Ten Tracks Build a Central Indiana Halloween Soundtrack

The countdown to Halloween has begun, and the music playing in living rooms across Central Indiana is shifting toward darker tones. Residents are curating playlists that blend decades of rock, pop, and hip hop to set the mood before the neighborhood trick-or-treating starts. These ten tracks have become staples for the holiday season in the area.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins released the original recording of "I Put A Spell On You" in 1956. Hawkins, a Cleveland native who served in World War II, re-recorded the track after a bad first take. He added a howling sound to the blues composition, a move that secured his place in music history. The song appears on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was later covered by Bette Midler for the 1993 film Hocus Pocus.

Stevie Wonder wrote "Superstition" for a guitarist friend in 1972, but Motown founder Berry Gordy insisted Wonder perform it himself. The song won two Academy Awards in 1974 for Best Rhythm & Blues Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance. Wonder explained to NPR in 2000 that he wrote the lyrics because he did not believe in superstitions, stating that people suffer when they believe in things they do not understand.

Michael Jackson's 1982 single "Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. The track features a 14 minute music video that introduced the zombie dance moves now associated with the King of Pop. The video surpassed one billion views on YouTube 15 years after its initial release, proving the song's lasting commercial power.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince released "A Nightmare On My Street" as a parody of the 1984 horror film. Will Smith, then known as the Fresh Prince, raps about falling asleep and being attacked by Freddy Krueger. He wakes up to find rips in his bedsheets, proving the attack was real, and warns his partner not to sleep. The partner ignores the warning and is presumed to be the next victim in the music video.

Ray Parker Jr. wrote the theme for the 1984 film Ghostbusters for a fee of $50,000. He admitted to a friend that he was afraid of ghosts and unsure if he was the right person for the job. The resulting single became a sing-along hit and earned Parker Jr. an Academy Award nomination. The lyrics remain instantly recognizable to listeners who have not seen the movie.

Kanye West included "Monster" on his 2010 album Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The track features Rick Ross, Bon Iver, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj. Nicki Minaj's aggressive verse received particular praise from critics. The song peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, driven by the collaborative efforts of the high-profile guest artists.

Beyoncé released the track "Haunted" on her 2013 self-titled digital album. She co-wrote the song with producer Boots, who played every instrument on the recording. Beyoncé described the track on her iTunes radio channel as a commentary on temptation and exposure within the music industry. The song marked a period where the artist bet on her own creative instincts without prior promotion.

The Weeknd's 2015 single "The Hills" opens with loud booms and horror sounds to create an eerie tone. The lyrics describe a secret affair with a woman in a gated community and reference the artist's struggle with drugs. The song became The Weeknd's first diamond-certified single, maintaining commercial success years after its initial release.

Childish Gambino released "Redbone" in 2016, describing a complicated relationship with a woman. The chorus includes the phrase "Stay Woke," which led to the song being featured in Jordan Peele's 2017 film Get Out. The track is often interpreted as a commentary on racial injustice and the need for alertness in American society.

Doja Cat's 2023 single "Demons" appears as the second track on her album of the same name. The song addresses scrutiny and acceptance of her artistic worth. In the music video, Doja Cat plays a literal demon haunting a family home. Christina Ricci portrays the main character, who eventually grabs her two children to escape the house, mirroring her history in horror films.