SOMETHING OLD
Eartha Kitt - I Want to Be Evil
1953
Eartha Kitt - I Want to Be Evil
1953
Eartha Kitt released I Want To Be Evil, written by Lester Judson and Raymond Taylor, with Henri René and His Orchestra at the very beginning of her career. Young, petite, and doll-faced with a sweetly accented voice, she fits her image in the song’s spoken-word introduction by describing her innocence and good behavior.
But Orson Welles once called Kitt the “most exciting woman in the world,” which was more like it. Eartha Kitt is whatever she wants to be...and here, it’s evil. So early into her stardom, she was quick to jump out of any box she was put in.
She wants to be mean, evil, cruel, and bad; just being an absolute menace like changing her seat at the theatre just so [she] can step on everybody’s feet. This song is always so much fun, and the orchestra shines, especially the horns.
SOMETHING NEW
Florence + The Machine - Witch Dance
October 31st, 2025
Florence + The Machine - Witch Dance
October 31st, 2025
Florence + The Machine have come out of the shadows for All Hallow’s Eve with a new record: Everybody Screams.
This song is the third track and is immediately compelling with a strong bassline and light drumming. Her voice comes in soon after, a voice so distinct and nostalgic to me from songs like Dog Days Are Over and hasn’t waned in strength or singularity.
Welch stated the song is about “the coexistence of life and death,” inspired by her life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. It’s lyrically lush with imagery, including an opening verse describing sex with death.
While the subject matter inspiring the song is very real, the mentions of witches, monsters, etc. as well as an eerie background choir, the Halloween release date seals the deal in confirming Welch’s tendency toward the macabre.
SOMETHING BORROWED
Rose McDowall - Don’t Fear the Reaper (Blue Öyster Cult)
1988
Rose McDowall - Don’t Fear the Reaper (Blue Öyster Cult)
1988
Through a Halloween lens, the 1976 Blue Öyster Cult classic leans into the dark and morbid parts (yes, even with the cowbell). Here’s Rose McDowall of Strawberry Switchblade bringing out the fun, trickery, party aspects of the holiday in 1988. How does she manage it when staying true to all the original lyrics? It’s all in the sound.
She makes the song danceable with club-like beats, a fun harp intro, and even some Spanish guitar here and there. It turns up the energy of the original (great for a coven meeting) into something deeply 80s (great for the after party).
Super fun take on one of the best spooky songs I know.
SOMETHING... HUMAN...?
HALLOWEEN-INSPIRED THEMES ALL OCTOBER
Goldfrapp - Human
2000
HALLOWEEN-INSPIRED THEMES ALL OCTOBER
Goldfrapp - Human
2000
You might expect typical halloween creatures like vampires, monsters, and werewolves, but we know what they are. Is maybe an undetermined human (…?) even scarier? Especially in a hyper-digital age that justifies more and more skepticism each day about what’s man-made and not, the question “are you human?” to something that appears to be, on the surface, evokes genuine fear.
This 25-year-old song from Goldfrapp asks that very question, with screeching violin and otherwise spooky sounds to accompany. Some parts are super reminiscent of Howard Shore’s score to After Hours, which if you’ve seen you know adds to the extreme stress levels of the film.
Abundant with fear in both its lyrics and arrangement, here’s our final Halloween-themed song on my favorite holiday!