‘Tis the season of Halloween and it’s time to put on some creepy tunes, hoist up your tights (if you’re dressing up as the Devil that is) and get ready for some frights!

Most playlists for this holiday cover the classics, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the theme to the Halloween films etc, however I thought I’d suggest some alternatives for those of you in the mood for something a bit different.

My definition of “unusual” in this instance is in reference to the fact that these songs are probably not considered mainstream Halloween material, although these are all well-known tracks in different circles.

Without further ado, here are the 6 (sorry, didn’t have time to cover 666!) unusual songs you should have on your Halloween playlist:

1.  Dance Stamina – Pluto

This kiwi band hailing from our hometown, Auckland, has produced one of the best spooky dance tracks I’ve ever heard.  Ethereal, yet with an edge.  Cool and confident, but with an underlying sense of paranoia.  This song perfectly captures the essence of the vampire.

Please note:  If you’d like to see this excellent music video in high def, you can check it out here.

2.  Paradise Lost – Gain (가인)

Sung from the serpent’s perspective (serpent turned succubus?), we are privy to the temptation Adam and Eve surrendered to in the Garden of Eden.  Warning:  Gain’s sexy choreography/writhing renders this video a bit NSFW!

3.  Sucker For Your Love – B.A. Robertson (The Monster Club)

A hilarious love song jammed full of puns and Transylvanian vampire goodness.  What’s not to love?  Also don’t forget to check out the film, The Monster Club, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had watching a portmanteau.  And it’s got Vincent Price in it!

4.  Main Theme of Dracula A.D. 1972 – Michael Vickers

The theme song of this Hammer horror gem is groovy, catchy and melodramatic in all the right ways!  Short but sweet, you’ll definitely want to listen to this more than once.  The film is alright too – specifically for those who are fans of Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and saucy hippies.

5.  Witches’ Rave – Jeff Buckley

Sadly released posthumously, this song is both enticing and menacing – deftly capturing the duality of how we perceive witches. Come to think of it, this would have made a brilliant track in American Horror Story: Coven.

6.  Bedazzled – Bedazzled

This rather aloof tune is sung by Peter Cook’s version of the Devil in Bedazzled (1967).  After Stanley Moon has his wish of being an ultra-famous pop star granted (and has thoroughly serenaded his true love), the “Horned One” has to go and ruin it all with this catchy number from his band, Drimble Wedge and the Vegetations.

If you’re in the mood for more, my other recommendations are to check out the entirety of the soundtracks for Fright Night (1985) and The Monster Club; the theme tune for Phantasm; the musical Sweeney Todd; and the music from the trailer of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.  Yes I’m being serious with that last one – it’s a corker!

Happy Halloween everyone!  Stay safe and have fun!