Ghostly Tracks & the Origins Behind Them
It’s spooky season and hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot have a new batch of songs about ghosts to share. They’re joined by Sam Weller, author of many books on Ray Bradbury and the gothic short story collection Dark Black, to discuss spooky music.
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Songs About Ghosts
Jim and Greg share some of their favorite ghost songs in honor of Halloween! Plus, they talk with author and professor Sam Weller about what makes a good ghost tune.
Listen to the full songs on our 2021 Halloween playlist.
Jim
- Roky Erickson, "If You Have Ghosts (Then You Have Everything)"
- Psychedelic Furs, "The Ghost in You"
- Johnny Cash, "Ghost Riders in the Sky"
- Robyn Hitchcock, "My Wife and My Dead Wife"
- Mekons, "Ghosts of American Astronauts"
- The Goldstars, "Stroll in Hell"
Greg
- Joy Division, "Dead Souls"
- Suicide, “Ghost Rider”
- Caroline Herring, "Long Black Veil"
- Raveonettes, “Apparitions”
- Ladytron "Ghosts"
- Black Sabbath “Black Sabbath”
Sam Weller
- Kate Bush, "Wuthering Heights"
- Scott Sorry, "Black Dog Dancers"
Featured Songs
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "Long Black Veil," Kicking Against The Pricks, Mute, 1986
- Roky Erickson and the Aliens, "If You Have Ghosts," The Evil One, 415, 1981
- Joy Division, "Dead Souls," Still, Factory, 1981
- Psychedelic Furs, "The Ghost In You," Mirror Moves, Columbia, 1984
- Suicide, "Ghost Rider," Suicide, Red Star, 1977
- Johnny Cash, "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky," Silver, Columbia, 1979
- Caroline Herring, "Long Black Veil," Golden Apples of the Sun, Signature Sounds, 2009
- Daniel Johnston, "Casper the Friendly Ghost," Yip/Jump Music, (Self-Released), 1983
- Pat Benetar, "Wuthering Heights," Crimes of Passion, Chrysalis, 1980
- Kate Bush, "Wuthering Heights," The Kick Inside, Harvest, 1978
- Scott Sorry, "Black Dog Dancers," (Single), Generation X-Ray, 2021
- Elton John, "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long Long Time)," Honky Château, Uni, 1972
- Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, "My Wife and My Dead Wife," Gotta Let This Hen Out!, Midnight Music, 1985
- The Raveonettes, "Apparitions," Raven In the Grave, The Raveonettes, 2011
- Mekons, "Ghosts of American Astronauts," So Good It Hurts, Twin/Tone, 1988
- Ladytron, "Ghosts," Velocifero, Nettwerk Productions, 2008
- The Goldstars, "Stroll In Hell," Stroll In Hell (Single), The Goldstars, 2021
- Black Sabbath, "Black Sabbath," Black Sabbath, Vertigo, 1970
- The Velvet Underground and Nico, "Sunday Morning," The Velvet Underground and Nico, Verve, 1967
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