Halloween is tomorrow, so we need one last blast of spooky tunes.
I’ve grown up surrounded by music of all kinds. Classic rock, swing, country, blues, classical and everything in between was a constant in our home and in my dad’s garage. I took guitar all through high school, DJ’ed part time in college, and was in charge of my college alt music station in grad school. I love “good music” of pretty much most genres, but I have a soft spot for the 80s ad 90s Gen X sounds. These were the sounds that shaped my teen and 20s, and they cranked out so many of the overplayed Halloween songs we still hear at parties today.
I’ve share some cool lesser known songs over the past couple of weeks, but we have to give some credit where due. These songs of my high school and college eras keep pressing on:
Let’s get this one out of the way, first:
“Thriller” by Michael Jackson
If you hate this song, I understand. It’s the “All I Want of Christmas is You” of the Halloween season. However, when it first came out, there was nothing like it. A full movie short directed by John Landis preceded it and Vincent Price did the voice over at the end. How can that not be cool? If you are sick of the office dance-offs and bad teacher-led renditions at pep rallies, look again at this video. It is still really good…plus remember the “disclaimer” at the beginning?”
“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon
This song came out in 1978, and dominated the 80s during Halloween. The piano riff alone is awesome. The worst thing about this is it overshadows the other works the late Warren Zevon, who was and insanely talented perform and songwriter. You might not admit it, but you’re about to sing (and howl) along.
“Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
The original Ghostbusters movie is still the best, and this is the song that made Ray Parker Jr. well known. Remember his song “The Other Woman?” Maybe. Maybe not? But you all know exactly how to answer “Who you gonna call?”
“Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell
This is actually a popular 80s standard year round, but such an eerie perfect vibe for Halloween. Rockwell may have been a one-hit-wonder, but this packed some punch. I still think it’s cool he’s reading a Japanese newspaper at the beginning.
“Deadman’s Party” by Oingo Boingo
Okay, I have to argue this one isn’t played enough. Before Danny Elfman brought us “This is Halloween” from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas in the early 90s, he fronted some great new wave hits perfect for Halloween, including “Weird Science” and this one. The official video shows clips from Rodney Dangerfield Back to School the kind of comedy they just don’t do any more.
Chances are you heard at least three of these songs over the past month, but in case you haven’t take a walk down the Gen-X wild side memory lane and have a great and RADICAL Halloween.
Sorry, not sorry.