Four Icons Built the Unbreakable Core of Halloween Rock
A review of the history behind four songs that have become inextricably linked to the holiday, from their original releases to their modern-day royalties.
By Matthew Brooks ·
Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Bobby Pickett, Gene Simmons, and Blue Oyster Cult have built a musical legacy that now dominates Halloween playlists. These four artists released tracks that have become standard fare for the holiday, blending rock and roll with themes of the macabre. Their songs have been covered by countless musicians and remain central to the cultural identity of All Hallows' Eve.
Hawkins released "I Put a Spell on You" in 1956 for Okeh Records. The track was co-written with Herb Slotkin and originally intended as a love ballad. Hawkins added screams to the performance, transforming its tone. The song saw a second release in 1955 that failed to gain traction. Nina Simone later recorded the track for her 1965 album, making it one of her signature songs. Other artists, including The Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Eurythmics, have since covered the material. Jeff Beck and Joss Stone received a Grammy nomination for their 2010 version.
Bobby Pickett wrote "Monster Mash" in May 1962 with bandmate Lenny Capizzi. The track was recorded with the Crypt-Kicker Five and released on the Garpax label in August of that year. It reached the top of the Billboard charts in October 1962. Pickett, a singer and comedian from Massachusetts, derived the concept from a Boris Karloff-style monologue performed by his band. The song generated $1 million in annual royalties as of 2023. Rush sampled the track for their 1996 instrumental "Limbo," and the BBC initially banned it for being too morbid.
Jumpin' Gene Simmons charted "Haunted House" at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. The song was written by Bob Geddins and previously released by Johnny Fuller and Domingo Samudio. Simmons, a rockabilly artist from Tupelo, Mississippi, had previously toured as an opening act for Elvis Presley. He died in August 2006. Bruce Springsteen performed the song during a 1980 Halloween show in Los Angeles, emerging from a coffin on stage. Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Stevens also recorded versions of the track.
Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was written by guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser. The song entered the Top 15 in 1976. Its association with Halloween was solidified by its inclusion in John Carpenter's 1978 film of the same name. Roeser maintained that the song conveyed a positive message about overcoming the fear of death. The track received renewed attention when director David Gordon Green used it in the end credits of the 2022 film "Halloween Ends."
These songs have spawned various adaptations and covers over the decades. Pickett released a Christmas version titled "Monster's Holiday" in 1962 and a rap version in 1985. Hawkins' 1956 release included a B-side called "Little Demon." The history of these tracks involves multiple record labels and chart entries across different decades. Their continued presence in holiday programming demonstrates their lasting impact on popular music.
