kids will be too involved to be afraid.
Lex121100@Youtube - 23/46
"Ghost In My House" by Jumpin' Jamie
If it gets kids to rock out this hard, maybe a ghost in the house isn't such a bad thing?
Jumpin' Jamie@Youtube - 24/46
"Costume Party" by The Pop Ups
Your kids have spent so long trying to think of the perfect costumes for their parties. Let them listen to a song that acknowledges the struggle.
thepopupsmusic@Youtube - 25/46
"Bumps in the Night" by KB Whirly
Kids can definitely relate to this one: It's about the spooky sounds you hear at night (Halloween or otherwise), and how you have to be brave about them. Parents might dig the Scooby Doo-inspired video, too.
KB Whirly@Youtube - 26/46
"We Only Come Out at Night" by Smashing Pumpkins
This song isn't explicitly about zombies, but it totally sounds like it is, with the bonus that there's no talk of gore. It even has a lilting, zombified beat.
Neil Perrin@Youtube - 27/46
The Theme From 'The Munsters'
Rob Zombie is reportedly working on a family-friendly Munsters movie. Get kids in the mood by playing this song in the ramp-up to its release.
Grogu@Youtube - 28/46
"Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
No one else has captured a monster quite so groovy as the one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater.
dragonslayer562@Youtube - 29/46
"Grim, Grinning Ghosts" From the Haunted Mansion
This macabre track from Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride sets the mood for an event that's certainly spooky, but is about ghosts who mostly want to socialize.
RELATED: The 40 Best Disney Songs of All Time
ilovezacefron18@Youtube - 30/46
"Moonlit Town" by Dan Zanes
This country-sounding songs by children's-music legend Dan Zanes, about what it's like to think about Halloween once it's over, has more of a wistful feel than a scary one.
Dan Zanes - Topic@Youtube - 31/46
"Little Ghost" by The White Stripes
It's so hard when you fall in love with a ghost, right? This song is about a ghostly romance, but it's so upbeat that everyone will be up and dancing.
The White Stripes - Topic@Youtube - 32/46
"Ghostbusters" by Andrew & Polly
If the original "Ghostbusters" song is too scary, this take on it by Andrew & Polly makes it cuter and less intimidating. It still has that good beat, though.
Andrew & Polly - Topic@Youtube - 33/46
"Halloween Night" by Like Father, Like Son
This song has lots of fun ghost noises that your little monsters will love to sing along with.
Like Father Like Son - Topic@Youtube - 34/46
"She Writes Frankenstein" by Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies
A good Halloween song and a history lesson in one, this song is about Mary Shelley, the author of, of course, Frankenstein. It comes from a whole album of Halloween songs from Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies, so if you're not into Shelley, you can take your pick.
Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies - Topic@Youtube - 36/46
"Halloween Is Finally Here" by Bears and Lions
Your kids are thinking it! You might as well let them sing it out loud.
Bears and Lions - Topic@Youtube - 37/46
"Season of the Witch" by Donovan
The witchy women in your life (and all the warlocks, too) to will love the way this song has a slow build to a big chorus.
DonovanVEVO@Youtube - 38/46
"It's Halloween" by Lucy Kalantari
This song captures the feeling of anticipation leading up to Halloween — an emotion your kids probably know all too well. Her witch-themed "Flick of My Wrist" or the supernatural "Haunting Days of Halloween" are the perfect songs to follow it.
Lucy Kalantari - Topic@Youtube - 39/46
"This Is the Night" by the Weird Sisters
The Weird Sisters (aka Jarvis Cocker from the British band Pulp) may have rocked the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but "This Is the Night" is definitely a Halloween song if we've ever heard one. The lyric, "There’s something out there, and it don’t seem very friendly does it?" is basically the beginning of every Halloween movie ever.
HarryPotter6799@Youtube - 40/46
"Skeletone" by Caspar Babypants
Caspar Babypants — aka Chris Ballew from the band Presidents of the United States of America to the '90s kids — offers this ode to a skeleton who can play the bones like a xylophone.
Caspar Babypants - Topic@Youtube - 41/46
"Dinner With Drac" by John Zacherle
John Zacherle, the "Cool Ghoul," sings three verses about his run-in with monsters, but they're more like funny limericks set to a 1950s rock 'n' roll sound.
jukejointjohnny48@Youtube - 42/46
"Witch Doctor" by David Seville
Did you know: Seville (whose non-stage name was Ross Bagdasarian Sr.,) used a sped-up tape effect to make the voice of the "Witch Doctor" — and then went on to create The Chipmunks.
patrickdcyau@Youtube - 43/46
"Trick or Treat" by Justin Roberts
This one is so catchy, you might want to listen to it even when it's not Halloween. It's perfect for a party — or when you're sorting through that post-Halloween candy haul.
Justin Roberts - Topic@Youtube - 44/46
"Robot Parade" by They Might Be Giants
The melody of this is so sweet, you might not realize it's about a robot uprising. The lyrics also evoke the idea of a Halloween parade.
They Might Be Giants - Topic@Youtube - 45/46
"Werewolves Rock" by Gustafer Yellowgold
You can only listen to "Werewolves of London" so many times. Make room for a new werewolf song. If you like Gustafer Yellowgold's style, you might also enjoy their monster hit "Baconstein."
Gustafer Yellowgold - Topic@Youtube - 46/46
"The Cat Came Back" by Fred Penner
Strombo@Youtube
