Halloween Song: “This Is Halloween”

And now, the final spooky song from the BHT haunted vault for the October 2025. Have a safe and wonderful Halloween.

Danny Elfman emerged as a spooky presence in the 1980s when he fronted Oingo Boingo on hit songs such as “Dead Man’s Party” (see my October 19 post) and “Stay.” His quirky energy and maniacal grin, along with that deep voice, made lines like “Leave your body and soul at the door” simultaneously threatening and fun. He moved on to writing scores for Tim Burton movies like Beetlejuice, Batman, Corpse Bride and Sleepy Hollow. His best work might have been for Burton's dual holiday feature The Nightmare Before Christmas, which gave us the angst-ridden and unforgettable hero Jack Skellington.

“This Is Halloween”, one of the many highlights from the soundtrack, ushers us into the holiday town via an ominous beat, full orchestra, and operatic choruses. Comic voices abound as several creepy residents introduce themselves: “I am the one hiding under your bed./Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red.” Elfman’s clever rhyming couplets and macabre humor make “This Is Halloween” an enduring classic.

With the holiday now upon us, homeowners across America await the arrival of trick-or-treaters. Depending on how authentic the kids’ costumes are, playing “This Is Halloween” could be the perfect soundtrack as they make their way up your front steps. Just be sure to dole out enough candy to keep them satisfied.

Halloween Song: Charming Disaster - “Disembodied Head”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault, the second tonight, following my Weekend Reminders post.

I discovered the Brooklyn-based, goth-folk duo Charming Disaster via a Facebook post promoting a four-act gig at Reggies Music Joint in Chicago in 2023. Considering the dark and catchy tunes such as “Monsters,” “Grimoire,” and “Bat Song” on their album Super Natural History, you’d feel lucky to have Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris show up at your Halloween party. And probably a little afraid.

On “Disembodied Head,” Bisker and Morris take a mad scientist movie cliché and explore how it would actually feel, using imagination and clever wordplay. “Wake one day and here you are/You’re just a brain inside a jar,” they sing over a sparse guitar arrangement. “Now what you get is what you see/You’re on your own got nobody.” The song might also serve as a satire on meditation and the dangers of overthinking things. At any rate, it’s fun.

Halloween Song: R. Dean Taylor - “There’s A Ghost In My House”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault.

Even for those who haven’t seen the 2021 U.K. thriller Last Night In Soho, it’s well worth checking out the soundtrack. It’s packed with music from the Swinging ‘60s era, ranging from international hit singles to songs that were particular to the English charts. That’s where R. Dean Taylor’s “There’s A Ghost In My House” found success in 1974, after collecting dust since being recorded for the American label Tamla Motown in 1966. Although it was composed by the stellar writing team of Holland, Dozier, Holland, with help from Taylor, Tamla Motown didn’t see its potential. I had never heard this song before buying the Last Night In Soho soundtrack, but was immediately hooked by it.

“There’s A Ghost In My House” isn’t about a real haunting; it’s a series of clever, quick rhymes describing how much a guy misses his former girlfriend. “Where our love used to be,” Taylor sings to an arrangement that deftly melds classic soul with guitar-driven garage rock, “Only shadows from the past I see.” Taylor hears footsteps on the stairs, and feels fingertips running through his hair even though he’s all alone. He confesses, “In my mind, I know you’re gone, but my heart keeps holding on.” The song would make a perfect segue after The Electric Prunes nugget “I Had Too Much To Dream” on a Halloween party playlist.

Note: The video link to “There’s A Ghost In My House” on YouTube takes a few moments to kick in. It’s a funny match to a vintage Fred Astaire clip.

Weekend Reminders

Photo by Josh Darr, from official David Byrne Facebook page.

Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Here’s a warm Broken Hearted Toy welcome to former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, who’ll finish a three-day series of concerts at The Auditorium Theatre in Chicago tomorrow night. Byrne, who’s in the midst of his Who Is The Sky? Tour, was recently named as one of the nominees for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 2026 Induction & Awards Gala.

