It’s day 12 of the Halloween Countdown, and we’re moving down the Top Ten! The next song is one of the creepiest I’ve ever heard, from an artist that looks and sounds exactly like someone who would’ve earned the nickname “Prince of Darkness.”
Number 9: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Red Right Hand
Nick Cave is a legendary figure in post-punk and goth music, having earned his stripes in Birthday Party, once known as the most violent live band in the world. Once that broke up, he formed Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in 1984, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Red Right Hand” is one of their most well-known songs, having shown up in movies like Scream and Hellboy, as well as on an X-Files episode. The title refers to a line from Paradise Lost:
“What if the breath that kindled those grim fires, / Awaked, should blow them into sevenfold rage, / And plunge us in the flames; or from above / Should intermitted vengeance arm again / His red right hand to plague us?”
Whatever the inspiration, it’ll have you looking over your shoulder, and double checking under the bed to make sure nothing evil lurks about. Just like a good Halloween tune should.
From 1994, here’s Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds with “Red Right Hand.” Enjoy!
The Countdown
- 20) Eels – Fresh Blood
- 19) Squirrel Nut Zippers – Hell
- 18) Tom Waits – Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard
- 17) Donovan – Season Of The Witch
- 16) Jeremy Messersmith – Organ Donor
- 15) Neville Brothers – Voodoo
- 14) Siouxsie & The Banshees – Eve White Eve Black
- 13) The Adverts – Gary Gilmore’s Eyes
- 12) The Ramones – Pet Semetary
- 11) Talking Heads – Psycho Killer
- 10) Michael Jackson – Thriller
- 9) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Red Right Hand