Freaky 60’s Tracks

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

One of my all-time freaky 60s tracks is They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Ha by Napoleon XIV. It was probably meant to be a novelty record, but when I was young it scared the daylights out of me (and sometimes still does). The weird voices, the blaring sirens, and the lack of conventional instruments - just the thumping and hand-clapping and maybe an odd tambourine - would give me a fight-or-flight reaction whenever I heard it. From the first two or three beats, I would either shut off the radio, or run out of the room. It was especially scary if I would fall asleep with my transistor radio on and my little earphone in my ear, and then that song would come on and wake me up with a startle in the middle of the night. Really freaky, nightmarish stuff...always gave me the willies, ha ha.

[@simonagree4070]

And the B-side is even better -- the same thing, backwards.

[@keithkarlinsky6632]

I Want You, (She's So Heavy) used to freak me out, especially the last 4 minutes or so.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@keithkarlinsky6632 I know what you mean, but it’s so infectious.

[@michaelmarino3013]

Procol harum shine on brightly.stones we love you.some early velvets

[@ediblehorse]

Careful With That Axe Eugene. First time I heard it was on headphones and I was pretty high.

[@noblesavage23]

Maybe I can slip this number in being that it was recorded in the first week of January, 1970 - Eric Burdon & War = Spill The Wine. I was eight when that song came out and it frankly scared the hell out of me.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Sally Go Round the Roses (1963) by the Jaynettes. A USA No.2 hit. Andy Warhol's favourite, and an influence on Laura Nyro. Very unsettling. Nobody is sure what its about, various interpretations. The first mix had organ in it.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@lupcokotevski2907 I agree. That tune has a freaky indescribable vibe.

[@MarwinEthel-Mollusk]

"Strange band" by Family (live on the album "Anyway..."). Drums and guitar seem to hurt you by surprise and this howling violin on the whole song is really scary. And Chapman's trembling voice appears. You're framed and cry for mercy. Well, it's a 1970 song... Otherwise, for a real 60ies song, I'd say "Darkness (11/11)" by Van der Graaf Generator. Threatening bass and killer saxophone. Hamill's voice is like broken glass. Fantastic performance. Otherwise there is Patty Waters and her scary performance in "Black is the color of my true loves hair", in 1965. It's difficult to listen to this long, disturbing song, but it's worth. You can't forget her screamings, it seems that she's possessed. A haunted song. Nightmares guaranteed.

[@winmachielse1233]

Yesterday’s Obsession - the Phycle. Obscure and highly mysterious.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@winmachielse1233 Sounds interesting. I’ll check it out.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The Real Thing (1969) by Australian Russell Morris, complete with 1930's Germany and H bomb sound effects. It made No.1 on New York and Chicago, if I remember correctly. Gets my vote for the best psychedelic track ever. Also, the cover of the Eire Apparent's Mr Guy Fawkes by the Dave Miller Set in 1969, Australia.

[@McMieke]

Fire by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown is freaky especially the video.

[@nathanlaney4577]

Hi Tom: One that really freaked my younger brother out was "Ars Longa Vita Brevis - Denial" by The Nice. There was something about it that he just couldn't handle! Another track, also from The Nice that freaked him out was "Intermezzo" (from the Karelian Suite); particularly the part where Keith Emerson starts getting some very aggressive feedback from his keyboard over top of weird percussion and cymbal crashes. I find "The Black Angel's Death Song" by The Velvet Underground to be both unsettling and annoying - I HATE that track! Total garbage in my opinion!! A track that I find creepy is "Psych-out" from the "Psych-out" soundtrack. "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! is creepy, as well as it's B-side: "!Aaah-ah ,Yawa Em Ekat ot Gnimoc Er'yeht," as others have noted. "The Place Where the Nuts Hunt the Squirrels" would also fit because it's basically the same track with different lyrics, as is "I'm Happy They took You Away, Ha-Haaa!" by Josephine XV (Jerry Samuels). Lots of creepy there. "Revolution 9" used to creep me out when I was younger too. Now I just find it annoying. I'm 61, I'll be 62 before too long, I find that some things that I used to at least let play without skipping over I'm now regarding as a waste of time if I let it play. I think it's because you become more aware of the fact that you're starting to wind it up and it doesn't make sense to waste time on something you don't particularly like. Not so with this video Tom...as always, great topic!

