Just as Halloween movies can get students into the spooky spirit, so can Halloween songs. “Ghostbusters,” “Monster Mash” and “A Nightmare On My Street” are just some of the most popular tracks to listen to during the season — but there are some songs that may not be as commonly associated with the holiday. Oakland University students share their favorite picks below. 

“Thriller” — Michael Jackson

“Thriller,” off of the album of the same name, was released on Nov. 30, 1982. The album won eight Grammy Awards, and was later named the best-selling album of all time by Guinness World Records. 

The song’s accompanying music video debuted on MTV on Dec. 2, 1983. Directed by filmmaker John Landis, the video was the first music video to be inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress (LOC) in 2009, and is credited as being “the most famous music video of all time.”

“Thriller” is freshman Maria Martin’s favorite Halloween song because she remembers singing it in her middle school choir. 

“[The choir] performed on stage and we did the dance [that’s featured in the music video],” Martin said. 

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” — Taylor Swift

“All Too Well” was first released on Swift’s 2012 album “Red” with a runtime of 5:28. When Swift re-released and re-recorded “Red” in 2021, she released two versions of “All Too Well” — one that replicates the original version, as well as a new ten minute-long version. 

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” was accompanied by a short film written and directed by Swift and starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien. It won Video of the Year at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). 

The lyrics — which reference scarves and the fall season, as well as Swift’s recollection of a relationship gone wrong — remind junior Doreen Hakim of Halloween.

“Ever since ‘All Too Well’ came out, I associate that song with fall,” Hakim said. “[It reminds me of] getting back into in-person school, because that’s what was happening [around the same time of ‘All Too Well’s’ release].”

“Calling All the Monsters” — China Anne McClain 

“Calling All the Monsters” was first heard on the Disney Channel original series “A.N.T. Farm” in the Halloween-inspired episode, “MutANT farm.”

The song’s lyrics detail dancing with monsters, and the track was re-recorded by McClain in 2021 alongside her siblings in the group “Thriii.”

Senior Samiya McMiller believes it’s her favorite Halloween song because it reminds her of parts of childhood spent watching Disney Channel.

“Calling All the Monsters’ is such a classic,” McMiller said. “It’s a really fun song that everybody can vibe to, and we still play it to this day.”

“This Is Halloween” — “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a stop motion film released on Oct. 13, 1993. Directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, the film tells the story of Jack Skellington — the “Pumpkin King of Halloween Town” — and his discovery of “Christmas Town,” which he ultimately tries to take over. 

Danny Elfman composed the music for the film, including “This Is Halloween,” which is heard in the opening scene. The song has also been covered by Marilyn Manson and Panic! at the Disco. 

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is junior Jazmyn Wilson’s favorite Halloween movie, and “This Is Halloween” is her favorite Halloween song.

“It’s usually the first Halloween movie [my family and I] watch during the fall season,” Wilson said.