It’s the spookiest night of the year. But instead of playing “Thriller” and “Monster Mash”, why not check out some of the scariest songs from the world of Eurovision. From monsters to skeletons to ghosts and spirits, here are 28 song contest numbers to chill your blood this Halloween.
Eurovision Halloween songs
1. Lordi — “Hard Rock Hallelujah” (Finland 2006)
Yes, it’s been in every Halloween Eurovision playlist since 2006. No, its shock factor has not diminished at all. Finland’s first — and, to date, only — winner will always be an essential All Hallows Eve classic!
Spookiest lyrics: “Wings on my back / I got horns on my head / My fangs are sharp / And my eyes are red / Not quite an angel / Or the one that fell / Now choose to join us or go straight to Hell”.
2. Lena — “Taken By A Stranger” (Germany 2011)
While it may be lacking in ghouls and monsters, Lena’s seductive comeback hit overflows with menace. From her sultry delivery to the minimalist beats, “Taken By A Stanger” is not one for the faint-hearted. It even ends on a jumpscare with the LED backdrop loudly smashing to smithereens.
Spookiest lyrics: “Taken by a stranger / Stranger things are starting to begin / Lured into the danger (is a risky business!) / Trip me up and spin me round again”.
3. Koldun — “Work Your Magic” (Belarus 2007)
The tense James Bond-esque string-laden intro alone is perfect for setting the atmosphere on this creepiest of nights. Fall under Koldun’s enchantment as he sings of potions, spells and magic.
Spookiest lyrics: “Welcome to the night / And you will see you’ve got the magic power / I am on my way, I keep the key to your tower”
4. Sara de Blue — “Out Of The Twilight” (San Marino’s 1 in 360 2018)
Eerie lyrics about demons and ghosts of the night nab this San Marinese runner-up a place on our list of haunting numbers. Although some might argue that the actual winner contained more horrors!
Spookiest lyrics: “I’ll survive, I will fight the demons of the night / This ghost won’t haunt anymore / I will rise into the wild, out of the twilight / Out of the twilight I float”.
5. Sweet Brains — “Run Away” (Belarus Auditions 2015)
Who knew that the Addams family had relatives in Belarus? Alas, the Belarusian juries had no time for the high-camp cartoonish antics of Sweet Brains, ensuring that “Run Away” got the chop at the audition stage.
Spookiest lyrics: “Run away, run away / Gonna eat your sugar brains / We can wiggle, be afraid”.
6. Sweet Brains — “Dance Like Zombies” (Belarus Auditions 2016)
The undead trio returned in 2016. Once again, the axe fell on them at the audition round.
Spookiest lyrics: “Dance like zombies / Dead or alive / Dance like zombies / And feel the vibe”.
7. Anna Kearney — “Banshee” (Ireland JESC 2019)
A banshee is a female spirit in Irish mythologygy who heralds the death of a family member, usually by wailing, shrieking, or keening. Thankfully, young Anna did nothing of the sort… if anything, she’s shooing the banshee away. However, the mere mention of such a ghoul is scary enough for us.
Spookiest lyrics (translated): “I am your queen and your secret / I’ll be by your side always / Don’t be afraid of the banshee / Don’t let the love fade away”.
8. Kerli — “Spirit Animal” (Estonia’s Eesti Laul 2017)
Folklore has proven to be a rich source of Eurovision spirits through the years. Estonia’s KERLI looked to the Native Americans for her 2017 national final effort. While it might sound frightening, spirit animals are actually believed to protect and guide individuals.
Spookiest lyrics: “I whisper, you echo / Coiled up like snakes, won’t let go / Forever, each other / We’ll fight the tooth and nail for”.
9. Roger Pontare — “When Spirits Are Calling My Name” (Sweden 2000)
Roger Pontare took on a multi-national approach in his interactions with the spirits, incorporating a Cree Indian dancer, a Thule Eskimo and a Norwegian Sami into his performance.
