The Liner Notes
Issue №28 · October 23, 2026 · from the archive
Special Issue · The Halloween Hits Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Ray Parker Jr.
rhythm and blues · 1982–1984
The Most Nostalgic Time of the Year
- The Countdown · Top 10 Tinsel-and-Cocoa Classics
- Mixtape Map · Inside Halloween Hits
- Needle Drop · “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
- In Memoriam · Donnie Iris
Issue №28
October 23, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue is tinsel, cocoa, and the one song you secretly wait all year for.
Everything in here orbits Halloween Hits. Ray Parker Jr. gets the spotlight, and 1976 by the Numbers is the page you'll text a friend about.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
Stay analog, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: Halloween Hits
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Ray Parker Jr.
rhythm and blues · 1982–1984
Ray Parker Jr. is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer known for his work in rhythm and blues and jazz-funk. He gained widespread recognition for composing and performing the catchy theme song for "Ghostbusters," which became synonymous with the film. Before his solo success, Parker had a hit with "The Other Woman" and performed with his band, Raydio, as well as collaborating with Barry White in the Love Unlimited Orchestra. His smooth style and knack for hooks shine through in tracks like "I Still Can't Get Over Loving You," making him a notable figure in the music of his time and a staple on many playlists.
Artist Spotlight
Ray Parker Jr. · cont.
“United States”
The facts
Ray Parker Jr. in the crate
From the Zine
Monster Mash Mania
How Halloween tunes haunted the airwaves.
In the early '60s, Halloween music began to carve its own niche, pushing against the grain of the mainstream. Artists like Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, with his playful hit "Monster Mash," brought a sense of whimsy to a season often drenched in fear. This delightful turn allowed kids to embrace the spooky season without the heaviness of horror. The playful energy of these tunes created a joyous rebellion against the more serious sounds of rock and pop.
As the years rolled on, the Halloween hits evolved, mirroring the changing cultural landscape. By the '80s, songs like "Thriller" and "Ghostbusters" emerged, blending catchy hooks with eerie themes, captivating kids who thrived on both fright and fun. It was a unique moment where music and Halloween intertwined, creating a soundtrack that would echo in the memories of a generation.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 5Needle Drop
Thriller
Michael Jackson · 1984 · Pop
Through a wall, from your older sibling's room.
slow-dancing badly in a gymnasium.
Some part of you never left the year it came out.
▸ Play it on
Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.
Needle Drop
Thriller
Michael Jackson · 1984 · Pop
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Tinsel-and-Cocoa Classics
Ready your candy bowls and cue the fog machines! Our Top-10 countdown is a spine-tingling journey through Halloween's most beloved tunes, packed with all the chills and thrills you can handle.
- 1
Monster MashBobby "Boris" Pickett · 1962
Every Halloween, this track brings back memories of dancing with ghouls and laughs galore.
- 2Thriller
Michael Jackson · 1984
Moonlit chills and creeping suspense, igniting imaginations with every haunting note.
- 3
GhostbustersRay Parker Jr. · 1984
Laughing with friends, ready to face the supernatural; nothing beats that carefree, ghost-busting vibe.
- 4
Somebody's Watching MeRockwell · 1984
It captures that eerie feeling of being followed, perfect for late-night drives and paranoia.
- 5
Time WarpRocky Horror Picture Show Cast · 1975
Just a jump to the left, and suddenly, I’m back in a midnight movie theater.
The Countdown
Top 10 Tinsel-and-Cocoa Classics · 6–10
- 6
Werewolves of LondonWarren Zevon · 1978
The howl of this song still takes me to late-night road trips under a full moon.
- 7People Are Strange
The Doors · 1967
A soundtrack for those lost nights, where the world feels just a bit off-kilter.
- 8
Bark at the MoonOzzy Osbourne · 1983
Ozzy’s howl ignites memories of wild parties and rebellious teen spirit under neon lights.
- 9
Pet SemataryRamones · 1989
This punk anthem conjures images of youthful angst and the thrill of the dark side.
