When we asked the enigmatic Bradley J. Kornish of the cult film podcast and website Movies From Hell if he’d be interested in compiling a Halloween playlist for us, he came back with a mix of maliciously spooky tunes faster than we could say “Udo Kier is a god among men.” Read below for Bradley’s own description of the playlist, and some notes on the significance of his selections:
“It’s a bit dark, full of songs of murder, murderers, babies on fire, and terrible accidents, including a horrifying plane crash and car accidents, a song about a burn victim (fun stuff) – also have some movie tracks from Goblin, Acanthus and Phantom of the Paradise – a couple of fun goth tracks too”
Screaming Lord Sutch
“Jack the Ripper”
From 1964, proto-goth mayhem from Screaming Lord Sutch, the obvious inspiration for Alice Cooper
Brian Eno
“Baby’s on Fire”
From 1974, basically, a great song about a baby or someone named Baby being set ablaze
Bauhaus
“Third Uncle”
A 1982 cover of the 1974 Brian Eno song of the same name
Tones On Tail
“Twist”
From 1984, a delightful goth romp thorough a peculiar world – don’t understand it, but I like it
The Cramps
“The Human Fly”
From 1983, just the greatest song ever written about a human fly. “I got a garbage brain/That’s drivin’ me insane/And I don’t like the ride/So push that pest aside/And baby I won’t care/’Cuz baby I don’t scare/’Cuz I’m a reborn maggot using germ warfare/Rock!”
Throbbing Gristle
“Hamburger Lady”
From 1977, an absolutely terrifying meditation on pain and suffering, about a woman who is a burn victim in a medical ward
Sufjan Stevens
“John Wayne Gacy, Jr.”
From 2005, a questionably tender song about the notorious serial killer
Bloodrock
“D.O.A.”
From 1971, a peculiar song about dying in a plane crash from the Texas rock band Bloodrock – the song was notoriously banned by the FCC because the sirens in the song were causing drivers to pull over
The Normal
“Warm Leatherette”
From 1978, an homage to sex and car accidents inspired by J. G. Ballard’s controversial 1973 novel Crash
Suicide
“Frankie Teardrop”
From 1977, (from wiki) “The song tells a story of a young father and poverty-stricken factory worker whose destitution drives him to insanity. One day, Frankie comes home from work, murders his wife and child, and then commits suicide.”
William Finley
“Faust”
From 1974, a haunting song written by Paul Williams for the brilliant 1974 film Phantom of the Paradise
Goblin
“Tenebre”
From 1982, one of the best from Goblin, from the score to Argento’s film of the same name
Acanthus
“Le Frissons Des Vampires”
From 1971, theme for the Jean Rollin Film of the same name
★★★
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