Spotify data: 'Thriller' and 'Dracula' top Halloween charts

Listeners in Harris County and across the country are streaming two specific tracks at the highest rates in the days preceding October 31. Early data shows Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller' and Tame Impala’s 'Dracula' as the leaders in spooky season playlists. This pattern reflects a split between long-standing holiday traditions and newer musical preferences.

Jackson’s 'Thriller' was originally released in 1982. The song has remained a fixture in Halloween celebrations for more than four decades. Its association with the holiday stems from its horror-inspired lyrics and a widely recognized music video. The track’s distinctive sound continues to anchor seasonal listening habits for many Americans.

Tame Impala’s 'Dracula' offers a contemporary counterpoint to the Jackson classic. The track’s strong performance places a modern release alongside one of the most recognizable songs in the genre. Streaming figures indicate that new music is successfully entering the core of holiday playlists alongside established favorites.

Other tracks with supernatural themes also see a rise in plays during this period. Songs such as 'Monster Mash' and the 'Ghostbusters' theme enjoy recurring popularity. These selections reinforce the traditional focus on monsters, ghosts, and the supernatural that defines the holiday’s musical identity.

The early results confirm that the holiday soundtrack is not static. Both classic recordings from the early 1980s and recent releases continue to shape what people listen to. The data suggests that listeners are not abandoning older hits in favor of new trends, but rather are maintaining a mix of both eras as the date approaches.