12 Eternal Songs About Vampires
From lighthearted novelty songs to twisted tales of bloody mayhem, these songs about vampires have a little something for everyone.
Over the years, the vampire has maintained its status as one of pop culture’s most beloved mythical creatures. Vampiric folklore has existed for millenia, but the term vampire first became popularized in 18th century Europe due to mass hysteria. Accusations of vampirism began to spread and some people even staked a few corpses, just in case they decided to come back to life.
As time went on, vampires began to be viewed as fictitious entities that are often terrifying, sometimes suave, and in some cases, downright hilarious. They’ve graced the pages of groundbreaking novels and have found their way into some of the most beloved films and television series of all time. Musicians have also embraced the vampire, with everything from the 1960s novelty songs of Screaming Lord Sutch to modern pop songs from Olivia Rodrigo referencing those bloodsucking creatures of the night.
In some cases, vampires are used as a metaphor for societal ills and in other cases, artists just want to paint a chilling picture of gothic carnage. The list below features songs that reference vampires in a wide variety of ways. If you’re making a playlist of essential Halloween songs or just like to keep things spooky year-round, you’ll want to sink your teeth into these spine-tingling selections.
“Dracula’s Daughter”
by Screaming Lord Sutch
As one of rock and roll’s early shock rockers, Screaming Lord Sutch put his own spin on things by conjuring ghoulish tunes with a self-aware sense of humor. According to the Discogs Database, Joe Meek and Jeff Beck both served as uncredited collaborators on this particular recording. If you’re looking for a fun novelty song that pairs well with the “Monster Mash,” you may want to give this tune a spin.
“Night Of The Vampire”
by Roky Erickson And The Aliens
After a little too much LSD with the 13th Floor Elevators, a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, and stints in various state hospitals, Roky Erickson became fixated on writing about demons, aliens, and other horrific creatures. One of the most notable songs from his Roky Erickson And The Aliens days is “Night Of The Vampire.” After hearing it once, you’ll soon be singing along and making every night a night of the vampire.
“Bela Lugosi’s Dead”
by Bauhaus
With masterful use of minimalism and a seductive slow build, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” is not only the most well-known Bauhaus song, but one of the most recognizable goth songs ever recorded. Bela Lugosi will forever be known as the iconic actor who donned the Count’s cape in Dracula (1931), so his death became the perfect subject matter for this unparalleled post-punk single.
“Vampire Blues”
by Neil Young
“Vampire Blues” is a unique entry on this list because it sets a very different mood than most of the songs shared here. It features a mellow, blues-inspired composition and vampire imagery that serves as a metaphor for corrupt oil businessmen sucking “blood from the earth.” These unique elements have led the album it comes from — On The Beach — to be praised as one of Young’s most underrated albums.
“Transilvanian Hunger”
by Darkthrone
No list of vampire songs would be complete without at least a few metal songs. “Transilvanian Hunger,” the title track from Darkthrone’s legendary fourth album, paints a picture of pure evil and cold that only a Norwegian black metal band could deliver. The bleakness and intensity of the song become even more apparent once you learn that the song was written about the death of Dead, singer for the notorious Norwegian black metal band Mayhem.
“At Dawn They Sleep”
by Slayer
Slayer’s “At Dawn They Sleep” is the exact type of song you’d expect from an album titled Hell Awaits. The song has all the blood and death you need for a classic thrash metal track, but it’s the inclusion of a coffin, a stake, and an aversion to light that also make it a classic vampire song. If you’re looking for a song with bite, “At Dawn They Sleep” has all the elements that make Slayer one of the greatest metal bands of all time.
“Love Bites”
by Judas Priest
While we are on the topic of the best metal bands, let’s talk about Judas Priest and their sensual take on vampires in “Love Bites.” The lyrics do evoke some elements of evil and danger, but ultimately the song focuses on the lustful yearning that the vampire and victim are both experiencing. If you’re a fan of vampire love stories, this tale of bloodsucking passion may hit the spot.
“Release The Bats”
by The Birthday Party
When Nick Cave penned the lyrics for “Release The Bats,” it was written as a self-parody and caricature of The Birthday Party’s gothic associations. Despite the tongue-in-cheek lyrics and the band’s rejection of the goth label, the song quickly became a rallying cry for the burgeoning goth scene. Decades later, the song maintains its cult status as fans can’t get enough of that “sex vampire” Cave is yowling about.
“Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)”
by Concrete Blonde
For their third album, Concrete Blonde pursued a darker sound than their previous records, and the end result was the most successful album of their career. The album’s opening track, “Bloodletting (The Vampire Song),” sets the gothic tone for the rest of the album as the lyrics draw influence from Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. If you’re looking for a spooky song with a sultry strut, add this one to your next playlist.
“We Suck Young Blood”
by Radiohead
Although the word vampire does not appear in the song’s lyrics, the idea of sucking blood and never aging makes this Radiohead song a perfect fit for this list. Frontman Thom Yorke has stated that the song shouldn’t be taken seriously, but the lyrics are a biting critique of Hollywood culture and its constant desire to stay young and suck people’s energy. Next time you encounter an energy vampire, listen to “We Suck Young Blood” to help you recover.
“Dracula’s Wedding”
by Outkast
If you skipped over the metal and post-punk options to find another fun vampire song, “Dracula’s Wedding” is here to lighten the mood. André 3000 assumes the role of the king of vampires, who is struggling with a fear of commitment. His queen, played by Kelis, does her best to reassure him before realizing that they will literally be together forever. Hit that play button if you’re looking for a song that is playful, catchy, and full of vampire puns.
“vampire”
by Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo welcomed the vampire into contemporary pop music with her 2023 single, “vampire.” Although fans have shared different theories on who the song is about, “vampire” describes a person being manipulative and bleeding the speaker dry. We may never know who the song’s about, but this pop ballad is destined to become one of music’s most notable vampire songs.
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