"Spooky" is originally an instrumental song performed by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (Shapiro), written by Shapiro and Harry Middlebrooks Jr, which first charted in 1967 hitting No. 57 on the US pop charts. Its best-known version was created by James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie for the group Classics IV when they added lyrics about a "spooky little girl". The vocalist was

Dennis Yost Dennis Yost (July 20, 1943 – December 7, 2008) was an American singer and the frontman of Classics IV. Early years Dennis Yost was born on July 20, 1943 in Detroit. He and his family moved to Jacksonville at the age of 7. There, he began playi ...

. The song is noted for its eerie whistling sound effect depicting the spooky little girl. It has become a

Halloween Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve) is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observanc ...

favorite. In 1968, the vocal version reached No. 3 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990'' – and No. 46 in the UK.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Atlanta Rhythm Section version

J.R. Cobb and bandmate Dean Daughtry later became part of the

Atlanta Rhythm Section Atlanta Rhythm Section (or ARS) is an American Southern rock band formed in 1970 by Rodney Justo (singer), Barry Bailey (guitar), Paul Goddard (bass), Dean Daughtry (keyboards), Robert Nix (drums) and J. R. Cobb (guitar). The band's current l ...

and re-recorded "Spooky" in 1979, also produced by Buie. It was the second of two singles released from their ''

Underdog An underdog is a person or group in a competition, usually in sports and creative works, who is largely expected to lose. The party, team, or individual expected to win is called the favorite or top dog. In the case where an underdog wins, the ...

'' LP. ARS's version hit No. 17 in the US on ''Billboard'' and No. 15 on ''Cash Box.'' It also charted minorly internationally.

Charts

Other notable versions

*A version of "Spooky" was recorded by Dusty Springfield in 1970, released as a single worldwide except in the US. This gender-flipped version was featured prominently in the Guy Ritchie film '' Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels''. Springfield's version was certified silver by BPI in 2022. *Another gender-flipped version was recorded by Martha Reeves and released on the album ''In the Midnight Hour'' in 1986. In this version, the line "spooky little girl" is changed to "spooky old lady". *A Latin jazz version of "Spooky" is covered by the

Bobby Sanabria Bobby Sanabria (born June 2, 1957) is an American drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, producer, educator, activist, radio show host of Puerto Rican descent who specializes in jazz and Latin jazz. Biography Sanabria was born in the South ...

Multiverse Big Band on the 2023 CD, ''Vox Humana'' featuring

Janis Siegel Janis Siegel (born July 23, 1952) is an American jazz singer, best known as a member of the vocal group The Manhattan Transfer. Musical career In 1965, Siegel made her recording debut with a group called Young Generation on Red Bird Records. Af ...

on vocals.

References

External links

* * {{Authority control 1967 songs 1967 singles 1979 singles Classics IV songs Dusty Springfield songs Atlanta Rhythm Section songs Shakin' Stevens songs Vicious Pink songs Imperial Records singles Polydor Records singles Songs written by J. R. Cobb Songs written by Buddy Buie 1960s instrumentals Halloween songs RPM Top Singles number-one singles