An article on the Yahoo main page on October 29 listed the ten
scariest bands. The only two that made the list from my childhood are
Kiss (#3) and Black Sabbath (#1).
Though I liked both bands, I cannot recollect having been scared of either of them. I can, however, vividly recall some popular songs from my youth that scared me each time they came on the radio.
These ten songs are actually legitimate hits, unlike "The Monster Mash" and other novelty tunes that get air play every Halloween. These scary tunes were recorded by famous artists, many of whom have been inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame.
Each one is scary for a different reason, be it an unusual musical instrument or uneasy tempo or chilling lyric. Here are the then scariest non-Halloween songs ever recorded.
"Loves Me Like a Rock" by Paul Simon: Even though it mentions the devil, the terrifying parts of the song are the haunting backing vocals by The Dixie Hummingbirds.
"Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles: As a kid I was frightened not at all by the song's theme of growing old. What made me tremble was the octet of classical string instruments and the absence of any Beatles playing on it.
"25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago: I was always a little mystified about the title, but the frightening part of the song is the four-chord progression throughout that clamors for, and at the same time prevents, escape. It is temporarily relieved by the intrusion of brass instruments, only to quickly return.
"Space Oddity" by David Bowie: Countdowns are always scary to me, and the one starting this account of Major Tom is quite harrowing. Even eerier is the chaotic swirl of music that seems to endlessly pervade, especially after something goes wrong with the space capsule.
"Death on Two Legs" by Queen: Those who feel uneasy upon hearing the Bismillah and overall tone of "Bohemian Rhapsody" better stay away from the opening song on A Night at the Opera. This Freddie Mercury track about revenge creeps in with an innocent piano tinkle before being invaded by haunting howls and screams from John Deacon's bass and Brian May's quintessential electric guitar.
"Shock the Monkey" by Peter Gabriel: The song itself is frightening enough, with its electronic drums, spooky synthesizer, and animal-like squeals. What really makes me uneasy is the video, where Peter Gabriel is creepily painted with midgets and monkeys jumping him.
"In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins: This vengeful tune has a slow, almost tortuous melody, lurking behind the singer's lyrics of hatred. By the time the drums thump in, any listener is checking fearfully over his shoulder.
"Randy Scouse Git" by the Monkees: Mickey Dolenz violently pounds a kettle drum to open the song, which then switches to a rag time piano melody to accompany obscure lyrics. The drum completely dominates the ending, leaving fans to wonder if this number was recorded by the same fun band that made "I'm a Believer" and "Cuddly Toy."
"Bungle in the Jungle" by Jethro Tull: Lions roar to open the song, which is a scary enough sound. Then, however, Ian Anderson's flute enters, and one is completely convinced that he will soon be devoured by crocodile nasties.
"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon: It is hard to imagine that anyone as pretty as Carly Simon could inspire fear, but just a few seconds into her biggest hit indeed causes discomfort. An ominous drum roll combines with a haunting piano piece to warn that someone (James Taylor? Warren Beatty? Mick Jagger?) is about to get skewered.
Though I liked both bands, I cannot recollect having been scared of either of them. I can, however, vividly recall some popular songs from my youth that scared me each time they came on the radio.
These ten songs are actually legitimate hits, unlike "The Monster Mash" and other novelty tunes that get air play every Halloween. These scary tunes were recorded by famous artists, many of whom have been inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame.
Each one is scary for a different reason, be it an unusual musical instrument or uneasy tempo or chilling lyric. Here are the then scariest non-Halloween songs ever recorded.
"Loves Me Like a Rock" by Paul Simon: Even though it mentions the devil, the terrifying parts of the song are the haunting backing vocals by The Dixie Hummingbirds.
"Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles: As a kid I was frightened not at all by the song's theme of growing old. What made me tremble was the octet of classical string instruments and the absence of any Beatles playing on it.
"25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago: I was always a little mystified about the title, but the frightening part of the song is the four-chord progression throughout that clamors for, and at the same time prevents, escape. It is temporarily relieved by the intrusion of brass instruments, only to quickly return.
"Space Oddity" by David Bowie: Countdowns are always scary to me, and the one starting this account of Major Tom is quite harrowing. Even eerier is the chaotic swirl of music that seems to endlessly pervade, especially after something goes wrong with the space capsule.
"Death on Two Legs" by Queen: Those who feel uneasy upon hearing the Bismillah and overall tone of "Bohemian Rhapsody" better stay away from the opening song on A Night at the Opera. This Freddie Mercury track about revenge creeps in with an innocent piano tinkle before being invaded by haunting howls and screams from John Deacon's bass and Brian May's quintessential electric guitar.
"Shock the Monkey" by Peter Gabriel: The song itself is frightening enough, with its electronic drums, spooky synthesizer, and animal-like squeals. What really makes me uneasy is the video, where Peter Gabriel is creepily painted with midgets and monkeys jumping him.
"In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins: This vengeful tune has a slow, almost tortuous melody, lurking behind the singer's lyrics of hatred. By the time the drums thump in, any listener is checking fearfully over his shoulder.
"Randy Scouse Git" by the Monkees: Mickey Dolenz violently pounds a kettle drum to open the song, which then switches to a rag time piano melody to accompany obscure lyrics. The drum completely dominates the ending, leaving fans to wonder if this number was recorded by the same fun band that made "I'm a Believer" and "Cuddly Toy."
"Bungle in the Jungle" by Jethro Tull: Lions roar to open the song, which is a scary enough sound. Then, however, Ian Anderson's flute enters, and one is completely convinced that he will soon be devoured by crocodile nasties.
"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon: It is hard to imagine that anyone as pretty as Carly Simon could inspire fear, but just a few seconds into her biggest hit indeed causes discomfort. An ominous drum roll combines with a haunting piano piece to warn that someone (James Taylor? Warren Beatty? Mick Jagger?) is about to get skewered.
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