October 31 has become a special day on many people's calendar. It is synonymous with parties, costumes, food and having a good time. And to celebrate properly, almost always music is an element that must be counted on.
For all this, for a full-blown witch night, there are Halloween songs that cannot be missed.
Trick or treat?
It is true that it is a very controversial celebration. It owes its current popularity to influence that American culture has had on much of the world, thanks mainly to the Hollywood movie machine.
But it was not precisely in the United States where this party originated. To find its genesis, you have to go back to the time when the Celts exercised the cultural hegemony of almost all of Europe.
Coincidentally, in other regions of the world such as Mesoamerica, there are similar celebrations, which also coincide in dates.
The best Halloween songs
Within the playlist that should not be missing to liven up a Halloween party, there are songs of various genres. Some are true classics, others very modern.
Although after all, it is a party. So to dance and enjoy, almost anything goes.
Michael Jackson: the king of pop ... and Halloween
Thriller is the anthem of any night party that is celebrated on October 31. The lyrics of the song, composed by Rod Temperton, is the synthesis of everything that implies within the collective imagination, Halloween night.
"Something evil is lurking in the dark" (...) "You try to scream, but terror takes away the sound" (...) "You feel a cold hand, and you wonder if you will see the sunlight again."
In addition, the theme includes a spoken part with the voice of Vincent Price, one of the emblematic actors of horror cinema of all time.
If the party includes a choreographic act, this should be played almost invariably, with this song in the background.
From this same album (called precisely Thriller), another couple of songs are also extracted that complete the musical routine of this night of the year: Billie Jean y Beat it.
This is Halloween
In a somewhat more naive wave is inscribed this theme taken from the movie Nightmare Before Christmas, released in 1993. Composed by Danny Elfman, and played within the film by the inhabitants of Halloween City.
The song is an accurate summary of everything that happens each year during this celebration.
In 2006 a special album was released, on the subject of the film's 13 years, which included two covers of the song signed by Marilyn Manson and Panic! at the disco.
Nightmare on my street
Will Smith, before becoming world famous, was a rapper. Together with his friend Jeffrey Allen Townes he formed the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. In 1988 they released this single, inspired by a film franchise responsible for terrorizing teenagers from the 1980s: Nightmare on Elm Street.
In the music video, while Smith "raps" some of the most iconic scenes from the movies are shown. The lyrics speak of someone to whom a man with a burned face appears in his nightmares like a match and always wears the same sweater.
Although it is not one of the best known Halloween songs and Freddy Kruger is not very fashionable these days, it is in tune with the last night of October.
Rihanna - Disturbia
Written by Chris Brown (who originally planned to interpret it), this song with the voice of Rihanna has become one of the most danced of Halloween. A combination of dance and house highly contagious and sticky. Not for nothing has sold almost 8 million copies to date.
The lyrics of the song speak of a girl who has a sudden panic attack in the middle of the night. Although it can also be interpreted as the side effects produced by some psychotropic substances.
New order - Consfusion
Again, movies made in Hollywood continue to fuel popular culture around Halloween. In 1998, before Marvel started its fever for movies based on comic book heroes, Wesley Snipes starred in Blade, film loosely based on a comic book character. Beyond the name (of the film and the character), as well as the appearance of the protagonist, the film was not exactly faithful to its original source.
However, its initial sequence ended up being recorded in the unconscious of many. Although more than the image, it was the music that remained for the story. Between a disco for vampiresConveniently located next to a slaughterhouse, the bloodthirsty dance frantically to the beats of the techno-pop British group New Order.
Since then, it entered the playlist of Halloween songs.
AC / DC - Highway to hell
Not everything is techno or house. Between candy, Jack's lanterns and cobwebs, some heavy metal is also heard.
Highway to hell was the subject that gave name to the sixth album of the Australian band AC / DC. Released in 1979, it has been a rock'n roll heritage ever since.
"It's time to have fun and my friends are already there ...".
Conservative people and the very believers in religions, see in the lyrics of this topic a demonic declaration of principles of what this date implies in the calendar.
The Addams Family
The Addams Family is one of the most iconic series in American television history. And although many do not know what it is about, they have surely heard the song that accompanied the "opening" of each chapter.
My People - J Bavin
After all, Halloween, understood under the American gaze, is nothing more than an excuse to organize a party. Under this premise, any theme that invites fun and dance can well be part of a playlist of Halloween songs.
Addition successful theme of the Colombian "reggaeton", others such as shape of me by Ed Sheeran or Slowly by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
Image sources: Spaniards in Ireland / Almacenes La Música / Royal Albert Hall