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@nathanlaney4577 Thanks Nathan. Those are some great freaky tracks you listed. 😉

[@dannyschneider553]

1984 by spirit

[@duncanleith9172]

I'll throw into the mix Free Form Guitar from the CTA (Chicago) debut.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@duncanleith9172 I agree. 😉

[@SH-ud8wd]

The necrophilic Pictures of Lilly by the Who.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@SH-ud8wd One of their great 60’s singles.

[@stevenkaminsky]

"2000 Light Years From Home." Love it. Too bad the Stones turned their backs on this kind of music. Their Bluesy stuff is cool, but seems kind of simplistic compared to this. I was never a fan of "Exile on Main Street." It seems depth-less compared to "Their Satanic Majesties Request." How many times can you riff on Chuck Berry, like on "Exile," before you get bored. That palette has one color. The palette on "Majesties" has countless colors. Oooh! That makes me think of "She's a Rainbow."

[@paulgoldstein2569]

I mostly agree. Exile had a few great tracks. But most of the album sounds dated now. Production comparatively brittle. Satanic sounded more explorative and wide ranging.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@stevenkaminsky It’s amazing how Satanic Majesties has had a resurgence of popularity over time. There was a period where this album was on the bottom tier of Stones albums. I dig most of it. The Lantern has always been one of my fave Stones tracks. Such a mysterious vibe.

[@gerardocarroll1158]

Love Satanic Majesties, the We love you/Dandelion single recorded during same sessions is brilliant too.

[@stevenkaminsky]

@@gerardocarroll1158 And "Child of the Moon!"

[@gerardocarroll1158]

Red Telephone by Love is a creepy song, beautiful but creepy, “Standing on a hillside watching all the people die”, I think it’s about nuclear war.

[@John-n9m7r]

(1) "Tomorrow Never Knows” closing Revolver... when I first heard it in 1966, I felt like I was being encircled by evil ghouls. But it grew on me, especially after hearing it in stereo years later, and now I think it’s magnificent. (2) I always enjoyed “Revolution 9”... apart from ten seconds of war sounds near the six-minute mark, a quite pleasant experience, like scanning the radio dial late at night when signals are stronger.

[@simonagree4070]

Don't forget The Airplane's "Chushingura", an impressionistic rendering of the tale of the ronin who avenge their dead lord and then commit seppuku. Art movie houses in San Francisco that showed Japanese samurai movies was a thing in the '60s. A lot of the stuff by The Fugs is pretty freaky, especially "Virgin Forest", which is a collage. Likewise, The Holy Modal Rounders in their psychedelic period -- Indian War Whoop, and The Moray Eels Eat The Holy Modal Rounders (the title is kind of a dead giveaway).

[@jimalaimo8467]

Horse Latitudes by the Doors. It still gets to me!

[@WayneScank]

I agree

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@jimalaimo8467 Love that track!

[@shayhorvath2795]

Wicked Annabelle by the Kinks

[@russellkroeker2822]

Title track of the Monster Movie album by Can from '68 is a total creepy freaker!

[@TheGamecock366]

Frank Zappa-Who Are the Brain Police?

[@seed_drill7135]

Pink Floyd had several. Astronomy Domine, Corporal Clegg and Several Species of Small Furry Animals come immediately to mind. The Mothers “Help I’m a Rock”, off, appropriately enough, Freak Out. The Red Crayola didn’t even have proper songs, with noise fading into tunes and back to noise. And one that might be dismissed as a Dr. Demento novelty, but was actually (according to Goldmine) the product of a true eccentric, Napoleon XIV’s They’re Coming To Take Me Away.

[@simonagree4070]

Shoot, half of the Freak Out album belongs in this topic -- "Who Are The Brain Police", "Return Of The Son Of The Monster Magnet", etc.

