Since I started creating song-related music posts, I have had the opportunity to talk about several songs that have connections to Halloween. So, as a bit of a break from the normal posting routine, I am going to share some Halloween-themed posts from the past, as well as add a short, new post to the list, too. So, without further delay, let’s crack open the archives and reacquaint ourselves with the following classic songs that you stand a good chance of hearing at some point during this All Hallows Eve, 2022!
1- Thriller by Michael Jackson.
This song is the #1 best selling Halloween-oriented song in music history. The King of Pop was at the top of his game when he set out to make a short movie based upon the title track from his monster album of the same name, Thriller. To re-read all about this record setting song that has become synonymous with Halloween, click here. ***Lyrics version is here.
2- Bela Lugosi’s Dead by Bauhaus.
In the Goth music genre, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” is generally regarded as the best song ever recorded. It is a very atmospheric song about actor Bela Lugosi (who became famous for his role in movies as Count Dracula). When the actor died in real life, he insisted upon being dressed in a cape and buried in a lead-lined coffin. This has led many Goth lovers to speculate that Lugosi has joined the army of the undead. This song was played over the opening credits of a erotic thriller called The Hunger, which starred David Bowie, Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon. Click here to the post about the song many regard as the true Halloween anthem. ***Lyrics version is here.
3- Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo.
This is a super wicked fun song that just happened to be about death and dead people. Don’t let the title fool you. “Dead Man’s Party” possesses a full orchestral sound thanks to the fact that Oingo Boingo was a band that had anywhere from 8-12 people playing in it at any one time. The lead singer of this song, Danny Elfman, went on to write music for many famous movies and has Academy Awards to his name as a result. So, if you want a really fun Halloween song that really pops then, click here and read all about one of the most under-rated Halloween songs ever….”Dead Man’s Party”. ***Lyrics version is here.
4- Time Warp: from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of the film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
And speaking of fun songs….you really haven’t lived until you attended a Halloween assembly at an elementary school and watched as several hundred children all engaged in the “pelvic thrust” at the same time without having a clue about what they are actually doing. It is all good clean fun, though, isn’t it?! Anyway, click here and relive the post that told the tale of one of Hollywood’s most famous/infamous but highly enjoyable songs ever recorded. It’s just a step to the left. And a jump to the right for the lyrics version.
5- Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett.
The Halloween classic, “Monster Mash” was written in 1962 by a man named Bobby Pickett. “Monster Mash” was a huge hit, making all the way to the #1 chart position in the week preceding Halloween. It remained on the Top 40 charts for a whopping total of 37 weeks! The idea for the song was that Pickett had gained a reputation for doing impressions of horror film actor Boris Karloff in between songs while on stage as a singer. His bandmates encouraged him take his impressions (which also included Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre) and incorporate them into a song. The lyrics of the “Monster Mash” contain many references to dance crazes that were popular at the time in 1962. Among those mentioned were The Twist and the Mashed Potato. But, if there is anything that you take away from this little tidbit of information about one of Halloween’s most famous songs, let it be this…the monster in this song has a name and his name is Mash. Thus, the “Monster Mash” is, at once a reference to the dance called “The Mash Potato” but it is also the monster’s name. He is the monster, Mash. Swear to God! In any case, click here to watch the video for this great song. ***Lyrics version is here.
Have a wonderful Halloween, everyone! Thanks for stopping by to read a post that I hope was regarding as a treat. Bye for now.
***As always, all original material contained within this post remains the sole property of the author. No portion of this post shall be reblogged, copied or pasted without the express written consent of the author. ©2022 http://www.tommacinneswriter.com
We were at a theme park this week and all these songs were played ( on a continuous loop) so heard them a few times . Great selection !
Just like at Christmas time, it is all fun and games until you’ve heard Monster Mash for the 100th time.
The song itself is not Hallowe’enish, but the title certsinly is: Seanson of the Witch, by Donovan. But I will offer you the Vanilla Fudge version which has a Hallowe’enish vibe in the music, I think.
https://youtu.be/RjqIo01wS0s.
Now I will go check out the posts of the songs abpve I have never even heard of. (Yes, i do know Time Warp. I’m not that old and out of touch.)
Great list, I had forgotten about a couple of those!
As a teacher in an elementary school, it was always only Thriller, Monster Mash and the lyrics version of Time Warp. Lol. I was late to discovering Dead Man’s Party and I doubt that six and seven year old kids are the right demographic for Bela Lugosi’s Dead. But, always a good time for a throwback list and that’s what today was. Glad you enjoyed it. Happy Halloween.