11 Spooky Songs About Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Such | Playlist 🎧

11 Spooky Songs About Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Such features Ariana Grande, Eminem, Isaac Dunbar, Ray Parker Jr., and Whitechapel.  

Prepare to be spooked! Yes, that’s what the musical compendium, 🎧 11 Spooky Songs About Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Such entails. Well… sort of! The songs that appear on this monstrous list aren’t necessarily scary but are associated with darker things.  This playlist is perfect for October and Halloween but can also serve as a mildly spooky soundtrack to any day of the year whether there are 365 or 366 – don’t want to leave out those leap years! 

🎧 11 Spooky Songs About Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Such features music courtesy 🎙 Ariana Grande, 🎙 Eminem, 🎙 Isaac Dunbar, 🎙 Ray Parker Jr., and 🎙 Whitechapel among others.  As the featured list of artist shows, stylistically, 11 Spooky Songs About Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Such features pop, rap, alternative, R&B, and metal 🤘.  We love to keep these things eclectic here on The Musical Hype. So, get spooked with us and check out these 🎧 11 Spooky Songs About Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Such, won’t ya?

1. Ray Parker Jr., “Ghostbusters”

💿 Ghostbusters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 Arista • 🗓 1984

“If there’s something strange / In your neighborhood / Who you gonna call? / Ghostbusters!” 🎵 “Ghostbusters” is a record that really needs no introduction, period. This 🎙 Ray Parker Jr. joint is a surefire vibe – a classic years after its genesis in 1984.  The lyrics are silly – cheesy as albeit – but that’s part of the charm.  Furthermore, Parker Jr. sings well and sells the utter ridiculousness of being GHOSTBUSTERS.  Add brilliant production work, that screams 1980s aesthetic, and “Ghostbusters” is easily one of the greatest pop gems of all time.

“Ghostbusters” is by far the biggest hit that Ray Parker Jr. is known for.  Shocking to many is the fact that while it’s his sole no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, he experienced success prior to “Ghostbusters” – looking at you, 🎙 Raydio! Ultimately, “Ghostbusters” would be his sole gold single, while the 💿 Ghostbusters soundtrack was ultimately certified platinum.  Focusing a bit more energy on the record itself, it is the ample personality shown from start to finish is what really makes “Ghostbusters” excel.  There’s no way you don’t grin when you hear Parker Jr. proclaim, “I ain’t ‘fraid of no ghost” or the scandalous “Bustin’ makes me feel good,” which is likely to be misinterpreted by those of us with a dirty mind!  Even with other hits to his name, Ray Parker Jr. will forever be known for one song and one song only: 🎵 “Ghostbusters”.  Safe to say, he wrote, produced, and recorded a surefire classic. “Who you gonna call? / Ghostbusters!”

Appears in 🔻:

• Ray Parker Jr., “Ghostbusters”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 102 (2022)

2. The Cranberries, “Zombie”

💿 No Need to Argue • 🏷 UMG Recordings • 📅 1994

“In your head, in your head / Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie.” Ah, to this day, that’s a truly glorious, timeless chorus – one for the ages.  Of course, that zombie-driven chorus arrives courtesy of Irish alternative rock band 🎙 The Cranberries fronted by the late, great 🎙Delores O’Riordan. O’Riordan penned this classic from 💿 No Need to Argue about unrest between Ireland and England (“It’s the same old theme, since 1916”) and most specifically, a 1993 bombing by the Irish Republican Army that killed two English children (“Another head hangs lowly / Child is slowly taken”).

This beloved classic both references the conflict as well as seeking peace.  🎵 “Zombie” has been covered by numerous musicians including 🎙 Bad Wolves (💿 Disobey, 2018) and Miley Cyrus (💿 Plastic Hearts, 2020).

Appears in 🔻:

• Zombie: 3BOPS No. 7 (2021)
• An Alphabet of Random Songs

3. Shawn Mendes & Justin Bieber, “Monster”

💿 Wonder • 🏷 Island • 🗓 2020

It finally happened – a collaboration between two former teen heartthrobs.  That’s right! 🏆 Grammy-nominated Canadian pop artist 🎙 Shawn Mendes and 🏆 Grammy-winning Canadian pop artist 🎙 Justin Bieber joined forces on 🎵 “Monster”, which appears on Mendes’ fourth studio album, 💿 Wonder. Sleekly produced, 🎛 Frank Dukes, 🎛 Matthew Tavares, and 🎛 Kaan Gunesberk give Mendes and Bieber a sweet backdrop to work with.  There’s a soulfulness about this pop track, starting with the production.  Of course, with two skilled, soulful vocals, it’s reflected within the vocal performances.

