The Forbidden Karaoke Songs You Should Never Sing on Halloween
Welcome to the Haunted Mic
Halloween karaoke. It’s the stuff of legends. One minute you’re nailing “Monster Mash” and the next, someone’s doing “My Heart Will Go On” in a Scream mask and suddenly it’s all gone a bit awkward.
Let’s face it, karaoke on Halloween is not like karaoke on any other night. It’s got more drama, more costumes, and far more people pretending they can hit those Mariah notes in a Dracula cape. The stakes are higher. The cringe potential is real.
So we’ve created the ultimate list of songs you should absolutely not sing on Halloween night. Because yes, you can sing “Angels” in full zombie makeup, but should you? That’s the question.
Before we dive into the karaoke disasters, let’s lay the foundations…
What Makes a Karaoke Song… Cursed?
Not every song is built for Halloween karaoke. Some are cursed because they’re too slow. Others because they summon the wrong kind of ghost (i.e. the ghost of exes past). And then there are the ones that just kill the vibe quicker than a soggy pumpkin.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Mood Murderers: Slow ballads that turn a party into a wake.
- Length Offenders: Anything that drags on longer than a horror movie sequel.
- High Note Horrors: Songs that only vocal acrobats should attempt, unless you're purposely summoning banshees.
- The ‘Why Tho?’ Choices: Songs that make everyone stop and say, “Out of everything, you picked this?”
If you spot these traits, put the mic down. Step away. Save yourself.
So... When Is Halloween, Anyway?
Just in case you’re one of those people who googles it every year (don’t worry, we’ve all done it), Halloween falls on 31st October. That means costumes, sweets, and karaoke chaos all wrapped into one spooky night of fun.
But don’t leave it till 5pm on the 31st to panic-buy a witch hat and pick your playlist. Whether you’re planning a karaoke night with mates, heading to Tenpin in your finest cobweb-covered outfit, or just hosting in your living room with a mic and a fog machine, you need to prep early.
Fun fact: Halloween has roots in ancient Celtic traditions. But we like to think they’d be cool with us swapping the bonfires for Beyoncé in a skeleton onesie.
A (Very) Brief History of Halloween
Long before we were singing Spice Girls in vampire fangs, Halloween had a much spookier backstory. It all started over 2,000 years ago with a Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced sow-in… like cow-in). This was the night when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead got a little… wobbly.
- The Celts: Lit bonfires, wore animal skins, and tried not to be haunted.
- The Romans: Came along, added some harvest festivals, and possibly the first apple bobbing session.
- The Church: Eventually turned it into All Hallows’ Eve, which later became the Halloween we know and love.
Fast forward to now, and we’ve replaced ghost-scaring rituals with group karaoke, fake blood, and that one mate who always dresses as a sexy skeleton. The spirits may still be watching… but they’re definitely confused.
Another, fun fact: Halloween is the second-biggest commercial holiday in the UK after Christmas. That’s a lot of Haribo and questionable costumes.
The Vibe-Killers: Songs That Make Spirits Yawn
Let’s start with the worst offenders. These are the tracks that don’t just dampen the mood, they soak it, wring it out, and hang it up to dry.
“My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
Beautiful? Yes. Spooky? No. Titanic already sank, no need to bring the party down with it.
“Someone Like You” – Adele
Adele’s voice? Iconic. Your mate sobbing into their vampire cloak while singing about heartbreak? Not ideal.
“Fix You” – Coldplay
Nothing screams Halloween like emotional trauma… said no one ever.
“Chasing Cars” – Snow Patrol
A nap in song form. And we’re trying to party.
Save these for a rainy Tuesday in November when you're feeling introspective, not for when you’re surrounded by witches and werewolves.
Songs That Are Just... Too Much
Some songs come in hot, and never let up. They demand attention, they beg for key changes, and they leave you breathless by verse two. Halloween karaoke isn’t a West End audition, calm down.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
Do not attempt this in a werewolf mask. It’s six minutes long and nobody knows all the words past the opera bit.
“Wuthering Heights” – Kate Bush
Creepy? Yes. Impossible? Also yes. Only do this if you're actually possessed.
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler
Iconic. Melodramatic. Best saved for dramatic break-ups, not bat-themed bar nights.
“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
Unless you're Whitney reincarnated in a pumpkin suit, please don’t. It ends with regret and shattered vocal cords.
Songs That Seem Spooky… But Miss the Mark
These are the fake-out Halloween tunes. The ones with titles that sound eerie but just leave people confused.
“Thriller” – Michael Jackson
Yes, it’s iconic. But unless you know every move of the dance, it becomes a five-minute panic attack.
“Ghost” – Ella Henderson
She says she’s haunted, but the beat is too happy. Where’s the doom?
“Monster” – Kanye West
It’s got the title, but nothing else about this fits the party vibe. Also, maybe don’t invite a rap battle when people came for Britney.
The Overdone Offenders
These are the “Halloween Classics” that get butchered more than a low budget movie victim.
“Monster Mash” – Bobby Pickett
Fun? Sure. But it’s been done to death. Unless you’ve got a killer impression, leave it in the crypt.
“Time Warp” – Rocky Horror Picture Show
It’s all fun and games until someone forgets the steps. Every. Single. Time.
“This is Halloween” – Nightmare Before Christmas
Unless you're dressed as Jack Skellington and have rehearsed for weeks, this will end in chaos.
What to Sing Instead
Okay, so we’ve ripped apart your Halloween playlist. But we’re not monsters (well, not all of us). Here are some bangers that hit just right:
“Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell
Paranoia meets party vibes.
“Highway to Hell” – AC/DC
Loud, fun, and devil-approved.
“Disturbia” – Rihanna
Creepy but catchy, ideal.
“Bury a Friend” – Billie Eilish
Modern spooky. Plus, whisper-singing is on-brand.
“Bad Guy” – Billie Eilish
You get to say “Duh” in the middle. It’s the little things.
Bonus Section: Themed Karaoke Night Ideas
Why not turn your Halloween karaoke into a full event? Here are some creative themes:
Zombie Pop Stars
Everyone dresses as undead versions of their favourite singers. Zombie Cher? Yes, please.
Witches Who Rock
A night dedicated to the Stevie Nickses and Florence Welches of the world. Floaty dresses encouraged.
Vampire Love Ballads
Only love songs that sound like they were written by creatures of the night. Dramatic eyeliner a must.
One Last Thing… Tenpin’s Got Your Back
If you’re planning a Halloween night out that includes karaoke, laser tag, bowling, escape rooms, or just a round of creepy cocktails, Tenpin’s got you sorted. It’s basically the HQ of Halloween fun.
🎤 awesome karaoke rooms? Check.
🎳 Bowling for those post-song celebrations? Yes.
🔫 Laser tag if your rendition of “Disturbia” starts a turf war? Absolutely.
Find your nearest and start planning your spooky singalong. Just… maybe skip the Celine.