We know the mainstays of Halloween music videos: Michael Jackson "Thriller," Rockwell "Somebody's Watching Me," Ray Parker Jr, "Ghostbusters," etc. Today we're going to showcase some of the others. Whether they were Halloween-ish, creepy, disturbing, or paid homage to Horror (even if by a fun way), let's give some exposure to some of the forgotten:
Soul Assassins feat. Dr Dre & B Real - Puppet Master (1996)
Let's just jump right into it. Haha. Still wondering what the goal of this video was but it's definitely on the creepy side. Serving as the lead single off DJ Muggs 1996 "Soul Assassins" compilation, the video is disturbing enough even without the intro to the song that features a demonic voice talking over the sounds of a carnival styled instrumental. I remember when I bought this CD in 1996 it came with a promo VHS (yup, VHS) copy of the music video. I still have it in storage but not sure I want to pull it out without thinking of the curse it probably brings along with a viewing.
EPMD feat. Method Man, Redman, Lady Luck - Symphony 2000
The violin laded track pays homage to Halloween, The Shining, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Dr Giggles in its music video.
Master P - Scream (1997)
Off the Scream 2 movie soundtrack, yes, this video does exist. I don't think anyone really remembers this at all so I tend to reference it as much as I can.
Tamia - Imagination (1998)
The visuals have a Halloween vibe and its sets Tamia and her backup dancers in various sets that feel abandoned. This video once again proves my theory that Grant Hill is one of the luckiest men in the world.
Timbaland and Magoo - Luv 2 Luv U (1998)
Taking place in a haunted house, Timbaland, Magoo, and crew start with a nice family dinner that turns into a dangerous situation, which then turns into a dance party where Kid Capri shows up out of nowhere. Still bumps to this day though.
MC Hammer - Here Comes The Hammer (1990)
Also beginning with a visit to a haunted house, MC Hammer & friends go on an adventure thru time, with one stop being a dance off with a Two-Faced (Batman inspired maybe?) multiverse Hammer and his crew of dancing skeletons. Not actual skeletons but rather dancers in costume looking like they roll with Johnny Lawrence in the original Karate Kid movie.
Bad Azz - Ghetto Star (1998)
2pac protege Bad Azz begins this video running away from someone or something and ends up in a church confessional with a one eyed priest ready to listen to his rhymes.
MC Eiht - Thuggin It Up (1996)
MC Eiht plays dominoes with what looks like the Grim Reaper, while a story unfolds about how he probably got there.
Daft Punk - Around The World (1996, music video released in 1997)
Of course I have to mention the great Daft Punk video that dropped in the Fall of 1997. An unforgettable video filled with Halloween vibes. The reason I included it it because I feel it still gets left out of many Halloween playlists.
Bobby Brown - Feelin Inside (1997)
I'm only including this here because I'd be surprised if anyone remembers this one. I guess because it also dropped in the Fall on 1997 that they felt it necessary to include dancers with skeleton jumpsuits (a running theme in music videos). Whitney Houston has a cameo in the video but her face isn't revealed until the very end......if you can get there.
Heltah Skeltah - Operation Lockdown (1996)
Classic track from my favorite year of music, the haunting production fits perfectly with the late night creepiness this music video brings along.
Bush - Greedy Fly (1996, video released in 1997)
Gavin Rosdale turns into a fly. I don't even know if it's supposed to be like Jeff Goldblum does in the movie "The Fly" or if it represents something else. 1997 was weird.......like for real. You know when you try to cook something and it doesn't turn out the way you thought and it's just a mess? That was 1997. It's like everything was just thrown into a pot and BOOM! It had some good for sure but you get what I mean. This video does have some disturbing images.
The Specials - Ghost Town (1981)
This one is more well known for sure but it probably still isn't too well known to the masses. Great track and of course being titled "Ghost Town," how can I not include it?
The Prodigy - Breathe (1997)
An MTV stapled when it was released, this hard hitting track had some in your face visuals as well.
Stone Temple Pilots - Sour Girl (1999/2000)
I almost thought about not including it because the song is so much better than the music video but after some thought I felt the evil Teletubbies fit right into the Halloween vibe. The album dropped in 1999 and I'm pretty sure the music video came out in 2000 but since I'm not sure I'll leave it as 1999/2000.
Pet Shop Boys - Heart (1987/1988)
I don't remember seeing this video as a kid but I saw it somewhere recently and I'm pretty sure it was on Twitch. I mean unless it was MTV Classic, but other than that it would have had to be one of the two. Vampires, Pet Shop Boys, and a setting that feels like the 80s "The Howling."
LL Cool J feat. Redman, Method Man, DMX, Canibus, Master P - 4,3,2,1 (Remix) (1997)
Each rapper has a Halloween-ish themed setting where they deliver their verses. Not sure what Master P is supposed to represent but everyone else is in costume.
Mack 10 feat. Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube - Only In California (1997)
Very memorable video thanks in part to its Nine Inch Nails inspired feeling.
Portishead - Only You (1997/1998)
I included this one more so because of the hypnotic beat and the artsy vibe of the video. If you were doing a music video mix for Halloween I believe this one would fit a certain vibe.
Geto Boys - My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me (1991)
"Last year Halloween fell on a weekend / Me and Geto Boys are trick or treating." The classic track from the Geto Boys induces paranoia and the music video brought the visuals to life.
Makaveli - Hail Mary (1997)
Although the song was released on the 1996 album, the music video didn't drop until the Summer of 1997. The ghost of 2pac is supposed to be haunting 3 guys responsible for his death.
Bush - Mouth (1997)
Hey, it's Bush again! Off the "An American Werewolf in Paris," this video includes clips from the sequel to "An American Werewolf in London."
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself (1982)
And how could I forget dancing zombies joining Billy Idol in this upbeat number?
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