Six best underrated or obscure Halloween songs

These six best underrated or obscure Halloween songs will help set the mood for the fall holiday.

Do you want to envision creepy critters, spooky shadows, and malevolent monsters while listening to these songs? These are the songs for you.

So, throw on this playlist while you dress in costume and prepare your home for trick-or-treaters or adult partygoers!

Spooky songs to help with your Halloween

“Dead Souls” by Joy Division

This song by the British post-punk band was released as a B-side in the United States in 1980. The influential Gothic rock song features an extended instrumental intro. Its lyrics seem to refer to the haunting, distorted reality of singer Ian Curtis, who suffered from epilepsy and severe depression. “Dead Souls” appeared on several compilations of the band’s music after Curtis’ suicide. Industrial band Nine Inch Nails covered the song for the soundtrack of “The Crow” movie in 1994.

“Bark at the Moon” by Ozzy Osbourne

This heavy metal single from the album of the same name was released in 1983. The song’s lyrics refer to a monster who threatens residents of a small town. Osbourne stars in the music video as a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde-type mad scientist who mutates into a werewolf. Make-up artist Rick Baker created the special effects for the video.

“The Conjuring” by Megadeth

This thrash metal song, released in 1986, was written by singer Dave Mustaine when he was interested in occult rituals and witchcraft as a teenager. The lyrics refer to spells, hexes, and the devil capturing someone’s soul. Mustaine focused on life as a born-again Christian beginning in 2002, though he claims he does not believe in organized religion. Therefore, he refused to play “The Conjuring” with Megadeth between 2001 and 2018. Despite the song’s themes, the band added it back to the setlist in 2018.

“Pet Sematary” by Ramones

This song by the punk rock group was released in 1989. It was written for the movie adaption of Stephen King’s 1983 horror novel, “Pet Sematary,” after the author invited the band to his Maine home for a visit. The music video for the song was filmed in both black and white and color; the band members were filmed playing inside an open grave in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The song was one of Ramones’ most popular hits, based on radio airplay.

“Her Back Wings” by Danzig

This bluesy heavy metal song was written by Glenn Danzig of horror punk band Misfits; it was released in 1990. The lyrics refer to a mysterious and seductive demoness. The haunting, atmospheric song also explores the complicated relationships between people. “Writing 'Her Black Wings’ was a laborious and tedious experience – but that's the way it had to be for the song to come out right,” Danzig said.

"Death's Door" by Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats

This song by the doom metal band was released in 2011. The main character described by the lyrics is an evil figure who inflicts violence, torture, and suffering on others. The entire album, Blood Lust, seems to embrace a horror theme. Critics have compared the band’s music style to early Black Sabbath.

If, like me, you enjoy songs with dark/gloomy themes and subject matter, this is the perfect time of year to indulge in music that focuses on minor chords and moody lyrics.

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