Joe Hill--Joan Baez
This is one of the great protest songs of all time, with applications to this day. How often have you been let down by an cause or a hero and thought "Man if only (fill in the blank) could come back from the dead and give these so and sos a talking to," That's what happens in this song.
There was a time back in the great folk era when everyone covered Joe Hill so it was hard choosing a version. I wanted to use Pete Seeger's because I always want Pete Seeger's version, but couldn't find a good recording on YouTube, so here is Joan Baez:
The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen invokes the fictional hero of the novel "The Grapes of Wrath" as well as the film version starring Henry Fonda, and an earlier song by Woody Guthrie. Tom's ghost is restless is because he still sees people in want in present day America, just as they were in the 30's Dust Bowl of Steinbeck's novel.
Ghost Riders in the Sky-Johnny Cash
One night a cowboy meets a group of damned souls chasing the Devil's cattle, and gets a warning of his own fate. This is another song that a lot of people recorded, but you can't top Johnny Cash.
Corey's Coming- Harry Chapin
And now the song that prompted me to this whole mix tape. I have been personally haunted by "Corey's Coming" since I was a college student and heard Harry Chapin's "Road to Kingdom Come" album. Just who Corey is the listener has to decide for themselves:
And now that I've haunted you, I can't let Halloween go by without the most pure fun of all Halloween Songs:
Monster Mash--Bobby (Boris) Pickett Here he is performing it on a Halloween episode of American Bandstand.
Wishing everyone a happy Halloween and now head on over to Twisted Mix Tape and see what songs other folks are haunted by.
You put together a great list! The Johnny Cash version of Ghost Riders is awesome. I also like the one from Spiderbait for an updated feel.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed to learn while researching this how many people had covered Ghost Riders. I only knew the Johnny Cash recording. I will check Spiderbait out. Thank you.
Deleteoutstanding selections
ReplyDeleteI loved the deep cuts and the them.
Happy Halloween
Thank you Lance, I had a lot of fun putting it together. Happy Halloween to you too.
DeleteNow, the ambiguous nature of Corey's Coming makes it scary indeed. My first thought was....well! Thanks for sharing this amazing list!
ReplyDeleteI have heard multiple explanations: that both men are delusionsal, that Corey travels on the trains which is why no one in town knows her, that she is some kind of ghost or spirit. Naturally I prefer the latter explaination.
DeleteYay! Harry Chapin - and yes...Corey's Coming is a crazy song and I never have known what that was really all about. Great list!!
ReplyDeleteHarry Chapin is one of all time favorite songwriters, and I am very fond of Corey--a master storyteller at his best.
DeleteWow. This is a great list. It's kind of why I wanted to put Jack Straw by The Grateful Dead on my list, but it didn't fit my theme. But the whole idea of running from the law after accidentally killing your best friend. There's a lot of eerie out there, and it isn't always what you'd expect.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen. I thought about Crossroads and The Devil went Down to Georgia, then decided that transactions qith the devil were a whole seperate catagory.
DeleteJohnny's version of Ghost Riders is great. Chapin, Baez and Springsteen...all really great choices. I liked this list a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda, glad you enjoyed it. I had fun being haunted by these ghosts anyway.
DeleteGreat list, Meg. Hope you had a great Halloween!
ReplyDeleteWe had an exvellent Halloween. Thanks Cynk.
ReplyDelete