This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2025 the theme is a random assemblage of things that are on my mind--or that just pop into my mind. Whatever! Let's just say I'll be "Tossing It Out" for your entertainment or however it is you perceive these things.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Scary (not because they're scary) Songs for Halloween ( #BOTB )

     How about Halloween?  It's soon to be here.  Do you care?  Are you scared?  I don't and I'm not.  Halloween doesn't have that much impact on my life anymore.  But it's good for inspiring another Battle of the Bands...


Battle of the Bands


 

        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   I do this event  each month on the 15th and the 1st of the month.  The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit thHe links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.


Halloween and All That

      My blog was started some 16 years ago and I'm still in the game to some degree.  Not like I was when I was posting every day.  When I started this blog Tossing It Out I was focused on Halloween since that had been my business prior to 2009.   Since those early days I've gone on to topics related to writing, politics, music, and whatever I had on my mind to toss out to my audience.  I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my blogging.

      As Halloween approaches, I thought it would be appropriate to pay homage to my blog roots and to the event day at hand.  Nothing to put us in the mood better than some "scary" music.  And I mean scary as in kind of bad music.  For it's time I guess it was kind of cool perhaps.  Not so much to my ears, but what the heck.  Here goes.  Which do you like best?

      

The Damned  "Black Leather Rock"  (1962)

       I heard this one recently in a film called The Damned or These Are the Damned.  It was part of a series that started with Village of the Damned.  It's good stuff for its time, but the music is an earworm that might drive you nuts.  Or maybe you'll like it.





The Nightmares  "Ooh I'm Scared"  1959

      I'm not sure how this song related to the British film Horrors of the Black Museum and I'm not going to do much research to find out.  And what's with the Chipmunk sounding singing break.  A lot of music was kind of bad back then I think.  Sometimes.  







Time to Vote!


        Don't be scared.  This is all just silly fun.  Enjoy the music!  Which song  do you prefer?  Battles are no fun without you the reader participating.
    Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.

        Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites.




Results on Wednesday October 22







19 comments:

  1. Second one is kind of fun.
    I believe we started blogging at about the same time sixteen years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, yes, we started about the same time.

      Voting starts with Nightmares.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. Wow, both of those were pretty bad songs. I wouldn't want either as an earworm, although I must admit, the Nightmares "Ohh I'm Scared" song was kinda fun -- lots of energy. Frankly I got a kick outta hearing the Chipmunks or whatever they were. Those voices always crack me up and remind me of listening to the Chipmunks album I had as a kid. I'm sure hearing that over and over drove my parents nuts! Anyway, my vote is definitely for the Nightmares' song. Out of curiosity: Was the movie "Horrors of the Black Museum" a comedy? The song made me think comedy immediately. Sure didn't sound like it would be attached to a horror film.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michele, no the movie was not a comedy and this song was apparently not in the movie, but inspired by it. The movie sounds pretty scary or sadistic.

      Nightmares

      Lee

      Delete
    2. Ah, okay that makes sense. Thanks for the info. I might have to see if I can find that movie on Netflix or streaming elsewhere. I'm in the mood for scary movies this month. I watched a crazy one the other night, "The Substance" with Demi Moore. It was bizarre and sure filled the bill for a Shocktober flick!

      Delete
  3. R. LEE BOID ~

    The Damned kind of reminded me of the imaginary group The Sacred Cows in a 'Get Smart' episode, and also sounded like an inferior version of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. I liked the energy & the groove, but the lyrics? Yeesh.

    I think I'll side with The Nightmares. Kind of fun stuffs, and the title of their song reminded me of a cat meme I created a godzillion years ago.

    ~ Stephen

    For Extra Credit:
    [Link> The Sacred Cows

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STMcC, the ridiculous lyrics of "Black Leather" struck me immediately when I was watching the movie recently.

      Another one for Nightmares.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. L. Diane, you like it, you get it...

      A vote for Nightmares.

      lee

      Delete
  5. These are extremely bad songs, but we can't prosecute them for that. Since it is impossible for me to pick a favorite, I will select the one which would not have me go(gh) cutting off my ears: The Nightmares.

    Sixgun McItchyfinger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-Gun, yeah, really bad, but it was the era as well. Don't want anyone cutting off their ears!

      A vote for Nightmares.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. I've been blogging since 2009. I can't believe that! I love Halloween and still like dressing up. I know that first song but done differently...I just can't remember. I do choose the first song despite the repetition at the beginning. The 2nd one was not too bad until Chip and Dale started singing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, a lot of us bloggers in the circle we roam seemed to have started about the same time. Maybe that's how we found each other?

      At last! A vote for The Damned.

      Lee

      Delete
  7. VOTE = THE DAMNED

    Both of the songs would have been better without the singing. I liked the groove of The Damned a bit more, although those lyrics were... um... seriously lame. ~Ed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed, I think they are better instrumentals as well.

      A vote for The Damned.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. "A lot of music was kind of bad back then," Haha! You crack me up, Lee! I don't remember that particular song by the Damned in association with Village of the Damned movie, but then I didn't know there was a spin-off series either. That's one of the few movies that actually scared me ;-)
    I didn't get a post up for the 15th, but am glad the power's back on to watch a few spooky movies before the big day. Anyhow, I'm off to see what we're all up to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess I spoke too soon. Lots of weather-related distractions this morning. But what I nearly forgot to add was that while the Damned had a curious Big Band sound, the Nightmares had the energy to get even Wednesday to the dance floor , it's the Nightmares for me (preferably sans the Chipmunks - ha!)

      Delete
  9. Gotta go with The Nightmares here.The Chipmunk break saled it for m3.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good evening, Lee! Got home not too long ago after spending the afternoon in Pigeon Forge browsing antique shops. Anywho, I thought I'd swing by to cast my vote in your battle. You're so right these songs aren't scary. I would've not have guessed that they were used in old horror films. I'm not crazy about either song but BLACK LEATHER ROCK caught my ear a wee bit better and gets my vote! Have a good night and I'll be back in Blogosphere on Monday. :)

    ReplyDelete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee