Let’s be real…While songs like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash” are seasonal classics, it’s time to add some new tunes to your dusty Halloween playlist. Thankfully, Memphians have been cranking out some amazing spooky tunes for at least 100 years, which means your options are nearly endless. From Memphis Minnie to the Grifters and Three 6 Mafia, here are 20 (!) of our Halloween time favorites….
“Haunted Blues”-Memphis Minnie (1936)
Known as “The Queen of the Country Blues,” Memphis Minnie’s expansive catalogue is saturated with tunes about voodoo, ghosts, murder, and other macabre subjects. Given this wealth of options, it was a bit tough to hone in on just one tune, but her 1936 classic “Haunted Blues” about the struggles of living with the ghost of a departed lover is hard to deny.
“I’m Gonna Murder My Baby”-Pat Hare (1954)
While not a household name, Pat Hare was one of the meanest and raunchiest guitarists of his generation, laying down absolutely nasty proto-metal riffs on several tracks for Sun Records. Although he largely acted as a sideman, his 1954 solo effort “I’m Gonna Murder My Baby” showcases his power as a singer as well, and is haunting in both its subject matter and delivery. To make things even more unsettling, Hare would go on to be arrested for actually murdering his wife a few decades later.
“Tarantula” by the Tarantulas (1961)
Not a ton is known about the band responsible for this creepy little slice of instrumental surf rock other than they were originally called the Spiders, but the band apparently like it enough to name it after themselves! Recorded at Memphis’ Fernwood Records–a tiny home studio once ran by Ronald “Slim” Wallace and Jack Clement. Despite the group’s anonymity, this is a timeless track that will have party goers asking you “whose this?!?”
“Li’l Red Riding Hood”-Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs (1966)
Best known for their smash novelty hit “Wooly Bully” about a monster with “two big horns and a wooly jaw,” Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs has several other silly and spooky tunes that fit the season perfectly. Our personal favorite is “Li’l Red Riding Hood,” a retelling of the classic fairy tale told from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf. In the years since its release, everyone from Bowling for Soup to The Smashing Pumpkins have covered the holiday favorite.
“Trick or Treat”-Otis Redding (1966)
Although it was recorded by the “King of Soul” in 1966, Otis Redding’s Halloween-themed “Trick or Treat” wasn’t released until 1992, a full 25 years after the legendary singer’s death. The song–which was written by the powerhouse Stax duo of Isaac Hayes and David Porter–finds Otis doing what he did best: pleading to his lover to treat him right. “I can’t wait ’til Halloween to find out if it’s trick or treat,” he sings.
“Insane Asylum”- Koko Taylor & Willie Dixon (1968)
If we wanted to (and believe us, we were tempted), this entire playlist could have been solely dedicated to the women of Memphis blues, who had an uncanny knack for channeling the darker side of life. Memphian Koko Taylor certainly delivers the goods on this track from her solo debut, which features fellow blues great Willie Dixon. The duet speaks about having a loved one institutionalized in an insane asylum, and the pain is visceral.
“Frankenstein’s Walk”-Gene “Bowlegs” Miller (1969)
During his long and illustrious career,Memphis trumpeter Gene “Bowlegs” Miller worked alongside some of the greatest talents this city has ever produced, including Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Al Green, and Isaac Hayes. Needless to say, his 1969 novelty track “Frankenstein’s Walk” probably doesn’t rank among his finest musical moments, but sometimes you just have to let loose and have some fun. The song features Miller as Frankenstein’s monster, who understandably isn’t the most skilled dancer. Unsurprisingly, the song comes with its own unique dance moves, making it a necessity for any Halloween dance party.
“Haunter of the Darkness”-Zuider Zee (1975)
If I were to ask you which 1970s Memphis power pop band unfairly floundered in obscurity despite coming out with undeniably excellent music, you’d probably respond with “Big Star,” which is certainly true. But Zuider Zee also fits the bill perfectly, as is evident from their darkly infectious track “Haunter of the Darkness.” If you don’t know now you know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zcy4g2e4yc&feature=emb_imp_woyt
“Monster”-The Bar-Kays (1978)
Driven by tight basslines, sharp horns, and eerie synthesizer flourishes, the track blends the band’s classic Memphis funk sound with a spooky, cinematic edge. Without a single lyric, “Monster” conjures its mood entirely through rhythm and atmosphere, making it a standout Halloween anthem for funk lovers. At nearly 7 minutes long, it’s guaranteed to get feet moving and the party started.
