I'm Your Boogie Man [White Zombie / KC and The SunShine Band] Halloween Cover

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When you think of scary halloween songs, isn't KC and The Sunshine Band the first thing that comes to mind? No ... really? Are you sure? Well then you obviously haven't heard this cover song.

One of the best cover songs I've ever heard, White Zombie's cover of the 70's classic, "I'm Your Boogie Man" is totally flipped on it's ear, spun around sideways and shot out at 100 mph. The boogie man in the title, is transformed melodically and vocally from a bell-bottomed disco god, to a closet dwelling monster going to devour your soul, all without changing a word. The first time I heard the song it was so radically different, I didn't realize it was a cover. The second time I heard it, I couldn't believe I didn't notice it was a cover.

Cover lover or not, how do you not have some White/Rob Zombie on your Halloween playlist?

Enter Sandman [#2 on the Halloween Cover Countdown]

So the year was 2004, I'm at a strip club for a Bachelor party with a few friends including the co-host my then radio show "Under Cover with Crut." I'm doing what one does at a Bachelor party inside a strip club, getting a lap dance when I hear the unmistakable introductory rift from "Enter Sandman." Except it's a little different, I think  ... it just might ... be a cover. I rack my brain trying desperately to figure out who's doing this Metallica cover, completely ignoring the naked woman gyrating her pelvic region mere inches from my face. It occurs to me that that I'm likely the only person on earth in a strip club right now, more concerned with a cover song than what's happening around them.


Then Ariel (that'd be the stripper) looks at me seductively over her shoulder and says "What's Lemmy doing? You know Lemmy? Lemmy from Motorhead?" By George, she's right! ...  I think I'm in love! Also there are two people in strip clubs right now thinking about cover songs.

Then the DJ gets on the microphone and makes an announcement that the first person who comes up and tell him who's singing this song gets free passes for their next visit. Okay, make that three people thinking about cover songs.

Almost instantly I see a blur go by in the general direction of the DJ booth and remember "Oh yeah, the Co-Host to my all cover radio show is here." Make that four. Four people.

What does that story have to do with Halloween? Damned if I know. I just thought it was a mildly amusing story. I guess Lemmy's mole is kinda scary. But "Enter Sandman" is a must have for your Halloween playlist. And yeah I know this is Metallica's second "appearance" on the Halloween countdown. I wanted to tell my stripper story and as long as I have a blog I will say whatever I damn well please!

Science Fiction Double Feature [#3 on the Halloween Cover Countdown]

I'm actually suprized it took this long to feature Me First and The Gimmie Gimmies on the show. The Gimmie Gimmies are a "punk" super group cover band consisting of members of NoFX, Foo Fighters, Swinging Udders and LagWagon. Formed in 1995, they've released seven albums, and you should buy every one immediately. Fine, before you do that have a free mp3 of the #3 song on my Halloween Cover Count Down from the Fat Wreck records website. You'll do it, I promise.

The original version Science Fiction Double Feature you may remember from an obscure movie called Rocky Horror Picture Show. I've never seen it, but I hear MeatLoaf was great in it.

In The Air Tonight [God Head Silo / Phil Collins ] #4 Halloween Cover

On it's own, Phil Collins' song "In The Air Tonight" is a pretty creepy song. Not quite Halloween though. The cover version by noise rock band godheadsilo is pushes it over the edge into Spooksville.

Still not scary enough? How about having an erotic dream about Phil Collins?!? Ahhhh! I think I just scared myself there a little. That's not a groovy kind of love! Ahhh!

P.s. Phil Collins embraces the goat ... and Colleen!

Dead Man's Party [#5 on The Halloween Cover Countdown]

Continuing with the Halloween Cover Countdown, as opposed to ending it abruptly after a mere two entries, is a cover of an 80's New Wave classic by Oingo Boingo. The most well known member of Oingo Boingo is, of course Danny Elfman who is more famous for doing movie/tv scores than being in Oingo Boingo. He scored one of the scariest movies of all time in my book, "Pee Wee's Big Adventure." Also among his credits is the Simpsons Theme, Desperate Housewives Theme and damn near every Tim Burton movie except Ed Wood.


