Halloween

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Tmydee scares away the competition in Elvis Trivialities #17

Tmydee not only won Elvis Trivialities #17 yesterday, but did it in record time! Steve’s 17-minute response time had stood for over nine years, but Tmydee has established the new standard – 15 minutes! It took me longer than that to write the post, Tmydee.

Tmydee receives a Halloween treat bag full of bragging rights of every flavor and a spot among The Mystery Train’s Night Riders, legendary Elvis trivia masters.

And the answer is…

1.) “Blue Moon”
2.) “Witchcraft”
3.) “Mystery Train”
4.) “Devil In Disguise”

are the Elvis songs represented by the following scrambled characters:

1.) ULBE MONO
2.) HICTRTWACF
3.) YTYEMRS RNTIA
4.) VEIDL NI GSUDEISI

As mentioned yesterday, in our universe, Elvis never had a Halloween album. In 1963, he did have two spookier-themed singles in a row, though. In June, he released “Devil In Disguise” b/w “Please Don’t Drag That String Around.” “Devil In Disguise” went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In October, he released “Bossa Nova Baby” b/w “Witchcraft.” The A-Side went to #8.

If only “Devil In Disguise” had been paired with “Witchcraft” instead, and Elvis would’ve at least had a Halloween single!

Over on the For Elvis CD Collectors Forum, film expert Greystoke spotted that Vevo recently released an official music video for “Devil In Disguise.” For an Elvis video, it is a little out there, even though it takes the lyrics quite literally. It is certainly fun on Halloween and worth checking out.

Credit: Vevo’s Elvis Presley channel (YouTube)

The Mystery Train’s Night Riders

  • October 30, 2020: Tmydee (0:15)*
  • October 7, 2020: Sammy (3:18)
  • June 14, 2013: Alec (0:18) | Honorable Mention: Wellsy (3:01)
  • February 22, 2013: Thomas (13:36)
  • January 11, 2013: George Millar (4:19)
  • December 23, 2012: Thomas (0:36)
  • October 9, 2012: David (14:38) | Honorable Mention: John (22:06)
  • February 4, 2012: Thomas (13:52)
  • February 3, 2012: Thomas (2:18)
  • December 21, 2011: Wellsy (2:37)
  • October 31, 2011: Thomas (17:32)
  • October 1, 2011: Jimmy Cool (1:01)
  • September 9, 2011: Steve Brogdon (0:17)
  • August 6, 2011: Thomas (2:26)
  • July 9, 2011: Thomas (5:26)
  • June 23, 2011: Fred Wolfe (0:18)
  • June 22, 2011: Ty stumps the train (no winner)

*Record time

“Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
from 2 Corinthians 11:14

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My Head Is Spinning: Elvis Trivialities #17

Welcome to another terrifying edition of Elvis Trivialities, here on The Mystery Train Blog. In our universe, Elvis Presley never released a Halloween album. However, he recorded a number of songs that could suit that theme, including the four below.

Name the Elvis songs represented by the following scrambled characters:

1.) ULBE MONO
2.) HICTRTWACF
3.) YTYEMRS RNTIA
4.) VEIDL NI GSUDEISI

The first person to get all four right in the comments below will have her or his treat bag filled with chocolate-covered bragging rights. The rest of you will get rocks. Only one set of answers per person, please. I’ll leave the light on for you.

Who will be first to unscramble the Elvis songs?

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
Proverb 13:20

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Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls: Elvis’ New Halloween Album Scares Up A Review (The Edge Of Reality #8)

You’re journeying into a fantastic realm whose limits are only that of imagination. There’s the station up ahead. Your next stop… the edge of reality.

The Edge Of Reality

The original version of Elvis’ Halloween Album has served us well for years, but RCA recently released a reconfigured version on their Camden budget label. With gas prices soaring to 40 cents a gallon and first-class postage stamps at an unbelievable 8 cents, 1971 is turning out to be a very expensive year for everyone. Elvis fans have it even worse, though, as this “new” record is just the latest in a series of Presley releases this year.

This time out, RCA/Camden has dropped the non-Halloween selections that filled out the original version of Elvis’ Halloween Album and replaced them with a couple of newer chilling tracks – including the weirdest Elvis song ever released.

I’m referring to the leadoff song, “Moonlight Sonata.” While someone plays the Beethoven piece on the piano, Elvis and others accompany with various vocal tones: “Duhhhh duhhhh duhhhhhh….”

It sounds like it was recorded on a personal tape recorder at Elvis’ home, but the lower sound quality actually adds to the haunting effect. Only Elvis could get away with putting this out on record, yet it works!