“I Was a Teenage Werewolf”-the Cramps (1980)
Although they hailed from California, the seminal psychobilly punks the Cramps recorded their iconic debut album Songs the Lord Taught Us at Memphis’ Phillips Recording with Big Star’s Alex Chilton serving as producer. While you could easily just push play on the album and let it serve as your Halloween soundtrack, if you could only choose one track, we’d go with “I Was a Teenage Werewolf,” one of the group’s best-known and most-loved tracks.
“Warlords”-Medieval Steel (1984)
Memphis metal heroes Medieval Steel unleashed pure epic energy with their 1984 track “Warlords,” one of the many stand-out singles from their cult classic debut. With galloping riffs, soaring vocals, and battle-ready lyrics, the song channels fantasy warfare and dark power—perfectly suited for a Halloween soundtrack.
“She’s My Witch”-Tav Falco & Panther Burns (1987)
Much like their contemporaries The Cramps, Tav Falco & Panther Burns excelled in creating a creepy throwback sound that hearkened back to 1950s rockabilly with a dash or two of punk and goth thrown in for good measure. The group’s 1987 track “She’s My Witch” is an excellent example of their signature sound and a perfect tune to play for the special witch in your life.
“Potato Heads from Hell”- Wally Ford (1994)
Like a classic B movie rendered in song form, Wally Ford’s “Potato Heads from Hell” tells the story of an unfortunate man who is attacked by an army of blood-thirsty spuds from the underworld. Believe me, it only gets weirder (and more delightful) from there. I discovered the song several years ago from Mr. Ford himself, who played it to me while we sat next to each other at a bar. Needless to say, I haven’t been able to shake it ever since.
“Experiment in Terror/Stalkin’”-Impala (1994)
Yet another instrumental banger? You’re damn right! Memphis surf-rockers Impala put their own spin on “Experiment in Terror/Stalkin’,” blending Henry Mancini’s 1962 film theme with Duane Eddy’s 1958 twangy instrumental. The result is a shadowy, reverb-soaked medley that fuses noir suspense with rock ’n’ roll swagger.
Graveyard Productions – “Horror Stang” (1995)
Memphis underground outfit Graveyard Productions conjure pure terror with their 1994 track “Horror Stang.” A brief but unforgettable sound collage, it mixes eerie synths, distorted bass, and snippets of horror-movie dialogue into a chilling, lo-fi atmosphere. Emerging from the city’s early horrorcore rap scene, the track feels like a nightmare transmitted straight from a haunted cassette deck.
“Covered with Flies”-The Grifters (1996)
The title of this one alone would probably make it Halloween soundtrack worthy, but its the jagged guitars, chaotic arrangement, and restless mood that really sells it. Throughout the song, Memphis indie rockers the Grifters channel unease and exhaustion into something hypnotic and raw. It’s not a horror song in theme, but its atmosphere feels haunted all the same.
“Anyone Out There?”-Three 6 Mafia (1997)
No Halloween mixtape is complete without a track or two from the kings of horrorcore and this 1997 track finds the group at their bone-chilling best. Featuring a sample from the horror film “Man’s Best Friend,” the song serves as a solo track for Three 6 member Lord Infamous who weaves a horrifying narrative worthy of Edgar Allan Poe. “A family slaughtered by a loved one, forgive scarecrow/I turned against God and everything that I cared for most/Police arrived, candle light, butcher knives, bloody bedposts…” he raps, and that’s just the opening bars.
“Breathing Machine”-Lost Sound (2002)
Lost Sounds–the influential dark wave group featuring Jay Reatard and Alicja Trout–were experts at fusing punk aggression with eerie electronic textures, which were oftentimes complimented with apocalyptic lyricism. “Breathing Machine,” a menacing yet groovy track about the Book of Revelation, is a fan favorite and a great introduction to those first arriving at the group.
“Disco Werewolf”-Clay Otis & the Dream Sheiks (2013)
Prior to his untimely passing, Clay Otis (nee Clay Hardee) released some of the most adventurous and captivating music to come out of Memphis in years. Amongst his best tracks is 2013’s “Disco Werewolf,” an absolute banger that sounds like the sequel to “Thriller” we never got. The song, released on Halloween night of 2013, features some of Memphis’ finest current musicians and promises to be a local Halloween favorite for years to come.
“Mala Luna”-Los Psychosis (2021)
Very much in the tradition of the aforementioned band the Cramps, Los Psychosis is a psychobilly band steeped in primordial rock ‘n’ roll. However, the group’s Latinx heritage gives their sound a unique flavor that sets them apart from the pack. Their excellent debut album Rock and Roll Dreams is filled with worthy candidates for this list, but we’re rolling with “Mama Luna,” a Spanish-language banger whose menace is easy to pick up on no matter what language you speak.
