Categories
Music

Valentine’s Day 2021 Playlist

Valentine’s Day 2021 Playlist

While most people celebrate Valentine’s Day with rom-coms and pink hearts, those of us with an affinity for horror & Halloween do things a little different. Instead of Jack and Rose, we prefer Jack and Sally – and the power couple of Gomez & Morticia can’t be beat. Thus, I dedicate this “Love at First Bite” Valentine’s Day 2021 Playlist to all you horror & Halloween lovers out there.

The Song List

When my Honey-Bunny and I started dating, he was not into horror or Halloween. I made sure all that changed rather quickly! Now he has learned that the way to my heart is not with flowers or jewelry, but with pumpkin & skull-shaped baking supplies, horror DVDs, and jack-o-lanterns. He loves music, so I decided to put together this Valentine’s Day 2021 Playlist so we can have mood music while we eat our homemade Valentine’s Day dinner. I hope you all enjoy it as well!

Valentine's Day 2021 Playlist Song Explanations

“Just Like a Ghost, You’ve Been Haunting My Dreams”

Spooky is the classic Halloween/horror love song. I would be remiss if I left it off this Valentine’s Day playlist. The jazzy tone is a perfect way to start the evening – the cool of the evening, when everything is getting kind of groovy.

I first heard this song on a goth compilation cd from a record store when I was in Jr. High and fell in love with it immediately. From the opening piano to the stunning vocals, this song is amazing. The clever lyrics are a fun blend of macabre imagery and a love song.

There is no one I’d rather spend an evil night together with than my Honey-Bunny!

There are a plethora of versions of I Put a Spell on You. The most notable are the original version from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Bette Midler’s Hocus Pocus rendition, but for those who want something just a little different, this version by Sylvia Black is a nice change of pace. Black has an alluring voice and the musical accompaniment is slow and jazzy.

Now that we’ve set the mood with three jazzy songs, it is time to pick up the pace. Ice Nine Kills takes inspiration from horror film classics for their songs. With Love Bites the inspiration was An American Werewolf in London. So howl at the moon with your lover while listening to this rocking duet.

Sometimes you just have to be silly. I can’t help but smile when I hear this song from the Disney Channel hit, Zombies. In a reimagining of the classic Romeo & Juliet story, Zombies chronicles the ill-fated love between a cheerleader and a zombie. Someday is the first love song duet and its horror icon imagery makes it a cute Valentine’s song for us horror lovers. What could go so wrong with a girl and a zombie?

“Frankenstein and Dracula have nothing on you. Jekyll and Hyde join the back of the queue”

Every once in a while, you need to remind your significant other who wears the pants in the relationship. Female of the Species is my subtle way of reminding my Honey-Bunny that I am the one running things around here!

As every relationship is a melding of two people, so is this list. My Honey-Bunny had a few recommendations for spooky-adjacent love songs he enjoys. This delightfully devilish song showcases Cake’s fun alt rock sound. He also appreciates the message that although all this lovey-dovey stuff is attractive to the fairer sex, there is an alternative motive as well.

This is my Honey-Bunny’s second suggestion. It is a little gruff for my tastes, but it does fit the horror/Halloween theme. Compromise is certainly important in a relationship! This is a fun, upbeat tune – so grab your partner and shake them bones!

Love can drive you crazy, especially when you are in a relationship with a monster – or someone who is obsessed with horror & Halloween. This is another high-energy tune to have fun with!

This is another cover song, with Sam the Sham and the Pharaoh’s recording the original version. I like the more modern twist. My Honey-Bunny and I first encountered this song from the film Cursed back when we were in high school (we had a date night at the movies). Therefore, this song as a personal connection to us as well as fitting with the Valentine’s horror theme.

I remember enjoying the rest of the soundtrack as well – I should check it out again soon.

I mentioned it at the start of this article, and I will reiterate it here: Gomez & Morticia Addams are the power couple of the horror & Halloween world. Haunted Heart was the featured song in the new animated Addams Family film, and the passionate, jazzy tune embodied their ghoulish romance.

“It takes the Batman, Wolfman, Frankenstein or Dracula to put her in the mood for love”

Although horror fanatics tend to be seen as more of a modern occurrence, the 1950’s had its share of b-horror movie fanatics. This cheesy song from The Diamonds chronicles one man’s attempts to woo his horror-loving girl. My Honey-Bunny can certainly relate to this poor man’s plight.

While this is more of a traditional love song, its focus on love enduring after death is sweet. The somber, heartfelt melody is a fitting way to end a romantic evening. It certainly makes me want to cuddle close with my Honey-Bunny!

And That’s the Valentine’s Day 2021 Playlist!

Did you like it? What songs are on your Valentines’ playlist? Let me know on Instagram and Twitter @EmilyIsHorror

Don’t have someone special to share the day with? Check out my Anti-Valentine’s Day 2021 Playlist for Singles Awareness Day tunes.

