The Cramps frontman Lux Interior made a Christmas playlist
Credit: Masao Nakagami
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Music that inspired The Cramps: 386 of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy’s favourite songs

@JackWhatley89
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Hold on tight as we’re about to take you down the punk rockabilly rabbit hole with a selection (a rather big selection) of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy’s—the power couple at the heart of The Cramps—favourite songs of all time. The Cramps are a certain kind of punk legend and one that not only makes fans of all who hear them but captures their minds, bodies, and souls for their very own rockabilly legend.

We were thrilled to find Lux Interior’s very special Christmas playlist, an utterly unique take on what might be considered festive fodder but when we stumbled upon this collection of gems we lost our minds. Below is a collection of hundreds of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy’s most cherished tracks which were compiled by WFMU and the list collects every track that Lux or Ivy spoke of during an interview. As you might imagine, it is a searing piece of listening.

As the man behind the compilations (Nimereht from Thee Monkey Butlers) says in the most deliciously retro vernacular: “It started as a way to keep track of some of the songs Lux, and or Ivy, mentioned in Incredibly Strange Music book. It was never really intended as anything but a way for a friend of mine and me to have two really kick-ass compilations.” It’s the kind of musical exploration that is, thanks to streaming platforms and the internet, a thing of the past.

The very difficult task began with a definitive passion for the band’s work. But even still, it was an arduous process: “So we went about the arduous process of finding all the songs mentioned in that interview. It took a long time. We used the file sharing program, Napster, as well as our own personal collections.” The compilations were beginning to take shape.

As with everything Cramps related the wave of excitement moved through the fandom by word of mouth and personal connection. “So, one thing leads to another and when word got around that these compilations were out there, they started being traded from fan to fan to fan.”

The site continues, “As the years went by, more interviews with Lux and Ivy kept popping up, and the list of songs they mentioned got longer and longer. This resulted in new volumes.” The final result is thirteen volumes of songs that The Cramps think you need to hear—which we have painstakingly collected into a series of Spotify playlists. It’s one of the most visceral and in-your-face playlists we’ve ever composed.

But for now, though, enjoy the bumper list of The Cramps’ Lux Interior and Poison Ivy’s favourite songs. Disclaimer: Some of the playlists have a couple of tracks missing due to them being too obscure for Spotify.

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 1:

  • Sheriff & The Ravels – Shombalor
  • Sid King & The Five Strings – Let ‘er Roll
  • Ersal Hickey – Bluebirds Over The Mountain
  • Ersal Hickey – Hangin’ Around
  • Ronnie Dawson – Action Packed
  • Ronnie Self – Date Bait
  • Vern Pullens – Bop Crazy Baby
  • Donald Woods And The Belairs – Death Of An Angel
  • Gene Maltais – Crazy Baby
  • Billy Ward and His Dominoes – The Bells
  • Bob McFadden and Dor – The Mummy
  • Forbidden Five – RFD Rangoon
  • Forbidden Five – Enchanted Farm
  • The Medallions – Behind The Door
  • Nervous Norvous – Transfusion
  • The Clovers – Crawlin’
  • The Penguins – Earth Angel
  • The Blenders – Don’t Fuck Around With Love
  • Sparkle Moore – Skull and Cross Bones
  • Versatones – Bila
  • Versatones – Tight Skirt Tight Sweater
  • The Tornados – Telstar
  • The Treniers – Poon-Tang!
  • The Clovers – Rotten Cocksuckers Ball
  • The Collins Kids – Whistle Bait
  • The Chips – Rubber Biscuit
  • Jan & Arnie – Jennie Lee

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 2:

  • 13th Floor Elevators – You’re Gonna Miss Me
  • Ric Cartey – Young Love
  • Slim Harpo – Strange Love
  • The Champs – Train To Nowhere
  • Cozy Cole – Topsy, Parts One and Two
  • Zacherley – Dinner With Drac
  • Randy Alvey and The Green Fuz – Green Fuz
  • Jackie Morningstar – Rockin’ In The Graveyard
  • John Buck and His Blazers – Forbidden City
  • Marvin Rainwater – Hot And Cold
  • Blues Rockers – Calling All Cows
  • The Five Blobs – The Blob
  • Ric Cartey – Oooh-Eeee
  • June Wilkinson and Mamie Van Doren – Bikini With No Top On Top
  • Wayne Williams – Red Hot Mama
  • Boss-Tones – Mope-itty Mope
  • Keith Courvale – Trapped Love
  • The Storey Sisters – Bad Motorcycle
  • Lightnin’ Slim – It’s Mighty Crazy
  • Bob McFadden and Dor – Noisy Village
  • The Crescents – Pink Dominoes
  • Marketettes – Out Of Limits
  • The Chimes – Zindy Lou
  • The Crystals – (Let’s Dance) The Screw – Pt. 1
  • The Invictas – The Hump
  • Earle Hagen & The New Interns – New Interns Watusi
  • Billy Ward & The Dominoes – Jennie Lee

