Here’s a Halloween song profile that first appeared on BHT in 2022, coincidentally on October 13. I’m posting it today to celebrate the birthday of Brad Elvis. In addition to being an avid fan of The Who’s Keith Moon, Brad has an impressive rock and roll resume that includes playing drums with The Handcuffs, The Romantics, Big Hello, The Elvis Brothers, and Screams. Happy Birthday, Brad.
The Who continue to perform on a regular basis, but since I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing them live, I’m not sure if they still include “Boris The Spider” in their shows. I doubt it since this humorous gem was written by and forever associated with their late and legendary bassist John Entwistle. It’s hard to imagine anyone else capturing his comically deadpan vocals. Even while Moon is taunting him onstage.
“Boris The Spider” sets childlike observations about a spider invading someone’s home to a playful, bottom heavy arrangement, with Pete Townshend adding backup vocals. The title arachnid maintains a safe distance at first but soon takes a more threatening position. “Look, he's crawling up my wall/Black and hairy, very small/Now he's up above my head/Hanging by a little thread.”
Even after Boris moves on, the observer still doesn’t feel safe having this ‘creepy, creepy, crawly, crawly” creature around. “There he is wrapped in a ball/Doesn't seem to move at all/Perhaps he's dead, I'll just make sure/Pick this book up off the floor.” Though “Boris The Spider” comes to a sticky end, it’s likely this catchy musical tale would go over well at a kids Halloween party as well as one for adults.
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