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Monster Mash

Updated: Wikipedia source

Monster Mash

"Monster Mash" is a 1962 novelty song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett. The song was released as a single on Gary S. Paxton's Garpax Records label in August 1962 along with a full-length LP called The Original Monster Mash, which contained several other monster-themed tunes. The "Monster Mash" single was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 20–27 of that year, just before Halloween. "Monster Mash" has sustained a lasting impact in various recordings, film inclusions, and re-releases since its initial release. In 2021, nearly 60 years after its release, "Monster Mash" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 37. As of 2023, the song was generating $1 million annually in royalties.

Infobox

B-side
"Monsters' Mash Party"
Released
August 1962
Recorded
May 1962
Genre
Novelty pop Halloween rock and roll
Length
3:14
Label
Garpax (US)London (UK)
Songwriters
Bobby PickettLenny Capizzi
Producer
Gary S. Paxton

Tables

· Chart history › Weekly charts
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1962)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
1
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides
Chart (1962)
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides
Peakposition
9
Canada CHUM Chart(2 weeks)
Canada CHUM Chart(2 weeks)
Chart (1962)
Canada CHUM Chart(2 weeks)
Peakposition
1
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)
Chart (1962)
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)
Peakposition
1
Chart (1962)
Peakposition
US Billboard Hot 100
1
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides
9
Canada CHUM Chart(2 weeks)
1
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)
1
· Chart history › Weekly charts
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1970)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
91
Chart (1970)
Peakposition
US Billboard Hot 100
91
· Chart history › Weekly charts
Australia (Kent Music Report)
Australia (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1973)
Australia (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
3
Canada (CHUM)(4 weeks)
Canada (CHUM)(4 weeks)
Chart (1973)
Canada (CHUM)(4 weeks)
Peakposition
1
Canada (RPM)(3 weeks)(#4 Yr End)
Canada (RPM)(3 weeks)(#4 Yr End)
Chart (1973)
Canada (RPM)(3 weeks)(#4 Yr End)
Peakposition
1
Ireland
Ireland
Chart (1973)
Ireland
Peakposition
5
UK
UK
Chart (1973)
UK
Peakposition
3
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1973)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
10
Chart (1973)
Peakposition
Australia (Kent Music Report)
3
Canada (CHUM)(4 weeks)
1
Canada (RPM)(3 weeks)(#4 Yr End)
1
Ireland
5
UK
3
US Billboard Hot 100
10
· Chart history › Weekly charts
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Chart (2021–2025)
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
Peakposition
18
Global 200 (Billboard)
Global 200 (Billboard)
Chart (2021–2025)
Global 200 (Billboard)
Peakposition
52
Ireland (IRMA)
Ireland (IRMA)
Chart (2021–2025)
Ireland (IRMA)
Peakposition
20
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2021–2025)
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)
Peakposition
6
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (2021–2025)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peakposition
20
UK Indie (OCC)
UK Indie (OCC)
Chart (2021–2025)
UK Indie (OCC)
Peakposition
1
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (2021–2025)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
30
Chart (2021–2025)
Peakposition
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
18
Global 200 (Billboard)
52
Ireland (IRMA)
20
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)
6
UK Singles (OCC)
20
UK Indie (OCC)
1
US Billboard Hot 100
30
· Certifications
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)
Gold
1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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    https://www.marinatimes.com/2019/09/spooky-scary-and-silly-tunes/
  2. Billboard
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  3. The Christian Science Monitor
    https://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2009/1030/the-origin-of-that-terrible-monster-mash-song
  4. The Ventures
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  6. American Songwriter
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  7. Tulsa World
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  8. Soulfulkindamusic.net
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  10. "Learn more about "Monster Mash" – Monster Mash song trivia and information – All about "Monster Mash""
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  11. Billboard
    https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/lyrics/8481396/bobby-boris-pickett-monster-mash-lyrics-halloween
  12. songfacts.com
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  13. Rock Music in American Popular Culture II: More Rock 'n' Roll Resources
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  16. Weekly Top40: 1973
    https://top40weekly.com/1973-all-charts/
  17. Latin Times
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    http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.3857.pdf
  20. Rotten Tomatoes
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/frankenstein_sings
  21. UPI
    https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2004/10/20/Monster-Mash-reprised-as-campaign-song/15551098310723/
  22. Vice.com
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  23. Billboard
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  26. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004
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    http://chumtribute.com/62-10-08-chart.jpg
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  30. Australian Chart Book 1970–1992
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  35. Billboard
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    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20251107/ie7501/
  37. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 45, 2025"
    https://sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215/?dspy=2025&dspp=45
  38. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20251107/7501/
  39. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20211105/130/
  40. Billboard
    https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9657016/michael-jackson-thriller-halloween-billboard-hot-100
  41. Billboard
    https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2024-11-09/
  42. Alternative Press
    https://www.altpress.com/news/misfits_release_free_mp3_download_of_mad_monster_party_for_halloween/
  43. Cuts from the Crypt
  44. "Misfits discography"
    http://www.misfits.com/
  45. Project 1950
  46. Vulture.com
    https://www.vulture.com/2013/02/do-not-adjust-your-set-the-childrens-show-that-launched-monty-python.html
  47. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/spooky-scary-skeletons-tiktok-meme-895887/
  48. Halloween Howls: Fun & Scary Music - Andrew Gold | Releases | AllMusic
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  49. Tiger Beat
    http://tigerbeat.com/2011/10/allstar-weekend-does-the-monster-mash/
  50. Arizona Republic
    https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/04/02/alice-cooper-greatest-hits-childrens-album/73099020007/
  51. "American single certifications – Bobby Pickett – Monster Mash"
    https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Bobby+Pickett&ti=Monster+Mash&format=Single&type=#search_section
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