Monday, October 31, 2022

Be True to the Ghouls #MusicMovesMe

 It's Monday and it's time for music!

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!)   Our head hostess is Cathy from Curious as a Cathy,  and she is joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and (last but not least) me.

Why not join our music loving folks?  It's so easy. All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video (there must be a music video or your post will be subject to removal or labeling "No Music").That's all it takes!

Each month, except December, we have a guest host.  This month, we are following a format that we will most probably be following for next year - we will continue to alternate "free to choose your music" weeks with a theme, but instead of having a guest host picking themes for a full month, we will have a guest host for each week, choosing that theme for the theme week.  The hope is more fun for everyone who participates in this fun musical blog hop.

Today is Halloween and our guest host, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, invites us to explore the history of All Hallows Eve and put our spin on Halloween inspired songs.

Let's get started!  As many of us may know, Halloween originated with an ancient Celtic observance called Samhein, where people would dress in costumes and light bonfires to scare away ghosts. When the Romans conquered the Celtic lands, some Roman observances were intermixed.  Later, Pope Gregory III declared November 1 as All Saints Day (it was formerly held on May 13).  The day before, October 31, became All Hallows Eve, later shortened to Halloween.  Some of the Samhein observances made their way into Halloween.

The holiday wasn't universally popular in the United States until after the large Irish migration into the United States in the 1850's.  Trick or treating really became popular in the 1950's.

There are many people in the United States that have turned Halloween into a major decorating/party/drinking/watching horror movies/candy eating holiday.  There are also those following various major religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam among them) who will not participate in Halloween for various reasons.  Personally, I am in it for the candy (chocolate only-no candy corn, please!)

Today, I'm going to go a little vintage for these songs.  Some of these were paired with vintage cartoons from the 1920's and beyond, for a double vintage vibe.  Not all are specifically about Halloween, but incorporate some Halloween themes (the Devil, evil, witchcraft).

1954's Spooks, from Louis Armstrong.

Punky Punkin from Rosemary Clooney, one of my Mom's favorite singers.

From 1961 "That Old Black Magic" covered by Frank Sinatra.  This song was originally a hit for Glenn Miller in 1942 and has been covered by countless artists. 


Brian Wilson wrote this 1964 song sung by the Ghouls - Be True to Your Ghoul.

I Want to Be Evil - Eartha Kitt, from 1953.  I love those lyrics!

From 1959, Graveyard Rock - Tarantula Ghoul and Her Gravediggers


One more - I Put a Spell on You, from Credence Clearwater Revival.

And that's a (mummy) wrap!

You know what to do - join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me!



13 comments:

  1. Be true to your ghoul sounds fantastic. I actually find one on youtube to listen to

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  2. ...I didn't know that there were so many songs appropriate for Halloween.

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  3. Good picks! I remember a lot of those cartoons from when I was a kid.

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  4. Halloween is wildly celebrated. It's definitely not one I get into much anymore and the only thing I liked about the day/night was getting candy when I was little. :) You did a great job coming up with your song set. I love CCR's "I Put A Smell On You"! Have a boogietastic week, my dear!

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  5. What a lot of fun today, Alana! Haven't heard some of these in YEARS!

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  6. I don't have a bone to pick with your choices. Happy Halloween!

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    1. The same to you. I wanted you to be aware that I tried to comment on your two latest blog posts and your spam protection won't let me post. It gives me a message that simply says "forbidden".

      Delete
  7. Love your Halloween playlist, Alana! ☺ You've covered several generations here. Didn't Marilyn Monroe sing Old Black Magic in a movie? (Checking Google...). Yes! It was Bus Stop. Happy Halloween!

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  8. You had me stumped here! Of course, I know that Old Black Magic- even the version by Sinatra The only other tune that was in my memory bank was I put a spell on you- but that was Screamin Jay Hawkins! Don't get me wrong, I love CCR, but Screamin Jay Hawkins has the best version ever!

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