Want to shake up your Halloween playlist this year? No spooky party is complete without Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” or “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but if you’re looking to add a few unexpected tunes to this year’s mix, why not try a few cover versions? We love when a new artist puts their own twist on a classic track, so we’ve compiled eight of our faves that are perfect for All Hallows’ Eve.
Attaboy Skip – Ghostbusters: Think that the Ghostbusters theme can’t get any more fun? Think again! This ska punk cover by Attaboy Skip just might change your mind! The horns add an awesome extra twist to this moshpit-ready cover version.
Imogen Heap – Thriller: British indie songstress Imogen Heap takes MJ’s hit from classically campy to beautifully eerie in her stripped down cover. Accompanied only by her piano, Imogen’s version makes us focus on the lyrics in a way that we haven’t in years.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – Phantom of the Opera: Punk rock cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes always put an entertaining twist to your fave songs, and this time they tackled a classic musical number from the Andrew Lloyd Webber show of the same name. Sure it’s not strictly a Halloween song, but the Gimme Gimmes version amps up the creepy factor and makes it an easy fit with your spooky playlist.
Marilyn Manson – This is Halloween: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of our fave Halloween movies, and in the film, this song introduces us to Halloween Town, the story’s main setting. While the original version is creepy in its own right, shock rocker Marilyn Manson takes it to the next level with his very grim cover.
The Misfits – Monster Mash: Most of horror punk band The Misfits’ songs would fit perfectly into a Halloween playlist, and we love their pumped up cover of this silly classic. Don’t forget to do the dance — it’s a variation on the “Mashed Potato” but with Frankenstein-style monster gestures. This up-tempo version will just make you mash a little faster!
Nouvelle Vague – Bela Lugosi’s Dead: This super creepy cover of an originally creepy goth rock song by Bauhaus will seamlessly slip into any Halloween mix. French band Nouvelle Vague do legendary horror film actor Bela Lugosi proud with this eerie song.
Alkaline Trio – Over at the Frankenstein Place: Punk rock lovers should check out The Rocky Horror Punk Show, a compilation album featuring punk covers of songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack. While the whole album is creepy and fun, we’re partial to this Alkaline Trio cover, as well as Me First and the Gimme Gimmes’ version of “Science Fiction/Double Feature” (but we already had the Gimme Gimmes on our list!).
Nina Simone – I Put a Spell On You: Sultry, sexy and magical, Nina Simone’s version of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins R&B classic is a soulful take on spooky. Put this tune at the end of your playlist to wind down the night on the right note.
What’s your fave Halloween tune? Leave a comment to tell us what song always makes your playlist!