The random sound effects in the background and the sequences of key changes, first up and then down, make this fascinating to listen to.
This song was written and recorded by Stan Jones in 1948. A version of this song, called "Riders in the Sky", was recorded by Vaughn Monroe and became the most popular hit single of 1949; this version includes lyrics and ghostly-sounding background singers. Burl Ives and Bing Crosby reached #21 and #14 with it in 1949 and Peggy Lee also released a frequently-played version in the same year; that's a lot of ghost riding. Other versions, either with vocals or without, have been recorded by Spike Jones, Lawrence Welk, Johnny Cash, Dick Dale, and The Shadows, among others.
The Ramrods were from Stamford, Connecticut, and featured brother and sister Rich Litke and Claire Lane. Their version of "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 in the UK singles chart. Subsequent singles were unsuccessful. The band underwent personnel changes, renamed itself the Russ Cook Combo, and disbanded in the early 1970s.
Created January 23, 2026.