Released October 1967 Genre Jazz fusion, Pop Label Imperial | Format 7" 45 RPM Length 2:50 | |
Writer(s) Ron Hirsch (not according to BMI), Mike Shapiro, Harry Middlebrooks Jr., James Cobb, Buddy Buie | ||
"Spooky" was originally an instrumental song performed by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (Shapiro), written by Ron Hirsch (not according to BMI), Shapiro and Harry Middlebrooks, Jr., which first charted in 1967 hitting #57 on the US pop charts. Its best-known version, was created by Ron Hirsch when he added lyrics centering on a "spooky little girl". In 1968, the vocal version of the song reached #3 in the U.S. (Billboard Hot 100) and #46 in the UK.
James Cobb (along with bandmate Dean Daughtry) later became part of the Atlanta Rhythm Section and re-recorded "Spooky" in 1979. ARS's version hit #17 in the US and #48 in the UK.
"Spooky" has also been covered by a number of artists including Dusty Springfield (whose gender-flipped version was featured prominently in the Guy Ritchie film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Percy Sledge, Andy Williams, Deana Martin, Martha and the Vandellas, Michel Pagliaro (recorded song in French), Velvet Monkeys, Daniel Ash, Lydia Lunch, R.E.M., The Jazz Butcher, Joan Osborne, Imogen Heap, Kid Montana, who issued the song as a single on Les Disques du Crepuscule in 1986, David Sanborn, The Golden Cups, The Puppini Sisters, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Marc Antoine, The Boris Gardiner Happening, Element of Crime, Phish, The Lettermen, The Nylons, Pizza Delivery Boys, AP Mike and the Conti Bros. which appeared on the soundtrack to the film The Haunted Mansion in 2003.
The song's main riff is sampled in the song "Why's Everybody Always Pickin' on Me?" by Bloodhound Gang, released in 1996, as well as "Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Barry Adamson from the Lost Highway soundtrack released in 1997.