Songs About Graveyards For Halloween

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So, we come to the first of this year's Halloween-themed columns. As I have mentioned in the past, I am not a fan of this chocolate and lolly fuelled commercialism disguised as harmless fun, but as someone who writes horror, I do sell more at this time of the year, so I'm torn.

And as such, I have some music columns for this year. One idea is from last year that I didn't get around to finishing, one is from the daughter of a friend of mine, and one is from another friend who wanted a playlist for a university party.

Anyway, we'll start with the one I started in 2021, and hit songs about graveyards!


Graveyards are the sort of place that many people find creepy. But I've done the overnight stay in a cemetery challenge when I was a teenager, and as I get older, I find myself going to too many funerals, so to me they are just places. Still, I have a friend who will not go into any graveyard unless there is an actual funeral taking place, and I understand that fear.

So, this is a collection of songs about graveyards. The word "grave" (and its derivatives) or "cemetery" (and its derivatives) needs to appear in the title, one song per artist, one version of each song, I need to like the song. Normal rules. I will say, though, that quite a few of these are album cuts, not singles, so you may find a number here that are new to you. Hope you like them!

Let's go!
'No Headstone On My Grave' by Charlie Rich (1961)

Of course, we were going to have a blues song here. Those singers were fascinated by death, which was an unfortunate and common fact of life. However, researching this, I was surprised to discover this song had been recorded so late. I have it on a compilation CD and I thought it was a much earlier blues track, but Rich carries on those old blues traditions into the 60s with this depressing, yet mesmerising song.
'Graveyard Train' by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

This track is really no more than a long swampy blues jam session, and is so good for that. I can understand why this was never released as a single, even edited down, but it still stands as one of the more interesting CCR tracks.
'Lay In The Graveyard' by Russell Morris (1971)

Russell Morris is one of those artists who you cannot look at one song and think that is his oeuvre. Ballads, blues, rock, folk – he has done it all and done it well. And this long-forgotten single from the early 70s stands out against his happier and slower songs of the era in a good way.
'Pet Sematary' by The Ramones (1989)

This song might or might not be based on a book , but was used as the theme song for the movie, and it is right there in the title – it's about a Pet "Sematary", and not wanting to be buried there, because he doesn't want to come back. Simple. And great.
'One Foot In The Grave' by Eric Idle (1990)

Yes, this is the theme song for a UK TV series, but Eric Idle is not one to do things by halves, and he released the song as a full 7" single. This is a great song about getting older, and I think it is better than the comedy it comes from.
'Ain't No Grave' by Johnny Cash (2010)

From the final American Recordings album, this song hits so hard maybe because of the face he died so soon after the recording of it, so that it was completed and released after he died . There is a sense of defiance in the song, though, and it still sends shivers down my spine listening to it.
'Diggin' My Grave' by Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga (2018)

The most recent (as I write this) remake of A Star Is Born is a really strong version of the film with an astounding soundtrack. And this song from the film is a sad one, especially when you know how it ends. The whole soundtrack works very well in context; this song works well even without that.
'Graveyard Blues' by Lords Of Beacon House (2018)

Modern hard blues rock, done well. This song I have on a compilation album, and I really should look at more of the band's discography. From what I can gather, they road-tested their music before recording it, so the album versions sound polished through familiarity. And this song just pounds along with strong intensity.
'Graveyard Hill' by The Pixies (2019)

When I reviewed the Pixie's 2019 album , I indicated this song was one of the definite highlights of that collection for me. And I stand by it – great lyrics and a chugging riff.
'Under The Graveyard' by Ozzy Osbourne (2020)

From Ordinary Man , I said this song was one of the highlights of that collection, and this is a great way to finish this list of graveyard songs with its bleak declaration: "We all die alone."
So, welcome to Halloween time, with 10 songs about graves and graveyards. When I was putting this together last year, I had not realised just how many songs from the twenty-first century would wind up here. But they are all good songs, even if there is a lot of depression here. But that is the nature of this particular beast, I am afraid.

Still, I hope you found something here to enjoy… and hope this helps with your Halloween party!
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