We’re halfway through October, so now is the time to enjoy some spooky tunes. However, there’s nothing more gruesome than some of the “love ballads” of the 50s and early 60s.

I don’t know what it was about my parents’ generation, but the tendency to kill of your date in songs was pretty popular. Here are the four biggest kill ’em off “sad songs” we all know, that are so tragic they are hilarious.

“Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning

This one was actually written as a parody to the death ballads of the time, but it was taken so seriously, it made folks cry and became a huge hit. I mean, it was his high school ring she needed after all.

“Tell Laura I Love Her” by Ray Peterson

Big, gushy, sad hit top ten hit for Peterson where a boy’s quest to pay for a wedding ring compels him to enter a stock car race…his last race ever!!!! That racing life will kill you, Tommy, but hey a thousand bucks is a thousand bucks.

“Leader of the Pack” by the Shangri-Las

Every girls loves a bad boy…until he’s a street pizza. How can you not love this over-the-top song with big emotional energy, big tragic drama and really big hair.

“Last Kiss” by The Cavaliers

J Frank Wilson and his band put together a catchy love song of love, loyalty and screamin’ tires. I’d play you the hit Pearl Jam remake of this, but that version sound like Eddie Vedder was a little sadistically happy about the “accident.”

I think the Boomers had the secret to endless love after all. Kill ’em off early in a nasty vehicle crash, and your love and longing will never die.

Look out!!