Spookiest lyrics: “I am caught in a trap / There is no turning back / I’m finally facing the fear / The sky is on fire / And up with the flames”.
10. KEiiNO — “Spirit In The Sky” (Norway 2019)
Beneath its glossy Europop exterior, “Spirit In The Sky” is overrun with all sorts of mystical beings. Aside from the titular spirit, there’s also mention of demons and fairies alongside violent nightshade and wind. With or without joiking, none of these phenomena make for a pleasant autumn evening.
Spookiest lyrics: “‘Cause I’ve been running with the demons now / They all see my fear / They say there’s nothing / Nothing here”.
11. Maruv — “Siren Song” (Ukraine 2019)
At the time, the most horrific thing about “Siren Song” was the political furore that arose after its Vidbir victory. But perhaps disaster was inevitable. In Greek mythology, Sirens were malevolent creatures that used enchanting music and song to lure sailors to their deaths.
Spookiest lyrics: “Falling in through the floor / Baby, this is devil’s door / Burning in the flame / Wanna know my secret / Bang!”
12. Greta Salomé — “Hear Them Calling” (Iceland 2016)
Shadows, whispers, a battle of dark and light. Simultaneously ominous and uplifting, “Hear Them Calling” is perfect for these long dark nights.
Spookiest lyrics: “See the shadows dancing / Oh, they dance for us tonight / And as I’m tossing and I’m turning / Oh, they come alive / We shiver as we step into the cold, cold night / Then we’re running, we are running now”.
13. Loreen — “Statements” (Melodifestivalen 2017)
The Eurovision 2012 winner unleashed an unforgivingly bleak dystopian outlook upon Melfest viewers in 2017. The sense of foreboding intensifies once you incorprate in the staging.
Spookiest lyrics: “Mother Mary try to keep it real / Save your prayers for peace and let us heal / Did our best but you say otherwise / We’re building up for war in paradise”.
14. Elnur Huseynov — “Hour Of The Wolf” (Azerbaijan 2015)
Because wolves are scary.
Spookiest lyrics: “They whine and roar, hungry for more / Yellow glowing eyes, I’m hypnotized / I feel brave yet scared, but I’ll stay prepared
15. Ivan — “Help You Fly” (Belaurs 2016)
See above.
Spookiest lyrics: “You feel like you ate the poison / It’s time to heal you from the pain / I know that you’ve been the hunted / I want to free you again”.
16. Nina Sublatti — “Warrior” (Georgia 2015)
Arguably, fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of them all. So when Nina Sublatti sings of being “oximated”, anyone with any sense should be quaking in their boots.
Spookiest lyrics: “Not your fault you’re just gonna breathe / Violence, break me free / Wings are gonna spread up / I’m a warrior, oximated”.
17. Mørland & Debrah Scarlett — “A Monster Like Me” (Norway 2015)
A song that Norman Bates could have sung.
Spookiest lyrics: “Honey, I’m telling the truth / I did something terrible in my early youth / My mind went blank, I lost control / I was just a little boy, I did not know”.
18. Jamie-Lee — “Ghost” (Germany 2016)
It had a haunted forest, a full moon, billowing fog, creepy lyrics… yet the scariest thing about Germany’s 2016 entry was Jamie-Lee’s outfit.
Spookiest lyrics: “This is the ghost of you / Haunting the ghost of me / We’re lonely in a crowded room together / Tell me who’s scared now!”.
19. Minus One — “Alter Ego” (Cyprus 2016)
The wolves are back… but this time with cages!
Spookiest lyrics: “Caught in the middle of, the dawn and the sunrise / Life is a miracle, I saw it in your eyes / Under the spotlight, I howl in the moonlight / Howling for you”.
20. Dihaj — “Skeletons” (Azerbaijan 2017)
As if skeletons weren’t scary enough, Dihaj played the role of a demented woman frantically scribbling on the walls while a man with a horse’s head watched over her. There’s a lot to unpack here.
