Spooky (Classics IV song)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you".--"Spooky" (1967) |
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"Spooky" (1967) was originally an instrumental song performed by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (Shapiro), written by Shapiro and Harry Middlebrooks, Jr., which first charted in 1967 hitting #57 on the US pop charts.
Its best-known version was created by James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie for the group Classics IV when they added lyrics about a "spooky little girl". The vocalist was Dennis Yost. The song is noted for its eerie whistling sound effect depicting the spooky little girl. It has become a Halloween favorite. In 1968, the vocal version of the song reached #3 in the U.S. (Billboard Hot 100)
J.R. Cobb and bandmate Dean Daughtry later became part of the Atlanta Rhythm Section and re-recorded "Spooky" in 1979, also produced by Buie. It was the second of two singles released from their Underdog LP.
ARS's version hit #17 in the US on Billboard and #15 on Cash Box.
"Spooky" has also been covered by a number of artists including Dusty Springfield (whose gender-flipped version was featured prominently in the Guy Ritchie film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Percy Sledge, Martha and the Vandellas, Michel Pagliaro (recorded song in French), Velvet Monkeys, R.E.M., Imogen Heap, Kid Montana, who issued the song as a single on Les Disques du Crepuscule in 1986, David Sanborn, Phish]], The Nylons, AP Mike, and the Conti Bros. which appeared on the soundtrack to the film The Haunted Mansion in 2003.
The song's main riff is sampled in the song "Why's Everybody Always Pickin' on Me?" by Bloodhound Gang, released in 1996, as well as "Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Barry Adamson from the Lost Highway soundtrack released in 1997.
Additional versions
- Andy Williams – 1968
- Al De Lory – 1968
- Stanley Turrentine (instrumental) – 1968
- Oliver Nelson/Steve Allen – 1968
- Gary Walker And The Rain – 1968
- Lawrence Welk – 1968
- The Lettermen – 1968
- Year 2000 – 1969
- Cal Tjader (instrumental) – 1969
- Dusty Springfield – 1970
- The Boris Gardiner Happening – Leal UK
- Shakin' Stevens – 1979
- Lydia Lunch – 1980
- Vicious Pink – 1985
- The Jazz Butcher – 1988
- Money Mark (instrumental) – 1995
- David Sanborn (instrumental) – 1996
- Joan Osborne – 1998
- Element of Crime – 1999
- Popa Chubby – 2001
- Daniel Ash – 2002
- Imogen Heap - 2003
- Marc Antoine (instrumental) – 2007
- Shock of Pleasure – 2008
- Skinny Girl Diet – 2013
- Pizza Delivery Boys – 2015
- Deana Martin – 2016
- Ashleigh Murray – 2018
