Halloween Special: Music Video Playlist
- Simret C-i
- Oct 31, 2020
- 5 min read
For us horror fanatics, Halloween is something special. It’s in our blood, carved deeply upon our very bones. It’s the one day we get to blend in and enjoy visual representations of the world of horror, folklore and the occult in which we live, eat and breathe.
This Halloween however, is going to be quite different for everyone due to the ravages of Covid 19.
Restrictions across the world are stopping Samhain revellers from expressing their true nature whether it be Freddy Kruger, Jason, Michael Myers, Morticia Addams, Carrie or other Halloween costume stalwarts.
For those of us who usually make our bread and butter working during the Halloween season, we will face challenges. Cast, crew and performers may find themselves struggling to get booked for gigs/events whilst others who do manage to secure work will have to fight to get home before their carriages turn into pumpkins at the toll of ten o’ clock.
Halloween this year is actually pretty terrifying if you think about it.
But it doesn’t have to be all blood and gristle, we can still celebrate within our embryonic bubble. After all, what is the most important part of a Halloween party?
Well it’s the playlist of course!
This Halloween, I’ve put together a playlist of Halloween music videos. Although there’s countless spooky/horror themed videos and songs on the internet, I’ve specifically sourced ones that are actually Halloween themed music videos or music videos intended for Halloween.
Let’s bring on the pumpkins, trick or treat, spells, costumes and enjoy the music playlist!
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – A Nightmare On My Street
This is a comical re-telling of classic Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street through a beat-bopping horror hip hop music video by duo Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff.
The lyrics replay the narrative of the film from Smith’s perspective using dialogue from the original movie.
It’s a great watch, full of drama and some surreal art house VFX. There’s some great production design and lighting not mention a black Freddy Kruger! It’s also quite violent towards the end.
This Could Be Us (Witch Love Spell)
We’ve been blessed with A Halloween special with this classically spooky music video This Could Be Us by my good friend Mariam Draeger.
Mariam and I worked together last year for Halloween with her production company Headcinema Productions and created a movie called The Cellar Rooms which was completed in 48 hours and on time for Halloween. You can see the link here.
This year Mariam has created a stunning track and music video which was produced in less than a week.
It’s a tight production and you can hear rock and roll inspired beats from the 50s and 60s. I was particularly swept away by the hypnotic breakdown with the line ‘I see you,’ where you can feel the magic of the spell work in the video transcending through your body!
Mariam explained to me that the key to the track was Phrygian which is an ancient Greek type scale that gives a spooky sound.
The video itself is accompanied by clips from Häxan (1922) and works wonderfully with footage of the band members’ witchy goings-on!
There’re numerous versions of This Is Halloween from Tim Burton’s movie The Nightmare Before Christmas, but I like Marilyn Manson’s recut. I love the varying vocals and melding of hip hop, metal and maybe even rock and roll. It’s definitely nightmarish and played against visuals from the film.
Fat Boys Are you ready for Freddy
This Freddy Kruger beatbox music video with the Fat Boys is another depiction of Nightmare on Elm Street. Accompanied by demonic rap vocals and narration, the video is the epitome of 80s horror. The Kruger character is closer in looks to the movie. There’s also great use of over the top sound effects and some riveting action.
Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) (Official Video)
I know that from my childhood this was a Halloween special, still a favourite, it keeps the Haunted House trope alive. You can definitely see the video’s been heavily inspired by Michael Jackson’s Thriller especially with the music, choreography and theatrical prowess all of which screams Michael Jackson. Let’s face it, most pop songs of a Halloween or horror nature took a book out of the King of Pop. I also love the lyrics as they’re fun and sexy.
“Don’t Cancel Halloween” (2020) – Elvira Music Video
Almost fresh off the press it’s a personal plea from the Queen of Halloween.
It’s a call worthwhile listening too as there’s a message and a call to action.
This video is simply fabulous, really nice production value considering how difficult it is to shoot right now. For those who don’t know about the character Elvira, you can read more about her classic 80s movie Elvira: Mistress of the Dark here.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Movie Clip – This is Halloween (1993) Jack Skellington Animation HD
This is the original Nightmare Before Christmas clip, brimming with vivid colour and the fantastical palette we know Tim Burton for. You can appreciate the design and animation of the characters since the resolution is better.
Jor – Halloween
Nightmarish Halloween hop with Jor’s creepy music video ‘Halloween.’ The whispering vocals and trippy visuals plays homage to the horror genre, pumping prime Giallo-esque colours with a satirical charm hidden within the lyrics, is a treat!
Ashnikko – Halloweenie II: Pumpkin Spice
A risqué and cute trap rap music video by Ashnikko where you get to hear what she’d like done to her pussy for Halloween…it’s all in the lyrics…read them and you’ll see!
The Pumpkin King™ – Bury Me
Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without The Pumpkin King!
This metal rapper throws everyone into a dizzying array of flickering, shaking and wobbling sights that’ll leave you feeling…buried. It’s actually got a catchy chorus; you may just find yourself humming the tune.
Punky Punkin by Rosemary Clooney (1950) – Vintage Halloween
This track has been accompanied with clips from the Short Disney film Trick or Treat (1952).
In the film, there’s also a version of the Punky Punkin score with different lyrics and arrangement.
Punky Pumkin was released by Columbia records and was part of a Halloween-themed album. It also had a B-side called ‘The Wobblin Goblin.’
Here’s the link to Trick or Treat (1952) so you can compare the two. It’s a beautiful film featuring Disney favourites Donald Duck and Witch Hazel. There’s also a fantastic track filled with incantations.
Spooky Boy – Danny Gonzalez
Spooky Boy has made the most relevant Halloween single. He highlights the spirit of Samhain with talk of pumpkin juice, Halloween music and spooking everyone out!
He even puts a pumpkin on his head, who wouldn’t want to celebrate Halloween with this Spooky boy! Trick or treating with SB would be way too much fun for anyone’s own good.
The Smashing Pumpkins – Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)
It’s a haunted house challenge as members of the Pumpkins are seen in a house full of alternative versions of themselves along with other ghosts, demons and androgynous group Drab Majesty.
There’s a lot going on in the video but you get taken away by the spooky visual effects and quirky production design so it’s an exciting ride!
Common Shiner: Social Mediasochist
This Teen Slasher Rom-com parody from Michigan Folk/Rock band Common Shiner is a thrill for those Horror movie addicts perusing these pages.
Chronicling the romantic feelings of a teen Jason Voorhees has for popular girl Carrie. Only problem is she is dating Michel Myers.
On the surface, this appears to be an irreverent mockery of horror movies but as you venture further you see there is a genuine love for the genre. Every moment is crammed with references and easter eggs to those films. From the school being called Wes Craven Slasher High, to the little pot of The Stuff ice cream.
There is a sequel as well that continues their story further into married life and is a worthwhile watch as well.
Happy Halloween everyone and enjoy the ghastly festivities!
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