Boogie (Man) Down The Top Ten Halloween Songs: Rob Zombie, The Misfits, Five Finger Death Punch

Hello, Boys and Ghouls. The best holiday of the year is quickly approaching and it's time for us to celebrate with some appropriate music. NO, I'm not talking about Columbus Day. We're here to discuss the day when all mischief and mayhem run free- when kids get candy, adults get to play dress up and everyone gets in the mood for a scary movie. That's right: this is Halloween! With that in mind, here are the Top Ten Songs for your Halloween playlist.

The Misfits — "Halloween"

I know- I'm really going out on a limb by picking a song called "Halloween" for our Halloween playlist, right? What can I say? Something about this song reminds me of Halloween. Glenn Danzig, the horror-punk godfather, is really a guy who generally embodies this holiday. Any Danzig works well for a Halloween playlist as well. Check out some of the lyrics to this tune: "This day anything goes/ Burning bodies hanging from poles/ I remember Halloween!" Umm… I don't know how you celebrate Halloween, but to each his own!

Rob Zombie/ White Zombie — "Dragula" & "I'm Your Boogie Man"

This is a two-for-one selection- the Happy Hour price for Halloween playlists! Since Rob Zombie and his former band, White Zombie, have had so many horror-ific songs, I figured we’d have to fit two in there. Speaking of two-for-one: Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper are currently on the road together, calling the tour "Halloween Hootenanny." Mr. Zombie has always played the cool, retro-horror card to his advantage. "Dragula" is a new horror classic, and White Zombie's cover of "I'm Your Boogeyman" gives a perfect Halloween vibe to the 1970's disco dance track by KC & The Sunshine Band. It's the perfect track to have some "spirits" too and "booo"-gie! I apologize to everyone for the cheesy Halloween puns- there are more to come.

Oingo Boingo — "Dead Man's Party"

After "The Monster Mash," this classic of the macabre might be the most quintessential Halloween track there is. Danny Elfman, the front man to Oingo Boingo who graduated to scoring many of Tim Burton’s classic films, has become synonymous with this holiday. What Bing Crosby is to Christmas music, Elfman is to Halloween music. Maybe he'll host a Halloween Special soon! Better yet- maybe he’ll invite me to his Halloween party.

Bauhaus — "Bela Lugosi's Dead"

This haunting, ethereal track is certainly not an upper. It's creepy and brooding, and perfect background music to your Halloween party. Bauhaus, the English rock group that formed in 1978, are often credited as the first goth-band. In other news, Bela Lugosi died in 1956 from a heart attack at the age of 73. So, this song by Bauhaus is indeed true.

Foo Fighters — "In Hell"

This is a stomper and a true Barn Burner- get it? "We'll gather round the fire/ and I will lead the choir… See you in hell." It's a rather esoteric Foo Fighters song from their 2005 album, In Your Honor, clocking in at less than two minutes. Short and not-so-sweet- after all, Dave Grohl is screaming that he’ll see us in hell. It may not be the nicest place to meet up, but you at least get Earth visitation rights on Halloween, right? Is that how hell works? I haven't read the handbook…

Alice Cooper — "Feed My Frankenstein"

You wouldn't expect a guy named Alice to be a Halloween rock legend, would you? Well, believe it! Alice Cooper and his Franken-jam are perfect any time of year, but they are especially appropriate on this Day for the Dead. Perhaps the most scary part of Alice Cooper? He’s a Republican who regularly plays golf. Aaaaagghhhhhhh!

Alkaline Trio — "Donner Party"

Alkaline Trio is a great punk band, obviously influenced by the gothic underground sounds of the early eighties. They're great at turning puns; some of their past album titles include From Here to Infirmary and Good Mourning. The "Trio" also certainly has a talent for hyperbole. "It was you that we were thinking of as we quietly died in the snow," Matt Skiba wails on this morose mosher. Lighten up, it's only a Halloween playlist!

Michael Jackson — "Thriller"

The King of Pop's classic hit is also probably Halloween's best to "boogey" to. The video was seminal- with Michael and his friends turning into a dancing zombie troupe. Vincent Price’s narration adds the perfect touch of terror. Now answer me this- if you saw a bunch of dancing zombies, how would you react? Would you be freaked out or join them on the graveyard-turned-dance floor?

Avenged Sevenfold — "Bat Country"

A7X bring the Guns n' Roses vibe back with a dark, gothic twist. This, their breakthrough single, has the monstrous, evil riffs, complete with sinister laughter in the background. The guitar licks howl like a full-on, full moon werewolf- it makes devils put their devil's horns in the air.

Five Finger Death Punch — "Meet The Monster"

This is an ominous and infectious track from one of metal’s biggest new bands, Five Finger Death Punch. Creepy and delicious guitar riffs drive this "monster" of a track, as front man Ivan Moody growls, "It's time you met the monster that you have helped create!" Nice to meet you! By the way- have you seen "The Most Interesting Knucklehead in the World," 5FDP's parody clip that debuted right here on ARTISTdirect? Now, that's a mask I want for Halloween!

Now you are officially ready to go bump in the night with some scary-good music. It's the perfect mix of monster mash-ups and terrorizing tracks for your spirited Halloween get-together, so be sure to get your candy and your "freak" on all (R)Oc(k)tober. Happy Haunting!

What's your favorite Halloween song?