If you’ve never heard Psycho by Jack Kittel, then you are in for a real treat. The song was originally written in 1966 by blind songwriter Leon Payne (who wrote songs for Hank Williams, Elvis and Johnny Cash) inspired by the story of Charles Whitman, the crazed sniper at the University of Texas.

It was originally recorded by Eddie Noack, but that version is obscure, as well as by George Jones. The 1973 rendition by Jack Kittel, which was picked up on by Doctor Demento, is the best version of the song and also the best known. I have the 45 single, bought at least 25 years ago in New York (at Midnight Records!). The b-side is Psycho played backwards, with a backwards label.

Psycho was also covered by Elvis Costello and the Beasts of Bourbon.
 

“The b-side is Psycho played backwards, with a backwards label.”

...should upload the b-side so I can play it on reverse.

I have this one on a British bootleg compilation called “Dangerous Rock And Roll”. Very cool.

Goes well with Porter Wagner:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbaCokEdNz0

So glad you name-checked the Beasts of Bourbon. They are criminally under-appreciated, and Tex Perkins has continually kept making rock n’roll dangerous for the last 20+ years. I first heard the song Psycho through them when their debut LP came out. They def deserve their own posting someday. And thanx for posting the Jack Kittel version, a stone nutter classic.

This rang a lot of bells I’m thing I heard this on Dr Demento either this version or Elvis’

So appropriate I’ve been watching Criminal Minds on A&E for the past few hours