Spooky (Classics IV song)

"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)

"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 and No. 55 on the Canadian charts.[3][4] 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.[5] The song is noted for its eerie whistling sound effect depicting the spooky woman. It has become a Halloween favorite.[6] In 1968, the vocal version reached No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100,[7] No. 1 in Canada,[8] and No. 46 in the UK.[9]

  1. ^ Mason, Stewart. Classics IV - The Very Best of Classics IV (1988) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Eder, Bruce. Classics IV - The Very Best of Dennis Yost & the Classics IV (2002) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Sony/ATV". Sony/ATV. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  4. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - February 25, 1967" (PDF).
  5. ^ Martin, Douglas (December 10, 2008). "Dennis Yost, 65, Singer for the Classics IV, Is Dead". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "The Classics IV". Classicbands.com. May 16, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  7. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  8. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - February 24, 1968" (PDF).
  9. ^ "Classics IV". Official Charts. Retrieved April 3, 2020.