Burning The Ground Exclusive 1983
Halloween is finally here! and it’s time for one last Spooky Season Spin one such standout song is Whodini’s 1983 hit, “The Haunted House of Rock.” Released as a Halloween single, this song not only showcases Whodini’s lyrical style and creativity but also helps bridge the gap between hip-hop and seasonal novelty music.
Formed in Brooklyn in the early 80s, Whodini was one of the pioneering groups in hip-hop, blending R&B, funk, and early hip-hop styles. The trio, originally consisting of Jalil Hutchins, Ecstasy (John Fletcher), and DJ Drew Carter (aka Grandmaster Dee), made a name for themselves with their catchy hooks and fresh beats, standing out in a rapidly growing hip-hop scene. With hits like “Friends,” “Freaks Come Out at Night,” and “Five Minutes of Funk,” Whodini quickly established themselves as a key player in 80s hip-hop. “The Haunted House of Rock” was one of their earliest hits and brought something unexpected—a hip-hop track made specifically for Halloween.
Released in 1983, “The Haunted House of Rock”* was produced by Larry Smith, who also worked with Run-D.M.C. and helped shape the sound of early hip-hop. The song opens with a haunting synth line that immediately sets the tone. Its eerie yet funky beat lays the groundwork for the perfect Halloween track, blending 80s electronic vibes with Whodini’s unique style of storytelling rap.
The lyrics take listeners on a tour of a fictional haunted house party, where classic monsters like Dracula, the Mummy, and the Invisible Man join forces with Whodini for a night of eerie revelry. Hutchins and Fletcher use the song to describe a spooky yet entertaining scene full of thrills and chills, making it as fun as it is fantastical.
The production on “The Haunted House of Rock” is quintessentially 80s, leaning heavily into synthesizers, drum machines, and that unmistakable hip-hop groove. The song uses creative sound effects and samples that add to its supernatural theme. From creaky door sounds to ghostly moans, the production choices enhance the atmosphere, transforming the song into a haunted audio experience that fits right in with Halloween playlists. Larry Smith’s work on this track is a testament to his ability to blend genres, and his influence can be felt in many of Whodini’s subsequent works.
Upon its release, “The Haunted House of Rock” garnered attention for its creativity and originality. At a time when hip-hop was still finding its identity, Whodini dared to bring a fun, seasonal twist to the genre. The song remains a unique piece of hip-hop history—a Halloween-themed rap that set the stage for future holiday hits. While it may not have reached the chart-topping heights of Whodini’s later songs, it remains a beloved part of their catalog and a go-to Halloween track for hip-hop enthusiasts.
The song was later included on Whodini’s debut album, “Whodini,” which featured other hits that would go on to define the group’s career. Despite being a novelty track, “The Haunted House of Rock” has endured over the decades as a Halloween staple, making it a perfect addition to any spooky-themed playlist.
In an era where Halloween music often leans heavily on horror movie soundtracks and pop hits, Whodini’s “The Haunted House of Rock” stands out as one of the rare early hip-hop songs specifically for the holiday. Its playful lyrics, spooky vibes, and retro sound capture Halloween’s essence while offering a classic hip-hop taste that still resonates with fans today.
Whether you’re a hip-hop head or just looking to add some 80s flavor to your Halloween festivities, “The Haunted House of Rock” is a must-listen.
- All tracks are vinyl-only
SIDE A:
The Haunted House Of Rock (Extended Version) 6:35
The Haunted House Of Rock (Haunted Mix) 4:33
SIDE B:
The Haunted House Of Rock (Vocoder Version) 5:29
The Haunted House Of Rock (Acapella) 1:55
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Jive – JD1-9026, Arista – JD-1-9026
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Hip Hop, Pop
Style: Electro, Boom Bap, Pop Rap
CREDITS:
- Engineer, Mixed By – Nigel Green
- Lacquer Cut By – Herbie Jr*
- Producer – The Willesden Dodgers*
- Written-By – J. Hutchins*, N. Green*, P. Harris*
NOTES:
From the LP “Whodini”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
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Have a spooky, scary Hallowe’en tonight Paul and all you BTG ghouls!
You too my friend.
An iconic Hallowe’en song like “The Freaks Come Out At Night” that’s been on all my Hallowe’en mix tapes since 1983. It doesn’t get much better than this. The video fades out way too early IMHO.
Yeah, I could not find the full version.
Thank You Paul.!!
You’re welcome.
I vaguely remember this song, Paul! I do have to say, regarding the video, 1)Why did they devote so much time to the dj playing with vinyl? 2)Why on earth did they have a ghost costume hanging around the singer?…even if not racist it sure doesn’t look good! 🙂 3)Yet my all time gripe with videos incorporating djs in the shots…it drives me right up the wall (as in this video) of djs pretending to be adding some kind of input to the song when it 100% clearly is not. I am stunned at why this video shows a dj… Read more »
The video feels more like a TV performance. There’s another version of it on YouTube where a host introduces the segment. I understand your thoughts about the ghost, but I don’t think we were as unsettled by that kind of thing back then as we are now. Happy Halloween.
PROOF that hip hop was a novelty genre before re-branding it as a urban poet street gang pushing genre pushed onto the masses in the late 80s, post Fat Boys, etc.
I’m not sure exactly what you are trying to say here. Back in the 80s, I recall the term Rap far more than hearing about “Hip Hop”. Hip Hop, to me, appeared around 1990 and for the most part, yes, seemed to be (in my memory) associated with foul-mouthed lyrics by, what I would call, Rap artists (who I found very often to be foul-mouthed). I never really understood the whole Rap vs. Hip Hop but present definition seems to put them as identical except that Hip Hop doesn’t require rapping. Even Googling “Hip Hop artists 80s or 90s” lists… Read more »
You do take me back, Paul. I haven’t heard this song in years, yet it brings back many fond memories for me. I was so into early hip hop and this record was cool because it had everything to do with Halloween.
Thank you for making this a very special month of Halloween musical goodies. I appreciate you so much, Paul!! Have a very happy Halloween!!
Happy Halloween everybody too!!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff. Happy Halloween!
many thanks for this hip-hop classic!
You’re welcome 🙂