[@gregorycarnes3521]

Not sixties, but Bloodrock's D.O.A. is a track I've always found eerie eerie.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@gregorycarnes3521 Absolutely. I have the 45 single. Creepy track.

[@mirandak3273]

I also love the freaky “Revolution 9” and “2,000 Light Years From Home.” Here’s several I thought about. “Free Form Guitar” from Chicago Transit Authority by Chicago, 1969. “Fire” from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, 1968. “They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!,” single by Napoleon XIV, 1966. (This is just weird, but the 2014 cover by Butcher Babies from their EP, Uncovered, is super creepy.” Jugband Blues from “A Saucerfull Of Secrets” by Pink Floyd (Syd Barrett,) 1968. “Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict” from Ummagumma by PInk Floyd (Roger Waters,) 1969.

[@edvonblue]

lots of cool bands and interesting tunes. I think I'd put You Know My Name Look Up My Number or Tomorrow Never Knows on there by the Beatles. Also, something from Pipers at the Gates of Dawn or some solo Syd Barrett on there.

[@wilhelmhagberg4897]

Good list and thanks for aknowledging “Revolution 9”🙂. Some of my favourites: H.P Lovecraft: At the mountains of madness The United States of America: The American Metaphysical Circus Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies: Kalyani Nico: The entire “Marble Index” album The Incredible String Band: Swift as the wind Human Beinz: Black is the color of my true love’s hair The Beatles: Blue Jay Way

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@wilhelmhagberg4897 I always found Blue Jay Way super creepy. 😉

[@mattrobbins2268]

"Hurricane Fighter Plane" by the Red Crayola "Pow R. Toc. R." by Pink Floyd "New Potato Caboose" by the Grateful Dead "America" by the Nice "I Feel Much Better" by Small Faces "Plastic People" by the Mothers of Invention "The Hall of The Mountain King" by the Who. Big Brother and The Holding Company did that one too. "Glimpses" by the Yardbirds. Little Games is a MUCH better album than a lot of people think. "(Ballad Of The)Hip Death Goddess" by Ultimate Spinach

[@stupendous9896]

Yeah, as a 10 or 11 year old, I didn't have the brain capacity to deal with Revolution No.9. Especially listening to it by myself in a dimly lit apt. with a high ceiling. Shadows can be really freaky.

[@adamjohnson5910]

Good list! Hurdy Gurdy man - Donovan (Zodiac movie) Stars that play while laughing sam's dice - Jimi Hendrix Fire - Crazy World of Arthur Brown Interstellar Overdrive - Pink Floyd Psychodrama city - the Byrds The End - The Doors Trip Thru Hell - C.A. Quintet (not well known, but a very Erie instrumental)

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@adamjohnson5910 Psychodrama City is an awesome track. Too bad it wasn’t on 5D. I think it was recorded a short time after that album’s release.

[@kurt11110]

i was unnerved as a nine year old when i heard the guitar solo on “lather“ by airplane on crown of creation. still skip that track and i’m 65 😮

[@ghengismcgillicutty4695]

The Doors have many songs that could count in this category. “End of the Night” comes to mind immediately. Another thought provoking video. Thanks!

[@tomrobinson5776]

End Of The Night is an incredible track. One of my faves of The Doors.

[@wtcwtc9861]

Mind Gardens.David Crosby's creepy contribution to the otherwise perfect album,Younger Than Yesterday.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@wtcwtc9861 I wish they had ditched that tune and thrown in the outtake It Happens Each Day. Great track.

[@paulgoldstein2569]

Frank Zappa - Help I'm A Rock

[@marcyfan-tz4wj]

love's no. 14 i'd never heard until now....help, i'm a rock was written about elvis if i remember right.

