This is the third installment in a continuing series calling out songs that should be in every horror fan’s running (or exercise) playlist. For this edition, it’s about the classics. I’m returning the the days of my youth and three songs that pay homage to the monster classics that I cut my teeth on.
On with the dark tuneage. ::
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07
“Godzilla” — Blue Oyster Cult
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As a youngster, I spent many Saturday afternoons in the darkened Riviera Theater on Lake Avenue in Rochester, NY watching monster matinees that featured everyone’s favorite Tokyo-destroying / defending nightmare Godzilla. I loved those afternoons. That’s just one of the reasons I love this song. BOC was at the height of their powers with this funky novelty piece; just an awesome tune. Maybe that’s why bands like Fu Manchu, The Smashing Pumpkins and Racer X have covered it. Imagine yourself running from the great Godzilla’s earth-shaking footfalls for an extra kick to the workout.
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08
“Frankenstein” — The Edgar Winter Group
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This early 70’s jazz-influenced rocker is an awesome take on bringing Mary Shelley’s gothic monster to life and Edgar Winter himself looks like something out of a dark fantasy. From the album “The Only Come Out at Night.” Feel the electricity!
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09
“Werewolves of London” — Warren Zevon
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10 years ago this month, we lost a true genius in the world of Rock and Roll with the passing of Warren Zevon. Though he battled his own demons and at times his songwriting suffered, when he was “on,” few could touch him (“Desperadoes Under the Eaves” is a simply FLAWLESS composition with some of the best lyrics ever written.) “Werewolves of London” is the song he is best known for and it’s no secret why. The undeniably catchy piano progression that the song is built around anchors a delightfully morbid tale that juxtaposes suave werewolves in everyday situations with their victims, mutilated and torn asunder. Annnnd… A mention of the great Lon Chaney of “London After Midnight” (plus countless others) and “The Wolf Man” himself, Lon Chaney Jr. Pure fun!
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Get out there and do it (he says more for his own benefit than anything)!
Here’s PART I.
Here’s PART II.
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THE STRANGE, FAR PLACES 