Wyoming Could Be The State To Start Halloween Caroling
I want to start a new trend, right here and now.
Christmas carolers are always fun.
Why doesn't Halloween get carolers?
Wouldn't you just love to hear that doorbell ring and open it up to see your neighbors, dead and undead, singing your favorite Halloween songs?
After they sing a few verses of various tunes you hand them candy and hot cocoa (rather than eggnog) and off to the next house, they go.
Some of the songs that they would sing you have heard.
But there are some cool ones you've never heard that they should add to their repertoire, like the song below.
I'm sure you'd screech in joy and clap as they start to sing the theme song from the movie GHOSTBUSTERS.
If they are really good they won't sing every song all the way through.
They will just pick our favorite lines from each song and add them to what would be a montage of Halloween favorites.
They need to add just a few dance moves to these songs.
Nothing outrageously complicated.
Just some swaying and grooving.
Yeah, Christmas Carolers are grand.
But let's face it, Halloween Carolers would be TOTALLY THE BOMB!
You'll find yourself snapping your fingers along to the Adamas Family Theme Song.
This is one of those times when singing along is not necessary.
But who could resist finger-snapping?
These are songs all Americans grew up with so there isn't anyone out there that doesn't know at least the chorus to these classics.
Your neighbors will be listening and hoping that the band of singing ghouls will stop by their place next.
So let's make this the next great thing.
Let's have a look at the best Halloween songs out there and see how many you know.
Some of these songs are really old.
Regardless of new, or old, they always make us smile.
The Monster Mash
Probably one of the most famous Halloween songs of all time, this was written and performed by Bobby Boris. The song was released in 1962 as a novelty song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett.
It was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 20–27 of that year, just before Halloween.
In the video below you can watch Boris perform it live.
Note his fun facial expressions as he sings.
I Put A Spell On You
This tune has been performed by many great singers over the years.
But as good of a job as they all did nothing will ever really top the original.
So let's go back, way back, and look at a regional TV recording of the song by Screaming Jay Hawkins.
He plays a witch doctor as he sings.
"I Put a Spell on You" is a 1956 song written and composed by Jalacy "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins, whose own recording of it was selected as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Once again it's fun to watch the original artists perform the song in front of a live audience.
Thriller
Michael Jackson's hit is not exactly a song we can all sing along to.
The video is rather long, but almost everybody loves it.
It doesn't start with music, but the story of a couple on a date.
The car runs out of gas and the boyfriend, played by Jackson, transforms on a spooky night.
BUT WAIT- That was the movie in the theater. The real couple is watching a movie at the theater, and now they walk home and...
Okay, it's best to just watch it if you've never seen it.
Jackson was able to get the famous voice of VINCENT PRICE as a narrator in his song.
This performance was so long it was originally released in movie theaters.
Folks loved the freaky story but also loved the dance moves of Jackson and the Gools.
If you have the time I've pulled the original video, which appeared in theaters back in December of 1983.
This Is Halloween
For the movie Nightmare Before Christmas, this song tells us everything we need to know about the town of Halloween.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (also known as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas) is a 1993 American stop-motion animated musical.
It tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of "Halloween Town", who stumbles upon "Christmas Town" and schemes to take over the holiday.
Danny Elfman wrote the songs and score and provided the singing voice of Jack.
Once again, not a song we can all sing along or dance to, but it is played a lot during this time of year.
You'll hear it on the store speakers as you go shopping.
Ever feel like somebody is watching you?
I'm just an average man, with an average life
I work from nine to five; hey hell, I pay the price
All I want is to be left alone in my average home
But why do I always feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone
Somebody's Watching Me
This song was recorded and written by Rockwell, and released in 1984 as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name.
It features guest vocals by brothers Michael Jackson (in the chorus) and Jermaine Jackson
Werewolves of London
Written by Warren Zevon and composed by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell, and Waddy Wachtel (1978).
The track featured Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood and John McVie on drums and bass. It reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This is one of those Halloween songs that will always make you turn up the radio!
And most of us feel the urge to cry out "AAAHHUUU" when that part of the song comes along.
Below is the original music video that was released to MTV with the song.
Personally, I think they could have done better than just having us watch him sing it.
Season of the Witch
What a great dong.
It was created and sung by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan and released in August 1966 on his third studio album, Sunshine Superman.
The song is credited to Donovan, although sometime collaborator Shawn Phillips has also claimed authorship.
Donovan was known for very unusual songs that created vivid imagery.
This one does not disappoint.
The music is perfectly witchy.
Speaking of witches:
Witchy Woman
Written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, and recorded by The Eagles.
It reached No. 9 on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1972.
Did they mean this as a Halloween song?
Maybe.
Can't be sure.
Then again Donovan may not have intended for his witchy song to be a Halloween anthem.
Nonetheless, if you are hearing Halloween songs on the radio, you'll hear Witchy Woman at some time.
Wyoming Ghost Busters
Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods
Wyoming Zombie Truck
Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods