Jazz Fusion
The song “Spooky” was originally written as an instrumental and was performed by saxophonist Mike Sharpe in 1967. It was written by Sharpe and Harry Middlebrooks, Jr., and it charted in the Top 100 at #57 on the U.S. Pop Chart. Classics IV guitarist James R. Cobb and their producer Buddy Buie added lyrics about a spooky little girl. Their version went to #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #46 in the U.K.
There have been numerous covers of the song, including a commercially successful one in 1979 by Atlanta Rhythm Section, which consisted some former Classics IV and Candymen members. Other versions including those by Dusty Springfield (who changed the gender in the lyrics), Percy Sledge, Andy Williams, Martha and the Vandellas, Michel Pagliaro (in French), Velvet Monkeys., R.E.M., David Sanborn, The Puppini Sisters, and the Lettermen, to mention just a few.
The Classics IV band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, playing a sort of soft southern rock sound, but certainly an American sixties music sound. They originally consisted of lead singer Dennis Yost, Cobb, Walter Eaton, and Joe Wilson. The name came from Yost’s Classic drum set and the four (at the time) members.