Mendes kicks things off, impressing with his gorgeous, vulnerable pipes, singing about the ups and downs of fame and superstardom. Bieber takes a similar perspective in the second verse, mentioning the mistakes he’s made and adds on the bridge how hard it’s been to redeem himself. The centerpiece, the chorus, is quite powerful and emotional. Both artists marvelously, and both do a fine job capturing the plight of fame.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: November 2020

4. Ariana Grande, “Ghostin”

💿 thank u, next • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2019

“I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again / Over him / I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again / ‘Stead of ghostin’ him.” 🎵 “Ghostin” is arguably the most innovative record on 💿 thank u, next, DEFINITELY the best album by 🏆 Grammy-winning pop artist, 🎙 Ariana Grande.  Perhaps “Ghostin” isn’t a ‘game changer’ per se, but up to this point in her career, Grande certainly hasn’t released a ballad that sounds quite like this one.

Her vocals are hella smooth (expected), while the lyrics that she sings are beautiful and thoughtfully penned – “Every tear’s a rain parade from hell.” The longest record on thank u, next, it’s also among the crème de la crème if not the crowning achievement. 🎛 ILYA and 🎛 Max Martin outdo themselves on the production, which is radiant to the nth degree – awe-inspiring.

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 G Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason

5. Isaac Dunbar, “Banish the Banshee”

💿 Banish the Banshee • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2022

“It started at the ripe age of five years old / I cried to my mother but that went cold…” Hmm, interesing, 🎙 Isaac Dunbar… sounds a bit traumatic, too. “She looked just like Eve and berated my world /So I pulled an Adam, and I blamed that girl.” Woo! It’s biblical, right? So, there’s a blend of trauma and religion… Also, the young musician who deserves far more attention – a wunderkind – is gay.  The monstrous, penultimate number from his fourth EP (💿 Banish the Banshee), 🎵 “Banish the Banshee,” is self-described (per IG stories) as being about “growing up gay and Christian, bullying, feeling alien to others.” That is indeed spooky and hellish, and quite unfortunate that he had to experience such.

“I was a witch in a crowd of nuns

I stood out and they hated my light

They could banish the banshee.”

“Banish the Banshee” was originally intended to be the closing cut from Banish the Banshee.  Instead of being one lengthy, ambitious, theatrical cut, Dunbar follows with the shorter 🎵 “This is an Intermission”, the extended portion/outro.  A big takeaway beyond the theme of the record is that Dunbar exhibits his awesome talent.  There are older musicians who could never hope to deliver something as clever as “Banish the Banshee.”

6. Manchester Orchestra, “Dinosaur”

💿 The Million Masks of God • 🏷 Loma Vista • 📅 2021

🎵 “Dinosaur” stands out from 💿 The Million Masks of God, the sixth studio album by Georgia alternative rock collective, 🎙 Manchester Orchestra. On “Dinosaur,” the band begins rather enigmatic, opting for restraint and poise as opposed to full-blown, ‘hits your chest’ rock.  No worries though, because the record eventually reaches an epic fever pitch, with frontman 🎙 Andy Hull digging deep for his grittiest vocals of the album on the bridge (“Over and over”).

Besides the gargantuan bridge, the chorus is quite delightful, continuing the reflective, thought-provoking vibes of the other cuts that precede it on the album.  Notably, the chorus is reprised from another The Million Masks of God gem, 🎵 “Keel Timing”. According to an interview with Bernard Zuel, “Dinosaur” was written about Hull’s son.  “Dinosaur” is a terrific song from a truly terrific album.

Appears in 🔻:

• Dinosaur: 3BOPS No. 27 (2021)
• Awesome Songs: May 2021
• 11 Songs Loosely About Carnivorous Animals
• 40 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far)

7. Joshua Bassett, “Doppelgänger”

🎵 “Doppelgänger” • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 2022

“I guess I’m not as over you as I thought that I was / I saw someone who looked like you at our favorite coffee shop.” Ah, such a relatable lyric, 🎙 Joshua Bassett.  The actor/pop singer/songwriter continues to bring plenty of talent to the table on 🎵 “Doppelgänger”, which should speak volumes to many who have broken up with someone in some form or fashion and find themselves continuing to long for them.

Bassett never utters the word doppelgänger in the song! Sometimes that’s a bummer but I find it neat that he simply references it by seeing someone who looks like his past lover.  As excerpted above, the chorus is the centerpiece, continuing with Bassett’s sadness: “And part of me was hoping we would get the chance to talk / I guess I’m not as over you as I thought.” The verses support missing this person and still longing for that unlikely reunion.  Nonetheless, all of us has someone in our past that we’re going through the same feels as Bassett, triggered even more if we encounter that doppelgänger. Beyond theme and lyrics, Bassett sings well – I love the sweetness and vulnerability of his instrument.  Furthermore, the music and the production are perfect for such a personal record – kudos!

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: March 2022
  

8. Eminem, “Godzilla”  (Ft. Juice WRLD)

💿 Music to Be Murdered By • 🏷 Shady / Aftermath / Interscope • 📅 2020

“Godzilla, fire spitter, monster / Blood on the dance floor, and on the Louis V carpet.” Woo!  🎵 “Godzilla,” a highlight from 💿 Music to Be Murdered By, is a prime example of 🎙 Eminem looking at rap with a more modern lens.  Notably, the highly decorated, 🏆 award-winning rapper enlists the late 🎙 Juice WRLD for the assist (posthumously). Juice WRLD drops the chorus in this unexpected collaboration (“Monster / You get in my way, I’ma feed you to the monster (Yeah) / I’m normal during the day, but at night, turn to a monster (Yeah)”). Eminem, meanwhile, handles the monstrous rhymes that take place in the verses.