- 10
Season of the WitchDonovan · 1966
A swirling trip through a mystical autumn, where everything feels a little enchanted.
Scene Report
Halloween Hits
The Sound
Crackling vinyl mingles with ghostly echoes, punctuated by organ riffs and playful percussion. Synths swell to create a haunting atmosphere, while catchy hooks invite you to dance among the shadows, all wrapped in that unmistakable retro radio warmth.
The Look
Picture the dim glow of orange lights draping over dark-clad figures, with costumes ranging from ghouls to disco queens. Fog machines waft through the air, while cobwebs cling to the corners of houses, setting the stage for a night of mischief and magic.
The Artists
Bobby "Boris" Pickett · Warren Zevon · The Doors · Ramones · Blue Öyster Cult
Cassette Clash
Michael Jackson vs. Ramones
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Michael Jackson takes the round.
Hometown advantage, decided in the chorus.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Halloween Hits · 📼 1/3
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Halloween Hits · 📼 2/3
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Haunted House
Fog, candles, cobwebs.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Halloween Hits · 📼 3/3
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Monster Mosh
For the louder ghouls.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1971…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
Joy to the World
Three Dog Night
At the movies
- A Clockwork Orange
- Willy Wonka
- Dirty Harry
On TV
- All in the Family
- Columbo
- Soul Train premieres
In the headlines
- Disney World opens
- Intel ships the first microprocessor
- Voting age lowered to 18
From the Zine
Halloween Soundtrack Rituals
You remember the thrill of October tunes.
Picture this: it’s October 1st, and the air is thick with anticipation. You gather with friends, armed with a stack of tapes—each one a portal to the season. The opening chords of "Somebody's Watching Me" send shivers down your spine as you huddle in a dimly lit living room, the flicker of candles casting ghostly shadows. It's a ritual that kicks off each Halloween, a celebration of the bizarre and the spooky.
As you carve pumpkins and don costumes, songs like "Time Warp" and "Werewolves of London" pulse through the air, turning your home into a haunted dance floor. The fog machine hisses to life, filling the room with a mysterious haze, as laughter mingles with the lyrics. Each track serves as a sonic backdrop to your Halloween adventures, making memories that linger long after the last piece of candy is gone.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 17Chart Flashback
1976 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1976 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “Silly Love Songs” by Wings sat at #1, and Wings racked up 2 charting hits.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Incredible Universe
1992–1997
The stadium-sized electronics store.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Incredible Universe · cont.
Read the full piece →p. 21“Opened · 1992”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“beautiful sound reminds me of the summer oh what a time”
“Don’t forget, Eddie Murphy said it in Delirious. “I have some ice creeeeam. Want a lick? Psych!” To me, that’s the most famous use of the line and makes it relevant for all time.”
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape… · cont.
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“I just said it today and I’m sure most of the people in that chat thread won’t understand it”
“Going to Crazy Mama's with my best friend and roommate Damon Zex was an adventure! Legendary was the after hours parties at the Batcave, Bruce and Charlie Nutt's house. Bruce was a little older than Charlie,band he loves 50s rockabilly. Charlie loved Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. Oh the turntable fights they would get into! And who controlled the turntable, controlled the night.”
The Back Page
Ice Ice Baby
Vanilla Ice · 1990
Season of the Witch
Donovan · 1966
Misheard for 30 Years
“The ants are my friends, blowin' in the wind”
…is actually “The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind” — Bob Dylan — Blowin' in the Wind.
Classifieds
- FREE TO GOOD HOME: One Tamagotchi. Needs constant attention. We failed it.
- LOST: VHS tape jammed in the VCR. Reward: I'll stop hitting the VCR.
- SEEKING: The kid who borrowed my Super Nintendo in 1996. You know who you are.
Next week: Motown Soul
That’s the issue.
A fresh edition of The Liner Notes drops every week, composed from the crate — the artists, the years, the charts, and the stories behind them.
