The Graveyard Smash Challenge... My Way!

Halloween is one of many festivities in which we celebrate life, based on a certain tradition. We all know a party isn’t a party without great music that fits the occasion. In this case, we’re talking about Halloween. Scary energy, right? It invokes the supernatural, the spiritually unknown...the dark side, they call it. We celebrate ghosts, cemeteries, and spirits that live in carved pumpkins. Black cats are more ominous now than any other time of year, yet they still make a fine costume idea. Many people visit other aspects of themselves through costumes and costume parties, which brings me back to the subject at hand. Music that fits the occasion. The songs in my Graveyard Smash playlist address all kinds of scary, from paranormal fear factors to flat-out-scary people. It is also a collective of old skool, throwback spooky jams that stir the mystery within as you dance. Enjoy more about them below..

Induge in this spooky but groovy old-skool Halloween playlist, submitted to the Vocal Graveyard Smash Challenge HERE!

The Devil went down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels (1979)

There is nothing more creepy than a Heaven vs. Hell showdown over enchanted strings, literally. This song is actually based on an old folktale about a young boy in a violin contest with the entity known as “The Devil.” If he wins, he gets a violin made of gold, and a bragging title to feed the ego that enticed him to the challenge. If he loses, “The Devil” takes his soul. Only one little problem: “The Devil is feeling a shortage of servants, so he brought two things to the ring. One of them was a band of demons to jam this southern folktale out. The other thing he brought was a sequel to this song in case he loses to the young boy. ..and in the first song, he does.

Hotel California – Eagles (1977)

Sometimes, the scariest monster is one’s own reflection, over engorged in access. Often times, the monsters we see externally are reflections of monsters within. The symbolism of this song is so saturated in warning, allure, and fable over an eerie but addictive tune. You can check out, but you won’t be leaving. Yikes.

I Put a Spell on You – Nina Simone (1965)

This tune suggests that seduction and spellwork go hand in hand. In this tune, Nina is bold and upfront in both. However, there is one other element to this song… disdain. This brings a chilling suspense to this song, as spells can go either way.

Thriller- Michael Jackson (1981)

Is is just me, or is this song a Halloween must-have? This spooky tune is powerful, as it headlines one of the number one selling albums in music history, period. This song is gleefully sang about a beast with 40 eyes coming for one too paralyzed by fear to change the TV dial. Its video was a short horror movie about a harmless date turned ghastly, and he invited company. The rap by Vincent Price drove this chilling tune all the way to the bone. With the video, we’re still left wondering which was the movie, and which was really happening... Since seeing the video to this song, I always make sure my dates don’t run out of gas.

Death Letter – Johnny Farmer & Organized Noise (2005)

This song is old, creepy, and drenched in conjure energy. The bassline, however is enchanting. The slurring vocals speak of a cursing letter of impending doom. It repeats like a mantra. A creepy but enchanting mantra...that grooves in its own twisted way.

Paint it Black – The Rolling Stones (1966)

Colors carry moods. Pentatonic songs flirt with pentagram energy. Black is one of the main colors of the Halloween season because of its mysterious, powerful, and in some cases, a mournful tone. This enchanting tune carries the emotions of a lover left behind. The only seems to wish the would join him in mourning, thus painting the world black.

Crazy Little Voices – Ra (1999)

This song speaks of spiritual voices, or intense schitzophrenia, depending on your level of belief. Voices that beckon one to walk into the sea and bring them the rage are pretty scary voices to converse with. The tune itself? Nice. The message? Depends on which of these crazy little voices are talking to you.

Damien – DMX(1998)

This creepy tune goes deeper into conversations with the crazy little voices the previous song mentioned. Over this addictive beat, DMX (who just became an ancestor this year) hashes it out with one of those crazy little voices, in a sinister octave of his own. So powerful this place was, DMX gave him a name – Damien.

Enter Sandman – Metallica (1991)

Any song that refers to darkness as Never-neverland is an unerving one indeed. References to succumbing to fear is exiting the light. All the while, the vocals give much to fear. So much you’d “sleep with one eye open, and gripping your pillow tight.” All the while, the Sandman is being beckoned on the backdrop of sleeping prayer. That is a scary lot going on in a very vulnerable place...while sleeping. Still a great song for a Halloween party.

Haunted – Beyonce (2013)

This tune brings a perfect blend of seduction, astral travel, and spookism. References to being a “ghost in the sheets” while being aware of the same visits. Spirit visits, which are more involuntary than in-person encounters. It flirts with making love to entities unknown. Enticing and scary in equal measure.

The Omen – DMX- Marilyn Manson (1998)

These two on one song? That is scary in itself. The title of the song automatically sets an aura of suspense as the what the omen is an omen of. Yet again, DMX spends the song duking it out a second time with the same alter ego the thought he defeated in the previous album. Apparently, Damien brought about a different approach to his torment. He brought along Marilyn Manson to chant spooky mantras on the song’s hook. Literally.

The Cure – Burn (1993)

Yes, Yes, another alluring song with a dark undertone. Burn is a song about the pending doom of a relationship, expressed through breathing, speaking shadows and animal screams. Most of all, this song was a token tune on the motion picture soundtrack, “The Crow.” It played during the scene in which Draven’s (played by Brandon Lee) ghost realizes what happened to him and his fiancee, and begins to paint his face. Under the guidance of the crow that carries his soul, he prepares for the bloodbath that will occupy the entire film. Sadly, this was Brandon Lee’s last film before his untimely passing. That real- life event added a more tragic note to an already tragic film. This song was part of the score.

Ghosts – Michael Jackson (1996)

Unlike Thriller, this ghouly tale of a song speaks more to dealing with a single, unwelcomed spirit, as opposed to the crew of haints that just wanted to break out of the ground and dance for a minute. This one seems to be making his living very uncomfortable. It is a clever symbolism to the spirits of real people who were, at the time haunting him every day. It seemed that many people around him were using the same ghost to haunt him...the ghost of jealousy. Both the ghastly and symbolic meanings are scary in equal measure….all in a song that can still make you dance at a Halloween party.

Damien III – DMX (2001)

Well folks, DMX’s alter ego has quite literally chased him across three albums. This time, DMX and his alter really have it out. Any spirit strong enough to follow someone for three hours straight is super creepy...and the scariest part is knowing we all have one. Its just as hard to listen to as it is to turn off.

Goldeneye – Tina Turner (1995)

This is a lighter eerie toned song that speaks of meditated seduction. That requires the admirer to be somewhere on the borderline of admirer or stalker. A different kind of scary, but scary nontheless.

7 – Prince (1992)

This song brings an end-of-times kind of scary. The ghastly laughter is between evil and karmic. The tune is somewhat relaxing, perhaps so the prophetic lyrics sink in a bit differently.

In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins (1981)

There is nothing more intriguing than a song with its own myths. The melancholy, eerie but intense energy of this song certainly leaves room for it.

Knocking on Heaven’s Door – Guns and Roses (1990)

Its an ancestor song. I chose it for reflections of spirits we don’t have to fear. It brings a balance to all of the spooky songs aforementioned. Those spirits are our dearly departed. Halloween is such an interesting holiday because it acknowledges all spirits, not just the spooky ones!

Hope you enjoyed the playlist. Have a happy and safe Halloween!

All the Best,

iiiYansaje T. Muse

P.S. If you would like to hear this and other themed playlists in constant rotation, beam up to 222.9 The Mothership!