Don Jamieson's Top 10 Rock + Metal Songs About Ghosts

Don Jamieson is a guest contributor to Loudwire. He is the co-host of That Metal Show, which completed its 14th season earlier this year on VH1 Classic. You can also catch Jamieson on the stand-up comedy circuit. Keep up with him at his official website or his Twitter page. Please note that Don Jamieson’s opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Loudwire. Check out his picks for the Top 10 Songs About Ghosts below:

Remember sitting around the campfire when you were younger trying to scare the crap out of each other with scary ghost stories? Me neither. I was too busy trying to get into some “paranormal activity” with chicks in the woods and getting leaves stuck to my bare ass.

Ghosts were originally thought to be the person within a person and breathing out released this “spirit” into the air. If that’s true, there’s a nasty hot dog-breathed ghost floating around my house right now.

People love to be scared by ghosts. Whether it’s The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Ghost Of Christmas Past or the band Ghost, I’ve got a “sixth sense” for these things so check out this list of the ultimate 10 musical ghost stories:

10
"Ghost of Karelia"
Mastodon
Album: Crack the Skye
Spooky selection: “How long has it been since we flew through the shadows, I have walked on many other planets…”
So apparently Karelia is a Russian territory so if this ghost ever comes to haunt your house, be sure to lock up the vodka.
9
"Ghost of Perdition"
Opeth
Album: Ghost Reveries
Spooky selection: “Ghost of perdition, stuck in her chest, a warning no one read, tragic friendship…”
I read all warnings. I’m good like that. Except those ones on the mattress tag. I rip those suckers right off. Hopefully there’s no Ghost of Sealy Posturepedic.
8
"Ghost Walking"
Lamb of God
Album: Resolution
Spooky selection: “Night blind on the shining path, ghost walking in the aftermath…”
I thought I saw a ghost walking once. Until I got closer and realized it was Nicole Kidman.
7
"Ghosts Along the Mississippi"
Down
Album: Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow
Spooky selection: “I’m dying to kill what’s wrong with me, ghosts along the Mississippi…”
I’m dying to kill what’s wrong with me too. But I just can’t bring myself to shave off these stupid sideburns.
6
"Return of the Phantom Stranger"
Rob Zombie
Album: Hellbilly Deluxe
Spooky selection: “All you know is alone, you see a Phantom Stranger…”
You can’t have a "Return of the Phantom Stranger" without a prequel, right? So I searched the Rob Zombie and White Zombie back catalogues for hours for the original "Arrival of the Phantom Stranger’ song. And I never found one! Damn you Rob Zombie!!
5
"Ghosts of War"
Slayer
Album: South of Heaven
Spooky selection: “Memories can’t ignore, anguish of before, satisfy the scorn, rise ghosts of war…”
This band has been on almost every one of my lists. Slayer, I wish I knew how to quit you!
4
"The Family Ghost"
King Diamond
Album: Abigail
Spooky selection: “The bedroom was ice cold but the fire was burning still, the blinding light, the family ghost had risen again…”
It would be cool to have a family ghost. Would give Dad someone else, besides the family dog, to blame his rancid farts on.
3
"Born as Ghosts"
Rage Against the Machine
Album: The Battle of Los Angeles
Spooky selection: “Under the toxic sunsets they dine and toast, of walls denied the terror faced, by the children born as ghosts…”
If you want to dine and toast under toxic sunsets, just take a summer time power lunch in Hollywood.
2
"Phantom Lord"
Metallica
Album: Kill ‘Em All
Spooky selection: “Fall to your knees and bow to the Phantom Lord…”
A Dave Mustaine-penned ghostly gem with devilsh lyrics by James Hetfield. Hey, those guys should be in a band together!
1
"Phantom of the Opera"
Iron Maiden
Album: Iron Maiden
Spooky selection: “I’m running and hiding in my dreams you’re always there, you’re the Phantom of the Opera, you’re the devil, you’re just out to scare…”
I remember seeing the original Phantom of the Opera movie with Lon Chaney when I was a kid. It scared the bejesus out of me. He looked like Larry King with a meth problem.