Since we are only days away from Halloween, I wanted to do a post about songs that have the ability to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
I can’t wait to hear from each of you, about your favorite haunted song.
I think for most of us growing up in the seventies, we automatically think of Hotel California by the Eagles. “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave…” The songwriters on this classic are Don Felder, Don Henley and Glenn Frey.
I have a couple of favorites that never fail to cause the hairs on my arms to stand on end. The first is a song by Guy Clark.
The Guitar was co-written by Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson.
“The guitar almost played itself and there was nothing I could do. It was gettin’ hard to tell just who was playing who…”
But it’s the last line that really gets to me. “There was something spooky in his voice, and something strange on his face, and when he shut the lid, I saw my name was on the case…”
Another one I love is The Lost Highway Saloon.
The lyrics say it best. “Many times I rode that highway looking for that place again. But there’s only hills and open fields and soon the highway ends…”
And when Brian Burns reads William B. Travis’ letter written at the Battle of the Alamo, I have chills from head to toe.
Now, it’s your turn!
What is your favorite haunted song that leaves you with goosebumps?
Writing and Music 
“Hotel California,” is one of the best songs ever written. 🙂
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For sure, Mark! Thanks for stopping by!
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I can’t say they leave me with goosebumps, but I always liked Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the Vincent Price version of Monster Mash by
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I agree, John. Those two songs really depict Halloween! Thanks for stopping by!
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I haven’t heard many of these, so thanks for sharing them, Jan. Great songs! 🙂
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Happy to share, Yvette. I’m glad you stopped by. Happy Halloween!
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Looking through the comments, some great songs were mentioned! For Halloween, I’d have to choose Hotel California.😁
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That’s definitely a good one, Gwen. I wonder if anyone’s ever written that story? Hmmmm… It would make a good spooky tale. Thanks for your comment!
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The two that comes to mind is The Ride by David Allen Coe about Hank Williams being in the backseat of his car and The Haunted Woods that our aunt used to sing.
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The Ride is definitely one, sister. I love the line where he gets out of the Cadillac and says thanks, then Hank says “Mister, you don’t have to call me Mister, the whole world calls me Hank…” And Aunt Evelyn’s song about the Haunted Woods was such a sad tale. I need to look for that recording we did of her. That’s something that doesn’t need to get lost. Thank you for your comment! Love you!
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These were terrific, Jan. I had not thought about haunted songs other than Monster Mask by Bobby Pickett. These were great. https://youtu.be/vNuVifA7DSU
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Monster Mash is probably the most popular Halloween song out there. Thanks for sharing, John!
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Yes indeed.
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Haunted songs? Hmm, I never thought about it. I don’t know, to be honest, but I love Hotel California because I love California… hehe…. maybe that’s why it could even make a favorite haunted song. Although that makes me think of “California” which fulfills that connection even more.
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Lol, Erika. Great share!!
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😅
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I only know silly songs, like the “Monster Mash,” Jan. I loved this post. Wow, those songs are haunting and I love the reading of Travis’ letter. That was chilling indeed. Thanks for the shares.
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My grandkids love the silly Halloween songs. They get crazy dancing to Monster Mash! 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Diana, and I agree about Travis’ letter.
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That line from Hotel California always made me mad…lol. My go-to Halloween songs are still Monster Mash, anything from Nightmare Before Christmas, Timewarp, and Werewolves from Londin.
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Right, Denise. How dare they! 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
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I’m aging myself here but the first “haunted” song that always comes to my mind this time of year is Shadows of the Night (Quentin’s Theme) from the daytime soap Dark Shadows. I even have the vinyl album. Off to go take a listen…
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OOOOHHH, that’s a good one, Mary! I hadn’t thought of that song in years. Now, I’m off to YouTube to listen. Thanks for your comment. Happy Halloween!
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I’ve never thought about this before, Jan. So many interesting song facts you’ve shared! 💕
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Thanks for stopping by, Mar! Happy Halloween!
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I’m still laughing at Joan’s comment. 🙂 One song that’s always haunted me is Only Time by Enya. Perhaps it’s because none of us really know how much time we have. I was just listening to Hotel California on my morning commute! It’s such a great song.
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Oh, that is definitely a song that reaches down deep and brings out the goosebumps, Jill. Thank you for that comment! And I agree about Joan’s comment. 🙂
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I suppose Hotel California and Thriller would top lists for most people. Mine, too. Another one that makes me think of Halloween is Warren Zevon’s Werewolves of London. That is such a bizarre song!
I liked Lost Highway Saloon 🙂
Happy Halloween, Jan!
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Oh, that’s a good one, Mae. It truly is a bizarre song and definitely fitting for Halloween! Thank you for leaving a comment!
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Hotel California is the one that comes to mind for me. I’d never heard the others you listed. I can think of a bunch about death, but that’s different.
The name on the guitar case is chilling. Thanks, Jan.
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I’ve probably heard the song a hundred times or more and I still get goosebumps every time when he says that line. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Staci!
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There are so many. I have a Halloween playlist I’ve been listening to all month. There are some here that are new to me.
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I’ve always liked Ghost Riders in the Sky
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Oh, that is an excellent one! I hadn’t thought of Ghost Riders in the Sky. Thank you for your comment!
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I’d love to have a peek at your playlist, Craig. I’m sure is full of treat tunes! Thanks for your comment.
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I honestly haven’t thought about haunted songs, Jan. (I suddenly have a different perspective of Hotel California.)
This isn’t haunted, but creepy. (I call it the stalker song.) “Every Breath YouTake” by The Police.
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Lol, Joan. Yes, it does change the perspective. This is crazy, but I have heard of couples choosing “Every Breath You Take” as their wedding song, not realizing what the lyrics actually say. 🙂 Thanks for your comment.
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I’ve heard that too.
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LOL! That’s hilarious, Joan. I always thought the same thing about that Police song.
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Great minds. 🙂
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Reblogged this on About the Jez of It and commented:
Siouxsie will always be Halloween to me
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Oooooh, good one, Raven! Thank you for sharing! This would make some great background music to a video!
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Thank you Jan,
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Wow! There are really so many haunted songs?? In the past i only got notice about Hotel California. Will have a look, but it seems impossible finding one in traditional Bavarian music. Lol Thank you, Jan! Have a nice Thursday! xx Michael
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Oh, that would be interesting, Michael. You will have to let us know if you find a haunted song in Bavarian music. Thank you for your comment!
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I will do Jan! But i think here only the musicans playing this music are haunted. Lol xx Michael
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