Spooky (Classics IV song)

"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.[1] 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.[2] The song is noted for its eerie whistling sound effect depicting the spooky little girl. It has become a Halloween favorite.[3] In 1968, the vocal version reached No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100[4] and No. 46 in the UK.[5]

"Spooky"
Single by Classics IV
from the album Spooky
B-side"Poor People"
ReleasedOctober 1967
Recordedlate summer/early fall 1967
Genre
Length2:50
LabelImperial
Songwriter(s)Mike Shapiro, Harry Middlebrooks Jr., James Cobb, Buddy Buie
Producer(s)Buddy Buie
Classics IV singles chronology
"Spooky"
(1967)		 "Soul Train"
(1968)

Charts

Atlanta Rhythm Section version
"Spooky"
Single by Atlanta Rhythm Section
from the album Underdog
B-side"It's Only Music"
ReleasedAugust 1979
GenreSoft rock
LabelPolydor
Atlanta Rhythm Section singles chronology
"Do It or Die"
(1979)		 "Spooky"
(1979)		 "Alien"
(1981)

J.R. Cobb and bandmate Dean Daughtry later became part of the Atlanta Rhythm Section and re-recorded "Spooky" in 1979, also produced by Buie. It was the second of two singles released from their Underdog LP.

ARS's version hit No. 17 in the US on Billboard and No. 15 on Cash Box.[11] It also charted minorly internationally.[12]

Charts
Chart (1979) Peak
position
Australia 96
Canada RPM Top Singles[13] 37
New Zealand (RIANZ)[14] 47
UK Singles Chart[12] 48
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 17
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 23
US Cash Box Top 100[11] 15

Other notable versions
  • A version of "Spooky" was recorded by Dusty Springfield in 1968, 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.[15]
  • 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 like you" is changed to "spooky old lady like me".[16]
  • A Latin jazz version of "Spooky" is covered by the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band on the 2023 CD, Vox Humana featuring Janis Siegel on vocals.

References
  1. "Sony/ATV". Sony/ATV. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  2. Martin, Douglas (December 10, 2008). "Dennis Yost, 65, Singer for the Classics IV, Is Dead". The New York Times.
  3. "The Classics IV". Classicbands.com. May 16, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  4. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  5. "Classics IV". Official Charts. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  6. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  7. http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=1637#n_view_location Flavour of New Zealand, May 10, 1968
  8. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 24, 1968". Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  9. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  10. "Billboard Top 100 – 1968". Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  11. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, October 13, 1979". Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  12. "Underdog". The Atlanta Rhythm Section. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  13. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. October 20, 1979. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  14. Flavour of New Zealand, 9 December 1979
  15. "British certifications – Dusty Springfield – Spooky". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  16. Martha Reeves - In The Midnight Hour, retrieved October 13, 2022
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