Favorite Alternative Halloween Songs
September 15th, 2008 by John WolfeThe reason I consider these songs alternative is because my list doesn’t include your typical Halloween music. While I enjoy the Monster Mash as well as the next “Halloween-er”, I opt to find tunes that remind me (for one reason or another) of my favorite holiday, despite the fact that’s not their intention. The following aren’t listed in any specific order:
1) In the Midnight Hour by Wilson Picket. This one takes me back to Halloween 1987. Two nights before the 31st, a made for television movie aired called, The Midnight Hour. In the film, a group of friends accidentally wake a witch. She then brings the dead back to life to take revenge on the town. Throughout the film, they played Wilson Picket’s song.
2) Strange Brew by Cream. The title alone, along with some of the lyrics sends me right into Halloween mode.
3) Little Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. This one does it for me because it was included on a Halloween CD from last year. I listened to it several times, until the song eventually stuck in my head as an association with Halloween. The funny thing- I can’t remember anything else from the album.
4) Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell, featuring Michael Jackson. Two reasons here: I have an animated black cat Halloween toy that dances to it and Ellen Degeneres danced to it on Halloween day 2005…see how weird my mind works! 
5) Moondance by Van Morrison. The whole song takes place beneath October skies with the leaves falling. Moondance was also played on the radio at 1AM last year as I was preparing my corn, in the yard, by flood lamp.
6) Marie Laveau by Bobby Bare. I love Marie Laveau. By nature I’m a big fan of the paranormal and Halloween combined, so that right there gets my Halloween juices going. The song comically recounts the witchy behavior of Marie; a legendary voodoo queen of the Bayou.
7) Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult. This one is classic rock, so that automatically makes it a candidate for my listening pleasure. Thankfully, I’ve been able to clear out the Will Ferrell cowbell incident associated with this song on SNL. It took awhile, but I’ve managed to bring it back to its Halloween association (in my mind anyway).
8 ) Masochism Tango by Tom Lehrer. Ah, this one, for me, is to Halloween what Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is to Christmas. Despite being written in the 50’s, the song talks explicitly about masochistic behavior, and it’s great! Now, for the Halloween association: someone set this tune as the backdrop to a video montage of the Addams Family films on YouTube.
And, I’ll be saving my love of the Addams Family for another post. I hope you enjoyed my list. Please, feel free to include a few of your own favorite Halloween songs in a comment.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I love that you came up with a list of “alternative” Halloween songs. “Little Red Riding Hood” was a childhood favorite of mine. It always made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It wasn’t until tonight that I understood the song’s meaning, however. I just read/listened to the lyrics:
“I’m gonna keep my sheep suit on
‘Til I’m sure that you’ve been shown
That I can be trusted, walking with you alone.”
Creepy good — just like Halloween. Thanks again for the useful list.
–S.a.M.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:33 pm
You’re welcome and thank you, S.a.M. Just the other day, I was thinking of a few more songs I forgot to add to the list.
After reading your comment, I now have Little Red Riding Hood stuck in my head.
I can definitely see how that song would have a totally different meaning during your childhood. When you’re a kid, it’s hard to see the guy’s a “masher” (to use a 1950’s and 60’s word) and he’s hot on the trail of Red…lol!