Halloween music is a music genre defined by themes of horror and popularity in association with the holiday of Halloween.

Definition

Halloween music is vaguely-defined and ambiguous, but is most commonly considered to include any song that increases in popularity seasonally around two weeks before Halloween.[2] These songs typically include themes of the supernatural, fright, and folklore, and may be intended to arouse fear in listeners.[3] Halloween music has also been associated with goth music.[4]

History

Halloween music's precursor is blues music, which was nicknamed "the devil's music" by detractors. The genre featured secular, and often sexual, lyrics, as well as themes relating to racial oppression. For these reasons, detractors associated it with unholiness. Blues music is defined in part by the blues scale, which can be used to create dissonant and "spooky" sounds. Blues music influenced Halloween songs such as "I Put a Spell on You".[3]

In the 1950s and 1960s, various doo-wop groups, groups influenced by blues music, began to release novelty Halloween-themed songs. "Monster Mash" is an example of such a novelty doo-wop Halloween song. Despite its Halloween themes, doo-wop Halloween music from this era is largely indistinguishable from non-Halloween themed doo-wop music in terms of musical characteristics.[3]

Following the 1960s, Halloween music began to split into various other genres aside from the blues and doo-wop. Classic and hard rock music also included sinister themes, and as such have been associated with Halloween. Songs such as "Highway to Hell" and "Sympathy for the Devil" feature blues notes and blues-inspired chord progressions.[3]

In the 1970s and 1980s, horror films grew in popularity, and horror film soundtracks also began to be associated with the holiday. The soundtracks of The Exorcist, The Shining, and Halloween are all considered Halloween music.[3]

Musical techniques

Halloween music, while diverse, often features certain musical techniques used to unnerve listeners. Techniques used include dissonance between notes and the use of tritones,[3] as well as irregular time signatures.[5] Ostinato is used to create suspense in Halloween music, with a famous example being the repeated notes in the theme song of Jaws.[3] Halloween music often features certain instruments as well, such as the theremin and ondes Martenot, which were both in part popularized by horror film soundtracks.[3]

Popularity

Halloween music in the United States increases in popularity around two weeks before October 31, at which point there is a spike in the amount of Halloween music listened to on services such as Spotify.[2][6] Halloween music is most popular in the American state of Utah, and the largest demographic of people that listens to Halloween music is white women in their 30s and 40s.[2][6] The most popular Halloween song in the United States is "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.[6]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Halloween songs.

References

  1. ↑ "What Makes the Famous Bach Organ Piece Toccata and Fugue So Spooky? | How To Classical". WQXR. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  2. 1 2 3 Gabler, Jay (2018-10-25). "Music News: Who listens to Halloween music?". The Current. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cowie, Colleen (2018-10-31). "What is Halloween music – and why does it scare us?". The Current. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  4. ↑ Asimopoulos, Maria (2020-10-30). "What Makes Halloween Music Such An Exclusive Genre?". The Daily Fandom. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  5. ↑ "'Halloween' Theme: What Makes the Music so Scary?". Berklee Online Take Note. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  6. 1 2 3 Bromwich, Jonah (October 25, 2018). "Who Actually Listens to Halloween Music?". The New York Times.
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