Heisei-Era Halloween Songs | A roundup of classic tracks to elevate the party mood!
Halloween events began at Tokyo Disneyland in 1997, and as the 2000s began, confectionery makers started rolling out Halloween treats one after another.
Over the Heisei era, Halloween culture became familiar in our daily lives, and today it’s a major autumn event.
In this article, we’ll introduce Halloween songs released during the Heisei period, when Halloween gradually spread.
Among them are classic Halloween tracks that remain beloved even as times change! Feel free to use them as party background music or dance tunes.
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- Halloween songs for seniors to enjoy at events: from nostalgic classics to exciting new favorites
- [Yutori Generation] Looking back on nostalgic Halloween songs and memorable tracks
- Halloween tracks that excite Gen Z—songs you'll want to dance to at parties
- [Showa × Halloween] A roundup of chilling songs with scary lyrics and an unsettling atmosphere!
- When it comes to Halloween songs, this is the one! A special feature on Japanese tracks that hype up the karaoke crowd
- Cute Halloween Song Collection! A carefully selected lineup of adorable tracks that both kids and adults can enjoy
Heisei-Era Halloween Songs | A Roundup of Iconic Tracks to Elevate the Party Mood! (21–30)
Harajuku Iyahoikyarī pamyu pamyu
This is an upbeat dance track with full-on EDM sound, released in 2017 by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, an icon of Harajuku culture.
Produced by Yasutaka Nakata, the song was also used in a SHARP AQUOS 4K commercial.
Its choreography, inspired by the Cossack dance, and the signature shout of “Iyahoi” stand out, creating an irresistibly fun vibe that makes you want to move.
Beneath the poppy, catchy melody, there’s a touch of mature melancholy, making it a tune that people of all ages can enjoy together.
Put it on at a Halloween party and everyone will be dancing—the venue will instantly be wrapped in a colorful, lively atmosphere!
Mrs. Pumpkin’s Comical Dreamhachi
This is a work posted in 2009 by Kenshi Yonezu—who has since become a defining singer-songwriter of the J-POP scene after 2010—under his Vocaloid producer alias, Hachi.
Created in anticipation of Halloween, the track is characterized by a fantastical yet eerie worldview.
Its exhilarating tempo, paired with arrangements that employ off-kilter, irregular-meter-like sway and inventive noise, conjures a liminal atmosphere where dreams and reality seem to intersect.
Through the personified character of Mrs.
Pumpkin, the wry, intentionally ambiguous lyrics blur the line between the ordinary and the abnormal, offering a depth that invites varied interpretations from listeners.
How about picking it as a track to spice up your Halloween party?
Melty Halloweenokamoto nobuhiko
This song is packed with the excitement of friends gathering on Halloween night.
Released by Nobuhiko Okamoto in October 2017 as his fourth single, it features a captivating world with five characters—including a Nightmare and a Vampire—and depicts an adventure revolving around sweet treats, all set to the phrase “Trick or Treat.” The track includes as many as seven spoken lines, brimming with playfulness atop a pop and catchy sound.
It’s perfect as BGM for a Halloween party, and it’s sure to get everyone hyped if you dress up, sing, and dance along!
Go Go Ghost ShipYonezu Kenshi
@octo_uneune #Go Go Ghost ShipKenshi YonezuOriginal Choreography#I tired dancing
♬ Go Go Ghost Ship – Manager
It’s a song by Kenshi Yonezu, the hitmaker behind numerous popular tracks, that you’ll want to play during the Halloween season! It’s an early work from when he shifted from releasing music under the name “Hachi” to using his real name in earnest, and its pop yet slightly warped, experimental sound is incredibly addictive.
The lyrics liken the lonely feeling of not fitting into society to a “ghost,” creating a mysterious atmosphere.
The track is included on Diorama, a seminal album from his indie era released in May 2012.
For many listeners, this was the song that got them hitting repeat.
Its distinctive sense of speed and eerie mood are a perfect match for Halloween TikTok videos featuring costumes and makeup!
BYAKUYANEWS
It’s a song by the idol group NEWS that lets you immerse yourself in a gothic, mysterious world.
Set against the backdrop of a “white night” where the sun never sets, it paints a fantastical scene where opposites blend together.
The beautiful, vampire-like protagonist that emerges from the lyrics is captivating, isn’t it? That dark yet glamorous sound is irresistible! The track is included on the album “White,” released in February 2015.
There’s even an anecdote that the production was inspired by fantasy films, which really amps up the epic feel! If you’re looking to get everyone hyped on Halloween night, a powerful song like this is perfect.
Sing it at karaoke and you’ll be swept right into the Halloween mood.
VampireJanne Da Arc
A must-listen if you love dark, story-driven rock! Crafted by Janne Da Arc, this track is intense yet tinged with sorrow.
Yasu’s sweet yet powerful high-tone vocals intertwine exquisitely with the band’s technical, heavy sound.
The song depicts the tale of a queen whose heart has frozen over as she waits endlessly for her beloved.
Her single-minded devotion curdles into madness—perfect for Halloween’s eerie atmosphere.
Included on the February 2003 concept album “ANOTHER STORY,” which reached No.
4 on the Oricon weekly chart, this rock tune is also a live favorite and guaranteed to ignite any party.
MONSTER DANCEKEYTALK
A track with a theme that’s perfect for Halloween: “Awaken the monster sleeping inside you!” It encourages you to unleash the impulses you usually keep hidden and discover the joy of stepping to the beat with pure passion.
Released as a single in October 2014, it was selected as the theme song for Fuji TV’s popular show ‘Atarashii Kagi’ and is also included on the album HOT!.
The members’ choreography is famous as well, so it’s sure to get the party going if everyone dances together.
Be sure to use it as a dance song to amp up your Halloween!