The Liner Notes · Issue №28
FinSpecial Issue · The Halloween Hits Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Ray Parker Jr.
rhythm and blues · 1982–1984
The Most Nostalgic Time of the Year
- The Countdown · Top 10 Tinsel-and-Cocoa Classics
- Mixtape Map · Inside Halloween Hits
- Needle Drop · “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
- In Memoriam · Donnie Iris
Issue №28
October 23, 2026 · $3.33
From the DJ Booth
Dear Listener,
This issue is tinsel, cocoa, and the one song you secretly wait all year for.
Everything in here orbits Halloween Hits. Ray Parker Jr. gets the spotlight, and 1976 by the Numbers is the page you'll text a friend about.
Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.
Stay analog, — The G33Z3R DJ
This week’s issue: Halloween Hits
Editor's LetterArtist Spotlight
Ray Parker Jr.
rhythm and blues · 1982–1984
Ray Parker Jr. is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer known for his work in rhythm and blues and jazz-funk. He gained widespread recognition for composing and performing the catchy theme song for "Ghostbusters," which became synonymous with the film. Before his solo success, Parker had a hit with "The Other Woman" and performed with his band, Raydio, as well as collaborating with Barry White in the Love Unlimited Orchestra. His smooth style and knack for hooks shine through in tracks like "I Still Can't Get Over Loving You," making him a notable figure in the music of his time and a staple on many playlists.
“United States”
The facts
Ray Parker Jr. in the crate
From the Zine
Monster Mash Mania
How Halloween tunes haunted the airwaves.
In the early '60s, Halloween music began to carve its own niche, pushing against the grain of the mainstream. Artists like Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, with his playful hit "Monster Mash," brought a sense of whimsy to a season often drenched in fear. This delightful turn allowed kids to embrace the spooky season without the heaviness of horror. The playful energy of these tunes created a joyous rebellion against the more serious sounds of rock and pop.
As the years rolled on, the Halloween hits evolved, mirroring the changing cultural landscape. By the '80s, songs like "Thriller" and "Ghostbusters" emerged, blending catchy hooks with eerie themes, captivating kids who thrived on both fright and fun. It was a unique moment where music and Halloween intertwined, creating a soundtrack that would echo in the memories of a generation.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 4Needle Drop
Thriller
Michael Jackson · 1984 · Pop
Through a wall, from your older sibling's room.
slow-dancing badly in a gymnasium.
Some part of you never left the year it came out.
▸ Play it on
Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.
If you like this…
The Countdown
Top 10 Tinsel-and-Cocoa Classics
Ready your candy bowls and cue the fog machines! Our Top-10 countdown is a spine-tingling journey through Halloween's most beloved tunes, packed with all the chills and thrills you can handle.
- 1Monster Mash
Bobby "Boris" Pickett · 1962
Every Halloween, this track brings back memories of dancing with ghouls and laughs galore.
- 2Thriller
Michael Jackson · 1984
Moonlit chills and creeping suspense, igniting imaginations with every haunting note.
- 3Ghostbusters
Ray Parker Jr. · 1984
Laughing with friends, ready to face the supernatural; nothing beats that carefree, ghost-busting vibe.
- 4Somebody's Watching Me
Rockwell · 1984
It captures that eerie feeling of being followed, perfect for late-night drives and paranoia.
- 5Time Warp
Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast · 1975
Just a jump to the left, and suddenly, I’m back in a midnight movie theater.
- 6Werewolves of London
Warren Zevon · 1978
The howl of this song still takes me to late-night road trips under a full moon.
- 7People Are Strange
The Doors · 1967
A soundtrack for those lost nights, where the world feels just a bit off-kilter.
- 8Bark at the Moon
Ozzy Osbourne · 1983
Ozzy’s howl ignites memories of wild parties and rebellious teen spirit under neon lights.
- 9Pet Sematary
Ramones · 1989
This punk anthem conjures images of youthful angst and the thrill of the dark side.
