I planned to share “Zombie Jamboree” with you today, but then I realized I’d posted it last year at this time. So instead you’re getting my second favorite Halloween song, “Monster Mash,” by Bobby Pickett.

“Monster Mash” was written in 1962 by Pickett and bandmate Leonard L. Capizzi, apparently after Pickett did a Boris Karloff impression on stage one night. They recorded it as Bobby Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (the band also included Grammy winner Leon Russell) and was produced by Gary Paxton, who had an earlier novelty hit with “Alley Oop.” The female backing vocals were sung by The Blossoms, who, at that time, included Darlene Love.

Interestingly, the BBC banned the playing of the song, dubbing it “too morbid” for the air. Were they listening to the same song?!