Halloween is just around the corner, and whether you’re planning to throw a spooky party of your own or just hand out some candies around your neighborhood – nothing will beat the best creepy country songs playing all through the night.
RELATED: The 35 Saddest Country Songs When You Need a Good Cry
Country music has a long tradition of releasing creepy songs from time to time, and most well-known artists of the genre have proven to be the best tellers of ghost stories. So, if you’re looking for songs that are terrifying enough to put the fear in you and get in the Halloween spirit, keep on reading below.
1. “Creepin'” by Eric Church
Though it’s not a ghost that’s haunting Church in this mid-tempo ballad, but the memory of a former lover, each note from every instrument fosters the crooner’s terrifying tale – making it more chilling as it feels very real.
It comes with a music video that features frenzied camerawork and terrified faces, adding to the song’s haunting underbelly.
2. “Midnight in Montgomery” by Alan Jackson
Released as a tribute to Hank Williams, who was from Montgomery, Alabama, and is buried there – “Midnight in Montgomery” is dark and haunting, much different from most of Jackson’s material. The sound of the steel guitar playing even delivers that lonesome and chilling effect as you pay attention to its lyrics about Jackson’s encounter with Williams’ ghost.
3. “Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark” by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
Nothing gets much creepier than this popular, haunting country classic written by Parton herself. It tells the story of a frightened little girl, who turned out to be not long for this world.
4. “Ghost Riders in the Sky” by Johnny Cash
The song was a hit for various artists, including Johnny Cash, The Outlaws, and Bing Crosby – and one thing remains consistent, their deep echoing voice adding to a sort of ominous feeling that just needed to be on a spooky track.
5. “Phantom 309” by Red Sovine
Red Sovine released the spooky song as a single in 1967, nearly ten years before CB truckin’ songs became inevitable. It tells the story of a hitchhiker and his encounter with a haunted 18-wheeler named “Phantom 309” – which disappears out of his sight after giving him a ride.
6. “Two Black Cadillacs” by Carrie Underwood
“It’s drama, and it’s dark,” that’s how Underwood described her 2012 country hit song. It tells the tale of two women who realized they were both dating the same man. They decided to set their differences aside and take care of things together – which pretty much means they’ll be bringing his life to an end.
7. “Knoxville Girl” by The Louvin Brothers
With its happy sounds, it’s hard to believe that the song is about a creepy murder. It actually follows a man who killed his girlfriend and threw her into the Tennessee River.
8. “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” by Charlie Daniels Band
The spine-tingling track has been a crowd-pleaser for many decades already, which tells the tale of a greedy old hermit and a horrific murder.
9. “Gravedigger” by Willie Nelson
Nelson will absolutely break your heart with his gruesome last request to his gravedigger.
10. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels Band
The spoken verse performance by Charlie Daniels Band is extra spooky. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” tells the story of the devil winding up in Georgia in his attempt to search for the best fiddle player there is to win his soul – and the only way to do it is through competition of strings and bows.
11. “Better Dig Two” by The Band Perry
Whenever you think of two lovers’ union, you probably have a gorgeous white dress and loving vows in mind. Well, The Band Perry gave one wedding a dark twist in “Better Dig Two,” which music video delivers a haunting vibe as you listen to its eerie lyrics.
12. “It’s a Monster’s Holiday” by Buck Owens
Owens’ 1974 Halloween-themed novelty hit, “It’s a Monster’s Holiday,” is a fun-filled, twangy jam that brings in scary ghouls back to life, taking turns to scare Owens as he tries to sleep. Dracula, Quasimodo, as well as goblins, dragons, and zombies all showed up.
13. “Psycho” by Eddie Noack
Consider yourself warned! It’s pretty challenging to get this serial killer song out of your mind after listening to it. It’s even perhaps the most disturbing song you’ll ever hear.
14. “Dig, Gravedigger, Dig” by Corb Lund
Ever wonder what’s going on in a gravedigger’s life? Well, that’s what this song is all about, and it’s as spooky as it gets.
15. “Marie Laveau” by Bobby Bare
Spells, curses, and even magic potions, you’ll find it all in Bobby Bare’s hit song, “Marie Laveau.” What makes it even scarier is that it’s heavily based on a true story. In fact, Marie Laveau was a real person.
Here Are Some More Creepy Country Songs For Your Spooky Playlist
Indeed, country music has mastered the tales of mystery and imagination. Here are some more songs that are scary enough to creep you out for a lifetime.
Surely, these creepy country songs are more than enough for haunting backdrop music.