27 Best Songs About Ghosts: Spooky Tunes to Chill Your Bones

Have you ever felt a chill down your spine on a dark night, a sense of something unseen watching you? That primal shiver of unease is exactly what the best songs about ghosts tap into. From spine-tingling ballads to upbeat, spooky rock anthems, music has long explored the mysteries and thrills of the spectral world. This list dives deep into the haunting melodies and chilling lyrics that have captured the imaginations of listeners for generations. Whether you're a seasoned ghost hunter or simply appreciate a good spooky tune, you'll find yourself captivated by this curated selection of the best songs about ghosts. We've scoured the musical landscape to bring you the ultimate playlist, encompassing various genres and eras, ensuring there's something here to send even the bravest listener into a delightful shudder. Prepare to be spooked, thrilled, and utterly mesmerized by the power of music to evoke the supernatural.

27 Best Songs About Ghosts: Spooky Tunes to Chill Your Bones
SongArtistAlbumListens
1. Ghost Justin Bieber Justice 370M+
2. Ghost of You My Chemical Romance 138M+
3. Ghosts Michael Jackson 118M+
4. Ghost Ella Henderson 116M+
5. Ghostbusters Ray Parker Jr. The Runaways 91M+
6. Ghost Halsey 69M+
7. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Gordon Lightfoot Summertime Dream 67M+

1. Ghost

Haunting Melody: Justin Bieber's "Ghost" features a haunting melody that perfectly captures the ethereal feeling often associated with ghostly encounters, creating a chilling yet beautiful soundscape.

Emotional Resonance: The song's lyrics explore themes of loss and longing, mirroring the emotional weight often connected to ghost stories, and Bieber's vocals add a layer of vulnerability that enhances this effect.

Production & Atmosphere: The production of "Ghost" emphasizes atmospheric sounds and subtle textures which successfully creates a sense of mystery and unease, a key element in many songs about ghosts.

Ghost - Justin Bieber

2. Ghost of You

Haunting Vocals: Gerard Way's emotive vocals perfectly capture the spectral longing and despair inherent in confronting a ghostly presence, making the song deeply resonant for anyone who's experienced the lingering pain of a lost relationship.

Ethereal Soundscapes: The song masterfully blends driving rock energy with atmospheric textures, creating a soundscape that’s both intensely emotional and hauntingly beautiful, a fitting auditory representation of the ghostly figure.

Emotional Resonance: "Ghost of You" transcends mere ghost imagery; it explores themes of loss, memory, and the enduring power of the past, making it relatable even for those who aren't fans of typical ghost stories.

Ghost of You - My Chemical Romance

3. Ghosts - 1997

Haunting Vocals: Michael Jackson's ethereal vocals create a chilling yet captivating atmosphere, perfectly embodying the spectral theme.

Eerie Soundscape: The song masterfully utilizes sound effects and instrumentation to build suspense and evoke a sense of unease, enhancing the ghostly narrative.

Unforgettable Melody: Its memorable melody lingers long after the song ends, solidifying its place as a classic in the realm of spooky tunes.

Ghosts - Michael Jackson

4. Ghost

Haunting Vocals: Ella Henderson's emotive vocals perfectly capture the ethereal and melancholic feel of a ghost story, conveying both vulnerability and a chilling sense of mystery.

Ethereal Soundscape: The song's production features layered instrumentation creating a soundscape that's both beautiful and unsettling, enhancing the ghostly atmosphere.

Emotional Resonance: "Ghost" effectively evokes feelings of loss, longing, and the lingering presence of the past, making it deeply resonant for listeners exploring themes of the supernatural and heartbreak.

Ghost - Ella Henderson

5. Ghostbusters

Title:Ghostbusters

Artist: Ray Parker Jr.

Catchy Hook: The instantly recognizable, funky bassline and memorable melody make this theme song incredibly infectious, guaranteeing it'll stick in your head long after you hear it.

Nostalgia Factor: As the theme to the iconic 1984 film, it evokes a potent wave of 80s nostalgia and is deeply embedded in pop culture.

Eerie Vibe (but still fun!): While undeniably upbeat and fun, the song subtly incorporates elements of suspense and the paranormal, perfectly complementing the film's tone.

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.

