By Frank “Smokin” Truatt
Are you a fan of Halloween music? There are songs that are strictly written with Halloween in mind like “The Monster Mash” and “Thriller,” but over the years of pop music many tunes have made it onto Halloween playlists just because they are a bit scary or somehow or another hit a Halloween theme. When we think of those popular hits that have some small connection to Halloween, we may never be able to hear them at another time of the year without saying “Hey, that’s a Halloween song!” On your playlist this year you can add “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder or “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry. Let’s continue to think outside the box. There’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran. Could that be a werewolf? The Eagles sang about a “Witchy Woman,” and we know that Halloween and witches go perfectly together. “Somebody’s Watching Me” By Rockwell is a perfect horror film song where we are all alone, or are we? The Lovin’ Spoonful asked, “Do You Believe in Magic.” Of course, that song is about falling in love, but then again so is “Witchcraft” by Frank Sinatra. Both songs work for Halloween. Elvis did “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise” and odds are that if you’re dealing with the devil things have gone terribly wrong. No Halloween playlist would be complete without “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr. Like I said, most of these songs were not released around Halloween, but in some way, they have hit the theme of being scary, a bit dark, and perfect for your frightful party get-together. I would even throw in the original 1965 hit by The Strangeloves “I Want Candy.” We’ve got to enjoy that “sugar high” from all that candy collected until the last piece is gone. Although we had to live with those Halloween decorations all month long, the music featured on this spooky day is only for one day, unlike Christmas music which seems to creep in earlier and earlier each year with many stations playing some Christmas songs towards the middle of November. Hey, that’s just a few weeks away! So, enjoy the endless selection of Halloween music played on the radio on this one-day event, October 31st. Of course, all those songs I’ve mentioned will be heard all year long. It’s a bit of that Halloween feeling always with you. Don’t be scared!
