Meatloaf – ‘Bat Out Of Hell’

Would Halloween been complete without a bit of Meatloaf? Not in our opinion and he certainly knows how to deliver. Not only has Meatloaf inspired generations worth of costumes, but also this video is suitably creepy (as are haircuts). There’s something so distinctly sinister about the man driving the man driving the motorcycle through the graveyard cut with Meatloaf’s enthusiastic performance style. Eek.

Celine Dion – ‘It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’

Motorcycles feature again in this haunting powerballad. This song is definitely one of Celine’s best known, and with good reason. Massive hooks, pound pianos and varying tempos keep the song plodding along in typical 90s fashion.  But it’s the rather terrifying video that’s got us all goosepimply. While we’re sure it’s meant to be romantic, and maybe a little sad, there’s something rather terrifying about the ghost of her ex lover appearing and driving a motorcycle through her house. Not to mention the poltergeist activity that knocks poor Celine from her feet. Props for the costumes though – what outfits.

 Shakespears Sister – ‘Stay’         

This is another rather confusing video. Again, we’re sure it’s meant to be emotional, with singer Siobhan Fahey singing to her dead lover, but cast against the large full moon and the appearance of a rather confusing devilish woman, there doesn’t seem to be much to get upset about. This rather odd personification of death sits perfectly amongst the over the top production and pounding drum machines and is both freaky and equally enchanting.

Britney Spears – ‘Toxic’

We view this as Britney’s very own Halloween party – she’s got all outfits covered from the sexy stewardess to the minxy murderess. Not only that, but there’s something terrifying about the strings that play throughout the song, like an ominous warning to the men of the world. This video has also inspired many-a costume. Britney we salute you; this one of the most iconic songs  and videos of the last 15 years.

McFly – ‘Party Girl’

A few years ago, McFly had a bit of an image overhaul. Not only had they all hit the gym hard, but they’re sound was distinctly dirty and grown-up. Now they’re off killing it with McBusted, but there’s something to be said for ‘Party Girl’, a filthy, freaky song of deadly proportions. The video sees the band being picked off by hot vampires, while Harry gets his kit off and generally starts biting people. It’s hot and scary, like everyone hopes his or her Halloween is. We particularly like the bit where Danny shouts, “Dougie, don’t go into the woods!” – Amazing.

Sophie Ellis-Bexter – ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’

Right, we know what you’re thinking: Sophie Ellis-Bexter is NOT scary. However, in Sophie’s own words, let us prove you wrong. Like a lot of good pop songs, there’s an undertone to this track’s glittery sheen. Not only does the lyrical content sit somewhere between stalking and kidnapping (“If you think you’re getting away, I will prove you wrong.”), but there campy strings and beat house a lurking darkness. What’s more, Bexter offs all her competition in the video. Now, if only she’d done that during her time on Strictly as that would have been truly terrifying.

Lana Del Rey – ‘Blue Velvet’

Inspired by legendary director David Lynth, Del Rey’s interpretation of ‘Blue Velvet’, shot for an H&M advert, not only takes notes from the director, but houses some of his inherent darkness, playing with the surreal. There’s a sinister sadness sitting behind Del Rey’s delivery, and the accompanying video feels more like something out of American Horror Story than a fashion commercial.

Gwen Stefani – ‘What You Waiting For’

For some reason this video has always left us feeling nervous. The exposition has the feeling of an old horror story, with Gwen playing the bratty, unenthused heroine well. Just like all those fixes that are too good to be true, there’s an explosive reality to Gwen’s apparent fix to writers block: being transported to Wonderland. And, like Alice’s journey there, Gwen’s own is filled with a disturbing madness, the song’s booming insanity bouncing around wickedly. Also, what Halloween party would be complete without an Alice in Wonderland costume or 2? Let’s get the tea party ready; we’re going to be late…

Madonna – ‘Frozen’

Argueably one of her most important efforts, ‘Frozen’ pulled Madonna apart from her dance-pop routes into hauntingly effective experimentation. From the cold desert surrounding her, blue with almost apocalyptic intensity, to the ravens circling, there’s something unnerving about this video. Madonna’s black hair, pale skin and contortion like dancing are not only captivating, but hold a terror in them. Again, strings play ominously over the electronic production, Madonna’s light and intense vocals providing a hope amongst the darkness. Chilling stuff.

Mike Oldfield – ‘Tubular Bells’

Say what you want about The Exorcist, but that film, despite it’s now seemingly poor effects, has, at the heart of it, a chilling story of a woman’s fight against the loss of her child and the story of a man’s regret about his family. While the scenes with the devil seem absurd, they reveal a reality in the human condition, accentuating our fear of the unknown and unexplainable. Obviously Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ has become synonymous with the film, but like the work of Philip Glass, the terrifying use of repetition not only sends the song’s message home, but also finds a certain level of derangement. Both hauntingly powerful and scary, this is definitely one to keep those trick-or-treaters at bay.