This post was originally published in May 2017 and last updated in October 2021. All October posts are part of the Countdown to Halloween!
How long has Halloween music been around? Well, my spooky friends, that all depends on what you consider Halloween music.
Most of the Halloween music you're familiar with - Monster Mash, Thriller, Ghostbusters theme - is exclusively a product of the 20th and 21st centuries. Vintage Halloween songs these are not.
Sure, we can stretch back into music history to pick up classical pieces like "Tocata and Fugue in D Minor" - an arrangement that often finds its way onto Halloween playlists (including my own!) for its drama and darker notes - but this iconic Baroque song was never intended to celebrate Halloween.
In fact, most of the music featured in today's playlist probably wasn't either. I think that's what makes all of these songs fun and unexpected additions to any collection of Halloween music.
After doing a bit of research, I've dug up a collection of 40+ songs with spooky titles and lyrics from the 1900s - 1940s. Many are Big Band era tunes. Some are blues classics, and others are folk songs. A few are more modern recordings, but they all have a fantastic vintage vibe that will add a little something different to your Halloween playlist.
Vintage Halloween Songs
If Spotify is not your preferred method for streaming music, here is the complete playlist so you can create it yourself:
Which vintage Halloween songs will you add to your playlist?
Share them in the comments!
