A new canon of Halloween music

About this episode

Who’s the Mariah Carey of Halloween? Labels and artists are trying to capitalize on spooky season, but these are the songs that belong in the creepy canon, from the truly terrifying to simply seasonal and nostalgic. Note: An earlier version of this episode appeared on All Songs Considered in 2025. Tell us what you think with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: Phoebe Bridgers: “Killer” from ‘Stranger in the Alps’ Fever Ray: “If I Had A Heart,” from ‘Fever Ray’ Sufjan Stevens: “John Wayne Gacy, Jr” from ‘Illinois’ Jack Lenz: “Goosebumps” (theme from the TV show) Disneyland Records: “Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House” Alice Cooper: “Welcome to My Nightmare,” from ‘Welcome to My Nightmare’ Oksana Linde: “Horizontes lejanos,” from ‘Travesias’ Florence + the Machine: “Everybody Scream,” from ‘Everybody Scream’ Ethel Cain: “Housofpsychoticwomn,” from ‘Perverts’ girl in red: “We Fell In Love In October” (single) Mimicking Birds: “Bloodlines,” from ‘EONS’ Van Morrison: “Moondance,” from ‘Moondance’ The Cramps: “I Was A Teenage We