Hour 1:
I’m writing this article as I go. So far I’ve been listening to the Marilyn Manson cover for about 10 minutes and I have to say I’m really getting into the Halloween spirit. It’s one of my favorite holidays, if not the favorite, and this song is a good way to…. I zoned out for a second so I think I missed a play. I originally intended to do this experiment with the drum solo from “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, but I decided to use something more seasonal. At this stage I’m reminded of John Mulaney’s standup. One of his earlier specials has a bit about listening to “What’s New Pussycat” on repeat, I highly recommend checking it out. I’m finishing up my seventh play right now, and I’m feeling pretty good.
Hour 2:
I did the math. Each play of “This is Halloween” takes up about 3.33 minutes. That means there’s been 18 plays of “This is Halloween” over the last hour. And I can expect a grand total of 180 by the completion of this experiment. I’m not a quitter though, so I’m committing myself to this cause. Having listened to the song 18 times in a row now, I can say I’ve isolated a lot of the different instrumentals and vocals that are occurring. I’m reminded of how some song by the Beatles, which one it is escapes me at this time, had a mystery note in a chord that couldn’t be attributed to any band member and was found out to be from their producer. I’m currently wondering if I’ll make such a discovery.
Hour 3:
Wow. Uhm. Any mental fortitude that I thought I had… it’s, uh, it’s fading. I’m writing this at the beginning of Hour 3, so I’m at my 37th play. It’s draining, honestly. My favorite part of the song is now the ending, because it gives me a brief break before the start of the next play through. I’m contemplating going to bed, but I’m convinced that even if I physically stopped listening, I’d still hear it. Oh boy, play 38. Okay. We’re still in this. I’m doing this for you guys, lend me your strength.
Hour 4:
HAHAHA. I’M ON PLAY 55 NOW! ISN’T IT FUNNY HOW THERE ARE CAPITAL LETTERS, BUT NO CAPITAL NUMBERS?? Truly hilarious. Remember when I said I loved that break where nothing happens? I don’t think it exists anymore. There’s a latent “Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween” even in silence. I fondly remember around play 11 when I said, “You know what? It’s starting to get old.” Because now it’s ancient. It’s a fossil. That main archaeologist guy from Jurassic Park, the one that isn’t Jeff Goldblum or Laura Dern, he’d be SO excited to find this song, because it is THAT fossil-like.
Hour 5:
You know how when you’re about to throw up, you can feel it? I have that feeling, but in my ear drums. I’m literally in discomfort from sounds. The only saving grace is that the song varies enough that I’m not going completely insane. Had I chosen the “In the Air Tonight” drum solo I surely would’ve quit by now.
Hour 6:
Halfway. Halfway. Halfway. I’m this far in there’s no sense in quitting now.
Hour 7:
God. Can you hear me? Please. Kill me. Please.
Hour 8:
Boys and girls of every age, wouldn't you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see this our town of Halloween. This is Halloween, this is Halloween. Pumpkins scream in the dead of night. This is Halloween, everybody make a scene. Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright. It's our town, everybody scream, in this town of Halloween. I am the one hiding under your bed, teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red. I am the one hiding under your stairs, fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair. This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! In this town we call home, everyone hail to the pumpkin song. In this town, don't we love it now? Everybody's waiting for the next surprise. ‘Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can, something's waiting now to pounce, and how you'll scream! This is Halloween! Red 'n' black, slimy green. Aren't you scared? Well, that's just fine. Say it once, say it twice, take a chance and roll the dice, ride with the moon in the dead of night. Everybody scream, everybody scream! In our town of Halloween. I am the clown with the tear-away face, here in a flash and gone without a trace. I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?" I am the wind blowing through your hair. I am the shadow on the moon at night, filling your dreams to the brim with fright. This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Tender lumplings everywhere, life's no fun without a good scare. That's our job, but we're not mean, in our town of Halloween. In this town, don't we love it now? Everybody's waiting for the next surprise. Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back and scream like a banshee, make you jump out of your skin. This is Halloween, everybody scream! Won't ya please make way for a very special guy? Our man Jack is King of the Pumpkin patch, everyone hail to the Pumpkin King, now! This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! In this town we call home, everyone hail to the pumpkin song! La la-la la, Halloween! Halloween!
Hour 9:
(INTERNAL SCREAMING)
Hour 10:
