My 'Weenie Playlist!

Hello, one and all.

Once upon a time, I used to be known as the 'List maker. I would often compile a list based of a favorite artist or genre and I would post it. My trajectory has changed somewhat, but without belaying the obvious; I love a great challenge as to what could be the definitive Halloween music list. So...here it is, and by the way; I do not play by the rules. Yes, there are perennial favorites you hear every year; but hey, I like to mix the sugar honey ice tea up!

Also, I'd like to add that Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. While my days of Trick-or-Treating are long, far behind me - I do enjoy the season it falls under and will largely indulge in favorite, classic horror movies from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and so on. It always culminates into watching either "The Exorcist", "Halloween" from 1978, or almost always without fail, "Young Frankenstein" from Mel Brooks!

"Frau Brucher!"

Horse: "nnnneeeeeeiiigghhhhhhhh!"

But, I digress. Without further delay - my quintessential musical playlist for Halloween! No numerical countdown needed, and I promise you; more than ten are added. Here...we...go!

Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult. 1976

Yes, this New York City-based band has a perennial favorite everywhere with this bouncy, progressive rock ditty about death. Heard in every horror movie from the original "Halloween" to "Scream". Might as well, start you easy!

Halloween III: Silver Shamrock Commercial - John Carpenter, Alan Howarth and Tommy Lee Wallace. 1982.

Holy shit! Shut the front door! He done pulled a Halloween rope-a-dope! Yes, this calliope-based jingle from the Michael Myer-less sequel movie is enough to brighten any costume party. Just don't play it incessantly, or else, you might find yourself at the receiving end of a beatdown. Also, if bugs and snakes appear - you were warned!

Beautiful Monster - Ne-Yo. 2010

Schaffer Smith is his real name. "The Year of the Gentleman" was his album triumph. But, while largely forgotten by now; this ultra-fun EDM club hit from the previous decade may have you swaying those hips in a jiffy!

Dark Lady - Cher. 1974

If there's anyone who can spin a deadly yarn about a jilted woman who kills the shit out of her psychic fortune teller and her ex-lover - it would be this iconic singer/actress/superstar. "Believe" that! Moving on...

Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra. 1957.

Putting some cool on this list from Ol' Blue Eyes, this description of a woman's beguiling beauty inherent to being trapped under her spell is pretty much....cool! Speaking of spells...

I Put a Spell on You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins. 1956

Yes, folks - before Alice Cooper or Ozzy Osbourne, this singer from Cleveland, OH, was considered the first ever "shock rocker". Many covers and a staple in many movies, including the Bette Midler comedy "Hocus Pocus". This is clearly the definitive version and yes, his scratchy screams add to the freak-out effect!

Crazy In The Night - Kim Carnes . 1985

Okay, so this is one that most people don't really remember, but before this California blond rocker faded from the MTV stratosphere; the "Bette Davis Eyes" singer gave us this hard-rocking new wave gem about being trapped in your room with "monsters" everywhere! Better than most horror movies from an audio point-of-view. The subtitle was called "Barking at Airplanes".

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr. 1984

This Detroit native with the silky voice gave us one of the most memorable movie themes from the 1980s. Also, fun fact: he was sued by Huey Lewis for stealing the synth riff of his band, The News' "I Want a New Drug". He may not have been " 'fraid of no ghost", but a lawsuit could make anyone soil in their pants!

Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield. 1972

This UK progressive rocker musician gave us his rock/classical opus in 1972 (this author's birth year); but it was director William Friedkin who would make it legendary when he put it as the unsanctioned theme for his classic horror film: "The Exorcist" in 1973. Pea soup, anyone?

Ghosts - Michael Jackson . 1995

It should be no surprise that the late King of Pop would appear twice in this list (the first? Need I say?). This was an interesting collaborative video effort between he, author Stephen King and director Mick Garris and directed by the late make-up whiz, Stan Winston. Scariest moment? MJ made up to look like an obese white guy! Hmmmm...

Boadicea - Enya. 1987

What's Halloween without some scary mood music? The one-time Clannad member, who carved herself a nice career in new age/crossover, music made this irrefutable gem of a piece that feels alternately like horror movie music and a gripping fight for survival! Artists as diverse as The Fugees and Mario Winans have sampled it's eerie melody. Thank you, Enya, for adding to my life soundtrack! On to....

Le Freak - Chic . 1978

What the fffff....?! You're putting us on! A DISCO SONG?!?! I did say this wasn't a typical list and I meant it! Besides, ghosts, ghouls, and goblins need to shake their booty too! Besides, it's got "freak" in the title!

Witchy Woman - Eagles. 1972

This L.A. country/rock band gave us the definitive "that b**** ain't right" hit (no misogyny intended, by the way) like many others before them. You can't fight off that dark, sinewy melody and that chorus hook: "Ooooooh, witch-eey wom-an!"

She Wolf (Loba) - Shakira. 2009

I had a time trying to find a bilingual-themed song for Halloween, until a friend of mine suggested this nu-disco hit from 2009 by this Colombian goddess who swears that her "hips don't lie" - nor that she could get away with a sheer spandex body suit! "Loba" is the Spanish version.

Cry Little Sister (Theme from "The Lost Boys") - Gerard McMann . 1987

Full name: Gerard Thomas McMahon or G Tom Mac. While not a chart hit; it was the most provocative of horror movie rock themes ever made. Made the 1980s horror/comedy movie about teen vampires all the more evocative and made us (or me, rather), wonder if the song was about *ahem*, incest?

The Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band. 1979

This Southern-fried country rock classic about a Faustian barter between Beelzebub and a young fiddler has been a staple every year in October. Why stop now? Rest in peace, Mr. Daniels.

They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Haaa! - Napoleon XIV. 1966

Wildly popular and equally controversial, this beat-driven, spoken-word novelty hit gave us the chills...probably for all the wrong reasons. The alleged sin? Making fun of the mentally ill. His name is Jerrold Samuels. His song still remains a cult hit and has been covered by a "zillion" folks. So much for upsetting the mental illness status quo!

Thriller - Michael Jackson. 1983

The second, and most iconic of the Halloween song classics. It was the title to his classic album and it was the most, wildly viewed and polarized music video ever. Where else can you have MJ turn into a werewolf, scare off a Playboy model (Ola Ray - look her up! Seriously!), and do a friggin' zombie dance without missing a beat (it)? He even hired the director to "An American Werewolf in London" for godsakes!

The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley. 1958

This fun, novelty hit about a "purple people eating" monster who dreams of being in a rock-n-roll band is kid-friendly, goofy and innocuous, that one cannot complain about it's being a fun, perennial Halloween fave. Question for a friend. To drink, does it step out into the rain and drink it if it's purple? Hint, hint! What? Too soon for a stupid Prince joke?

Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett. 1962

Pretty much the quintessential Halloween party smash (graveyard, or otherwise). This goofy, Frankenstein-themed novelty song has brightened up many a party since it's initial inception. So, that's my list.

No, wait! Actually, NO, it's not!

No Halloween party would be complete without these final two!

'Halloween' Theme - John Carpenter. 1978

The iconic, synth/piano/percussion theme to the classic slasher movie is an absolute must! And here's the final discovery! Wait for it...!!

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 - J.S. Bach. Approximately 1746 [???]

This German composer has the clear cornerstone music piece of any Halloween party. Just affect a black tuxedo, put on white/gray make-up, some makeshift fangs, fake blood, and go all Bela Lugosi! "I do not dreenk....vine!"

Hope you enjoyed my list!