Hello Kiddies,
Today we bring you one of my favorites for your autumnal playlists. It's the 1963 classic horror tune, Jack the Ripper, as recorded by Screaming Lord Sutch.
This song has everything you need for a Halloween night. It starts with eerie footsteps, a blood-curdling scream, and the "Danger Ahead" theme from Dragnet. Then it goes into a fairly rocking rift that talks about the "man who walks the streets of London late at night". Not only are the lyrics spooky, but the tune has a fun, rockin' quality to it that livens up your favorite foliage drive or haunted party.
Now this was not the first rendition of this song. It was originally recorded in 1961 by Clarence and Charles Stacy. Here is their version:
It is more stripped down, and less produced than Sutch's. It also feels a lot calmer and more toned down than Sutch's cover, which in my opinion in the quintessential presentation of this song.
Screaming Lord Sutch is a name you will see over and over again, on our playlist. He made a living out of recording horror tunes to make up for the fact that his voice was "lacking". You might call him one of the first shock rockers. He had a pretty great live show, that was theatrical and atmospheric. Later, he tried to be involved in British politics, only to lose more than 40 elections. But seriously, how can you not love a guy who started the "Official Monster Raving Loony Party"? He was a great satirist, a flamboyant and theatrical politician, and his music is filled with manic-good cheer.
You can find Sutch's version of Jack the Ripper both on Amazon and iTunes, as well as Spotify and any of your other favorite music streamers. It has also been found on a number of Halloween collaborations, including the now defunct: GOODNIGHT WHATEVER YOU ARE compilations.
But Halloween music lovers seem to all agree that Sutch's cover takes the song to a new level. Below the embed, you'll find the lyrics:
There's a man who walks the streets of London late at night
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
With a little black bag that's oh-so tight
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
He's got a big black cloak hangin' down his back
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Well, that's a one big cat I just a hate to fight
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When he walks down the streets
To every girl he meets, he says, is your name Mary Blood?
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When she walks down the streets, he's never far behind
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
With his little black bag and his one tracked mind
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Well, he nearly catches up when the lights go down
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
'Cause that's the time he starts his dirty, uh, chop-around
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When he walks down the streets
To every girl he meets, he says, is your name Mary Blood?
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Scotland Yard'll never catch him, 'cause he's a much too clever
He's much too clever
Mm, but if they do, man, they'll get: The Ripper - yeah!
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Well, the streets of London kinda never safe
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
Whenever Jack The Ripper ever shows his face
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
So, you pretty little girlies, take a-my advice
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
And don't walk the streets of London late at night
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
When he walks down the streets
To every girl he meets, he says, is your name Mary Blood?
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
The Ripper, Jack The Ripper
As a bonus, here is Jack White's cover. Enjoy:
What's your favorite version of this song? Do you have a song or snack or movie we should cover? Sound off below, in the comments.
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