31 Days of spooky, day 1: 'In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)'

"In Heaven (Lady In The Radiator Song)" is the quintessential spooky song...

...And Eraserhead is the quintessential Halloween movie for the film nerd set. David Lynch's 1977 surrealist horror masterpiece defies understanding, let alone explanation. To enjoy its all-encompassing spookiness, one must put aside all expectations of narrative coherence or logic. The effect is disorienting, and that's what makes the classic tale of a single father raising a cross between a snake and a sperm in an apartment full of rotting vegetation so creepy.

Eraserhead's influence on the the nascent goth and alt movements of the time cannot be overstated.

In one sequence, a tiny woman living in the main character's radiator sings a dirge-like song that sums up the vague but creepy atmosphere of the movie. The lyrics are simple, but definitely give the impression that not all is right.

In heaven
Everything is fine
You'll get your good things
And I'll get mine

'In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)' might just be the spookiest song ever recorded

Unsurprisingly, covering "In Heaven (Lady in The Radiator Song)" became something of a tradition for goth and alt bands. It started in 1978 when Devo would close out their sets with the song, which was sung by Booji Boy, an alter-ego of frontman Mark Mothersbaugh. Booji Boy was described as "a bizarre adult infant freak with pre-adolescent sexuality and Yoda-like wisdom."

British new wave goth legends Bauhaus made "In Heaven" a part of their final tour in 1983. A recording can be found on the Rest in Peace: The Final Concert live album.

In 1987 alt rock survivors Pixies recorded "In Heaven" during their very first studio session. That recording went on to be the B-side for their single "Gigantic."

The Pixies famously broke up in 1994. By the time they reunited in 2004, they did so as unlikely rock gods. "In Heaven" remained in their set list, despite the fact that they were playing in arenas and stadiums. The atonal whispered dirge is even eerier in a cavernous space filled with 40,000 people in rapt silence.

Lastly the arty operatic goth rocker Zola Jesus included a sultry version of "In Heaven" for her debut EP New Amsterdam in 2009.

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