13 Great Halloween Songs
Horror, Witches, Devils, Death and Doom. How Much More Fun Can Halloween Be
We are starting off with some classics. You can't really talk about Halloween songs with out mentioning these first three. Then we start digging (the grave) a little deeper.
The Monster Mash by Bobby Picket - 1962
The Monster Mash is the Halloween song. In this TV clip from the mid-60's Bobby Picket mugs along to his biggest hit. No halloween is complete with out it.
Thriller By Michael Jackson - 1982
Michael Jackson went all out on this one. It is a mini-feature film all by itself with special effects and production values that set standard that were probably not matched again. And it is kinda scary. This is the full 13 minute version..
Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon 1978
Warren Zevon's biggest hit is a seasonal classic and a great tune. This is the original video from 1978.The Witch by the Sonics - 1965
The Garage scene of the 60's produced a huge number of horror. When singing about girls (bad ones) and crushing break-ups, they were singing about something dark and sinister. This hit by Tacoma, WA's The Sonics is one of the classics.
I Put a Spell on You by Screamin' Jay Hawkins - 1966
There are many versions of this song but this is a great performance by the wild man from the Merv Griffin Show in 1966. It looks and sounds great, even with the annoying promo text on-screen throughout.
Way Down Below by the Gruesomes -
The Gruesomes from Montreal were part of the Garage revival of the 1980's. This live clip from a mid-80's apPearance on Much Music is a little choppy but worth it as a rare live gem from the era.
Human Fly and Teenage Werewolf by The Cramps
The Cramps have a load of creepy stuff but Human Fly shows them in their psychobilly best. THis is a live version, with another great Halloween ready sone Tennage Werewolf, from The Mudd Club in NYC in 1981 (shot by Paul Tschinkel).
Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus - 1979
Dark and spellbinding, Bauhaus's Bela Lugosi's Dead pretty much wrote the book on style and atmosphere for the budding Goth scene. This is a live performance from Coachella in 2009.Everyday is Halloween by Ministry - 1986
Well I live with snakes and lizards and other things that go bump in the night.
Here Lies Lily Brant by iVardensphere - 2011
Seriously creepy industrial dance music from Edmonton's iVardensphere.
Joan Crawford (has Risen from the Grave) by Blue Oyster Cult - 1981
If Mommie Dearest herself isn't creepy enough for you, let's get Blue Oyster Cult in on the act. Nice fan video with clips from Crawford's movies.
Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show - 1975
The whole movie is a treasure trove of halloween fun. This is just one of many possible choices.Halloween by The Dream Syndicate - 1984
Drenchedin feedback, Halloween is menacing for it's unspoken threat. If you prefer, you can find a live version here.
And what would Halloween be without Linus Van Pelt and the the Great Pumpkin...
Thanks for contributions and suggestions from Alan Gara, Chantel Japp, Marcus Pollard, Dave Del Rizo, Chris Sine, Irkar Beljars, Theodore Trout, Des MacDonald, Rob Egan, Cailtlin Bryant and more. If you don't like to choices blame me and see if you can do better in the comments.
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