Another new addition is “Cotton Candy Land,” which was recently featured in Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, Play ‘Cotton Candy Land’ For Me. I won’t spoil the movie, since it features one of Elvis’ best roles since King Creole, except to say that you know bad things are about to happen whenever a certain character plays this song.

There are still a couple of months left in 1971, and RCA is not finished with us yet. That’s right, even more new Elvis releases are on the way. As for the new version of Elvis’ Halloween Album, I give it an 8 out of 10. Worth picking up if you don’t already have the original or if you want to hear the bizarre “Moonlight Sonata.”
Elvis' Halloween Album (1971 Reissue)

Elvis’ Halloween Album (1971 Edition)

Side A
Moonlight Sonata
Devil In Disguise
Night Rider
Ghost Riders In The Sky
Edge Of Reality

Side B
Dark Moon
Witchcraft
Mystery Train
Blue Moon
Cotton Candy Land

This imaginary album is available only in… the edge of reality.

[With apologies to Serling.]

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Elvis Today’s Thomas scares up the answers to Elvis Trivialities – Haunted Edition

Sammy Z was on the verge of becoming a first-time winner, but left out one two-letter word. Instead, Elvis Today’s Thomas made it through the ghosts and goblins to become first to correctly answer the Haunted Edition of Elvis Trivialities.

As a special treat, Thomas receives a bag full of chocolate-covered bragging rights. A three-time winner, he also earns a place of honor among The Mystery Train’s Night Riders.

And the answer is…

1.) “Are You Lonesome Tonight” (Live-1968)
2.) “Come Along”
3.) “Devil In Disguise”
4.) “Viva Las Vegas”
5.) “Little Sister”
6.) “How The Web Was Woven”
7.) “Witchcraft”
8.) “You’ll Think Of Me”
9.) “Baby, If You’ll Give Me All Of Your Love”
10.) “Hard Luck”
11.) “I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell”
12.) “They Remind Me Too Much Of You”

are the Elvis songs from which the following lyrics were taken:

1.) Does your hair look a fright,
2.) There’s a full moon shining bright,
3.) The devil in your eyes 4.) set my soul on fire

5.) I went for some candy, along came 6.) the weave of a spider,
7.) Spinning a spell on 8.) a heart that’s haunted

9.) I’ll bring you pounds and pounds of chocolate candy,
10.) Black cats, keep away from me, 11.) you’ve got a bag of tricks,
12.) Must I evermore be haunted

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Will Sammy get his revenge? Will anyone beat Steve’s record time? Find out on future terrifying installments of Elvis Trivialities, if you dare.

Be ready to jump on the next question by subscribing to The Mystery Train Blog using the feature in the menu bar to the right. That way, you’ll be emailed whenever a new post appears.

Congratulations again to Thomas!

The Mystery Train’s Night Riders

  • October 31, 2011: Thomas (Elvis Today) (17:32)
  • October 1, 2011: Anton Jeldres Tiselj (Jimmy Cool) (1:01)
  • September 9, 2011: Steve Brogdon (0:17) <— Record time
  • August 6, 2011: Thomas (Elvis Today) (2:26)
  • July 9, 2011: Thomas (Elvis Today) (5:26)
  • June 23, 2011: Fred Wolfe (0:18)
  • June 22, 2011: Ty stumps the train (no winner)
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Elvis Trivialities – Haunted Edition

It’s October 31, so that means it’s time to dust off your well-worn copy of Elvis’ Halloween Album, dress up as an Elvis impersonator, and scare all the neighborhood children (and the adults, too, for that matter).

To help get you in the Halloween spirit, take your chances at today’s Elvis trivia challenge.

Name the Elvis songs from which the following lyrics were taken:

1.) Does your hair look a fright,
2.) There’s a full moon shining bright,
3.) The devil in your eyes 4.) set my soul on fire

5.) I went for some candy, along came 6.) the weave of a spider,
7.) Spinning a spell on 8.) a heart that’s haunted

9.) I’ll bring you pounds and pounds of chocolate candy,
10.) Black cats, keep away from me, 11.) you’ve got a bag of tricks,
12.) Must I evermore be haunted

A gigantic bag full of chocolate-covered bragging rights goes to the first person to get all twelve right in the comments below.

Happy Halloween, and good luck!

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Elvis Sings The Spooktacular World Of Halloween (The Edge Of Reality #2)

Elvis’ two Christmas albums were among the strongest of his career, but what if he had assembled an album of spookier-themed cuts? You’ve just crossed over into . . . the edge of reality.

Elvis' Halloween Album

Elvis' Halloween Album

Elvis’ Halloween Album

Side A
Devil In Disguise
Mystery Train
Dark Moon
How The Web Was Woven
City By Night

Side B
Witchcraft
Ghost Riders In The Sky
Blue Moon
It’s Midnight
Edge Of Reality