British singer/author Wesley Stace (formerly John Wesley Harding) has an 8:00 pm gig tonight at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Dag Juhlin, who’s been part of Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy’s R.E.M. Tribute tours as well as being a member of several Chicago area bands, will be the opening act.

Halloweekend, the annual event featuring local musicians performing as famous rock acts, takes place tonight and tomorrow at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Twelve local acts will pay tribute to rock and roll stars over two nights—including Androgynous Mustache as Oingo Boingo; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as Gun Club; and Phil Angotti as Creedence Clearwater Revival tonight. Tomorrow’s showcase includes The Well Respected Men as The Kinks; Rachel Drew as The Cure; and Dancing Horses as Echo And The Bunnymen. For the full lineup, check my October 18 post, or the Montrose Saloon website.

He just won’t stop imitating rock stars. Phil Angotti and The Damn Torpedoes will perform Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers songs at the Reclaimed Bar (3655 N. Western) in Chicago tomorrow night. On Sunday, Phil Angotti and Friends have a Beatles Brunch scheduled at FitzGerald’s at noon. As with his Halloweekend performance, Angotti will be backed by a different cast of well-known Chicago musicians at each of these gigs.

Tickets for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL go on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 am.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has scheduled Special Halloween Performances of its current production Paranormal Activity for tomorrow night at 6:00 and 10:00 pm. It’s loosely based on Oren Peli’s 2007 movie, and from the reviews I’ve read in Chicago newspapers, it’s very frightening.

Jai Brenai Productions will present Funk-O-Ween: A Personified Funk Experience this Saturday at City Winery Chicago. The show starts at 7:30 pm and will honor James Brown, Rick James, Chaka Khan and Prince.

Quad Con is holding a Rockford Comic Con And Toy Show at the Cherryville Mall in Rockford, IL this Saturday and Sunday. There will be 70 vendors scattered around the shopping center. Admission is free.

Jeff Tweedy’s Twilight Overide Tour With Guest Macie Stewart will come to The Salt Shed this Saturday. Named after Tweedy’s recently released triple solo album, the equally ambitious North American/European tour will run through February 2026.

Chicago-based band The Neighbors will perform alternative rock and indie Americana tonight at Brudder’s. The music starts at 9:00 pm; the venue is located at 3600 N. Pulaski.

Chicago indie rockers The Handcuffs will take a break from recording their next album for a return visit to Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL this Saturday. The Attitudes will be their guest opener.

The Other Art Fair, a global and inventive effort from online gallery Saatchi Art to create a place “where the experience exists outside of four white walls,” is coming to Artifact Events in Chicago on this Friday through Sunday. The price of admission ranges from $18 to $312.50, depending which day you choose. Artifact Events is located at 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue.

The Return Of The Flock show scheduled for November 1 at Park West on Chicago’s north side has been cancelled due to an injury to one of the band members. Hopefully, a make-up date for The Flock, a critically acclaimed jazz rock ensemble that was well ahead of its time in the 1960s, will be announced soon.

As noted by the well-traveled rock and roll drummer John LeQuesne in a Facebook post this morning, Grace Slick, the enchanting lead vocalist of Jefferson Airplane, is celebrating a birthday. Best wishes, Grace, and thanks for all those psychedelic gems.

Also, Happy Birthday and best wishes to Ken Stringfellow, a founding member of The Posies and a successful solo artist.

And now, on the eve of Halloween, let’s raise a magic potion toast to all the ambitious people around the world (and possibly the universe) putting last minute touches on their Halloween parties. Drink safely; drive sensibly, decorate imaginatively, frighten carefully, and conjure up the best playlist of spooky songs you can. I’ve been posting Halloween song profiles for most of this month for party planners looking for suggestions.

Halloween Song: Amazing Heeby Jeebies - “The Mummy”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault.

