Tunes of Terror Vol. 5 - Monster Mash

So we needed to have a Halloween novelty hit. It wouldn't be That Song Blog without one. However choosing just one is almost impossible. If you're at all interested in these and other novelty hits I highly recommend the compendium Wacky Tunes. Anyway, after much consideration it was deemed best to go with the original and most ubiquitous Halloween smash, Monster Mash.

Did you know that when singer/songwriter Bobby Picket was shopping Monster Mash around, nobody wanted it? It was only when award winning producer Gary S. Paxton was played the song that it was picked up and turned into the holiday devouring smash we know today.

Anyhow. I just thought you'd find it interesting that we might have never, ever heard this song. What a world.

Also! Legos! They make everything incredible! I approve of CaptainBulldog's video.

Tunes of Terror Vol. 4 - The Witch

'The Witch' makes me think of the Batman theme song on steroids. In fact the titular Witch would make the best super hero ever. A garage rock heroine roving the city late at night in a long black hearse fighting villains with sex, hair and a massive shotgun she calls her BroomStick. Goddamn yes. What was I talking about?

Right! The Sonics are old favorites here on That Song Blog. We've spoken about their brutally percussive brand of sixties rock before, so you know what to expect. It beats the shit out of you while forcing you to do a violent twist.

You know the drill- load it up and make it LOUD, because it's illegal to listen to The Sonics if your ears aren't beginning to bleed.

Tunes of Terror Vol. 2 - A Cold Freezin' Night

This is the song where a six year old threatens to chop off your toes and work his way up to your brain.

The Books are a New York based duo known for slicing and mixing spoken word pieces into rhythmic dance collages.

The track 'A Cold Freezin' Night' from their fourth album The Way Out isn't an obvious choice for a Tune of Terror. However there's something undeniably unsettling (played upon endlessly in the head-spinning video above) about the increasingly violent confrontation between a young brother and sister. And really, what's more terrifying than children? I wouldn't mess with these kids. They'd chop my hair off!

Tunes of Terror Vol. 1 - She's My Witch

She's My Witch - Kip Tyler

Terrifyingly toe-tapping! Right!? Am I right? Guys?

Well anyway. Happy Halloween everyone. Throughout today we will be putting up some totally holiday appropriate songs for your freaky pleasure, starting with little known rockabilly roarer 'She's My Witch' by Kip Tyler. Kip was a fixture of the Los Angeles rockabilly scene, commanding a dedicated cult following for his manic live performances and wild man attitude often incorporating bongos ( I ask you- what wild man is complete without bongos?).

'She's My Witch' was the B side to his 1958 single 'Rumble Rock,' both tunes particularly notable for the contributions of veteran sax player Jim Horn (largely known for his work with Duane Eddy). His blowsy lines are almost melting atop the icy guitar strums and echoing drum claps.

It's a song of woozy sex, witchcraft and drag races. What more could you ask for on Halloween?

UPDATE: Crikey that was quick. Apparently we don't love music as much as Warner Brothers love copyright protection and we now can't show the Kip Tyler video to you. We've replaced it with a Spotify link, hope you can still enjoy it.