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 3:

  • The Pretty Things – Come See Me
  • The Leather Boy – On the Go
  • Roy Brown – Butcher Pete, Pt. 1
  • Roy Brown – Butcher Pete, Pt. 2
  • The Carnations – Scorpion
  • The Imps – Uh-Oh
  • Doctor Ross – The Boogie Disease
  • Howlin’ Wolf – Smokestack Lightnin’
  • Polka Dot Slim – A Thing You Gotta Face
  • The Ventures – The Rat
  • Mohammed Rafi AKA Ted Lyons & His Cubs – Jaan Pehechaan Ho
  • Bo Diddley – Congo
  • Anton LaVey – Satan Takes a Holiday
  • The Symbols – Do the Zombie
  • The Scarlets – Stampede
  • Danny Dell & The Trends – Froggy Went A Courting
  • Johnny Kidd & The Pirates – Shakin’ All Over
  • The Kinks – You Really Got Me
  • The Strangers – Caterpillar Crawl
  • Porter Waggoner – Rubber Room
  • Robert Mitchum – The Ballad of Thunder Road
  • Duane Eddy – Ramrod
  • Dick Penner – Cindy Lou
  • The Ideals – Go Go Gorilla
  • Jack Nitzsche – The Lonely Surfer
  • The Johnny Burnette Trio – Honey Hush
  • Mickey & Sylvia – No Good Lover
  • Duane Eddy – Stalkin’
  • Bo Diddley – I’m A Man
  • Johnny Fortune – Dragster
  • The Gee Cees – Buzzsaw Twist

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 4

  • Gene Summers – Taboo
  • Roland Janes – Guitarville
  • The Citations – Moon Race
  • Electro-Tones – Ghost Train
  • Hank Davis – Woman Train
  • Jack Nitzsche – Rumble
  • Gene Gray & The Stingrays – Surfer’s Mood
  • Charlie Feathers – In the Pines
  • Ric Cartey – My Babe
  • Reverend Charles Jackson – Wrapped Up and Tangled Up In Jesus
  • Les Baxter – Lust
  • Harley Hatcher – The Chase Is On [From the movie Satan’s Sadists]
  • Jan Davis – The Time Funnel
  • The Atlantics – War Of The Worlds
  • Clyde Stacy – Hoy Hoy
  • Electric Prunes – Dr. Do Good
  • The Five Jones Boys – Mr. Ghost Goes To Town
  • Jackie & The Starlites – Valerie
  • Musical Linn Twins – Rockin’ Out the Blues
  • Hugh Barrett & The Victors – Fungus Among Us
  • Cannibal & the Headhunters – Zulu King
  • Charlie Feathers – She Set Me Free
  • Portuguese Joe – Teenage Riot
  • Gene Maltais – Gang War
  • The Musical Linn Twins – Indian Rock
  • Jimmie Rodgers – Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)
  • Ron Thompson – Switchblade
  • The Legendary Stardust Cowboy – Paralyzed
  • Vernon Green & The Phantoms – Sweet Breeze
  • Davie Allan & the Arrows – Theme from the Unknown
  • The Stooges – 1970

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 5:

  • The Swamp Rats – Louie, Louie
  • The Trashmen – Bird ‘65
  • Link Wray & The Raymen – The Fuzz
  • Peanuts Wilson – Cast Iron Arm
  • Bo Diddley – The Story Of Bo Diddley
  • Homer Denison, Jr. – Chickie Run
  • Curley Griffin – Got Rockin’ On My Mind
  • The Isley Brothers – Nobody But Me
  • Ron Haydock & The Boppers – 99 Chicks
  • Bill Carter & The Rovin’ Gamblers – Baby Brother
  • Andre Williams – (M M M M Andre Williams Is) M-M-Movin’
  • The Quotations – Imagination
  • Carl Perkins – Let The Jukebox Keep On Playing
  • The Sparkles – Oh, Girls, Girls
  • Julie London – Yummy, Yummy, Yummy
  • The Lifeguards – Everybody Out’ta The Pool
  • Ken Nordine – Strollin’ Spooks
  • Ken Nordine – Fliberty Jib
  • The Ramones – Beat On The Brat
  • Betty McQuade – Tongue Tied
  • Ronnie Ray & The Playboys – The Vulture
  • The Revels – Midnight Stroll
  • Ray Anthony – Dragnet
  • Link Wray – Genocide
  • Don Charles Presents The Singing Dogs – Oh! Susanna
  • The Deadly Ones! – It’s Monster Surfing Time
  • Edwin Bruce – Sweet Woman
  • Ted Weems & His Orchestra, with Elmo Tanner (whistle) – Heartaches
  • Vito & The Salutations – Unchained Melody
  • Jack Ely & The Courtmen – Louie, Louie ‘66

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 6:

  • Earl Wade – I Dig Rock ‘n’ Roll
  • The Ran-Dells – Martian Hop
  • The Saxons – Camel Walk (Part 1)
  • The Nitecats – Jungle
  • Charlie Gracie – Guitar Boogie
  • The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You
  • Kenny Owen – I Got The Bug
  • The Phantom – Whisper Your Love
  • Moses Longpiece – Slide Her Under the Door
  • Ray Harris – Come On Little Mama
  • The Cables – Choo-Choo
  • The Charades – Flamingo
  • Ronnie Isle – Wicked
  • Andre Williams With The Gino Parks Quartet – Pass The Biscuits Please
  • Gene La Marr and His Blue Flames – That Crazy Little House On The Hill
  • The Innocents – I’m A Hog For You
  • Thee Midniters – Jump, Jive and Harmonize
  • Bob Taylor & The Counts – Thunder
  • Mad Magazine – (She Got a) Nose Job
  • The Five Sharps – Stormy Weather
  • Booker T. & the MG’s – Green Onions
  • Jack Nitzsche – The Last Race
  • Elvis Presley – Milkcow Blues Boogie
  • The Fleetwoods – Unchained Melody
  • Mad Magazine – When My Pimples Turned To Dimples
  • Grace Tennessee and The American Spirits – Pow Wow
  • Phil and the Frantics – Say That You Will
  • Pasquale & The Lunar-Tiks – Moon Madness
  • Arthur Lyman – Taboo

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 7

  • Marvin & Johnny – Vip Vop
  • The Original Starfires – Fender Bender
  • Ronnie Kae – Drums Fell Off a Cliff
  • Young Jessie with The Flairs – Lonesome Desert
  • Andre Williams & The Don Juans – Pulling Time
  • Joe Clay – Did You Mean Jelly Bean (What You Said Cabbage Head)
  • T. Rex – Rip Off
  • Tony Allen and The Champs – Nite Owl
  • Betty McQuade – Blue Train
  • Sparkle Moore – Tiger
  • Stan Freberg – A Dear John and Marsha Letter
  • The Dynamic Dial Tones – Boss
  • The Vocaleers – Cootie Snap
  • The Tokens – B’wanina (Pretty Girl)
  • Mississippi Mud Mashers – Moonglow
  • John & Jackie – Little Girl
  • The Falcons – Now That It’s Over
  • Mr. Undertaker – Here Lies My Love
  • Andre Williams – The Greasy Chicken
  • Roky Erickson – Red Temple Prayer (Two-Headed Dog)
  • Kay Martin and Her Body Guards – Swamp Girl
  • The Grey Stokes – The Legend of Tarzan
  • Mac Rebennack – Storm Warning (Long Version)
  • Charlie Feathers – That Certain Female
  • Ronnie Self – Bop-A-Lena
  • Jaynetts – Sally Go ‘Round the Roses
  • The Sensational Nightingales – Standing in the Judgment
  • Stan Freberg – St. George And The Dragonet

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 8:

  • Richard Strauss [composer] – Also Sprach Zarathustra – Fanfare
  • Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put A Spell On You
  • Love – My Flash On You
  • American Teens – Shake Shake Baby Shake
  • The Gamblers – LSD-25
  • Unknown Artist – Unknown Song
  • Lee Chandler & The Blue Rhythms – Tree Top
  • The Strikes – If You Can’t Rock Me
  • Buddy Miller – Teen Twist
  • The Tides – Midnight Limbo
  • Homer Denison, Jr. – March Slav Boogie
  • Chaino – The Pigmy Song (Tikky Tikky Boom Boom)
  • Johnnie Honeycutt – Blue Song of Love
  • Kitty & Sheeny Lanier – Do The Whip
  • The Dirtbombs – I Can’t Stop Thinking About It
  • Betty Smith With Johnny Maxwell And The Rhythmmasters – Yeah, Baby
  • Rudy Thacker and The Stringbusters – Black Train
  • Stacy Bengal & His Six Outfielders – I Come To Demolish Cleveland
  • The Gamblers – Moon Dawg!
  • Unknown Artist – Unknown Song
  • The Viscounts – Harlem Nocturne
  • Billy Lee Riley – Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll
  • David Seville – Witch Doctor
  • Freddie Cannon – Palisades Park
  • Kay Martin and Her Body Guards – The Heel
  • Sheb Wooley – The Purple People Eater
  • The Pleasant Valley Boys with Herschell Gordon Lewis – “Rebel Yell (The South’s Gonna Rise Again)” [Theme from Two Thousand Maniacs]
  • Unknown Artist – Unknown Song
  • Mad Mike & The Maniacs – The Hunch
  • Sparkle Moore – Flower Of My Heart

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 9:

  • Jess Franco – Sex and Mystic of M. Sade
  • The Kinks – Till the End of the Day
  • The Vi-Kings – Desert Boots
  • Jimmy McConville – Scorpion
  • Bo Diddley – Mona
  • Wendell Smith – Nashville, Tennessee
  • The Crystals – He’s a Rebel
  • T. Rex – Baby Strange
  • All Women Are Bad [movie trailer audio]
  • The Wailers – Dirty Robber
  • Charlie Gracie – Butterfly
  • Chuck Ranado and The Electronaires – My Baby’s Gone
  • Lonnie Johnson – Tomorrow Night
  • Flamin’ Groovies – Teenage Head
  • Howlin’ Wolf – The Red Rooster
  • The Dantes – 80-96
  • The Chantays – Pipeline
  • Gene Gray & The Stingrays – Surfer’s Mood [repeated from volume 4]
  • The Deadly Ones! – Surfin’ Dockside
  • Gary & Larry – Garlic Bread
  • The Shangri-Las – Out in the Streets
  • The Tempests – Rockin’ Rochester USA
  • Spike Jones – Chloe
  • The Vampires’ Sound Incorporation – The Lions and the Cucumber
  • The Duals – Wait Up Baby
  • Rodger & The Tempests – Bad Bad Way
  • The Dixie Cups – Chapel of Love
  • Jimmy Scott – Unchained Melody

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 10:

  • Bob and Jerry – Ghost Satellite
  • Fat Daddy Holmes – Where Yo Is
  • Don Covay – Switchen’ in the Kitchen
  • Bob Lee – Wanted For Questioning
  • Tielman Brothers – Marabunta
  • The Grass-hoppers – Twin Beat
  • The Jetstreams – Who Me?
  • Dicky Doo & The Don’ts – Flip Top Box
  • Sidney Jo Lewis – Boppin’ To Grandfather’s Clock
  • Albert Elias – King Kong
  • The Charts – Ooba Gooba
  • The Mogambos – Bi-Aza-Ku-Sasa
  • El-Capris – Safari
  • Wildmen – King Of The Jungle
  • The Enchanters – Cafe Bohemian
  • Ganim’s Asia Minors – Daddy Lolo
  • The Peels – Fun
  • Bernie Turner & The Armorettes – Ching Ching Wong
  • The Highlights – Ah So!
  • Dicky Doo & The Don’ts – Nee Nee Na Na Na Na
  • The Duals – Stick Shift
  • Johnny Parker – TV Commercial
  • Jimmy Lloyd – You’re Gone Baby
  • Paul Peek – Olds-Mo-William
  • Lee Ross – The Mummy’s Bracelet
  • Ivan – Real Wild Child
  • The Impacts – Kool It
  • Senor Soul – The Mouse
  • Senor Soul – Soul Sermon
  • The Peels – Juanita Banana
  • Ganimian & His Orientals – My Funny Valentine

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 11:

  • Jay Jay Imus and Freddy Ford – The Boogala
  • Saxie Russell – El Monkey
  • Merced Blue Notes – Do The Pig
  • The Revels – Intoxica
  • The Premiers – Firewater
  • The Cherokees – Uprising
  • The Chiefs – Apache
  • The Arondies – Class Of ‘69
  • Dragon Walk – The Noblemen
  • Dynamos – Woah! Woah! Yea! Yea!
  • The Caps – Red Headed Flea
  • The Corvettes – Pick Up
  • The Bangers – Baby Let Me Bang Your Box
  • Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – Moanin’
  • Mr. Clean – Mr. Clean
  • Brook Bond Food – Red Rose tea
  • Noblemen – Dirty Robber
  • Dicky Doo & the Don’ts – Wild Party
  • Sentinals – The Bee
  • Jan Davis – Watusi Zombie
  • Bobby Williams – Tarzan
  • The Pygmies – Don’t Monkey with Tarzan
  • The Individuals – Jungle Superman
  • The Revels – It’s Party Time
  • Silvertones – Get It!
  • The Hong Kongs – Surfin’ In The China Sea
  • The Torkays – Karate
  • The Fortune-Tellers – Song of the Nairobi Trio
  • The Trashmen – Bird Dance Beat
  • Revels – Dead Man’s Stroll
  • Dickie Goodman – The Touchables In Brooklyn
  • The Myrogens -The Dancing Katydids
  • Dynamos – Manhunt

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 12:

  • The Ravens – A Simple Prayer
  • Jimmie Haskell and his Orchestra – Blast Off!
  • Terry Corin and Her Boyfriends – Sick! Sick! Sick!
  • Buddy Starr and The Starliners – Hold It
  • The Curios – Chicken Back Part Two
  • Dee Jays – Blackeyed Woman
  • Jimmy Hanna – Leaving Here
  • The Frantics – (do the) Jacknife
  • The Peridots – Hully Gully All Night Long
  • Jivin’ Gene – Up Up & Away
  • The Baskerville Hounds – Space Rock part 2
  • Jimmie Haskell and his Orchestra – Astrosonic
  • Jan Davis – Destination Love
  • Sebastien – Nobody Can Do The Dog Like I Do
  • The Singing Dogs – Hot Dog Boogie
  • Social Outcasts – Mad
  • Jim Wolfe and The T-Towners – Inner Sanctum
  • Larry Collins – T-Bone
  • The Monterays – Turtle
  • Louis Jordan – Louisville Lodge Meeting
  • Ray Burden – A Hot-Rodders Dream
  • Ronnie Dawson – Jump and Run
  • Andy Griffith – Silhouettes
  • Ronnie Kae – Let There Be Drums
  • Manny Corchado – Pow Wow AKA The Mosquitos – The Fly
  • Willie Joe & His Unitar – Unitar Rock
  • Jimmie Haskell and his Orchestra – Rockin in the Orbit
  • Little Jimmy Scott – Day by Day
  • Dick Hyman & Mary Mayo – For All We Know

The Cramps favourite songs, Volume 13

  • Spellbound – Main Title
  • Guitar Wolf – Planet of the Wolves
  • Richard Delvy – The Green Slime Theme
  • The One Way Streets – We All Love Peanut Butter
  • The Rolling Stones – Off The Hook
  • Bo Diddley – Diddy Wah Diddy
  • Hollywood Flames – Strollin’ on the Beach
  • Vic Mizzy – Main Theme
  • The Del-Aires – Zombie Stomp
  • T. Rex – Mustang Ford
  • Emil Cadkin – The Devil on Wheels Theme
  • Demolition Doll Rods – Queen Bee Drag Racin
  • The Teen Rockers – Road Block
  • Freddie and the Hitch-Hikers – Mop Flop
  • The Four Winds with Their Teenage Friends – Short Shorts
  • The Apes – Tarzan’s Monkey
  • The Gories – Hidden Charms
  • The Midnighters – Sexy Ways
  • Royal Teens – Leotards
  • The Camelots – Charge!
  • The Kinks – Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
  • The 5.6.7.8’s – Pinball Party
  • Wanda Jackson – Riot in Cell Block #9
  • The Mummies – Shot Down
  • The Yardbirds – Happenings Ten Years Time Ago
  • Television – Psychotic Reaction
  • The Troggs – Night Of The Long Grass
  • Wortham Watts – Cotton Picker
  • Tony Burrello – There’s A New Sound
  • Oblivians – What Rock n Roll Is All About
  • Deek Watson & The Brown Dots – At Our Fireplace
  • The Velvet Illusions – Acid Head
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