The "Halloween" single was the last Misfits release to include guitarist Bobby Steele. Both songs on the single had been recorded in August 1980 for a planned album. During the sessions bassist Jerry Only was grooming his younger brother Doyle to join the band, and Doyle recorded his own guitar tracks and overdubs separately in addition to Steele's. The tracks were mixed in September, but in October Steele was ejected from the band in favor of Doyle and the planned album was scrapped. Five of the songs were released as the 3 Hits from Hell EP, while "Halloween" and "Halloween II" were released as a single. In 2001 Caroline Records announced attempted to release the complete sessions as 12 Hits From Hell, but production was called off after Danzig and Only expressed concerns with the album's layout, packaging, liner notes, mixing, and mastering.
The lyrics to "Halloween II" are in nonstandard Latin, translating to
Ancient formulas of exorcisms and excommunications
That witches and those made wolves believe
I maim now the demon clothed in wolfskin
Having to hide in the hollow of a tree
I say werewolves can change shapes
Cover versions include:
AFI on All Hallow's EP, CD/7"/10" on Nitro Records, 1999 / 2015 (10")
Halloween
Misfits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pumpkin faces in the night
I remember Halloween
Dead cats hanging from poles
Little dead are out in droves
I remember Halloween
Where skeletal life is known
I remember Halloween
This day anything goes
Burning bodies hanging from poles
I remember Halloween
Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween
Candy apples and razor blades
Little dead are soon in graves
I remember Halloween
This day anything goes
Burning bodies hanging from poles
I remember
Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween
Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween
The Misfits’ “Halloween” is a song that reflects the macabre and spooky nature of Halloween. With its haunting lyrics and mesmerizing melody, the song gives a vivid picture of the terrifying and mysterious ambiance of Halloween. The lyrics depict bonfires burning bright, pumpkin faces in the night, and brown leafed vertigo where skeletal life is known. All of these images add to the eerie feeling of the song and describe the atmosphere of Halloween.
There are also lyrics that symbolize the dark nature of Halloween. Dead cats hanging from poles, little dead are out in droves, and burning bodies hanging from poles portray the darker side of Halloween night. The song also touches on the idea of danger that comes with Halloween, with the lyrics “Candy apples and razor blades, little dead are soon in graves”. Overall, the lyrics emphasize the enchanting and perilous feeling that Halloween night brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Bonfires burning bright
Bright fires set out for celebration
Pumpkin faces in the night
Carvings of pumpkin faces lit at night
I remember Halloween
The songwriter has vivid memories of celebrating Halloween
Dead cats hanging from poles
Carcasses of cats hung high on poles as a form of display
Little dead are out in droves
Children dressed as the undead/dying are out in large numbers
Brown leafed vertigo
Feeling of dizziness and confusion caused by the falling brown leaves
Where skeletal life is known
The season of Halloween is associated with themes of death and the afterlife
This day anything goes
Halloween is a time where normal rules and behaviors are relaxed
Burning bodies hanging from poles
Human bodies set ablaze and hung as a form of scary decoration
Candy apples and razor blades
Treats mixed with dangerous or harmful items
Little dead are soon in graves
Children dressed as the dead are soon to be buried in their costumes
Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween
Repeating the word creates emphasis and intensity, rallying the excitement for the holiday
I remember
The songwriter has vivid memories of the holiday, summarized in this phrase
Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween
Repeating the word creates emphasis and intensity, rallying the excitement for the holiday
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN DANZIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind