Several years ago, a couple of my good friends started circulating an October mix tape (though it was a CD) to get everyone in the Autumnal mood. I've since co-opted much of the list and augmented it, and it has become a favorite of ours. Each October, P and I play the list while we decorate, carve pumpkins, and generally participate in Halloween revelry. Hope you enjoy.
1. This is Halloween – Danny Elfman
How else would you begin an October / Halloween list?
2. Hell – Squirrel Nut Zippers
"This is a place where eternally
Fire is applied to the body
Teeth are extruded and bones are ground
Then baked into cakes which are passed around." 'nuff said.
3. Dracula – Gorillaz
There's got to be a good Dracula song on this list, right? And this one's sung by a cartoon.
4. Werewolf In London – Warren Zevon
I adore this song. It's not at all surprising that werewolves hang out at Trader Vic's.
5. Thriller – Michael Jackson
Really, must I comment?
6. (Ghost) Riders In The Sky – Johnny Cash
Classic. Damned to chase red-eyed cows through the sky, these cowboys now warn others to mind their ways.
7. Grim Grinning Ghosts – Barenaked Ladies
A Disney classic, revamped by those guys who sang the Chinese-Chicken song a few years ago.
8. Ghost of Stephen Foster – Squirrel Nut Zippers
Squirrel Nut Zippers have some very macabre thoughts. I love it.
9. Virgin State of Mind – K's Choice
Spooky... I mean, why does she have a chair in her head?
10. Free Until They Cut Me Down – Iron and Wine
Lynching is definitely scary.
11. One More Murder – Better Than Ezra
A town where no one notices that another murder has taken place, because they're used to it.
12. Slouching Towards Bethlehem – Joni Mitchell
The birth of the antichrist, apocalypse...
13. A Widow's Toast – Neko Case
Case's voice is always unnerving; here it's downright frightening.
14. Transylvanian Concubine – Rasputina
Vampiric ladies of the night wander through gothic chords: "you know what flows there like wine."
15. Bury My Lovely – October Project
Definitely new-agey, but there's no better mood music for a sepia-toned fall.
16. Bad Moon Rising – Thea Gilmore
A low-key take on the apocalyptic tune from Credence Clearwater Revival.
17. Superstar – Sonic Youth
Echoing and ghostly, this song makes Karen Carpenter even spookier.
18. O Death – Ralph Stanley
The bluegrass great begs Death to pass him by.
19. Temptation Waits – Garbage
Another vampire song. Come to think of it, I think Shirley Manson may actually be a vampire.
20. Wuthering Heights – Kate Bush
Blog readers know of my deep, abiding love for Kate. This is probably my favorite song of hers, where she gives the ghost Cathy a voice, begging Heathcliff to let her in his window.
21. Dirty Knife – Neko Case
Another Neko song to close out the list; haunting, lilting, lovely.
