For me, Halloween is about a few simple joys. Candy (candy corn specifically, controversial, I know), the chance to play dress up and get clever with costumes, and the space to tap into our childlike imaginations. Add in pumpkin spice in the air, warm drinks like hot toddies or mulled cider, and the season feels like a welcome excuse to play.

This Halloween playlist was due for a refresh, and the latest version brings in more variety along with some retro cheeky spooky vibes. Dusty Springfield’s Spooky makes an appearance, and I sprinkled in cinematic gems like the Pink Panther Theme, Harry Potter, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. As a kid I always watched The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, so it felt right to close with Bing Crosby’s The Headless Horseman and Vince Guaraldi’s The Great Pumpkin Waltz.

The journey along the way runs shadowy and moody with trip-hop turns from Portishead and Sneaker Pimps, prowling danger from Janet Jackson’s Black Cat, and haunting melancholy from Emiliana Torrini’s Gollum’s Song. Taylor Swift makes her mark in three places, balancing dreamy atmosphere and high drama. And woven throughout are voices like Nina Simone, Eartha Kitt, and Frank Sinatra, who add a touch of the classics to the finale.

The playlist runs just about two hours, which makes it the perfect backdrop for the season.  So whether you are passing out candy, settling in with a childhood classic, or simply enjoying the cozy magic of an autumn night, you can rest assured, you’ve got cozy vibes set.

It brings together a mix of eerie and playful, moody and nostalgic, and flows with a cinematic quality that feels right at home this time of year.

So light a candle, press play, and let it set the scene.

👻 Happy listening.