Halloween Special
Good God, do I love Halloween. It’s a giant, marvellous amalgamation of so darn much greatness, like costumes, candy, fall, apple cider, pranks … sigh. It’s easy to bemoan the fact that at university, “All Hallows’ Eve” generally validates what Lindsay Lohan said in Mean Girls: “Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” But remember the lovely Halloweens of yore? Back when Halloween was a holiday celebrating mischief, cool costumes, the supernatural and the gluttonous consumption of Aero and Coffee Crisp chocolate bars? Let’s bring back some Halloween memories with the official A&E Halloween Mix Tape—and maybe make some new ones.
Bobby Pickett and The Crypt Kickers, “Monster Mash”
Everyone knows this weird, wonky and campy song. That’s what makes it a classic, along with the “spooky” voices and countless references to it in modern-day pop culture. It’s a “graveyard smash.”
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, “I Put a Spell on You”
Forget Bette Midler’s version in Hocus Pocus. Screamin’ Jay lays down the R&B tune about unrequited lovin’ the best, and with all of his creepy inflections, yelps and yowls—combined with a creepy album cover—this is a definitive classic.
Franz Josef Haydn, “Hark! What I Tell to Thee (The Spirit’s Song)”
I had to sing this song last year for my jury performance in Music 224. That was in April, and it still creeped me out. Haydn was a master at writing haunting accompaniment, and the lyrics by poet Anne Hunter are pretty darn eerie: “Hark! Hark, what I tell to thee / Nor sorrow o’er the tomb; / My spirit wanders free / And waits till thine shall come.”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack, “Time Warp”
This is a no-brainer. Susan Sarandon’s bug eyes are scary, too.
Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, “Ghost Riders in the Sky”
Many performers have covered this classic song, but the live version with Johnny and Willie is definitely my favourite. The guitar-picking in this version is pretty haunting too, not to mention pretty damn great.
Frank Sinatra, “Witchcraft”
Nobody messes with the Chairman of the Board. After all, what’s scarier than The Mob?
Warren Zevon, “Werewolves of London”
This song was a total one-hit wonder, but I’m sure its royalties for ol’ Warren aren’t too shabby. The imagery of a little old lady getting mutilated by a werewolf on the loose could have some sort of double meaning, but on the literal level, that’s pretty terrifying.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince, “A Nightmare on My Street”
This song is bloody hysterical. The Fresh Prince raps about Freddy Krueger being “burnt up like a weenie,” and describes an entire nightmare scenario complete with Freddy attacking him in the middle of the night. I bet this song has haunted Will Smith for years.
Bo Diddley, “Bo Meets the Monster”
Widely-regarded as a major rock ’n’ roll pioneer, Bo’s his bluesy, guitar-virtuoso self as he’s chased by a monster. Bo even voices the monster, which is more goofy and funny than scary.
Michael Jackson, “Thriller”
Anyone who’s seen the video knows that this is an obvious choice. Screw the catchy beats. Vincent Price is the best part of the whole song.
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Tricia—as usual—is fervently trying to resist “Slut-o-ween” and will likely be seen parading around the Ghetto in a ghastly get-up. Hint: mullet.
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