Bobby Pickett co-wrote the song along with Leonard Capizzi. It became a million seller, as well as reaching Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was styled as being by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kicker 5. In Britain it took until October 1973 for the tune to become popular, but it then pinnacled at Number 3 in the UK singles chart.
A Christmas themed follow-up, "Monster's Holiday", was also released in 1962, and it became a minor hit. After releasing a variety of other Halloween-based songs as well as trying his hand at script-writing, Bobby died on April 25, 2007 of leukemia. He's deeply missed by a cult audience of fans.
Graveyard Shift
Bobby 'Boris' Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don′t want to be late your first day on the job
Master, do I have to work day?
Yes, Igor
I pulled a lot of strings to get you this position
Master, I want to work nights with Count Dracula
His crew is already full
Besides, I need you on day
Besides, you failed your vampire test last month
But master, they're doing a new dance at midnight
A new dance, Igor?
What′s it called?
The Shift, master
Hundreds of bodies rise from their graves each night
And do the Graveyard Shift 'til dawn
Sounds like a gas, Igor
I think I'll fall by tonight and see what′s happening
Master, will you put me on nights now?
I′ll see what's going on, Igor
I′ll let you in
The lyrics of Bobby 'Boris' Pickett's song Graveyard Shift tell the story of Igor, who is starting his first day on the job at a graveyard. He is eager to work the night shift with Count Dracula's crew, but his master insists that he work during the day to dig fresh graves for the bodies coming into the graveyard. Despite Igor's enthusiasm for the night shift, his master reminds him that he failed his vampire test and can't work with them.
As the conversation continues, Igor tells his master about a new dance called The Shift that is being done at midnight by the rising bodies in the graveyard. His master seems intrigued and decides to visit the graveyard that night to see what's happening. Igor eagerly asks if he can work the night shift now, but his master tells him he'll have to wait and see how things go.
The lyrics of Graveyard Shift can be interpreted in a number of ways. On one level, it's a fun Halloween-themed song about graveyard zombies doing the latest dance craze. On another level, it's a commentary on the drudgery of shift work and the longing for something more exciting. Igor wants to work with the exciting vampire crew at night, but he's stuck working during the day digging graves.
Overall, the lyrics of Graveyard Shift are playful and light-hearted, with a catchy melody and fun storyline. It's a classic Halloween song that continues to be popular decades after its release.
Line by Line Meaning
Hurry, Igor
You should be quick, Igor
You don′t want to be late your first day on the job
It's your first day on the job, so you shouldn't be late
Master, do I have to work day?
Igor is asking if he has to work during the day
Yes, Igor
The master confirms that Igor has to work during the day
I pulled a lot of strings to get you this position
The master had to use a lot of influence to get Igor this job
Master, I want to work nights with Count Dracula
Igor would rather work at night with Count Dracula's crew
His crew is already full
Count Dracula's crew is already at capacity
Besides, I need you on day
The master needs Igor to work during the day
I must have fresh graves for all the bodies coming in
The master needs new graves ready for the upcoming bodies
Besides, you failed your vampire test last month
Igor did not pass his vampire test last month
But master, they're doing a new dance at midnight
Igor informs the master that there's a new dance happening at midnight
A new dance, Igor?
The master is intrigued about the new dance
What′s it called?
The master wants to know the name of the new dance
The Shift, master
Igor tells the master that the dance is called The Shift
Hundreds of bodies rise from their graves each night
Many bodies rise from their graves every night
And do the Graveyard Shift 'til dawn
They perform the Graveyard Shift until morning
Sounds like a gas, Igor
The master thinks it sounds like fun
I think I'll fall by tonight and see what’s happening
The master plans to visit the dance tonight to see what’s going on
Master, will you put me on nights now?
Igor asks the master if he can now work at night
I′ll see what's going on, Igor
The master will consider allowing Igor to work at night
I′ll let you in
The master will inform Igor of his decision
Writer(s): Gary Sanford Paxton, Robert Pickett, Charles Underwood, John Macrae
Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.