Buttkickin’ Halloween Songs: “The Story of the Lawson Family” — The Stanley Brothers (1956)

It was long last Christmas eveningThe snow was on the groundAt his home in North CarolinaThe murderer, he was found His name was Charlie LawsonAnd he had a loving wifeBut they never knew what caused himTo take his family’s life… Not gonna lie; this one is based on a very real, very dark and tragic…

Buttkickin’ Halloween Songs: “Experiment In Terror” — Henry Mancini (1962)

Another instrumental for our Buttkickin’ Halloween Songs playlist, this time courtesy of legendary composer Henry Mancini. Mancini is one of those composers for which you really don’t need to rattle off a list of credits to acknowledge his bonafidity. I just made that last word up… I think? Anyway, there’s zero need to establish Mancini’s…

Buttkickin’ Halloween Songs: “Mysterious Mose” — Rube Bloom (1930)

When your path at midnight dark by a graveyard goes And someone whistles: Ley-de-dooo? That’s Mysterious Mose! On some dark and stormy night, while the tempest blows If someone whistles: Ley-de-dooo? That’s Mysterious Mose… If a bopping 1930 jazz/swing tune prominently features a slide whistle, I’m so in. SO in. You have no idea. Modern…

Buttkickin’ Halloween Songs: “Who’s The (Bat) Man” — Patrick Stump (2017)

In the darkest night I make the bad guys fall There’s a million heroes BUT I’M THE BEST OF THEM ALL! Who has the coolest gadgets? (Batman!) Who has the tricked-out ride? (Batman!) Who does the sickest backflips? (Batman!) Na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAN! Honestly who hasn’t dressed up as a superhero? For Halloween or otherwise? For fun…

Buttkickin’ Halloween Songs: “Shankill Butchers” — The Decemberists (2006)

The Shankill butchers ride tonight You better shut your windows tight They’re sharpening their cleavers and their knives And taking all their whiskey by the pint ‘Cause everybody knows If you don’t mind your mother’s words A wicked wind will blow Your ribbons from your curls Everybody moan, everybody shake The Shankill butchers wanna catch…