Playlist no 3: Horror Haze
If you're looking for a Halloween playlist full of synth and 80’s inspired goth songs, I have got you covered. I understand it is a specific style of music, but I think they are all legitimately great songs for everyone. The featured artists on the list include Dead Can Dance, PJ Harvey, Dead Moon, Boy Harsher, and Siouxsie and the Banshees to name a few.
I wanted to showcase songs that would work well at a spooky Halloween party and beyond just October 31st--a walk with your dog in the rain, a road trip with friends, or a date in the graveyard. So let’s dive in.
The Fatal Impact- Dead Can Dance
The song features a crowd cheering in melodic waves. I bet you would think it’s funny that I used to think the band name meant a literal tin can, rather than an auxiliary verb (had to look that up). Rather, it means that the dead can dance. DCD is an Australian duo. I wish I could see them live. I couldn’t find a live version of “the fatal impact”, but here is a beautiful live performance:
2. Down By the Water- PJ Harvey
It took me until college to finally listen to PJ Harvey. I only knew her through her decades long friendship with Nick Cave. The lyrics “that blue-eyed girl/became blue-eyed whore” mourn a girl’s loss of innocence; the change from girlhood to womanhood is dizzying yet eerily the same.
3. Graveyard- Dead Moon
Dead Moon is the blend of rock-n-roll, blues, and country with a punk rock ethos. I am tempted to put a Dead Moon song on all of my playlists. Every album has the most badass artwork. Here is In the Graveyard in its entirety. Put it on and dance.
4. Cccan’t You See- Vicious Pink
If you ever find yourself in Houston, go to the Numbers nightclub on a Friday night. I have been to many goth dance nights and goth clubs, but this is by far the best goth club in the country. No doubt in my mind. Several years ago I heard this song at Numbers.
5. Island Song- U.S. Girls
A lo-fi song with the relatable lyric: “cause I can’t even get out of my bed”
6. Markos- Goblin
Watch Suspiria. That’s all. I enjoyed the remake as well. I think it should have been considered an entirely different film. I was annoyed when it was announced there would be a remake, but it brought something new to a school of witches. The original film is well known for its saturated hues of red and blue.
7. No Words- Clan of Xymox
Y’all, I’m so embarrassed. I should have listened to my therapists when they said it was the worst idea to flirt with men in rehab. Alas, I did it anyways, and I did it with someone I honestly didn’t even like! After months of inpatient days in and out of intensive therapy, I needed a distraction. So I sent this song to another patient, and I immediately regrated it. He could not have cared less about the song. It was from then on I knew I would not send music to someone unless I really cared for them. That’s why sharing these playlists is high risk for my heart—they are meant to be stories of my life. I share these songs because they show what I cannot. I want to build a community of friends who share similar interests and want to make genuine connections. My email is emmaarceneaux0@gmail.com. Feel free to shoot me an email about my playlist!
8. Pain- Boy Harsher
Another song I heard at the Numbers nightclub. But this time it was live. Boy Harsher was beautiful live—not only for the music but for the crowd. People on top of people, dancing with mixed sweat and spilling drinks, but no one cared. It felt like love, and I think it was. I found this video created by a fan using clips from the film Martyrs, a work from the French extremism movement. This video does not include gore, but I warn you to not watch it until you read the synopsis.
9. Primary- The Cure
Probably the most danceable song by The Cure. Faith is a highly underrated album.
10. Loverboy- Miserable
If you like shoegaze, and you enjoyed the song by boy harsher, I think you will dig this song by Miserable, a musical project from Kristina Esfandiari, who is also the lead singer of King Woman. Miserable is her shoegaze off shoot from a band with a more metal sound.
11. Spellbound- Siouxsie & The Banshees
There is no other woman like Siouxsie Sioux. I mean, just look at her (I mean that with love):
12. Thorn- My Bloody Valentine
While Loveless is a masterpiece, other MBV albums are unfairly overlooked. At least by more casual listeners. Die hard MBV fans know all of the songs. My Bloody Valentine pioneered the shoegaze genre; I want to fall into their music.
13. Surrender- Suicide
What a beautiful love song. It has a distinct David Lynch feel to it. It is a more melodic sound than Suicide is generally known for.
14. Halloween Theme- John Carpenter
This song is fucking iconic. I don’t care how lame I sound. Halloween brought us Michael Meyers, and made sure we never forgot Jamie Lee Curtis. In one scene she was asked to make up a song to hum to herself, and Curtis in all her glory sand “I wish I had you all alone, just the two of us.” I wish it was a real song, I find myself singing it under my breath.
15. Phaedra- Tangerine Dream
I chose to end the playlist with a song that seems to stretch on forever. It is a long goodbye. Tangerine Dream is most known for their innovative sci-fi sound. I love the album artwork. Is it a footprint in the snow?
I hope you enjoy this playlist, please let me know your favorite song!
email me at emmaarceneaux0@gmail.com
