Back in the day, Disney was fond of creating a new theme song for each Disneyland attraction. Most attractions, anyway. The Haunted Mansion is one of the most outstanding examples of this. "Grim Grinning Ghosts", composed by Buddy Baker and featuring lyrics by X Atencio, is first heard while guests are in line and is last heard as they walk back to the "mortal world." The fact that no one gets tired of the piece after hearing it used so pervasively says something, I think.
The only place in the attraction in which the music does not rely on GGG is the attic, where Richard Wagner's famed "Bridal March" undergoes a demonic transformation into the version you hear in this video. This is the only piece in this recording that was originally intended for piano.
As always, the original recordings of all this are better, and I highly recommend listening to them if you haven't. But I do enjoy playing all this on piano, so hopefully that joy will somehow spill over onto you as the listener.
I always appreciate well-thought-out critiques! Don't hesitate to tell me how I've screwed up. =D Oh, and check out my video response for a superior version of the foyer organ!
Tags: Haunted Mansion "grim grinning ghosts" "Buddy Baker" piano Disneyland organ creepy waltz "here comes the bride" Wagner
