Ten Tracks Define Halloween Music Tradition

Halloween music has evolved from bluesy warnings to pop anthems, creating a specific sonic identity for the holiday. The tradition began with Jalacy Hawkins, a Cleveland native who recorded the 1956 single "I Put A Spell On You." Hawkins and his band reportedly re-recorded the track after drinking, adding a howling sound that defined the song's eerie quality. The track later appeared on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2004 and was covered by Bette Midler for the film Hocus Pocus.

Stevie Wonder shifted the genre toward R&B in 1972 with "Superstition." Wonder initially wrote the song for his guitarist but was persuaded by Motown head Berry Gordy to record it himself. The track earned Wonder two Academy Awards in 1974. In a 2000 NPR interview, Wonder explained the lyrics stemmed from his skepticism about superstitious beliefs, stating, "When you believe in things you don't understand, then you suffer."

Michael Jackson released "Thriller" in 1982, a song written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. The single was accompanied by a nearly 14-minute music video featuring zombie choreography. The video surpassed one billion views on YouTube fifteen years after its initial release.

The 1984 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street inspired the rap single "A Nightmare On My Street" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith. The lyrics describe Smith's character being haunted by Freddy Krueger, while the music video ends with him falling asleep, implying he is the next victim. That same year, Ray Parker Jr. wrote the theme for Ghostbusters. Parker Jr. admitted he was afraid of ghosts and unsure if he was the right choice, but accepted the $50,000 fee. The song earned him an Oscar nomination.

Modern interpretations include Kanye West's 2010 track "Monster," which featured Rick Ross, Bon Iver, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj. The song peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. Beyoncé released "Haunted" in 2013 on her self-titled digital album. She described the song as addressing temptation and exposure in the music industry.

The Weeknd's 2015 single "The Hills" became his first diamond-certified track. The song discusses a secret affair and drug use, with the recurring line "The hills have eyes" suggesting constant surveillance. Childish Gambino released "Redbone" in 2016, a song about a complicated relationship. The track featured in the 2017 film Get Out, where the chorus "Stay Woke" reinforced the movie's themes of racial awareness.

Doja Cat released "Demons" in 2023, the second track on her album of the same name. The lyrics address criticism and acceptance, while the music video casts Christina Ricci as a woman haunted by Cat. The video concludes with Ricci grabbing two children to escape the home.