Because I’m in a giving mood (and because no one, and I mean no one, ever comes to our house for candy on Halloween), I thought I would load up the musical candy bowl and liberally hand out the goodies to those who come knocking at the Popdose door.
“Frankenstein,” The Edgar Winter Group (download)
Well, as an albino who’s also a rocker, Edgar was pretty much made to create a song called “Frankenstein.”Á‚ I’ve never really been a fan of this group, and know very little about them, but our friends at Wiki had some nice tidbits:Á‚ 1. Winter loves his Scientology; he’s made no public comments on what he thought of John Travolta’s performance in Battlefield Earth. 2. Dan “I Can Dream About You” Hartman was in the band at one point. 3. This song was featured in Guitar Hero — which I’ve never played.Á‚
“Hell’s Bells,” AC/DC (Download)
At every Oakland Raiders home game, this is the tune they play when the team comes out — even though the team loses more often than not. Ah well, it gets the home crowd pumped and ready to fight … each other.
“Enter Sandman,” Metallica (download)
A wonderful lullaby for Halloween, and James Hetfield really sells the creepy in this tune. I also found out that Hetfield is a big fan of the Oakland Raiders — which makes me wonder if he’s ever tried to slip a Metallica clip into the stadium audio system.
“Runnin’ With The Devil,” Van Halen (Download)
Who knew the Devil was big on jogging?
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” Blue Oyster Cult (download)
After years of being a standard on classic rock radio, the amusing thing is to see how members of the band are disputing who played cowbell on this song.Á‚ Was it Eric Bloom?Á‚ Was it Albert Bouchard?Á‚ Or was it an “uncredited producer” who added the cowbell prior to mastering?Á‚ The world may never know.
“Welcome To My Nightmare,” Alice Cooper (download)
If you’re Alice Cooper, I would imagine his nightmare is that the world stopped buying his albums.
“Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” Bauhaus (download)
I used to really be into the this song … in 1984.Á‚ Back then, it sounded fresh and ominous.Á‚ Now?Á‚ Alas, it’s kind of mainstream, but oh-so-good for Halloween.
“The Lights Go Out,” Oingo Boingo (download)
After all the years Danny Elfman has been making records with Oingo Boingo, you’d think he would scheme to completely own October 31st by putting out a whole album of Halloween songs.Á‚ “Dead Man’s Party” is certainly an overplayed song during this time of year, but if I was a consultant on a Halloween album by the band, this tune would be right up there.
“The Munsters Theme,” Jack Marshall (download)
Okay, so this isn’t the original version, but it’s close enough.Á‚ And since I’m in full disclosure mode, I should let you know that this version is performed by some group called “The Hit Factory.” Who?
“I Want Candy,” Bow Wow Wow (download)
Watch out, kids.Á‚ Bow Wow Wow re-recorded this tune years ago, but I’m trying to redeem myself for that Munsters head-fake by giving you the original version here.
“On Our Own,” Bobby Brown (download)
Sure Ray Parker jr.’s theme song for the first film is more recognizable, but this is Bobby Brown, dammit!Á‚ Gots to mix it up to keep things fresh, right?
“Thriller,” Michael Jackson (download)
Just when you thought I was getting unpredictable, I become predictable.Á‚ Ah well, at least it’s a good Michael Jackson song.Á‚ I could have foisted “You Rock My World” on you, and then you would know real pain.
“The Martian Monsters,” Disneyland (download)
I grew up listening to this record for … well, I don’t know how long. So, to keep those memories nice and warm with nostalgia, I present a scratched up vinyl selection from this strange little classic record.
“I’m Your Boogieman,” KC & The Sunshine Band (download)
You know what’s really scary?Á‚ I have a distinct memory of KC & The Sunshine Band performing on The Brady Bunch Hour, but I checked this site, and they were never on… Yet, I remember Florence Henderson saying to KC: “Just how do you shake your booty?” Was it all a dream?
“Night On Bald Mountain,” Remix Feat. Tom Rossi (download)
When I was in my 20s, I used to have a recurring nightmare that could be titled “Night on Bald Mountain.” In it, I was completely bald. Alas, the nightmare came true.
“Ghost Town,” The Specials (download)
Economic downturn got you running for cover?Á‚ Here’s something to keep you company as you hide in your hole.
“Hell,” Squirrel Nut Zippers (download)
Well, if the house band in Hell is Squirrel Nut Zippers, then I’m reserving my fiery pit now!
“Red Right Hand,” Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (download)
As the party winds down, a reminder to keep to the well-lighted streets on your way home, or else you might meet this creepy creep.
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