It's positively SCARY how many old surveys
I combed through to compile this list! This is based on the local charts.You'll hear 'em on New Jersey 101.5 just after the beWITCHING hour tonight......

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  • 10

    "Thriller" by Michael Jackson

    (1984) The seventh and final single from the "Thriller" album, the single was released in January '84 in the U.S., two months after the rest of the world. The classic video was directed by John Landis, who had helmed "an American Werewolf In London". This doesn't seem like the type of song that would be covered by other artists, but it has been by half a dozen, including, strangely, Henry Mancini & His Orchestra.

  • 9

    "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band

    (1979) Who says country songs don't sell up here? This was HUGE, a 2-million selling platinum single. I've seen it still get big responses at wedding receptions.

  • 8

    "Spooky" by The Classics IV

    (1968) This first charted as an instrumental in '67, with James Cobb adding lyrics in this much-better-known version. Three of the IV became members of Atlanta Rhythm Section & remade their own hit in 1979.

  • 7

    "Mr. Jaws" by Dickie Goodman

    (1975) Dickie also shows up at #15 in this survey as part of the duo Buchanan & Goodman, with their pioneering "break-in" record, 1956's "The Flying Saucer".

  • 6

    "Dark Lady" by Cher

    (1974) "Dark Lady" was written by the Ventures keyboard player, Johnny Durrill. People criticize rap songs for violence, but have you ever listened to these lyrics? Wow.

  • 5

    "Frankenstein" by The Edgar Winter Group

    (1973) Some would say the only reason this is a "haunted hit" is the title. After all, it's an instrumental! But I think it also qualifies for the harshness of the sound. Kinda spooky......

  • 4

    "The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley

    (1958) According to singer-songwriter Sheb Wooley, MGM Records initially rejected this silly song, saying that it was not the type of music that they wanted to be identified with. An acetate of the song reached MGM Records' New York office. The acetate became popular with the office's young people. Up to 40 or 50 people would listen to the song at lunchtime. The front office noticed, reconsidered their decision, and decided to release the song. Good move. It went to #1.

  • 3

    "Witch Doctor" by David Seville

    (1958) "David Seville" was a character created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. It is mistakenly credited now as the first Chipmunks record, but it only has one small part with the famous sped-up voices.

  • 2

    "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.

    (1984) Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham claims to have been approached to write the Ghostbusters theme based on his successful contribution to Harold Ramis's ":National Lampoon's Vacation" (the song "Holiday Road"),

     

  • 1

    "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

    (1962/1973) One of the biggest hits of all time, because it's been a hit twice. It really has never gone away. Especially notable because it really does sound like a 1962 song. Pickett was mainly an actor who co-wrote this as a goof.

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