[@syater]

In early 1968 my mother asked advice from a record store clerk hoping to steer me away from the now acid eating Beatles. She brought home After Bathing at Baxter’s. The fairly anodyne outer sleeve gave no indication of what awaited inside. Possibly by design? “Something of Value …” was freaky for sure, but I dug it. The Chambers Brothers’ “Time Has Come Today” seemed kinda freaky and was a big deal within my circle of friends for a while in 7th grade. I love the full length version of The Seeds “900 Million People Daily.” It starts like a quiet Doors track and gets progressively more freaky, also like the Doors. There was a lot of freaky being released in those days.

[@Cap683]

A friend of mine at the time likened it to something that Frank Zappa would do. To me, it fit right in with the collage of pieces on Baxters.

[@syater]

@@Cap683 That’s an astute observation. True especially because JA used xylophone.

[@WayneScank]

A Day in the Life Long, long, long onnWhite album Blue Jay Way Cry, baby, cry Purple Haze Politician by the Cream I Am the walrus

[@adamfindlay7091]

Pow R Toch borders jazz. 25 Century Quaker ( u know who).

[@kso808]

Love “2000 Light Years.” The scariest song I can remember was a one-off comedy/novelty hit from the summer of 1966, “They’re Coming To Take Me Away Ha Ha,” by an artist who called himself Napoleon XIV, I believe. I was 10 years old and hearing it I didn’t know what to think - it was anything but comedy - very sinister. I’m not sure what inspired it.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@kso808 That is a trippy track indeed.

[@senatorjimdracula1603]

Donovan- Season of the Witch, Vanilla Fudge- Bang Bang, Pink Floyd- Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict.

[@johnshahbazz8945]

Your thoughts on: PORPOISE MOUTH, or even BASS STRINGS x COUNTRY JOE and the FISH. Yes we noticed the ELEKTRA logo matches CAPO FETISH, cool.

[@jessem470]

Great subject Someone already mentioned Hurdy Gurdy Man which is scary Here 5 weird ones Who are the Brain Police : The Mothers Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya : Dr John Maxwell Silver Hammer : The Beatles Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga :Fred Neil The Green Manalishi : Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac

[@stevecowder4774]

Love this topic ! It’s always fun to delve deep into the surreal, bizarre side of the late 60s. And I’m glad you brought up SF Sorrow. Two of my creepy favs from it are “ Death “ and “ Well of Destiny “, a shorter track filled with strange reverberations. But then there is Floyd’s “ Ummagumma. “ That album is the king of weirdness. But I especially enjoy getting lost with “ Sysyphus “ part 4. Just love its dark, murky sound. And of course, I’m on board with Revolution #9, no matter the criticism.

[@KW973]

Bohemian Vendetta sounds kind of creepy overall. Enough and Riddles & Fairy Tales are 2 tracks where the record sounds great but a little off speed.

[@sgauge4ever776]

Ok, this is 1971:(close). DOA by Bloodrock.Great when playing with the Ouija board

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@sgauge4ever776 I have that 45. Freaky indeed. 😉

[@ricjan58]

I had just turned 8 years old growing up in Chicago in July '66 and that Napoleon XIV tune was all over the radio when the Richard Speck murders happened in my neighborhood. My little boy world became very freaky indeed.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@ricjan58 That particular tune has been listed the most regarding this video. Looks like it made quite an impact. 😉

[@LuxVivens9]

1967's " Ballad of the Hip Death Goddess" by Ultimate Spinach has always been real freaky to me.

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@LuxVivens9 I’ll have to check that out. 😉

[@KW973]

I had to listen to a couple favorites after watching another great video. Bohemian Vendetta’s brooding rendition of House of the Rising Sun makes the hair of my arms stand up. Check it out. Thanks again Tom!

[@tomrobinson5776]

@@KW973 I’ll check it out. 😉

[@petercena9497]

Agree with you on Revolution 9. People who remember or have a feel for the era, know it belongs on the album. Departure by The Moody Blues freaked me out when I first heard it.

[@TheAnarchitek]

I received my copy of the White Album, from a friend in London, only a couple weeks after its release. I didn't like Revolution 9 then, or now, or any time in between. It leaves much to be desired. Even acid didn't help. I didn't care for Two Virgins, either, or Wonderwall, also bought in the first flush of release.