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Sickbeats - HALLOWED HALLS OF EJ

Written and Designed by: Ashley Teo (23-U1), Elina Ong (23-E3), Hannah Lai (23-E1), Hannah Phua (23-O4) Hannalyn (23-E3), Lee Chin Yi (23-E4), Tan Zhi Shan (23-I1), Ting Yan Tong (23-I1), Shervonn Tan (23-E6)

Introduction

October can only mean one thing – Halloween! ¿?sickbeats?¿ brings to you a playlist full of haunting and scary tunes for you to play in the background to get into the mood and step into the Halloween spirit. 

This iconic song resonates with the Halloween season due to its haunting melody and dark, thought-provoking lyrics. The song's melancholic tone and powerful vocals evoke a sense of unease, making it an ideal choice for setting a spooky atmosphere. The title itself, "Zombie" symbolises the mindless, destructive nature of violence and conflict. The word conjures images of the undead, soulless creatures that are often associated with horror and Halloween. The lyrics, which touch on themes of conflict and the consequences of violence, add depth to the song's haunting quality, reflecting the eerie and mysterious elements. Zombie captures a sense of otherworldly sadness, making it a fitting addition to any Halloween playlist.

You are home alone, the windows and doors locked shut. As you wander the dark halls of your home, you feel a chilling draft. A child’s giggle echoes from the corridor ahead. Hide. Hide and Seek is a haunting tune, wrought with high tones, sung in the perspective of a possessed girl. It depicts a sadistic spirit residing in the girl, playing a game of hide and seek with the listener, a young boy. As it hunts the boy down, it finds immeasurable pleasure in his fear, knowing that all he is doing will be in vain. The song ends with the spirit finding the boy and possessing him, leaving the body of the young girl behind as it seeks its next target. If you can match the notes of this song, it may make a fun prank to sing this down dark hallways and stairwells this Halloween. While this song is originally sung in Korean by a vocaloid, don’t worry about learning a new language for this as the English version is just as unnerving. Happy haunting!

The song no body, no crime masterfully weaves a chilling tale of infidelity and poetic justice. Swift skillfully crafts a gripping revenge plot that leaves room for interpretation. Inspired by her friend Este Arielle Haim from the band HAIM, Swift ingeniously casts Este as the central character in this thrilling narrative. To put the cherry on top, HAIM is featured in the backing vocals of this haunting song. Through her album evermore, Swift presents an 'unhappily ever after' anthology, exploring marriages that tragically unravel into sadness, animosity, and even murder. With its haunting mystery, no body, no crime is sure to keep listeners captivated and on the edge of their seats.

The Hanging Tree by James Newton Howard is a track that was produced for the hit series, The Hunger Games. In Mockingjay Part 1,the fourth installment in the film franchise, this song is used as a rallying anthem showing the districts rising against the Capital. By just looking beyond that and listening to its dark lyrics, any listener will feel chilled, especially with mentions of “murder” and “dead man”. The ominous and suspenseful tune behind the lyrics serves as an additional layer to make listeners feel trapped within the notes of the music, and not to mention the sense of dread and foreboding that it carries with it. The song effectively delivers a slight thrill, with mystery entwined along with it, giving listeners a uniquely haunting song overall. 

Lana Del Rey stuns with haunting vocals in a bone-chilling rendition of the original Sleeping Beauty theme, Once Upon a Dream. A sharp contrast to the original waltz arrangement, the sombre and sinister style of Lana Del Rey’s cover is extremely fitting for Maleficent, a dark fantasy reimagining of the classic Disney tale. The two versions, when juxtaposed with each other, reinforce the parallels between Aurora and Maleficent, thereby effectively coming together to create a cinematic experience. When listening to this version, one is sure to experience shivers down their spine, making this a must-have for a spooky Halloween playlist. 

As Halloween approaches, this iconic classic hits the charts again, just as it does every October. It’s a horror movie in song form, and the music video, filmed in the style of a short film, features zombies, werewolves and other creepy monsters. It tells the story of one night, close to midnight to be exact, and the “terror on the screen” that haunts Michael Jackson and his death date. The popular zombie dance from the song has also been immortalised in pop culture for decades. It might be old, but it’s still gold, and complete with creepy laughter and wolf howls, this classic Halloween staple surely can’t be missed out. 

A classic cosplay and transition trend song of Tiktok in 2021, it encapsulates the fun part of Halloween - dressing up! Scrolling through TikTok, you will witness millions of talented creators dress up in different costumes, decorated in colourful makeup as they showcase their artistic capabilities. The song captures the paranoia of being constantly observed, a theme that resonates with the mysterious and spooky atmosphere of the season. The lyrics convey a sense of unease and fear, creating a backdrop that complements the thrill of Halloween. All in all,  Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell has evolved into a symbol of Halloween, gaining traction on platforms like TikTok with its timeless appeal. Its integration into modern costume transformations on TikTok not only captures the essence of Halloween but also revitalises the song as a contemporary anthem for the digital age.

Friends on the Other Side is sung by the main antagonist, Dr Facilier, of the Disney movie Princess and the Frog. Dr Facilier performs voodoo magic while singing and, as the main antagonist should, does so creepily, with the accompanying voices of the voodoo spirits adding to the threatening, spooky atmosphere. The use of drums towards the end, paired with Dr Facilier’s deep voice, highlights the looming aspect of Dr Facilier, emphasising his villainous attitude. Not to mention the visuals of the movie as this song plays, which contribute to the gloominess of the scene. All in all, this song perfectly encapsulates the spookiness of Halloween!

Billie Eilish's Bad Guy is a contemporary pop song that held the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 for a week, making it a widely beloved hit. With its eerie and hypnotic beat and bass heavy rhythm, a mysterious and haunting atmosphere is created. Eilish’s whispery vocals add to the spooky vibe, making it all the more hypnotic and unsettling. This song would definitely give a haunting edge to any halloween playlist!

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