But first, how about a round of Happy Birthday wishes to Graham Elvis of The Elvis Brothers; Mike Galassini from Magnaphonic, The Valley Downs, 92 Degrees, and The Band Calderisi; Mark Watson of the Mark Watson Band; and Pravda Records founder and musician (EXPO ’76, The Imperial Sound) Kenn Goodman.

Note: Amazing Heeby Jeebies, or The Jeebies as they’re also called, will pay tribute to the Los Angeles indie rock band The Gun Club as part of the Halloweekend event at Montrose Saloon in Chicago tomorrow night.

You’d expect a band named Amazing Heeby Jeebies to throw a few chills your way, and the Chicago-based quintet came through on its 2018 Bad Feeling album. Led by vocalist Ary Jeeby and propelled by guitarists Bob Hyatt and Tom “Boss X” Klein, Amazing Heeby Jeebies combine garage rock and rockabilly while spinning tales of werewolves, mummies, and cannibals. They don’t always aim for the dark side, but when they do, listeners are more likely to dance than run away.

“The Mummy” suggests the legendary monster is more likely to sip martinis in a 1960s discotheque than trudge after anthropologists inside pyramids. Ary Jeebie belts out quick rhymes like “King Tut’s got nothing on this guy/When he left, Cleopatra cried.” This mummy’s a recording artist with a least one album under his bandages and hosts a television show. With bassist Earl “Wolfdaddy” Carter and drummer Jerry King adding to the mayhem, “The Mummy” proves to be a rollicking Halloween treat.

Halloween Song: Fleetwood Mac - “Hypnotized”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault; the second one for today.

Just about halfway between Peter Green’s 1968 “Black Magic Woman” and Stevie Nicks’ 1976 “Rhiannon,” singer-guitarist Bob Welch composed the atmospheric and spooky “Hypnotized” as a member of Fleetwood Mac. It was one of the tracks on the band’s 1973 Mystery To Me, and true to the album’s title, this song presents a series of puzzles. Welch’s evocative singing and the Mac’s enchanted instrumentation ensure that “Hypnotized” commands our attention.

When the first verse describes “Two friends having coffee together/When something flies by their window,” it’s up to the listener to decide if it was a UFO. The North Carolina “strange, strange pond” in the second verse seems even more likely to involve intergalactic visitors. And the man in Mexico who can “fly over mountains and hills and he don't need an airplane or some kind of engine” might be a warlock or a ghost.

The chorus of “Seems like a dream/They got me hypnotized” adds a conspiracy element. Are “they” tricking us into thinking these events are happening, or trying to cover up an extraterrestrial invasion by insisting we were only dreaming. As the lyrics put it, “Because there's no explaining what your imagination can make you see and feel.” After leaving Fleetwood Mac, Bob Welch scored solo hits with “Sentimental Lady” and “Ebony Eyes.”

Halloween Song: The Human League - “Darkness”

Another repost from the BHT haunted vault.

George Harrison wisely warned us to “Beware Of Darkness,” but in 1981, The Human League created a song in which the mere flicking off of a light resulted in a terrifying, mind-altering experience. As with the hit singles “Don’t You Want Me?” and “Love Action” on the band’s groundbreaking, platinum record, Dare, “Darkness” was driven by synthesizers. On this track, the keyboards are equally effective in scaring people and enticing them to dance.

Founding member Philip Oakey’s lead vocals establish darkness as a place “filled with sounds of fear” where the imagination runs wild. “I see shadows (don’t turn out the light)/Moving, changing shape.” Even the senses become a confusing mishmash. “I hear colours black and red/I see sounds that fill my head.” This was the only song on Dare Oakey didn’t have a hand in writing (other than the instrumental snippet, “Get Carter”) but he certainly gives it a chilling delivery. “And the clock stops as darkness closes in./I hesitate but it’s too late, I scream and scream again.”

“Darkness” has that unmistakeable allure of 1980s synth rock, but its message stretches back through the centuries. For anyone putting together a Halloween party playlist, this is a good candidate for the opening track.