Best Country Songs for Your Halloween Playlist
Halloween is one of the best times of year to have a party, but you need a themed playlist that sets the mood. On a day associated with ghosts, goblins,…
Halloween is one of the best times of year to have a party, but you need a themed playlist that sets the mood. On a day associated with ghosts, goblins, the undead, and mysterious occurrences, it's only natural to have songs on your playlist that highlight these elements.
Everyone knows the silly 1962 Halloween song "Monster Mash" as a song about a mad scientist's monster coming to life and dancing the Monster Mash at a party. However, Halloween country songs take on a more realistic tone with themes of death, mystery, and hauntings. Eric Church's "Creepin'," for example, has a sense of how someone can haunt you by creeping into your memory. Let's explore a few other dark and mysterious country songs perfect for your Halloween party playlist.
Not-So Honky-Tonk: Why These Songs Work for Halloween
All genres of music have themes of death, dying, and loss, but, surprisingly, traditional country beats them all when it comes to dark music. Country music stems from storytelling traditions, and death often pops up in the lyrics. Some songs are mysterious, such as the Johnny Cash classic "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" about dead cowboys chasing the devil's cow herd across the sky. Others tell a more personal story. George Jones's "He Stopped Loving Her Today" tells the story of a man who only stopped loving his partner because he died.
Many country songs have melancholy themes running through them. Perhaps it's due to the hardships of poverty and the mental health issues associated with living a hard life. However, storytelling through music is a cathartic way to share loss with others who can relate to the topic. While you can certainly add some dark songs to your playlist to get that haunting vibe, others that are more mysterious or supernatural will help make your Halloween super spooky.
Classic Country Songs Perfect for Your Halloween Playlist
Set the tone for your Halloween party with classic country songs that will send chills down your spine, including:
- "Ghost Story" by Carrie Underwood. This is a classic tale of an ex-lover haunting someone who has hurt or betrayed them.
- "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" by Reba McEntire. This song tells a story of revenge and the hanging of an innocent man.
- "The Long Black Veil" by Lefty Frizzell. This song tells the story of a man who's been executed, the woman who loved him, and how she walks the hills to visit his grave with a long black veil.
- "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser with its easy-to-sing lyrics of "Fire on the mountain run boys run, the Devil's in the house of the risin' sun."
Gruesome Ballads and Ghost Stories
If you want truly spooky country songs for your Halloween gathering, there are plenty are plenty to choose from, including:
- "Ghost in This House" by Shenandoah. This is a song about a man whose wife has left him and he feels like he's just a ghost of himself.
- "The Legend of Wooley Swamp" by the Charlie Daniels Band. This spooky song is about ghosts or unnatural beings living in the local swamp.
- "Big Iron" by Marty Robbins. This tells the story of a gunfighter out to kill Texas Red.
Modern Country Tracks With Spooky Themes
You'll want to add some modern country songs to your Halloween playlist, including:
- "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. This song really resonates with listeners. The story tells of a dying man who tells a younger man to live life to its fullest.
- "Haunted" by Taylor Swift. This hit song is about feeling haunted by a lost love.
- "Two Black Cadillacs" by Carrie Underwood. This song tells the story of two women who've been cheated on by the same man who mysteriously dies, and the two women share a secret smile at his gravesite.
Creating the Perfect Halloween Country Music Vibe
With a carefully created Halloween playlist, you can set the mood and tone of the party. Choose haunting songs such as "The Long Black Veil" and "Live Like You're Dying" early in the evening to set a haunting vibe. As the party gets into full swing, crank up the energy with "Ghost Riders in the Sky," and "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Wind the party down with "Haunted," "Ghost House," and Morgan Wade's "Halloween," a story of love found and lost.
Embrace the Haunting Beauty of Country Music This Halloween
Country Halloween party songs are plentiful, and with themes of the supernatural, mysterious deaths, and gunfighters, your guests will have a howling great time. If anyone is unfamiliar with how haunting country music can be, let them know about its roots in storytelling and Appalachian ballads. Modern country stars such as Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, and Thomas Rhett are master storytellers who share the haunting emotions of love, loss, pain, and redemption with their listeners through country music.
