Words of Wisdom

There are many defining characteristics of the holidays that we celebrate, from the decorations that we adorn our homes with to the stories we tell our children to the clothing we don. In many cases, our musical choices also reflect the holiday extravaganzas. With Halloween this is no exception, for where would be without the ominous tones that seep into our very brains and manipulating our fear impulses. So, I thought that for today’s top ten list we could look at ten songs that may deserve a place on your Halloween playlist. Enjoy.

10. Blue Oyster Cult – Don’t Fear the Reaper
Sure, it’s silly, but what would Halloween be without more cowbell?

9. Creedence Clearwater Revival – I Put a Spell On You
From the pounding guitar to John Fogerty’s piercing vocals, this ode to witchcraft has all of the dark characteristics of a great Halloween song.

8. Rob Zombie – Living Dead Girl
Either on his own or with his band White Zombie, horror-rocker Rob Zombie definitely deserves a spot.

7. Motley Crue – Shout at the Devil
During their short early-80’s Satan fascination stage, the Crue crafted this devilish song with its well-known, “Shout…Shout…Shout..” incantation that is still a concert staple.

6. Pantera – Cemetary Gates
The ominous feel of this song is multiplied by Dimebag Darrell’s distinctive guitar stylings and Phil Anselmo’s screaming voice – hitting notes he never would again on a Pantera album.

5. Robert Johnson – Me and the Devil Blues
Johnson garners bonus points for having allegedly sold his soul to the devil in Clarksdale, Mississippi and how can you resist a song with lyrics like: Early this mornin’ when you knocked on my door / and I said hello, Satan, I believe it’s time to go.

4. The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil
Continuing the devil motif is this incredible piece of work from one of the world’s greatest bands, told from the perspective of Beelzebub himself.

3. Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Crowley
Mr. Osbourne is a must-have for any Halloween get-together and any number of his songs could have been on the list (Suicide Solution, Bark at the Moon, etc.), but I had to go with this ode to famed occultist Aleister Crowley.

2. AC/DC – Hell’s Bells
It was a toss-up between this one and Highway to Hell, but this one’s dirge-like guitar work from Angus Young puts it over the top. When Brian Johnson screams out, “I’m gonna get you, Satan get you,” it will, truly, get you.

1. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
Did Sabbath do anything but Halloween-appropriate songs? I thought pretty hard about including Children of the Grave or Paranoid, but this one, with Tony Iommi’s dire three note opening takes the cake. It still gives me chills when Ozzy calls out, “Oh no, please God help me,” in a doomed voice over the blasting guitar. Yes, this could be the soundtrack to every horror movie ever made.

What do you think? What should have made the list? What should have been left off?