Songs About Skeletons have captivated music lovers with their eerie themes and haunting melodies.
From spooky storytelling to symbolic representations of life and death, these songs span multiple genres and styles.
Some tracks embrace the playful side of skeletons, while others dive into deeper, more mysterious meanings.
Whether you’re looking for Halloween anthems, rock classics, or folk ballads, there’s a song for every mood.
Get ready to explore a collection of Songs About Skeletons that will rattle your bones and stir your imagination.
1. “Skeletons” by The Sound (1981) – Perfect Rock Song About Skeletons
About this song:
- Album: From the Lions Mouth
- Released: 1981
- Artist: The Sound
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, Rock
- Key Lyric: “We’re living like skeletons. We’re living like skeletons.”
Released in 1981, “Skeletons” by The Sound is a standout track from their album From the Lions Mouth.
Adrian Borland, the band’s frontman, wrote the song as a metaphor for emotional emptiness and societal decay.
The lyrics paint a bleak picture of people feeling hollow and devoid of life, much like skeletons wandering aimlessly.
The song was composed during a time when post-punk music was exploring darker, introspective themes about human existence.
By using skeletons as a symbol, it conveys the feeling of detachment and the struggle to find meaning in a desensitized world.
2. “A Skeleton in the Closet” by Anthrax (1986) – Best Metal Song About Skeletons
About this song:
- Album: Among the Living
- Released: 1986
- Artist: Anthrax
- Genre: Metal
- Key Lyric: “Any skeletons, and all your other sins. Any skeletons in the closet.”
“A Skeleton in the Closet” was released in 1986 as part of Anthrax’s legendary thrash metal album Among the Living.
The song was inspired by Stephen King’s novella Apt Pupil, which explores dark secrets and past sins resurfacing.
Lyrically, it tells the story of a man who has committed horrific crimes but tries to keep them hidden, only for them to come back to haunt him.
Composed during a golden era for thrash metal, the track features intense guitar riffs and powerful drumming that amplify its ominous atmosphere.
The title uses the phrase “skeleton in the closet” both literally and figuratively, emphasizing the weight of hidden guilt and past horrors.
3. “Shake Them Skeleton Bones” by The Kiboomers (2013) – Recommended Children’s Music Song About Skeletons
About this song:
- Album: Learning Songs for Children
- Released: 2013
- Artist: The Kiboomers
- Genre: Children’s Music
- Key Lyric: “Them bones, them skeleton, dry bones. Let′s shake them skeleton bones.”
The playful song “Shake Them Skeleton Bones” was released in 2013 as part of The Kiboomers’ educational album Learning Songs for Children.
Designed for young children, the song teaches movement and coordination through a fun, interactive dance routine.
Its lyrics reference traditional folk songs about skeletons, making it a lighthearted and engaging Halloween favorite.
The Kiboomers created this track to encourage kids to embrace music and movement while learning about basic body parts.
By using skeletons as a fun visual, the song turns something spooky into a joyful and energetic experience for children.
4. “Calling All Skeletons” by Alkaline Trio (2008) – Awesome Alternative Song
About this song:
- Album: Agony & Irony
- Released: 2008
- Artist: Alkaline Trio
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, Rock
- Key Lyric: “There’s a party in my closet, calling all skeletons. Calling all skeletons.”
Alkaline Trio’s “Calling All Skeletons” debuted in 2008 as part of their album Agony & Irony, featuring their signature dark and melodic sound.
The song metaphorically calls upon “skeletons” as a representation of past mistakes and regrets that refuse to stay buried.
Matt Skiba, the band’s vocalist, often explores themes of personal demons and inner conflicts in his songwriting.
The track’s energetic instrumentation contrasts with its introspective lyrics, creating a dynamic mix of punk rock and emotional depth.
By using skeletons as a symbol, the song emphasizes the struggle of facing one’s past and coming to terms with unresolved emotions.
5. “SKELETONS” by Travis Scott (2018) – Remarkable Psychedelic Song About Skeletons
About this song:
- Album: Astroworld
- Released: 2018
- Artist: Travis Scott
- Genre: Psychedelic
- Key Lyric: “We just rocked Coachella, I gave her half of the check. It was good sex, honorable mention to the neck.”
Released in 2018, “SKELETONS” is one of the standout tracks from Travis Scott’s chart-topping album Astroworld.
The song blends psychedelic and trap elements, featuring contributions from The Weeknd, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, and Pharrell Williams.
Lyrically, it explores fame, relationships, and the hidden struggles behind a glamorous lifestyle, using “skeletons” as a metaphor for secrets and emotional baggage.
Scott crafted this track during the highly creative Astroworld sessions, drawing inspiration from his experiences with success and excess.
The skeleton imagery reflects the underlying darkness in his rise to fame, making it one of the most introspective tracks on the album.
