Every year there are dozens of "Best Halloween Songs" lists to be found - some new, some old, some old but presented as new, etc. This is NOT a traditional "Halloween Music" list. There is no "Monster Mash." Much as I wish I could, you will not find the mid-80's misbegotten Ozzy hit "Bark At The Moon." Love Ozzy but just think that's one of his lamer songs. And definitely no "Godzilla" or "Frankenstein!" This is simply a mix tape that you can crank up as you drive around on Halloween day/night designed to give you "all the feels."
Season of the Witch Nah, not the original Donovan version. Fact is, there are many covers of this classic to choose from. Joan Jett has a pretty awesome one. But this recent semi-version of it for the movie "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil," by Automachine is the way to go to kick off this list: . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybz9lFECMH8
Dream Warriors Oh yeah, "rockin' with Dokken." Except ol' VP wants you to include the "Cast of Riverdale" take on the "Nightmare on Elm Street" ditty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsWS5NKWnYU
Monster Tired of covers? And has the list been a bit too mellow? Okay, here's where we turn it up a notch. If you don't know the music of Skillet, believe me, you want to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mjlM_RnsVE
Cry Little Sister Talk about standing the test of time. This great song from 1987's "The Lost Boys" is far more popular than I even knew, and I play that sucker at my house like it was just released. While the original remains go-to, I just LOVE this Marilyn Manson version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG5sFUROGX0
I Put A Spell On You Heck, Marilyn Manson even covered this classic, made a Halloween must by the movie "Hocus Pocus." But check out former Eurythmic Annie Lennox on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TrSMaOZm3Y
He's Back (The Man Behind The Mask) There's literally a dozen Alice Cooper tunes that fit the criteria. But I choose this mid-80's ode to Jason Voorhees. Or was it Michael Myers? Does it really matter? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz-y3SJyEVA&list=PLcRSGRtf6ehlESwz7igqFHrf--qMxbqep
Burn In Hell Would this have made the VPP Halloween Mix Tape list if it wasn't included in a Pee-Wee Herman flick? I'm honestly not sure. But it rawks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_atqPcXvcr0
Werewolves of London "I saw Lon Chaney, Jr. walking with the Queen." That lyric alone renders "Werewolves" a must, written by Warren Zevon AND the legendary Waddy Wachtel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDpYBT0XyvA
Thriller C'mon. Ya have to. If only outta respect to Vincent Price's narration at the outset. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA
Dracula Song This road trip listen must - and I mean MUST - end with this hilarious yet somehow touching beauty from the film "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ZtwbzUFZE