Song of the Day (Shocktober): Chris Isaak “Voodoo”

Native San Franciscan songwriter, guitarist and crooner par-excellence, Chris Isaak, tears it up on this track from his debut LP, Silvertone. Featuring an infectious melody, occult subject matter, retro spooky backing vocals and an early rock and roll strut, “Voodoo” is a great October song. Isaak has one of the all-time great rock and roll singing voices, sounding like the natural successor to Roy Orbison. His voice oozes a combination of longing, tenderness and grit. Chris Isaak also has a real knack for great songwriting that showcases his voice. The slightly camp, retro styling of “Voodoo” suites the lyrics of the song perfectly. Its a shame Isaak didn’t become a bigger star, because his talent in unmistakable.

Chris Isaak also had a memorable though brief side career as an actor, most famously appearing in David Lynch‘s dark prequel/sequel to the cult show Twin Peaks, Twin Peak: Fire Walk With Me, as Special Agent Chester Desmond (pictured below). Lynch and Isaak had also worked together previously, with Lynch directing the somewhat risque music video for Isaak‘s breakthrough single, “Wicked Games“. That song also featured prominently in Lynch‘s film, Wild At Heart.