Dan's Papers - October 26, 2007 -iScared Playlist

Unlike Christmas, Halloween has always been rather neglected when it comes to playful classic songs thematically linked to the ghoulish holiday. While "Monster Mash" and "Thriller" will always be Halloween staples, it's not that often that artists decide to immortalize All Hallows Eve in song. However, back in 2005, Vice Records, a hip independent record label, gathered some of their friends and decided to do just that. The result was the North American Halloween Initiative's "Do They Know it's Hallowe'en?" The indie rock super group composed of Beck, Thurston Moore, Feist, Devendra Banhart, along members of the Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, The Postal Service, Islands, David Cross and a host of other indie rockers, put a nightmarish spin on the choral Christmas classic "Do They Know it's Christmas?" Luckily, this group of witty art rockers aren't nearly as cheesy as the group of superstars Bob Geldof assembled in 1984 to help Ethiopian Famine Relief. And they even gave all of the proceeds to UNICEF. Who says those indie rockers are bad people?

With Halloween right around the corner and the question "Do They Know it's Hallowe'en?" already posed, I think it's a good time to start thinking about a spooky Halloween mix for your home. Don't be afraid, this year's Halloween mix doesn't have any bands with the name death, murder, kill, or blood in the titles. Nope, just a classic mix of goofy Halloween jams, some creepy theme songs and Q104.3 staples. Take a gander.

All Hallows Eve Mix - "The Addams Family Theme Song." This undeniable TV theme song is arguably one of the most recognizable tunes ever to introduce a television show. And what a creepy show it was. From the unmistakable opening riff to the trademark snaps, this track is a sure Halloween firestarter. Unlike the Prodigy's "Firestarter" which is probably more of a 4th of July song.

Bobby "Boris" Prickett - "Monster Mash" Not putting this on your Halloween mix would be like leaving Adam Sandler's "Hannukkah Song" of your 8 Crazy Nights mix.

Talking Heads - "Psycho Killer" A little bizarre, but hey it fits and I guarantee everyone that comes to your party or stops by for a trick (or treat) will be humming "fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa" all night long. God bless David Byrne and his big suit.

Michael Jackson - "Thriller" While the song isn't nearly as ghoulish as the video, the two have become interwined in our minds and they might as well be one. After all there's no way you can hear this song without thinking of Jacko's video transformation from Varsity jacket sporting High Schooler to killer dancing Zombie, among his many other transformations.

Edgar Winter - "Frankenstein" One of the most famous, most identifiable instrumentals in the classic rock cannon, Edgar Winter rips the Moog keyboard on "Frankenstein" and also gives us one of the best head banging riffs the world has ever known.

Warren Zevon - "Werewolves of London" An appropriate thematic response to Frankenstein, Zevon's most famous song is perfect any time of the year, but truly fitting for Halloween.

The Beatles - "Helter Skelter" Charles Manson heard this song and decided a few people needed to go. Nuff said.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - "I Put a Spell On You" Brewing up a batch of bluesy rock, Screamin' Jay Hawkins was known to perform with a skull, a moving arm, and a coffin. With "I Put A Spell On You" as his most famous jam, it's safe to say that Screamin' Jay was more than a little macabre.

Phish - "Big Black Furry Creature From Mars" Like "Flying Purple People Eaters" on acid, weirdo Vermont jam rockers Phish blaze through mega-riffs and punk rock shouts on a song that is referred to in the Phish community as BBFCFM. When played live its abrasive pounding was at many times unnerving to granola eating Phishheads. However, its goofy, genre bending aesthetic fits well in the Phish catalog, which is full of everything from slow jams, to salsa jams, to playing with Jay-Z.

North American Halloween Prevention Initiative - "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" Started as a joke by a bunch of fun loving Canadian indie rockers, this single was produced by superstarsdrummer Joey Waronker (Beck, REM, Smashing Pumpkins) and features a handful of melody makers who are becoming household names in 2007.