We Are ALL Putting the Wrong Warren Zevon Song on Our Halloween Playlists

It’s easy to understand how and why “Werewolves of London” became a Halloween party staple. The first is that is has “werewolves” in the title. It also includes lyrics that talk about how a “little old lady got mutilated late last night” by a creature who will “rip your lungs out.” Plus—and I can’t stress this enough—the song rules. The late Warren Zevon ruled. And even though he originally considered it a type of novelty song, this was (somehow!) his only top 40 hit. You will never go wrong listening to “Werewolves of London” for any reason on any day. It has made Halloween parties better for more than four decades.

The issue with it being his definitive spooky season track is that, despite its title and imagery, it’s not actually about a scary monster ripping people apart. It’s a funny song about a well-dressed gigolo with great hair who woos rich old women in London. It’s about a dude in a three-piece suit who likes to eat Chinese food and drink piña coladas.

I’m not saying that guy doesn’t sound awful. I certainly don’t want to get stuck talking to him at a party. I’m just saying he’s not exactly a sharp-jawed beast you need a silver bullet to defeat. He’s got more in common with a misanthrope than a lycanthrope. Saying you have the same shoes as him and that you bought yours at Payless would kill him.

But you know who is an appropriate Halloween villain? A violent sociopath who digs up the bones of is murder victim, who he sexually assaulted and killed on prom night, so he can build a cage out of them. That’s the kind of monster who defines October. And that’s the monster Warren Zevon sings about in “Excitable Boy.”

It’s not the only reason “Excitable Boy” is the better option for your spooky playlist, though. It’s also a better party song because it’s easier to dance to than “Werewolves of London.” I love hearing about that opportunistic playboy, but it’s the type of song you bop your head to while driving. “Excitable Boy” will get more excitable booties out of their seat.

The truth is you can’t really go wrong with either of them, on Halloween or any other day of the year. “Werewolves of London” and “Excitable Boy” were both tracks on the same amazing 1978 album. They are also both quintessential Warren Zevon songs. They’re hilarious yet dark, feature catchy hooks and beautiful harmonies, and are incredibly smart and thoughtful even though they seem silly.

But we’re specifically talking about a Halloween playlist here. If have to pick just one for a party, “Excitable Boy,” the album’s title track, is the better choice.

Of course, why choose? I don’t actually want you to do that. I just wanted an excuse to praise Warren Zevon and get more people to listen to him. What I really want is for you to play both of these songs at your party. And you can do exactly that. It’s your playlist after all. There are no rules. Put whatever song on it you want.

And because you can do exactly that, might we also recommend another song? It’s a killer track about a headless assassin who wanders the planet looking for vengeance against the killer who betrayed him. It’s one of my favorite songs ever and it is absolutely amazing. If you never heard of it, it’s called “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner” by Warren Zevon.

Yeah, that’s right. You finally get it. I don’t want you to stop playing “Werewolves of London” at your Halloween party. This whole thing was one big trick that ends with the ultimate treat. I actually wrote this to get you to include three Warren Zevon songs on your spooky playlist.

You should always make Warren Zevon a part of your Halloween celebration. But from now on don’t just have him only show up with London’s werewolves. Make sure he arrives with excitable boys and headless assassins, too.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist and obviously a Warren Zevon enthusiast. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.