The cover is by Thorn for Every Heart from the "Punk Goes 80's" CD part of the "Punk Goes..." compilation series created by Fearless Records. It's more New Punk than True Punk, but if you like the style of music, you might want to also check out "Punk Goes Pop" Vol. 1, 2 & 3, "Punk Goes 90's," "Punk Goes Crunk," "Punk Goes Acoustic" Vol. 1 & 2, "Punk Goes Metal," "Punk Goes Classic Rock," "Punk Goes Metal" and the essential "High School Musical Goes Punk." 


Okay, you got me High School Musical Goes Punk isn't really part of the series. It was released by a different record label. I'm not sure what demographic that's supposed to appeal too as "punk" and "High School Musical" would seem to be in complete philosophical musical conflict with each other. I'm mean who's going to buy that album besides the families of the bands on the album and total losers who have nothing better to do but blog about how sucky it is. Oh ... yeah ... I forgot. 

Unbreak My Heart

Sometimes telling you who is doing the cover kinda ruins it. This Toni Braxton cover is so unexpectedly filled with warm creamy nougat I think if I told you who was covering "UnBreak My Heart," you'd already know exactly what it sounds like ... if that makes sense?

Down load it free from the Weezer fan forum. Oh damnit! I just gave it away didn't I?

Am I Evil? (#6 on the Halloween Cover Countdown)

"Am I Evil" was going to make the countdown no matter what. It was just a question of which version. The original was by a fairly obscure band called Diamond Head. The best known cover version, of course is by Metallica, and I was okay with putting that version in. However I had a last minute entry. Why settle for one band covering the song when you can have four. Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer all performed the song together in Sofia, Bulgaria. Where's Beavis and Butthead when you need them? 


"Hey Beavis,  hehehehe remember that time we partied with Anthrax?"
"Yeah! hehhehheh We were cool."
"Whoa! It's like every metal band that was cool in 1989 is on the same stage!"
"I think my pants are getting too tight in the crotch region."
"Whoa! Now that was cool. hehehehe"
"Yeah! Metal!!! Mmmetal!!!"
"Yes!"
"Yes! Yes! Rock!"


Get the video FREE from iTunes for a limited time, then carve one of the bands' logos into your desk with a ball point pen.

Somebody's Watching Me [#7 on the Halloween Cover Countdown]

Here's the scene : You're having a Halloween party and everything is set but the music. You sit down at your computer and create a Halloween themed iTunes playlist. You add Monster Mash, Thriller, Nightmare on My Street and the only song you know by Ray Parker Jr.  ... then suddenly your mind goes blank. Surely there must be other Halloween songs?


Relax my pretty. Crut is here to help you with the "UnderCover Halloween Cover Countdown." The top seven Halloween covers songs as voted on by absolutely no one but me. 


Leading off the countdown at #7 - "Somebody's Watching Me." The original released in 1984 by Rockwell could make your Halloween playlist by it's self. It's kinda creepy, got a bit of a serial killer vibe to it and Michael Jackson doing the back ground vocals and you know he scares all the young boys ... (Yes, I know that was too easy and totally uncalled for, but I was trying to introduce that bit of trivia without saying, "Hey here's some trivia!")


This cover is even creepier, mainly because it was used in those creepy Geico commercials. Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. The new artist is Mysto & Pizzi, not to be confused with the movie "Mystic Pizza." 


Not only can you save a ton of money by switching to Geico for your car insurance, but you can save a ton of money on your mp3 downloads by getting this track for free from their website, assuming of course you think 99 cents is a ton of money.

I've Got You Under My Skin

"I've Got You Under My Skin" is a song written originally by Cole Porter. It became a signature song for Frank Sinatra. In 1966, became a top ten hit for Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons. It's also been covered by Louis Prima, Cab Calloway, Michael Bolton, Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé and countless others.

The latest to cover this track, is Rod Stewart, it's a free download from Amazon for a limited time.