By Maristela Romero
There are a wide range of songs out there that give off a Halloween vibe — and some very overplayed ones (Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”). Here’s a set that encompasses a good variety, from Missy Elliot to Panic! At The Disco, without keeping you in the same loop of songs you hear every October.
Missy Elliot’s your girl when it comes to helping you prep for your Halloween look and setting the mood for a night out with friends or a scary movie marathon at home. Get your freak on.
- “Day n’ Nite” by Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi’s deep voice and steady beats are good company for a long night walk, ‘cause “day and night … the lonely loner/seems to free his mind at night.”
- “Monster” by Kanye West
Ye’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” album brings us this 6-minute masterpiece with fitting allusions to vampires, zombies and monsters. Nicki Minaj’s verse makes it all the more relevant: “Okay, first things first, I’ll eat your brains/Then I’ma start rocking gold teeth and fangs … ‘Cause that’s what a motherfucking monster do.”
Though this song isn’t necessarily related to wolves, but rather wolf-whistling a pretty woman, one can imagine that its laidback rock ‘n’ roll spirit would complement a werewolf’s full moon.
Honestly, any guitar-heavy, on-the-verge-of-screaming song by My Chemical Romance can work its way into a Halloween playlist.
- “Brain Stew” by Green Day
Green Day delivers this perfect song for zombie-like insomniacs, with a heavy hand on the electric guitar and a steady opening rhythm. Billie Joe Armstrong’s slack jaw singing puts emphasis behind his lyrics, truly capturing the feeling of delirium.
The music video alone is creepier than the song itself — wedding invitees with mime makeup and painted eyes sit stiffly while circus freaks disrupt the wedding vows. The strong visuals leave an impression that’s difficult not to think about when listening to the song.
The chord progression for the guitar sets the tone for this not-so-bubblegum pop song. An image of a sweet, pink sticky mess isn’t far from what a bad trick-or-treating haul looks like.
- “Self-Care” by Mac Miller
Mac Miller scratching away “Memento Mori” (“remember that you have to die”) on the inside of a coffin in this music video is slightly disturbing after his death in September. Even before his death, the “Kill Bill: Volume 2” homage leaves a murky feeling in the pit of your stomach.
Though Kid Cudi’s original meaning behind his metaphor of turning into a beast during the night is about him feeling like a more authentic version of himself, this song screams Halloween with its vibe and lyrics.
Featured Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pexels.
Maristela Romero is a sophomore journalism and public health science major and can be reached at romero.maristela@gmail.com.
