Ten Female-Fronted Spooky Songs You Haven’t Thought to Add to Your Halloween Playlist This Year
It’s officially spooky season, and while we love listening to “Monster Mash” and “Thriller” on repeat, it’s time to shake the cobwebs off our Halloween playlists. This year, if you’re looking for a fresh collection of female-fronted, spooky songs that blend spine-chilling lyrics and ghostly vocals, we got you covered. From legacy legends to rising stars, these tracks will give your Halloween soundtrack the eerie edge it’s been missing. Whether you're throwing a costume party or just feeling witchy on a solo walk through the autumn leaves, these ten picks are here to cast a spell on you.
“Lights Go Out” – YZMN
Don't be fooled by the soothing opening, because this track quickly transforms into haunting and electrifying chaos. Rich vocals and dark, fuzzy guitars crash into the chorus, making this pop/rock banger feel like a slow descent into madness. At just 10k monthly listeners, YZMN has the star power in “Lights Go Out” to possess your playlist all October long.
“Uninvited” – Alanis Morissette
A haunting slow burn, “Uninvited” envelops you in a creepy piano loop before unleashing a storm of dramatic strings and rock drums. Originally featured in City of Angels, this underrated track from Alanis proves why she remains one of rock’s most emotional powerhouses. It’s a ghost story in song form: equal parts beautiful and unnerving.
“Howling at the Moon” – Leadley
Leadley proves Halloween doesn’t always have to be dark and dreary with her synth-pop jam “Howling at the Moon”. This track offers a fun, flirty twist with vivid Halloween imagery woven into the lyrics. It’s sexy, energetic, and a must-add for anyone wanting to dance under the full moon. With just over 56k monthly listeners, Leadley is an emerging artist worth supporting.
“Everybody Scream” – Florence + The Machine
This song kicks off like a vampire opera with a full pipe organ and a chilling choir, but quickly morphs into something cinematic and fierce. Screams echo in the background as pounding drums push the track forward. Florence Welch infuses full witch trial energy into this track, and we are here for it.
“Witches” – Alice Phoebe Lou
This Berlin-based artist delivers a whimsical yet eerie vibe in “Witches,” where spell-casting meets indie pop. With a detuned bounce and gentle vocals, it’s a song about enchanting love. If a coven wrote a love song on a starry October night, it would be this song.
“Cadaver Heart” – Anna Thompson
This synth-pop gem is heartbreak on the dance floor. With vocoder-enhanced vocals and a pulsing chorus, “Cadaver Heart” walks the line between emotional and undead. A standout from a brilliant small artist with under 10k monthly listeners, this one’s as catchy as it is creepy.
“Blood in the Wine” – Aurora
Aurora opens “Blood in the Wine” with a haunting battle cry that evolves into an airy, bone-chilling vocal performance. With cinematic drums and ghostlike harmonies, “Blood in the Wine” sounds like a pagan ritual sung at the edge of the woods. It’s powerful, mysterious, and totally bewitching.
“Monster” – Chandler Leighton
Opening with creepy bells and escalating into a shredding guitar solo, this pop-rock anthem is Halloween power in sonic form. Lyrically, “Monster” is all about killing your past self and emerging stronger than you thought you could be. This song is the intersection of scary and self-empowerment and we are so down for it.
“Still Alive” – Demi Lovato
As the theme song for Scream VI, “Still Alive” brings blockbuster slasher energy to your playlist. With driving guitars and vocals that rip through the dark, this track is an anthem for anyone who’s survived the horrors (literal or metaphorical) and still come out swinging.
“Hot Goblin” – Em Beihold
Em Beihold’s “Hot Goblin is pure spooky fun. With lyrics about being a goblin, a witch, and all things creepy-cute, Em Beihold delivers a quirky Halloween party anthem complete with a key change that adds theatrical flair. It’s a bop for the festive, witchy girlies who don’t take themselves too seriously.
From legendary voices like Alanis and Florence to emerging names like YZMN and Anna Thompson, these songs highlight the full spectrum of women who rock. It’s proof that Halloween music can be fresh, dynamic, and fiercely female. If you want more playlists, artist features, and live events that celebrate women in music, follow Women Who Rock on social media to stay connected and support the voices shaking up the industry.