6. “Skeletons of Society” by Slayer (1990) – Stunning Metal Song
About this song:
- Album: Seasons in the Abyss
- Released: 1990
- Artist: Slayer
- Genre: Metal
- Key Lyric: “Fragments of what used to be. Skeletons of society.”
Slayer’s “Skeletons of Society” appeared on their 1990 album Seasons in the Abyss, known for blending thrash metal with slower, ominous grooves.
Lyrically, it presents a post-apocalyptic world where society has crumbled, leaving only “skeletons” as remnants of its former self.
The song’s dark themes mirror the anxieties of the late Cold War era, reflecting fears of nuclear destruction and societal collapse.
Unlike their faster, more chaotic tracks, this song has a brooding mid-tempo riff that builds an atmosphere of doom.
With its stark imagery, it stands as a powerful critique of war, destruction, and the inevitable decay of civilization.
7. “When Skeletons Live” by Coheed and Cambria (2010) – Excellent Hard Rock Song About Skeletons
About this song:
- Album: Year of the Black Rainbow
- Released: 2010
- Artist: Coheed and Cambria
- Genre: Progressive metal, Hard Rock, Hardcore, Alt Metal, Punk, Emo/Hardcore
- Key Lyric: “When skeletons live inside your closets, thick and thin. You’ll fear.”
Released in 2010, “When Skeletons Live” by Coheed and Cambria is part of Year of the Black Rainbow, an album that expands their sci-fi-inspired storytelling.
The song discusses hidden truths and unresolved pasts, using skeletons as a symbol for buried secrets coming back to haunt someone.
With intricate guitar work and soaring vocals, it carries the band’s signature progressive rock style while still feeling deeply personal.
Written during a period of transition for the band, the track embodies themes of internal conflict and the weight of deception.
The lyrics tie into the overarching Amory Wars storyline, making it a crucial piece in their conceptual universe while still resonating as a standalone song.
8. “R&B Skeletons (In the Closet)” by George Clinton (1986) – Wonderful Funk Song
About this song:
- Album: R&B Skeletons in the Closet
- Released: 1986
- Artist: George Clinton
- Genre: Funk, dance, R&B, electro, hip hop
- Key Lyric: “We’ve got R&B skeletons in the closet. Sing and play, but never shout.”
George Clinton’s “R&B Skeletons (In the Closet)” dropped in 1986 as the title track of his album, blending funk with danceable electro beats.
The song is a playful yet pointed commentary on the music industry, highlighting the commercialization of R&B and its shift in direction.
Clinton uses “skeletons in the closet” as a metaphor for unspoken truths and hidden influences shaping popular music.
The track’s upbeat groove and layered production showcase his signature Parliament-Funkadelic style, making it both catchy and thought-provoking.
As one of his later solo efforts, the song demonstrates Clinton’s ability to reinvent himself while staying true to his funk roots.
9. “Skeleton Christ” by Slayer (2006) – Ideal Metal Song About Skeletons
About this song:
- Album: Christ Illusion
- Released: 2006
- Artist: Slayer
- Genre: Metal
- Key Lyric: “It’s mind control for. Compulsory religion and the Skeleton Christ.”
Appearing on Christ Illusion in 2006, Slayer’s “Skeleton Christ” is an aggressive critique of organized religion and blind faith.
With venomous lyrics and relentless thrash guitar work, the song embodies the band’s signature intensity and rebellious spirit.
It was written during a time of global political tension, making its themes of manipulation and control particularly relevant.
Rather than depicting literal skeletons, the track uses them symbolically to represent decay, hypocrisy, and the corruption of belief systems.
As part of one of Slayer’s most controversial albums, this song further cemented their legacy as one of metal’s most uncompromising acts.
10. “Poor Skeleton Steps Out” by XTC (1989) – Amazing Punk Song
About this song:
- Album: Oranges & Lemons
- Released: 1989
- Artist: XTC
- Genre: Punk
- Key Lyric: “For the day poor skeleton steps out. Step out, step out, step out, step out.”
“Poor Skeleton Steps Out” was released in 1989 on Oranges & Lemons, showcasing XTC’s witty, satirical approach to songwriting.
The track playfully describes a skeleton as a personification of the inner self, stripped of pretense and societal expectations.
Its bouncy, almost whimsical arrangement contrasts with the deeper message of vulnerability and self-exposure.
The song reflects Andy Partridge’s fascination with human nature, emphasizing the absurdity of maintaining social facades.
With its blend of humor and introspection, it remains one of XTC’s most intriguing and offbeat compositions.
Conclusion
Songs About Skeletons offer a unique blend of spooky, symbolic, and playful themes that resonate across different genres.
Whether you enjoy eerie melodies or deep lyrical meanings, these songs bring skeletons to life in unforgettable ways.
From haunting ballads to energetic rock anthems, there’s something for everyone in this bone-chilling collection.
Keep exploring, keep listening, and let these Songs About Skeletons rattle your playlist with their timeless appeal.