- 10Season of the Witch
Donovan · 1966
A swirling trip through a mystical autumn, where everything feels a little enchanted.
Scene Report
Halloween Hits
The Sound
Crackling vinyl mingles with ghostly echoes, punctuated by organ riffs and playful percussion. Synths swell to create a haunting atmosphere, while catchy hooks invite you to dance among the shadows, all wrapped in that unmistakable retro radio warmth.
The Look
Picture the dim glow of orange lights draping over dark-clad figures, with costumes ranging from ghouls to disco queens. Fog machines waft through the air, while cobwebs cling to the corners of houses, setting the stage for a night of mischief and magic.
The Artists
Bobby "Boris" Pickett · Warren Zevon · The Doors · Ramones · Blue Öyster Cult
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: Holiday Hits
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Michael Jackson vs. Ramones
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Michael Jackson takes the round.
Hometown advantage, decided in the chorus.
The Mixtape Map
Inside Halloween Hits
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Trick or Treat
Porch-light party tape.
📼 Haunted House
Fog, candles, cobwebs.
📼 Monster Mosh
For the louder ghouls.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1971…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
Joy to the World
Three Dog Night
At the movies
- A Clockwork Orange
- Willy Wonka
- Dirty Harry
On TV
- All in the Family
- Columbo
- Soul Train premieres
In the headlines
- Disney World opens
- Intel ships the first microprocessor
- Voting age lowered to 18
From the Zine
Halloween Soundtrack Rituals
You remember the thrill of October tunes.
Picture this: it’s October 1st, and the air is thick with anticipation. You gather with friends, armed with a stack of tapes—each one a portal to the season. The opening chords of "Somebody's Watching Me" send shivers down your spine as you huddle in a dimly lit living room, the flicker of candles casting ghostly shadows. It's a ritual that kicks off each Halloween, a celebration of the bizarre and the spooky.
As you carve pumpkins and don costumes, songs like "Time Warp" and "Werewolves of London" pulse through the air, turning your home into a haunted dance floor. The fog machine hisses to life, filling the room with a mysterious haze, as laughter mingles with the lyrics. Each track serves as a sonic backdrop to your Halloween adventures, making memories that linger long after the last piece of candy is gone.
By The Liner Notes staff.
p. 11Chart Flashback
1976 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
Rewind to the 1976 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “Silly Love Songs” by Wings sat at #1, and Wings racked up 2 charting hits.
The 1976 Top 10
Gone But Not Forgotten
Incredible Universe
1992–1997
The stadium-sized electronics store.
Read the full piece →p. 13“Opened · 1992”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“beautiful sound reminds me of the summer oh what a time”
“Don’t forget, Eddie Murphy said it in Delirious. “I have some ice creeeeam. Want a lick? Psych!” To me, that’s the most famous use of the line and makes it relevant for all time.”
“I just said it today and I’m sure most of the people in that chat thread won’t understand it”
“Going to Crazy Mama's with my best friend and roommate Damon Zex was an adventure! Legendary was the after hours parties at the Batcave, Bruce and Charlie Nutt's house. Bruce was a little older than Charlie,band he loves 50s rockabilly. Charlie loved Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. Oh the turntable fights they would get into! And who controlled the turntable, controlled the night.”
The Back Page
Ice Ice Baby
Vanilla Ice · 1990
Season of the Witch
Donovan · 1966
Misheard for 30 Years
“The ants are my friends, blowin' in the wind”
…is actually “The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind” — Bob Dylan — Blowin' in the Wind.
Classifieds
- FREE TO GOOD HOME: One Tamagotchi. Needs constant attention. We failed it.
- LOST: VHS tape jammed in the VCR. Reward: I'll stop hitting the VCR.
- SEEKING: The kid who borrowed my Super Nintendo in 1996. You know who you are.
Next week: Motown Soul
That’s the issue.
A fresh edition of The Liner Notes drops every week, composed from the crate — the artists, the years, the charts, and the stories behind them.
The Liner Notes · Issue №28
Fin