Notably, the third verse of “Godzilla” is speed rap at its speediest – an understatement.  If we get nothing else out of it, Eminem still has an unbelievably, agile flow.  In his monstrous rhymes, Eminem isn’t exactly angelic: “I’m on point like my index is, so all you will ever get is / The motherfuckin’ finger, prostrate exam.” Of course, the beloved controversial rapper doesn’t stop there, saying all sorts of eyebrow-raising things. We expect no less from him!

9. Dominic Fike, “Vampire”

💿 What Could Possibly Go Wrong • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2020

“I only showed up to tell you / Everyone at this party’s a vampire / This ain’t red wine.” Woo! Thanks for informing us, 🎙 Dominic Fike, and please, don’t stop there! “We’re all food for the bloodsuckers / Movin’ up under the moonlight / Like the vampires.” Now that’s some spooky S-H-I-† right there! This vampirical song, 🎵 “Vampire,” graces Fike’s 2020 album, 💿 What Could Possibly Go Wrong. Well, to answer the burning question that is the album’s title, VAMPIRES, obviously!

Obviously, given the party scene of “Vampire,” he’s not referencing legit vampires from horror comics, films, or novels. However, he is referencing powerful, hellish beings who have bad influence and poor intentions.  In the first verse, he asserts, “Baby, be careful inside where you step / Can you feel the weight of their eyes on your neck?” He’s prudent in the moment given that vampires tend to go for the neck when they suck blood! Also, he drops a pretty sick line when he states, “And when the clock strikes twelve at night / You be doin’ hella white.” True! Of course, where the vampires truly have influence involves the bedroom because “They can tell your mind is a mess / Take someone you don’t even like to your bed.” For sure, Dom, for sure.  Furthermore, “The party vanished… Your best friends weren’t even there / And then the whole time, you realized you don’t even care… bed of white lies…” You get what Dominic is getting at. Damned vampires! Quite an entertaining song, though.

10. Bad Religion, “Big Black Dog”

💿 Age of Unreason • 🏷 Epitaph • 📅 2019

“The father daughter devil and son / They deal in art / The art of deal / They sing Sieg Heil(s) in aisles of high heels.” Wow, that’s pretty scathing, right? In 2019, veteran punk-rock band 🎙 Bad Religion returned with a new studio album, 💿 Age of Unreason. The band has always been politically and socially ‘woke’ you might say.  Of the album, guitarist/songwriter 🎙 Brett Gurewitz tweeted, “AoU [Age of Unreason] is mainly about defending enlightenment values.” Very, very interesting.  Of the song at hand, 🎵 “Big Black Dog,” Gurewitz went on to explain, “The ‘black dog’ of the song is a metaphor for counter-enlightenment ideas or what, in another song, I called the ‘en-darkenment.’” That’s deep!

“Big cyber-weapon, little traitor in chief

He’s got a big black dog on a leash.”

Clearly, Bad Religion aren’t fans of President Donald Trump (understatement), hatred, or racism.  They characterize him as a bully, and criticize a lack of empathy, particularly for the less fortunate.  Some other notable happenings on “Big Black Dog” include an awesome guitar solo and the key outgoing lyric, “I’ll be right here when I disappear.” For just a little over two minutes in duration, Bad Religion does big things.

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Incredibly Intriguing, Totally Black Songs
• 11 Songs Where the Dogs Are Out!

11. Whitechapel, “When a Demon Defiles a Witch”

💿 The Valley • 🏷 Metal Blade • 📅 2019

“The demons dance by the fireside / But tonight they migrate to my bedside.” Woo!  🎵 “When a Demon Defiles a Witch”. Damn, that’s a disturbing song title to say the least 😱! “When a Demon Defiles a Witch” arrives as the opener on 💿 The Valley, the 2019 album by Tennessee metal collective, 🎙 Whitechapel.  Fittingly, this witchy song is set in a minor key.  Also, portions of the song feature aggressive, unclean vocals, intense, jagged guitars, and wild lyrics 😈.

“There’s nowhere left to run

There’s nowhere left for me to be

Without you by my side.”

For some context, the visions captured lyrically on “When a Demon Defiles a Witch” came from singer 🎙 Phil Bozeman’s mom.  His mom had mental issues, hence why such a vision is incredibly outlandish.  Per Kerrang, guitarist 🎙 Ben Savage states, “Phil’s mom would see a demon outside or by her fireside, and she knew that if she saw it there, then it would be by her bedside that night.” Wow! Truly, “What has the world come to when a demon defiles a witch?”

Appears in 🔻:

• Whitechapel, “When a Demon Defiles a Witch”: Outlandish Rock 🎸🤘 6
• Witch: 5ive Songs No. 89 (2021)

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