No full moon is quite as titillating as a full moon in October. Its bright glow illuminates all the ghosts and goblins roaming the night – and it entices even the shyest of werewolves to join the autumnal festivities. This Howl at the Moon Playlist is my love letter to this October moon – and the perfect way to add some spooky spirit to any full moon throughout the year!
Werewolves are my favorite monsters. They represent duality of the soul – calm and collected by day and a wild release by the light of the moon. Give me the passion of a wolf over the calm and brooding demeanor of a vampire any day!
Ever since high school I have had quite the collection of wolf-related songs. My senior year I directed my high school’s fall play, The Werewolf’s Curse – or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow. It told the tale of Harry Pate, an American student in Romania who is bitten by a werewolf cub. During the full moon, Harry sprouts hair and craves rare roast beef, much to the dismay of his vegetarian fiancée. So it’s off to Dr. Frank Einstein’s castle to consult Madam Clara Voyant, where the doctor decides to make Harry a full fledged werewolf. To set the mood before the show and to use during bows, I created a curated soundtrack using only songs featuring lycanthrope lyrics.
This Howl at the Moon playlist is an updated version with some new music to delight more modern audiences.
Let’s get this playlist started with a dark and edgy cover of the classic Creedence Clearwater Revival song. While the original has a fun and upbeat style, this version has a more goth edge. Singer Peter Dreimanis (of the band July Talk) lends a gritty, almost growling vocal tone to the piece. He sounds like quite a proper werewolf!
Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.
Gein and the Graverobbers’ Songs in the Key of Evil was my first experience with modern horror surfer rock, having picked up the CD at a record store solely based on the cover and band name. Their songs from this album all feature audio or riffs from classic horror movies and television. Wolfsbane features audio from 1941’s Universal Monster classic, The Wolf Man. Poor Larry Talbot could not escape the curse of the werewolf – might we meet a similar fate?
As mentioned earlier. Werewolves embody unbridled passion. I was a Teenage Werewolf by The Cramps captures that sexy desire through pulsing drums, a sharp electric guitar riff, and howling vocals. One can’t help but to feel empowered by this classic punk rock anthem. It is my go-to song when I want to feel sexy and confident.
Wolves are not just horror icons, they are also featured in some of the earliest fairy tales. Oh Land’s Wolf & I embodies this fantastic side of wolf tales with the fairy-tale like lyrics and melody. The catchy refrain will stick in your head long after the moon disappears beyond the horizon.
Continuing a sultry vibe is Wolves on Parade by Mr. Moonshine. The lyrics invoke a feeling of a tortured soul:
“I need you to leave,
I want you to stay,
I won’t chase you,
Anymore, anymore, anymore”
Let’s also take a moment to appreciate the fantastic music video by artist Michelle Prebich. Her red robed plague doctors, wolves, and ravens are beautiful horror figures and the forest background is a haunting setting. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop, Bat in Your Belfry, to purchase a print or two for your horror art collection.
Ice Nine Kills takes inspiration from horror classics for the lyrics to their rock songs. Love Bites is their love letter to An American Werewolf in London. This is a touching duet for horror-loving lovers. Sing along and howl at the moon.
My Honey-bunny has been my own personal werewolf ever since he starred in my high school play (The Werewolf’s Curse – Or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow). Therefore, I let him pick one song on this Howl at the Moon Playlist. Wolves & Werewolves is his contribution. He likes this Canadian garage rock duo’s blend of rock and blues.
This silly Halloween classic was based on an old horror movie of the same name. Phil Everly (of the Everly Brothers) joked with Warren Zevon that they should adapt the title into a song & dance craze. Zevon, Everly, and Waddy Wachtel wrote the lyrics in about 15 minutes and didn’t take the song very seriously. After a few other musicians heard the song and played it live for their own concerts, Zevon finally recorded his own version – which went on to be a top 40 hit for over a month and lives on via Halloween playlists to this day!
Never one for subtlety and an affinity for literal translations, there was no better song for the curtain call of my fall play than Clap for the Wolfman.
This song is an homage to on-air radio disc-jockey Wolfman Jack, who can be heard several times on this classic hit.
Finishing out this trio of classic wolf-themed songs, is Hungry Like the Wolf. You’ll be dancing in the moonlight to this 1980’s hit. The bridge is the perfect soundtrack to a werewolf transformation. The heavy breathing and building background music can easily make one image the full moon appearing from behind the clouds and a cursed soul turning from man into musical monster.
Me or you, one of us is going to need to die
Me and Mr. Wolf showcases The Real Tuesday Weld’s signature jazzy and upbeat style. Mr. Wolf seems to have met his match in this swinging duet.
This is another fantastic animated music video. Artist George Fort’s animated noir masterpiece takes inspiration Fleischer Studios cartoons (such as Betty Boop, Popeye, etc.).
Although the original Li’l Red Riding Hood by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs is a classic, I enjoy this modern take. I first heard it on the surprisingly awesome Cursed soundtrack. Wag your tails and howl along with this rockin’ hit!
Full Moon Tonight serves as a fitting finale to our full moon-themed playlist. It celebrates not only werewolves but all the ghosts, goblins, and creatures of the night that revel in the full moon’s glow. Keep this energy and playful spirit with you the entire night!
As with any good horror movie, there is always one last post-credits scene, so here is one bonus song for our playlist. This rare Elvira track was my favorite song growing up (although I didn’t fully understand the lyrics until I was nearly a teenager). Elvira schools us on the roots of the word moon and all the lunar hazards one may face as the full moon rises in the night sky – all with her iconic brand of sexy humor:
“Could it be the story of.. oh! Or just my time of the month? I don’t know!”
And with that, it is really time to say “pleasant nightmares” boys and ghouls.
Did you like it? What is on your full moon soundtrack? Let me know on Instagram and Twitter @EmilyIsHorror
Want more terrifying tunes for keep your spooky groove going? Check out more music and playlists here.
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