Spookiest lyrics: “Have my skeletons / (I can only trick you once, bad boy) / Have my lungs, my millions / (Talk is cheap don’t speak in tongues, bad boy)”.
21. Equinox — “Bones” (Bulgaria 2018)
Bones are scarier when you add in an extra dollop of dystopia.
Spookiest lyrics: “What is life / If it’s just of the earth / Only of the flesh and bones / Wanna thrive / In the dust / Of the universe and way into unknown”.
22. Saara Aalto — “Monsters” (Finland 2018)
Because everyone knows the worst kind of monsters are the ones that lie underneath the bed.
Spookiest lyrics: “So tonight I’m making friends / With all the creatures / Hiding there under my bed / I ain’t gonna hold on / To these monsters anymore”.
23. We All Poop “All the Blood (Positive Song Actually)” (Czech Republic’s Eurovision Song CZ 2020)
For those that like their horror with added blood and guts.
Spookiest lyrics: “All the blood that runs / While this show is still on / I try not to see while I’m having fun / Take my eyes away / And it’s gonna be alright / The more your pain I ignore / The less of human is in me”
24. Hatari — “Hatrið mun sigra” (Iceland 2019)
Possibly the most terrifying Eurovision entry ever… at least in terms of lyrical content and vocal delivery.
Spookiest lyrics: “Hatred will prevail”
25. Melovin — “Under The Ladder” (Ukraine 2018)
Primarily because Melovin resembles a vampire. But also, fire!
Spookiest lyrics: “Desperate thoughts, your hope calls you a liar / Fear begins to revel / Nothing but your will sets you on fire / Fire lasts forever”.
26. Cezar — “It’s My Life” (Romania 2013)
Solely because Cezar resembles a crazed vampire.
Spookiest lyrics: “Love is so strong / In the heart where you belong / It’s a dream, a desire /And is burning like a fire”.
27. Elnur & Samir — “Day After Day”
It’s safe to presume that Halloween must be Elnur’s favourite holiday.
Spookiest lyrics: “The earth is in flame / And you must share the blame / Look inside yourself /
We both are there”.
28. DJ Bobo — “Vampires Are Live” (Switzerland 2007)
Think Twilight or True Blood. Then banish all such thoughts and think high-camp europop.
Spookiest lyrics: “I am a vampire, I’m a slave / A slave to the daylight, hence my grave / In the darkness, in the shadows / Here I am”.
What songs are on your Eurovision Halloween playlist? Have we missed out any tricks or treats? Let us know in the comments.
Lordi and “that Iceland band that can’t be named” dominate this list. Melovin is far too cute to be scary. 🙂
And… Loreen needs no statements. (Except she uses a double-negative, as she don’t need no statements, so maybe she does? That’s confusing.)
“No Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät – Aina Mun Pitää?!”- disapointedly tweet the blackbird. :/ 😉
Mélovin and his performance are still my favorites!
For me the scariest moment of Eurovision happened in 2007, the year I watched the show for the first time, but no, that was not Lordi’s opening act – that one didn’t scare me at all in fact. I am talking about Armenia’s performance – I remember just as now how that blood showing up on Hayko’s shirt profoundly scared my 8 y.o. self 😀 From your list I’d definitely give the award of “the scariest one” to Cyprus’s Alter Ego, those wolfs’ muzzles somehow manage to take me off guard and make me flinch everytime, even though I already… Read more »
For me nothing is scarier than Pirates Of Sea – because I find it the worst entry ever 😀
For the purpose of this idea, in terms of relation to Halloween and scary themes, I’d go with:
1. Finland 2006
2. Iceland 2019
3. Azerbaijan 2017
4. Norway 2015
5. Germany 2016
6. Georgia 2015
7. Azerbaijan 2008
8. Germany 2011
9. Finland 2018
10. Switzerland 2007 🙂
So many great songs here but surely the most scary has to be Winnypu from Estonia. There’s never been anything like this before or since:
https://youtu.be/2dllo85ZSUk
Iceland 2019 and Azerbaijan 2017 are absolute Halloween songs
Hate will prevail. Happy Halloween .
