JESSICA MEDITZ
Asst. Life & Arts Editor
Leaves of assorted colors are falling. You can’t get away with forgetting your jacket at home anymore. Everyone around you seems to have a new significant other now.
That’s how you know fall, (or “spooky season” as Twitter calls it) has arrived.
Now that fall has come, so have the festivities, the costumes, the movies and the candy.
But what about music?
There’s so much music that sounds just a little bit better while the air is getting cooler, and no, I’m not going to say “Thriller” or “Monster Mash.”
Here are my top five picks right now for best fall inspired songs.
5. “She Wolf” by Shakira
Straying away from her better known Latin-influenced sound, Colombian singer Shakira dropped her album “She Wolf” in 2009. Its title track is extremely poppy and has such an addictive beat. Toward the end, we’re surprised with an intricate violin solo. Throughout the song, there are some howling sound effects, which are reminiscent of a favorite Halloween monster for many: werewolves. Its overall vibe screams girl power and positivity, so it’s the perfect jam to dance with your gals on that spook-takular night. I’d forgotten about this song for a while until a friend reminded me of it again recently. And if that’s the case for you right now, you’re welcome.
4. “we fell in love in october” by girl in red
The all song title and lowercase stage name says it all. This chick is an indie star who is simultaneously whimsy and melancholy. With the recent rise of the subgenre “bedroom pop,” several aspiring musicians were put on the map. This included Norwegian singer, Marie Ulven, who goes by the stage name girl in red. She is openly a member of the LGBT+ community, and has said in past interviews that her female exes have often been inspiration for her songs. “we fell in love in october” is one of those, and is currently one of her top-streamed tracks on streaming platforms. The lo-fi track has a lot of autumn-inspired imagery that can inspire your next poem. But more importantly, it gives Ulver’s younger fans who might also identify as LGBT+, a platform and inspiration.
3. “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” by Bauhaus
If you want to come off as a little old school, be sure to add some Bauhaus to your mix. Often dubbed as one of the first goth rock groups, Bauhaus is the musical version of how foggy 1970’s horror films are superior to the CGI-infested ones today. Their first single, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” was released in 1979, around the same time as the rise in popularity of other gothic bands such as Joy Division and The Cure (also great recommendations). The genre and this song in particular are unique in comparison to modern-day copycats because of their experimental use of percussion and other eerie sound effects. “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” (which is named after the actor who played Dracula), is the perfect compilation of spine-chilling sounds and almost raunchy, yet sophisticated-sounding lyrics. It just surpasses the “Free Bird” standard, pushing almost 10 minutes long. But when you’re listening to it in your room on a windy fall night, it doesn’t even feel that way.
2. “Sleepyhead” by Passion Pit
Although this song isn’t about fall or Halloween per se, the slightly creepy feel is there. This song by alternative group, Passion Pit, features an unnatural, high-pitched voice and foot-tapping beat to go along with it. It’s quite open to interpretation as the lyrics can be hard to comprehend at times. However, it’s title, “Sleepyhead,” reoccurs throughout the track. Some have interpreted this song to be about someone being dead and disguised as asleep, or about a young child having a nightmare. Either way, this song originates the concept of being completely unsettling, yet exceptional.
1. “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell ft. Michael & Jermaine Jackson
Alright, I said I wouldn’t tell you “Thriller.” But come on, Michael Jackson had to be in here somewhere. Not only is he the king of pop, but he’s the king of Halloween music. This groovy song, grouped into the genre of synth funk is all about feeling like there’s always eyes on you, even when you’re expecting privacy. Doesn’t get much spookier than that. There is no time that the bone-chilling visual of being afraid to wash your hair due to the fear someone is standing there doesn’t get to me. Not only is this song the creepiest in the best way, it’s impossible to not want to at least tap your foot to. It’s the perfect song to listen to if you want to have fun with your friends. At just three seconds in, it will be revealed who has the best moves in your friend group, just you wait.