Today's post is sure to put a spell on you...or at least your Halloween playlists!
This idea started a few years ago when I wondered how many covers of "Monster Mash" existed. I quickly found out the answer was WAY more than I expected (or cared to listen to), but since that moment I've paid attention to how many covers I find of iconic Halloween songs...and squirreled them away into playlists to share someday. ("Thriller" got the same treatment a few years ago.)
Today, it's "I Put a Spell on You's" turn!
You likely know this song from the moment in "Hocus Pocus" when the Sanderson Sisters reveal themselves to the town of Salem on Halloween night by performing it at the town's Halloween party.
The Song's History
But you'd be wrong to assume this song originated with Disney. It was actually written in 1956 by Jalacy "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins, a man often called the original shock rocker. And the original sounds a lot more unhinged than the Disney-fied version you know.
The story goes that Hawkins brought the song into the studio as a refined love ballad. (Makes sense if you listen to the lyrics.) But Arnold Maxin, the producer in the studio that night, also brought a little something with him: booze and lots of it.
Hawkins said everyone was indulging and enjoying themselves so much that by the time they got around to recording...they were all drunk and instead of the melodic ballad he had in mind, he scream-sang most of it and created the original version. (Source)
Since then, many artists have covered it, and I've rounded up some of my favorites in this playlist. I hope you enjoy listening to these and finding one or two to add to your own Halloween playlists!
30+ Covers of "I Put a Spell on You" You Need to Hear:
And just in case you don’t want to sit through nearly two hours' worth of the same song, don’t worry – I already did it for you. I love that SO many of the covers stay true to the song's roots with blues or jazz takes, but there are a few standouts or different sounds. Here are my 11 fave covers:
Alice Smith—If I could only listen to one version of this song besides the original, this would be my pick. Alice's take is dark and moody and witchy AF. I'm obsessed.
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram—This one has a great blues groove. I want to hear it sitting inside a dim club while sipping whiskey.
Sylvia Black—I fell in love with this cover thanks to "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina". It's a modern witchy take that sounds like the show, and I wish I could live inside of it.
Tab Benoit and Kenny Neal—Another great blues version of this song with soaring vocals.
Jesse Cook—This one has some very cool guitar work at the top that hints at a flamenco guitar sound, and Jesse's voice is so smooth and lovely.
Marlena—The vocals-only start to this cover is so different and moody. This would be great on a chill Halloween playlist.
Guillotine Riot—There aren't a ton of rock versions of "I Put a Spell on You", but this cover from female-fronted Guillotine Riot veers into that lane in a beautiful way. The pulsing bass line makes it.
Alan Price—If this song went to church. Hearing it played on an organ instead of a guitar adds a spooky new level to the music.
Bryan Ferry—Looking for a more upbeat version of a dance playlist? This cover starts hauntingly slow before it picks up to a disco beat.
Sonique—An even more dancable cover!
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown—For anyone who wants a garage rock sound to this song.
Old school and prefer a tracklist? I’ve got you covered:
Note: I'm aware there's a version by a late 90s artist, also known as a shock rocker, but that cover was intentionally not included on this list.
So...which version is your favorite?
Share it in the comments!
