"Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the CryptKickers is a novelty song that was released in 1962. The tune was released along with a record called "The Original Monster Mash" that contained other monster-themed songs. The track has become a classic over the years and synonymous with Halloween. Every October 31st it is the tune that everyone is dancing to and singing along. "Monster Mash" describes a spooky scene where a mad scientist is working late at night and suddenly a monster takes life. "I was working in the lab late one night, When my eyes beheld an eerie sight," the song starts off. "For my monster from his slab began to rise, and suddenly to my surprise..."
"He did the mash, he did the monster mash," says the hook of the song. The tune goes on to describe how this very monster woke up all the vampires and ghouls "to get a jolt from the electrodes." Then all of these creatures start doing the mash. The catchy song is humurous and good fun in complete opposition of what the holiday of Halloween is. Other characters described in the "Monster Mash" were zombies, Dracula and a vocal group named "The Crypt-Kicker Five." LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE SONG DOWN BELOW! Now read these 10 fun facts of this classic song to celebrate Halloween:
1. Origin of the Song: One night while Pickett was performing with his band he did a monologue in imitation of horror movie actor Boris Karloff while performing "Little Darlin;" by The Diamonds. The audience loved it and Pickett and his fellow band member Lenny Capizzi composed the song and recorded. 2. Song Influencers: The song was inspired by Paxton's own "Alley Oop" and by "Mashed Potato." The tune took cues from the "Mashed Potato" dance craze at the time and a variation of the dance moves was applied to the "Monster Mash." The moves had the feet doing the dance as we know it but with the arms and hands doing Frankenstein-style gestures to the beat. 3. Chat Topper: The Halloween carol reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1962 and also charted in 1970 at No. 91 and again in 1972 at No. 10.
4. Monster Mash Banned In The UK: The track was banned by the BBC radio in the UK because it was "too morbid." The hit tune was then re-released in 1973 and it peaked at #3 in early October. In 2008, the song landed at #60 on November 2, 2008, right after Halloween. 5. Christmas Spinoff: Pickett released a Christmas-themed follow up called "Monsters' Holiday," which peaked at #30 on the Billboard chart. 6. "Monster Rap": In 1985, the music evolved into rap and "Monster Rap" was born. Pickett recorded the song and describes a mad scientist that is frustrated when he is unable to teach the "Monster Mash" monster how to talk. Everything is solved when he teaches the monster how to rap.
7. Political Animal: A new evolved version of the "Monster Mash" was introduced during the 2004 presidential election. The lyrics were written by Jerry Altman and it served to protest George W. Bush's policy. The song was in defense of wildlife to encourage people to speak out against a proposal to permit logging and mining in protected roadless areas. "Monster Slash" was the title of the song and Pickett (at the time) told Billboard, "I decided to do this new recording because, like millions of people, I think this president has the worst environmental record in the history of our great nation."
8. Mashing In The Sea: Another version of the "Monster Mash" was released back in the 60s titled "Monster Swim," which Pickett performed during a Halloween themed "American Bandstand" episode. 9. Movie Adaptation: In 1995, the "Monster Mash" hit the big screen in this film adaptation that was fused with the stage musical written by Pickett and Sheldon Allman, "I'm Sorry The Bridge Is Out, You'll Have To Spend The Night." The premise has a teenage couple that has car trouble and end up seeking help at the old mansion occupied by Dr. Frankenstein, played by Bobby Pickett. 10. Notable Covers: One of the most famous covers was done by The Misfits in 1997. The Beach Boys covered the song in 1964 in the "Beach Boys Concert" album, just two years after the release, while Alvin and the Chipmunks did so in 1994 for their Halloween special. Now let's do the mash...the Monster Mash. Happy Halloween!
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