While it’s certainly tempting to soundtrack your Halloween with cheesy songs about skeletons and zombies, we at The Hullabaloo want to recognize a different side of the spookiest time of the year. We have compiled a playlist that captures every aspect of the 31st, from classic rock to underground rap. The playlist may cover a lot of genres, but, when combined, its essence is pure, boiled-down Halloween.

Season of the Witch – Donovan

Spooky Factor: October is, inarguably, the Season of the Witch. It’s a mysterious time that needs a mysterious song – no one quite knows what Season of the Witch means. Donovan might be singing about his experience with mental illness or commenting on social changes in the 1960s. The meaning is unclear, but the song sounds like dead trees and cold air. It’s the perfect song for biking through Audubon Park when it’s especially cloudy.

Bring Me to Life – Evanescence

Spooky Factor: If the heavy guitars and piercing piano aren’t frightening enough, this classic from Evanescence is truly spooky for the memories of middle school it recalls. After all, everyone remembers the three-month-long period when they wore exclusively black and listened to this song, right? Forget scary movies — that Hot Topic-obsessed semester is enough to keep us up at night.

Dracula’s Wedding – OutKast

Spooky Factor: It’s unclear if OutKast is singing metaphorically about how marriage lasts forever, or if the song is actually about vampires. But in the dark alternate universe where Andre 3000 is the ultimate overlord, he mentions how he’s “been around for ages,” suggesting he’s at the very least immortal. Now that’s disturbing.

Haunted House – Lee Oskar

Spooky Factor: This track feels like taking a ride on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World. The ghosts inside might not have truly malevolent desires, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to make you quake in your seat. Plus, this song is a great backdrop for ghost hunting around the swamp.