Bobby “Boris” Pickett – Monster Mash

About the Song

Bobby “Boris” Pickett was an American singer and actor who is best known for his 1962 novelty hit, “Monster Mash”. With its fun, spooky theme and playful lyrics, this song became a Halloween classic and has remained a favorite for generations of music lovers. Inspired by the campy horror films of the time, “Monster Mash” was an instant success, its catchy tune and humorous storyline capturing the spirit of both rock and roll and the Halloween season.

“Monster Mash” is a lighthearted, campy anthem that tells the story of a mad scientist who creates a monster, only for the creature to become a sensation at a party, where famous horror characters such as Dracula, the Mummy, and the Werewolf join in on the fun. Pickett’s dramatic, almost theatrical vocal delivery, coupled with the song’s bouncy beat, gives it a playful, infectious energy that still resonates with listeners today. The song is as much about its humorous, tongue-in-cheek narrative as it is about its timeless melody, which mixes rock ‘n’ roll with a bit of spooky flair.

While “Monster Mash” was initially a seasonal novelty, it has since become an enduring pop culture phenomenon. Its whimsical lyrics and fun vibe made it a staple of Halloween playlists and it remains one of the most iconic Halloween-themed songs of all time. Despite being a one-hit wonder, Pickett’s contribution to the genre of novelty songs with “Monster Mash” has made a lasting impact, ensuring that his voice lives on in the context of holiday and pop culture music.

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Lyrics: Monster Mash

I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surpriseHe did the Mash
He did the Monster Mash
The monster Mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the Mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the Mash
He did the Monster Mash

From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes

They did the Mash
They did the Monster Mash
The Monster Mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the Mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the Mash
They did the Monster Mash

The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son

The scene was rockin’, all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, “The Crypt-Kicker Five”

They played the Mash
They played the Monster Mash
The Monster Mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the Mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the Mash
They played the Monster Mash

Out from his coffin, Drac’s voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, “Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?”

It’s now the Mash
It’s now the Monster Mash
The Monster Mash
And it’s a graveyard smash
It’s now the Mash
It’s caught on in a flash
It’s now the Mash
It’s now the Monster Mash

Now everything’s cool, Drac’s a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Only sent you

Then you can mash
Then you can Monster Mash
The Monster Mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can Mash
You’ll catch on in a flash
Then you can Mash
Then you can Monster Mash