Halloween is here once more giving people a reason to attend parties as a vampire, as a werewolf or even as Frankenstein. 

To help get that Hallow’s eve vibe going, Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online compiles here an eclectic mash of songs that should be blasting from music players come Oct. 31.

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson

The biggest-selling pop album of all time also has the biggest Halloween song, “Thriller.”

With its pipe-organ bursts, the repetitive bass riff, and the funky guitar lines, “Thriller” is the perfect ode to “grisly ghouls from every tomb” who are “closing in to seal your doom.”

Add in images of zombie’s in tight choreography, Michael Jackson’s yellow cat-like eyes and Vincent Price’s “Darkness falls across the land, The midnight hour is close at hand...” voice-over and you have the perfect brew to cast a spell or two.

“Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Cryptkickers

This 1962 song by Bobby “Boris” Pickett was originally released as a single and is just one of other monster–themed tunes in “The Original Monster Mash album.” This song reached number one at the Billboard Hot 100 charts that same year and has been a perennial Halloween holiday favorite ever since.

“Killing Moon” Echo & The Bunnymen

Echo & The Bunnymen is an English new wave/rock band whose fame rivaled that of U2 during their time. Vocalist and main lyricist Ian McCullough had his imagery down pat when he wrote about meeting the grim reaper under the light of a blue moon, hence the “Killing Moon.”

It’s cool, it’s new wave and it’s just right that we include this gem in our list.

“Lullaby” by The Cure

One of the original purveyors of cool gothic music, The Cure enters our list with “Lullaby.”  The music video alone is like a sequence off Neil Gaiman’s “Sandman” graphic novel  but with music solidly of The Cure’s. Robert Smith musings about a giant man-eating spider is definitely what the doctor ordered for Halloween.

Theme from “Twilight Zone”

The Twilight Zone has been a cult-favorite and will always be tied to all things weird and macabre. Play this piece of instrumental music in between songs to add a real creepy vibe to your party.

“Super Massive Black Hole” by Muse

Adding a touch of modern rock to our creepy themed playlist is this song from the “Twilight” OST. The popularity of the Twilight Saga has certainly crept its way into our psyche and vampires, after all, are indispensible characters in the Halloween lore.

“Full Moon” by the Black Ghosts

As if a song title and a band name like this would not warrant an inclusion to our playlist. Still from the “Twilight” OST, this tune is not exactly what you’d call as party music per se, but it will lend a moody feel to the festivities if played in the background.

“People Are Strange” by The Doors

Jim Morrisson and company have always exuded that dark, moody and theatric feel in their songs and “People Are Strange” is like a tailor-made film noir soundtrack. Pessimistic, with an air of menace, this song fits our playlist to a “T.”

“Enter Sandman” by Metallica

Many Metal heads will agree that “Enter Sandman” is a great Halloween song. The sinister riff alone that opens this song conveys a feeling of foreboding.

We bravely carry on, though, because by the time we hit the chorus, we’re singing (or is that snarling?) along with James Hetfield (in a one, two, three…sing!) “Exit light…enter night…grain of sand…Off to Never Neverland!”

“Devil In Disguise” by Elvis Presley

This song is neither nor gothic. It is in fact, an innocent sounding rock and roll-country song.

However, it’s cool to hear the chorus “you’re the devil in disguise / yes you are / the devil in disguise” repeating over and over this time of the year, plus it’s a good excuse to play some music from the king (albeit a dead one). Enjoy!