No tricks, just treats from Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Michael Martin Murphey and The Charlie Daniels Band.
If you’re looking to round up a suitably spooky soundtrack while waiting for trick-or-treaters to ring your bell on Halloween, we suggest you include these boo-tiful country classics.
Johnny Cash — “Ghost Riders in the Sky”
There have been many excellent recordings of this cautionary tune about haunts on horseback. But for our money, this one is the most unsettling. Maybe because The Man in Black makes it sound like he expects to saddle up with the spooks someday?
Marty Robbins — “Streets of Laredo”
Marty has a meaningful conversation with a cowboy at death’s door. Their chat, not surprisingly, is not a long one.
Michael Martin Murphey — “Wildfire”
Ever hear this one late at night, while you’re either on the road or alone at home? Confess: It still gives you goosebumps, doesn’t it?
The Charlie Daniels Band — “The Legend of Wooley Swamp”
At first, we thought we’d represent these good ol’ boys with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” But we reconsidered, and instead included this supernatural-tinged song. Why? To quote an appropriate lyric: “There’s some things in this world you just can't explain.”
