“Halloween” b/w “Halloween II” by the Misfits

October 31, 2008

While there were plenty of other choices, what other Misfits song was I going to pick for our inaugural Halloween Theme Week?

The single “Halloween” was released on October 30, 1981. It and its B-side, “Halloween II,” appear on Collection II, although old-school fans are likely more familiar with the overdubbed version from the 1985 compilation Legacy of Brutality.

This day, anything goes
Burning bodies hanging from poles

Here is a fan-made video featuring not-terribly-appropriate but cool footage from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

And here’s the B-side, “Halloween II”

According to Wikipedia, the Latin translates as:

Ancient formulas of exorcisms and excommunications
that witches and those made wolves believe
I maim now the demon clothed in wolfskin
Having to hide in the hollow of a tree
I say werewolves can change shapes.

Happy Halloween!


“Obama Be Thy Name” by Makadem, plus Vote or Die!

October 31, 2008

Yet another in an endless stream of songs about Barack Obama.  The difference is <gasp!> this one actually displays musical talent.  The culty-messiah thing is something that bothers me about Senator Obama’s more enthusiastic supporters, but one expects a certain amount of messianism with reggae, so in this instance it’s only a minor demerit.

So far as I know, this is by Kenyan musician Makadem, although details are hard to come by (OK, I didn’t put a whole lot of effort into researching the topic).

I prematurely declared the best Obama song to be “Obama is Beautiful World.”  I did this before Election Day!  As a Republican hoping for a miracle, what was I thinking?  I, of all people, need to believe that it ain’t over ’til it’s over!

In order to promote democracy worldwide, let’s vote on it.  Vote or Die!

OK, you busted me.  I’m only doing this to try out the new WordPress poll thingamajig.  Be forewarned, if you vote for “Some other Obama song” and it out-polls one of the two candidates, I’m going to have to have a runoff.  And you have no idea what awful Obama song I might bring to the table as the competition (I’m leaning “Dear Leader” by the Children of the Corn, although Boy George is tempting).

And since I’m only doing this to try out the thingamajig, I won’t be insulted when there are exactly three votes.

In other musical election news, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry has endorsed John McCain.  Alas, no campaign song.  Say it ain’t so, Joe!  Since I insist on posting these damned things, I’m sure our readers would appreciate more songs from musicians, who are, ya know, competent.