Welcome to Music Monday: Halloween Edition!

Welcome to Music Mondays! A new weekly series that aspires to revamp your musical library in a theme-oriented fashion; and what better day to debut new music then the most habitually dreaded day of the week? Why weekly? Amidst school, work, and all other busying aspects of life, music is my one constant – on the bus, while walking, at the gym – it’s an art form that can have a heavy influence on your emotional state! Realistically speaking: music keeps me sane.

This week’s playlist lends itself to music that fits into the category of the ghost-like, eerie and spine-chilling characteristics that define Halloween. Without, I might add, the cliché antics of Monster Mash and its peers. Don’t forget our spooky movies playlist as well; we’ve got your Halloween covered!

I Put a Spell on You – She & Him

A duo known for their unparalleled flair and melodic range generate a chillingly talented rendition of an old classic. Zooey Deschanel’s eerie and commanding vocal range is unequivocally staggering in its ability to captivate raw emotion.

Don’t Say A Word – Ellie Goulding

The opening croons of famous Brit singer Ellie Goulding are enough to classify it in a Halloween-esque category of unnerving, ghostly music. Often commended on the dense, passionate lyrics, Goulding’s musical style is a spectacle of ethereal meets upbeat.

Psychotic Girl – The Black Keys

While the lyrics themselves don’t lend an astounding hand to Halloween, the hypnotic melody so characteristic of The Black Keys transcends the lyrics, which seem to echo off of the instrumentals to create a supernatural reverie.

Alice – Cocteau Twins

The instrumental debut of this piece is a symphony of peculiar yet brilliant style; the vocals and instruments unifying in a trance-like manner that undeniably sends chills down your spine.

Fresh Blood – The Eels

First listening to this song is a weird experience in and of itself: lyrics detailing “needing fresh blood” accompanied by murmuring and howling contributes to the wholly unsettling feeling that is October 31st.

Night Boat – Duran Duran

Press play and ask yourself whether or not the opening instrumentals of this song are characteristically similar to the climax of a 1980’s thriller. (Tip: Yes, they are)

Mad World – Tears for Fears

Initially, I had the original mad world on this playlist. For obvious reasons, including the decision to not invoke a serious emotional downward spiral, this somewhat upbeat version holds the iconic lyrics of mad world with less of the slow, angst-ridden instrumental.

Heigh Ho – Tom Waits

A terrifying interpretation of a Disney classic, Waits uses his primitive styled music to heavily contrast a timeless, chipper and buoyant sing-along into an eerie, harrowing world.

Feel free to add songs in the comments! The best thing about a playlist – there’s no maximum song count! Do you have any ideas for themes for next week? Let me know below!

Written by Nikki Gladstone

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