31 Days of Halloween Hits: "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett

by Brittany Oviedo 
As we welcome October with its cool breezes, and - now socially distanced - festivities, we often think of scary movies, pumpkin patches and killers in masks. Rarely, if ever, do you hear anyone say what they’re looking forward to most about the season, is the music. Granted, Halloween music has nowhere near the mega-market that Christmas music has, but it seems that quality trumps quantity in this particular situation. With songs like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” Halloween season is a heavy hitter when it comes to music! 
 
That’s why we’re celebrating 31 Days of Halloween Hits here at The Word for the entire month of October. Every day we’re going to bring you a great song that fits right in on your Halloween playlist. Some are songs specifically written for the holiday, but others are great selections you can listen to year-around, but have a great theme for the spookiest of all holidays. Some of these songs you’ve certainly heard and some are lesser known that we hope to familiarize you with.

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Photo: Garpax Records

If you’re going to start off the month of Halloween or any Halloween playlist right there’s only one choice to do so with … the M.V.P. of Halloween jams: “The Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett.

Everyone knows it and has definitely heard it played over the intercom at any big box store come October. It’s easily one of the most popular songs dedicated to the Spooky Season. Reason being it’s catchy, easy to dance to and appropriate for all audiences (adults, children and goblins alike). It is a spookified bop!

Released in 1962 as a parody to songs like “The Twist” by Chubby Checker, “The Monster Mash” was made with the intent to get people dancing. It features the classic “ice cream chord progression” of many good sock hop bops, a vintage harmony group and monsters!  What else could you possibly want? These ingredients create a listening experience unlike any other! It brings nostalgia for fans who were around for its release, and excitement for the Spooky Season enthusiasts among us! 

“The Monster Mash” went No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart following its release in August of 1962, taking the crown from none other than the Four Season’s mega - hit “Sherry.” Along with “Monster Mash,” Bobby “Boris” Pickett released his album The Original Monster Mash which included spooky singles like “Blood Bank Blues” and “Transylvania Twist”. Though none reached anywhere near the popularity of “The Monster Mash,” the album is worth a listen! 

​So, what are you waiting for? Listen to this graveyard smash and get to mashing … 

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