A new canon of Halloween music

Who’s the Mariah Carey of Halloween? Labels and artists are trying to capitalize on spooky season, but these are the songs that belong in the creepy canon, from the truly terrifying to simply seasonal and nostalgic.

Note: An earlier version of this episode appeared on All Songs Considered in 2025.

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Featured artists and songs:

Phoebe Bridgers: “Killer” from ‘Stranger in the Alps’

Fever Ray: “If I Had A Heart,” from ‘Fever Ray’

Sufjan Stevens: “John Wayne Gacy, Jr” from ‘Illinois’

Jack Lenz: “Goosebumps” (theme from the TV show)

Disneyland Records: “Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House”

Alice Cooper: “Welcome to My Nightmare,” from ‘Welcome to My Nightmare’

Oksana Linde: “Horizontes lejanos,” from ‘Travesias’