What about Serhat’s “Say Na na na”? I certainly have nightmares every time I remember that song.
I don’t know, that song only keeps me awake ‘cuz I’m partying to that timeless groove! Don’t hate him ‘cuz you ain’t him.
Sorry, no desire to be him. I would just rather not have such offensiveness going through my ears!
Agree on basically all counts. Is ”the one that shall not be named” a certain 2013 tenor? Because personally I am not a fan of the song. Switzerland in 2007 didn’t left a favorable impression on me either. 🙂
Monster Like Me and Hard Rock Hallelujah are my yearly winners. I also really liked Melovin in 2018 and ultimately that song became one of my biggest growers of the year. 🙂
And yeah… Happy Halloween everyone!!! 🙂
Oops! I find that song jarring (even though Cezar admittedly has an extraordinary voice). Vampires Are Alive is a beige and uninteresting tribute to a potentially interesting subject. Everything else here for me ranges from exquisite to passable. Very curious on your Voldemort song equivalent. 🙂
Okay, the reference is understood instantly. Personally, I like it, even though their ultimate result in the competition is slightly behind the firstly created hype. Too high competition, I guess. I still think it’s a song of high quality, but it’s nice to hear different opinions. Having so many people on stage can create an impression of cacophony. ?
What does it say about me that I really love most of these songs? Monster Like Me (My 2015 winner) Hard Rock Hallelujah (My 2006 winner) Hatrid mun sigra (My 2019 runner-up) Spirits Are Calling My Name (My 2000 top 5) Spirit in the Sky (My 2019 top 10) Work Your Magic (My 2007 top 10) Skeletons (My 2017 top 10) Siren Song (Would’ve been my 2019 top 5) Under the Ladder, Ghost, Bones, Hour of the Wolf, Hear Them Calling and Alter Ego are all in my ideal finals of their respective years. Out of the Twilight (My San… Read more »
I would also add Krassimir Avramov’s “Illusion” (BUL 2009) to this list.. that song was a horror to listen too… I still have nightmares when I think about that performance 😀
Yeah, that was hauntingly bad. 🙂 In my personal bottom 5 of late 2000s. A serious contender for the first place.
I have to say and repeat Mrs Sara De Blue would have done so well in the Esc with this song, San Marino what a weird choice you had done that year…. moreover she is a FANTASTIC singer, I want to see her come back soon in Esc. We need singers of this quality in Eurovision (with good songs of course ).
Nothing is more scary – visually and lyrically – than the great progrock song Voodoo by Jahn Teigen from MGP 1976 ????
I Also think the songs The Wind Knows What It Wants (Portugese NF 94) and Canzone amare (Swiss Nf 83) have some real eerie undertones
There were many great songs in the past too 🙂 should never forget those
Off-topic: Vicky Leandros ist participating as “Cat” in The Masked Singer Germany. She hasn’t been unmasked yet but it is almost 100% sure.
She’s Greek, she represented Luxembourg, but she’s based in Germany and almost represented them once. Eurovision, everybody.
Missing Cristina Scarlat’s “Wild Soul” (Moldova 2014)
“Mercy / I have no feelings of mercy / Destiny left me so empty / Empty in my heart and my spirit…”
I miss in this top, Emma with Circle of light
Roxen‘s Beautiful Disaster is not here?
Happy Halloween everyone! Hope you have an amazing day! Even if you don’t celebrate it, still have an amazing day! Stay safe! ??
“I’m a slave to the darkness, hence my grave” is a wonderful lyric
I must admit that I‘m a bit disappointed with this list.
About half of them wouldn‘t even go far in a halloween list and you forgot one, that actually got a zombie invasion on stage, Gothminister with Utopia (Norway, MGP 2013)
Great song
An unintentionally creepy one is Sweden 1965: Absent Friend
https://youtu.be/NrPiw8gILOY