You always wanted to play DJ for your friends and will finally summon the courage to do so at the Halloween party? Or perhaps you just want to go for a stroll in the cemetery, under the moonlight, with your headphones on and just gloom your way through some of the finer points of human existence in your head ?

Well, whatever you need to do for which music for a Halloween setting is necessary or at least augments the activity in question, take a look at this (sacrificial, gorey, dark!) offering of more than 35 Halloween fit songs for almost every taste. Kidding it’s not … THAT dark of an offering. And not at all gorey or sacrificial.

It’s just a round-up of very different songs (genres, stylistic approach, rhythm and tempo etc.), that fit the darker side of human existence and thoughts which Halloween should reflect. And by fit I don’t necessarily mean depressive or gloomy and/or spooky. There are also some fun, jokey, tongue-in-cheek party songs. As well as flat out energy pumped dancing entries. Enjoy!

1. Danny Elfman – This Is Halloween; “The Nightmare Before Christmas” movie soundtrack

So, let’s say you need a mood-setting song to start the Halloween party (or your ill-boding stroll through the cemetery). What better than the popular, march-like, children’s song-y yet adequately dark in tone “This is Halloween” by Danny Elfman. Oooor, if you want to spice things up a bit, you could opt for the Marilyn Manson version of the same song.

A bit similar to the entry above, as regards the fact that it too has a nursery-rhyme feel to it, that’s where the similarity stops for Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – “Henry Lee”. Because it is a very twisted love song best left for auditioning by love-struck (and heart-broken) adults or at least teens, who will appreciate it and possibly shudder. In order for that to happen though, focus on the lyrics. That’s where the shudder part comes in.

2. Helloween – Halloween; album: “Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 1”

Switching now to a totally different dish, let’s say you and company are actually die-hard 80s power metal fans. Look no further than the directly named “Halloween” from the even more appropriately named for the occasion metal band … Helloween!

Still, since metal and Halloween just go so well together, you have a huge number of other choices. And not only from power metal, though it’s worth mentioning King Diamond – “Halloween” as well, while we’re at it. AND Judas Priest’s awesome “A Touch of Evil”.

But if you want to move into other metal genres (or classics like Black Sabbath’s “Black Sabbath”), while keeping the theme, how ’bout some big-voiced gothic metal via Type O Negative’s “All Hallows Eve”, or the equally great “Black No. 1” by the same? Or the industrial Rob Zombie – “Living Dead Girl”.

But maybe you’re more into heavy-metal and/or thrash. So, Metallica – “Creeping Death” and Slayer – “Dead Skin Mask” should fix you up. Or the heavier nu-metal Slipknot – “The Heretic Anthem”. Or if you wanna pour your black metal heart out, go for Cradle of Filth – “From The Cradle To Enslave” (just be warned about the disturbing video!).

Too many possibilities to list here entirely. Just remember: Halloween + metal = no incongruities.

3. Graveyard Train – Even Witches Like To Go Out Dancing; album: “The Drink, The Devil and The Dance”

If you’re not into rock/metal, and have an uppity country soul, try out this extremely catchy, fun and original band and the self-described horror country songs that they play. Practically any song from Graveyard Train is a fit choice for Halloween, but “Even Witches Like To Go Out Dancing” is an easy to sing along one with a dancey vibe to it. And cool lyrics.

Or if you want some “standard” country, with a sad, Halloween fit theme, go for Johnny Cash – “Hurt” or Alison Krauss – “Ghost In This House”.

4. Clint Mansell – Lux Aeterna; “Requiem For A Dream” movie soundtrack

Listen to this only if you have a penchant for sadness-inducing stringed instruments fit for the most intense tragedy, which the movie in question very much is. It’s hard to say whether the movie would be less hard-hitting without the soundtrack or vice versa, because they fit together so well, it’s past symbiosis. So, probably the best thing you can do is to watch the movie and pay attention to the score. Don’t worry, you’ll know exactly which of the songs that make-up the soundtrack I’m talking about…

Alternatively, you can opt for the also very depressing Radiohead – Street Spirit (Fade Out), but I think Lux Aeterna is still sadder.

5. Michael Jackson – Thriller; album “Thriller”

Michale Jackson’s “Thriller” is one of the more than 35 Halloween fit songs for almost every taste.

What if you just wanna goof around, you ask? That one’s easy, by appealing to the King of Pop and his master hit and often played for Halloween “Thriller”. I’m sure you even know what the dance looks like, even if (perhaps) you haven’t actually gone past your inhibitions to try it until now. If you did, good for you.

In the same vein: the eponymously named soundtrack for the “Ghostbusters” movie or Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London”. And many others.

6. Nina Simone – I Put A Spell On You; album: “I Put A Spell On You”

If you do wanna dance, but not in a silly manner, meaning that you’d rather take the lovely gal or guy you’re with for a slow dance, Nina Simone’s mesmerizing song seems like a good choice.

Or you could gently sway in each others’ arms on Massive Attack – “Paradise Circus”. Or on INXS – “Never Tear Us Apart”. Or Jon Bon Jovi’s “Always”.

Or maybe you want to cling to each-other like the misunderstood outcasts that you are on Radiohead’s “Creep” or Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear The Reaper”. Your choice.

Of course, for this particular purpose there’s, again, a ton of songs to choose from.

7. Kanye West – Monster; album: “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”

Finally, maybe you just want to let go and expend some energy by bouncing around, clubbing style. Kanye’s “Monster” song will help. As will Die Antwoord with “I Fink U Freaky”. Or perhaps The Prodigy – “Omen”. Or go classic and funky with “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. Or back to present day mainstream stuff like Rihanna’s “Disturbia” and Shakira’s “She Wolf”.

Or perhaps you want some dubstep like Birdy – Skinny Love (Vanic Remix), dirty electro like Kinfe Party’s entire and new EP “Haunted House”, drum and bass, trap etc. etc. etc. Note the limitless possibilities you have here as well.

Now go out and shake that cape, tail or bandage!

Image source: 1, 2, 3, 4.