Just when you thought it was safe to switch on your computer. Just when you thought it would be fine to check some music news. Just when you thought ghosts and ghouls were a thing for other websites, for late night films, dark covered novels and Yvette Fielding…

Shout4Music brings you (cue the 'Psycho' shower scene music) a Hallowe'en special: ten of the best songs to make you go bump in the night.

Our contributors have got together to thrash out a list of some of the spookiest songs they know. From the freaky and weird to the just plain cheesy, there's plenty to get your fangs into.

Got any scary suggestions of your own? Let us know in the comments box.

Bauhaus – 'Bela Lugosi's Dead'

It gets no more gothic than this.  If the tense, claustrophobic sound isn't enough to make this a seriously ghoulish track, then the references to Bela Lugosi – the quintessential Dracula actor – certainly do the job. Download here.  (Alan Ashton-Smith)

Art Garfunkel – 'Bright Eyes'

Most people find this heart-warming because they think of how this was in the 'Watership Down' film soundtrack and how lovely all the little animals were. I, however, disagree with that sentiment. What puts the nail in the coffin for me is Art Garfunkel's high-pitched voice; he could be singing the terms and conditions of Tesco Car Insurance to this eerie music (the key changes – shudder) and he would still rattle my bones. Download here. (Sheila Ring)

Sonic Youth  - 'Contre Le Sexisme'

Angular, sinister and just plain weird. Attempted mollifications of 'he's just a kitten' come to nothing compared to the atonalisms and bad trip lyrics on offer. Don't have nightmares. Oh dear. Too late. Download here. (Stephen Morris)

Screaming Lord Sutch – 'Dracula's Daughter'

I went through a Joe Meek phase not so long ago and stumbled upon this song somehow. It has that perfect old-school creepiness, complete with cheesy sound effects and amusing lyrics and of course, Screaming Lord Sutch's distinct vocals. It's probably my Halloween anthem, along with 'Jack The Ripper'. Listen here.  (Arusa Qureshi)

John Carpenter – 'Laurie's Theme (Halloween – 1978 - soundtrack)'

This is more of a composition than a song, but never mind. Probably less well known than the main Halloween theme in its rare 5/4 time signature, some people may recall this tune's inclusion in scenes where Laurie Strode (AKA Jamie Lee Curtis) is walking home from school and butcher knife-happy Michael Myers is hiding behind the hedges, or when Laurie is sitting distractedly in her school classroom, only to spot Myers staring at her from his station wagon outside.

Regardless of its link with the film, hearing the the two very simple piano notes joined by sinister synths gives me goosebumps – even on a sunny summer's day (I tried it, so I know). Download here. (Sheila Ring)

William S. Borroughs –' The Lord's Prayer'

A powerful organ accompanied by what sounds like faulty pipes and leaks in a 300-year-old castle set the scene for the eccentric poet's dolefully authoritative rendition of this ancient Christian prayer. Borroughs thunders “Thy will be done” like it's FACT. Oh no, I really am done for. You can't go wrong with correlating doom-filled doctrine recited by an antique of a man with the strains of an organ. Short but sweet. Download here.   (Sheila Ring)

Neil Young – 'Philadelphia'

An ominous-sounding synthesiser kicks in with Neil whining “Phil-a-del-phia” like he's a more-disembodied-than-usual poltergeist. Aside from the super-cheerful lyrics of “And when I see the light/I know I'll be all right” sung by Neil in his usual reedy timbre, the echoes of his voice chip in intermittently, spooking me and make me feel like the crematorium is my next destination. Thanks, Neil. Download here.  (Sheila Ring)

Mogwai – 'Rano Pano'  

For whatever reason, Mogwai always put their heaviest track second on each LP – they've done it since 'Ten Rapid' when it was 'Summer' and then on 'Mr Beast' ('Glasgow Mega-Snake') and 'The Hawk Is Howling' ('Batcat'). This might just be their definitive track 2, though, it positively reeks of evil, and I'm sure left to its own devices would move to Norway and burn down churches. Download here.  (Alaster Kirk)

Violent Femmes (featuring Pierre Henry) – 'A Story'

A Hansel and Gretel-ish fairy tale about “out of wedlock lovers” tormented and eaten by monsters. Chugging basslines, eerie falsetto and weirdness abounds. Featuring the line '“Don't eat me,” croaked the boy, “or eat her first”.' Who said chivalry was dead? Download here.   (Stephen Morris)

Tom Waits -  'What's He Building In There?'

Less a song, more a creepy poem set to disorienting sounds, this is a disturbing description of a neighbour who may actually be from Hell. There's nothing about “What's He Building In There?” that isn't freaky: Waits' gravelly, breathy voice, the acid jazz minimalism, the whistling, the lyrics. Want your mummy? That's just too bad: so does HE. Download here.  (Stephen Morris)