6. Ghost

Haunting Vocals: Halsey's ethereal vocals perfectly capture the spectral and melancholic atmosphere, creating a truly chilling effect that resonates with the song's ghostly theme.

Eerie Atmosphere: The production masterfully blends atmospheric soundscapes with a subtle, unsettling rhythm, enhancing the overall sense of unease and mystery.

Emotional Resonance: "Ghost" delves into themes of loss and longing, creating an emotional connection that lingers long after the song ends, making it a powerful addition to any playlist about spectral encounters.

Ghost - Halsey

7. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Summertime Dream)

Haunting Atmosphere: Gordon Lightfoot's masterful storytelling and somber tone create a palpable sense of unease, perfectly capturing the tragedy and mystery surrounding the lost ship.

Eerie Vocal Delivery: Lightfoot's vocals, filled with a quiet intensity and mournful resonance, evoke the ghostly presence of the sailors lost at sea, adding to the song's spectral quality.

Lyrical Detail: The detailed account of the storm and the ship's demise, combined with the evocative imagery, conjures a vivid and chilling picture, making the ghostly elements feel incredibly real.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot

8. Ghost (2009)

Haunting Synth Soundscapes: Depeche Mode masterfully crafts a chilling atmosphere with layered synthesizers and a driving bassline, perfectly capturing the spectral unease of the song's theme.

Dave Gahan's Vocal Performance: Gahan's signature baritone delivers a performance filled with both vulnerability and a detached coolness, adding to the song's unsettling yet captivating quality. His vocal delivery perfectly embodies the ambiguous nature of the ghost itself.

Eerie and Atmospheric: "Ghost" isn't just a song about ghosts; it *feels* like one. The production choices, from the echoing vocals to the sparse instrumentation, create a truly immersive and unforgettable listening experience that fits perfectly within the context of spectral themes.

Ghost - Depeche Mode

9. Ghosts (David Bowie)

Haunting Atmosphere: Bowie's "Ghosts" masterfully creates a spectral soundscape, utilizing ethereal synthesizers and a subtly unsettling rhythm to evoke a chilling presence.

Vocal Performance: Bowie's vocals are both vulnerable and commanding, perfectly capturing the ambiguity and emotional weight of encountering the spectral.

Eerie Melody: The song's melody is both memorable and unsettling, lingering in the mind long after the music fades, a testament to its power in conjuring ghostly feelings.

Ghosts - David Bowie

10. Ghost (Johnny Cash)

Johnny Cash's Haunting Vocals: Cash's signature baritone lends an air of chilling authenticity to the spectral narrative, making the ghost story all the more believable and unsettling.

Sparse, Eerie Instrumentation: The minimal instrumentation perfectly complements the lyrics, creating a stark and atmospheric soundscape that heightens the sense of unease and mystery.

Unforgettable Storytelling: The song's simple yet powerful storytelling creates a lasting image of a haunting encounter, solidifying its place among memorable ghost songs.

Ghost - Johnny Cash
  • Ghost Town
    11

    Ghost Town

    The Specials

    1981

  • Misguided Ghosts
    12

    Misguided Ghosts

    Paramore

    2009

  • Ghosts
    13

    Ghosts

    Bruce Springsteen

    2020

  • Ghost
    14

    Ghost

    Jeremy Zucker

    2018

  • Ghost Song
    15

    Ghost Song

    The Doors,Jim Morrison

    1978

    An American Prayer

  • The Ghost Who Walks
    16

    The Ghost Who Walks

    Karen Elson

    2010

  • Haunted
    17

    Haunted

    Poe

    2000

  • Ghost
    18

    Ghost

    Jacob Lee

    2019

  • Ghost
    19

    Ghost

    Indigo Girls

    1992

  • Ghost
    20

    Ghost

    Florence + The Machine

    2015

  • Ghosts Will Haunt My Bones
    21

    Ghosts Will Haunt My Bones

    Machine Head

    2014

  • Ghost
    22

    Ghost

    Robyn

    2018

  • Ghost
    23

    Ghost

    Tom Walker

    2017

  • Ghost
    24

    Ghost

    Phish

    1998

  • Watching You Without Me
    25

    Watching You Without Me

    Kate Bush

    1985

  • Ghost
    26

    Ghost

    Pearl Jam

    2002

  • Ghosts That We Knew
    27

    Ghosts That We Knew

    Mumford , Sons

    2012