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »
Categories
Music

Anti-Valentine’s Day Playlist 2021

Anti-Valentine’s Day Playlist 2021

Does Valentine’s Day get you feeling down? Do you feel like February 14th is “Singles Awareness Day”? Are you pining over a long lost love in a cold, dark room while a raven mocks you? Let’s experience the heartache and pain together with this “A Stake Through the Heart” anti-valentine’s day 2021 playlist.

The Song List

Although – full disclosure – I currently have a wonderful Honey-Bunny to spend the 14th with, I have not forgotten what it felt like to not have that comfort at this time of year. Therefore, I have curated a playlist with thirteen spooky songs that embody the downs and – eventually – ups of being on your own.

Anti-Valentine's Day 2021 Song Explanations

I think it is impossible to be named Emily, love all things morbid and spooky, and not have a soft spot for this song by The Zombies. It is certainly one of my favorite songs of all time and a staple of any self-pity playlist I create for myself. So, let’s start our anti-valentine’s day 2021 playlist journey with this beautifully forlorn tune.

“The ceilings are white, but the shadows are black. The ghost in my heart say’s you’re never coming back. The house is haunted by the echo of your last goodbye”.

This is an old song that has been covered a number of times. In this version The Phantom Chords have done a wonderful job of creating a jazzy, more upbeat tune to feel downbeat to. Haunted houses, ghosts, and other spooky imagery work very well to symbolize loss and loneliness.

I’ve certainly been haunted by the ghosts of my past. Weezer’s Haunt You Every Day continues the previous song’s theme of losing yourself in the memories of faded love. Of course, we would all rather be the one doing the haunting instead of the one haunted.

When Karen Elson was married to The White Stripes’ Jack White, Third Man Records produced her first album, The Ghost Who Walks. The hauntingly beautiful titular song conveys the heartbreak and betrayal felt when a former love breaks up with you. As the lyrics state, it can cut like a knife.

One line from the song that resonates with me is “she’s crying to herself because his eyes never once looked cruel”. Sometimes love ends and a relationship is just not working. There is not always cruelty and malintent behind it.

An organ sound adds extra mystery and spookiness to the track. Also, that cover art is eerily beautiful!

No matter how bad you have it, there is always someone who has it worse. Remains of the day is the origin story for the Corpse Bride, Emily (no relation to yours truly). Unlike the previous song, here our protagonist literally had a knife plunged deep into her heart.

For those of you who aren’t aware of this amazing band, they take inspiration from horror films. The World in My Hands is based on Edward Scissorhands, but it still fits nicely in the spurned love theme of this list. We can all relate to the feeling of having a crush on someone above us in the social strata – and, of course, the knowledge that nice guys finish last.

This fun, rockin’ song concerns a breakup gone wrong. When the song’s protagonist broke it off with her beau, he put a voodoo curse on her. If she wouldn’t be with him, she wouldn’t be with anyone else either.

The first half of this list featured songs of sadness, pity, and loneliness. Now, it is time to move on to starting to feel a little more empowered. Tainted love is a classic 80’s anthem of those who realize they have gotten out of a toxic relationship. No one can make a song as creepy and dark as Marilyn Manson, so this cover is a must-have on a spooky anti-Valentine’s Day song list.

Next on our empowerment track here is Monster by Paramore. Being single is not always a bad thing. “Now that you’re gone, the world is ours”. We have a lot more strength than we realize!

This song combines spooky/horror and empowerment. Sabrina is a strong, independent woman. Even though I strongly disagree with her taste in men (I’m team Harvey 100%), I love how the character is headstrong and confident. When I am feeling down or insecure, this is my current go-to song. An upbeat and peppy melody will certainly brighten your day!

Lead female vocalists are not often altos, but Amanda Palmer is outstanding. Her deep voice is mesmerizing in this song about thriving on one’s own – and rubbing it in your ex’s face! That is certainly the best part about being single and empowered.

If A Rose for Emily has a special place in my heart, Bust Your Kneecaps also does for a similar reason. This song educates “Johnny” on exactly what he faces after he breaks up with the main character. As my Honey-Bunny is also a Johnny this song is a fun little tune I love to play for him as a cautionary tale.

The lyrics are not so much spooky as they are violent – or, rather, persuasive. They are certainly not threats, just promises.

Okay, I know that this one seems like the odd one out – what does a video game song from a passive-aggressive computer have to do with a break-up playlist? Let’s take a look at those lyrics:

“I used to want you dead, but now I only want you gone.”

“Go make some new disaster. That’s what I’m counting on. You’re someone else’s problem. Now I only want you gone.”

All that sounds pretty applicable to a bad relationship to me!

And That's the Anti-Valentine's Day 2021 Playlist!

Did you like it? What songs are on your breakup playlist? Let me know in the comments!

2024 Halloween Shopping

Happy Halloween shopping 2024! For over two decades now, the Halloween shopping season has been my main time for household and clothing purchases. Each year, I love to shop around

Read More »

57 Ghosts

Take part in a spirited séance aboard the historic – and haunted – Queen Mary with 57 Ghosts. From Master Magician and Apparitionist Aiden Sinclair, this 90-minute immersive experience takes

Read More »