It's time for the second season of episode titles. No better way to spend the hellatus then re-living the episodes of yore. This season was chock-full of great references to songs, books and movies. Enjoy!
 
2.1 "In My Time of Dying"
 
"In My Time of Dying" is the contemporary name of a traditional gospel song first recorded in 1928 by Blind Willie Johnson under the name "Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed".  Since its original recording the song has been covered numerous times by artists like Josh White, Bob Dylan, and probably most famously Led Zeppelin. This title is especially appropriate for this episode with Dean in a coma being stalked by a reaper and John's ultimate sacrifice to save Dean's life.  


 
In my time of dying, want nobody to mourn
All I want for you to do is take my body home

Well, well, well, so I can die easy (X2)

Jesus, gonna make up my dyin' bed.
Meet me, Jesus, meet me. Meet me in the middle of the air
If my wings should fail me, Lord. Please meet me with another pair

Well, well, well, so I can die easy (X2)
 
2.2 "Everybody Loves a Clown"
 
"Everybody Loves a Clown" is a song by Gary Lewis and The Playboys. The title works well in the episode, which features a "homicidal phantom clown" that ends up being a rakshasa. What is probably most entertaining about the episode is Sam's fear of clowns. "I know what you're thinking Sam, why'd it have to be clowns?" I couldn't agree more. 


 
Everybody loves a clown, so why don't you?
Everybody laughs at the things that I say and do.
They all laugh when they see me coming, 
But you don't laugh; you just go home running. 
 
Everybody loves a clown, so why can't you?
A clown has feelings too. 
 
2.3 "Bloodlust"
 
This was a tough one because I found a couple references to "Bloodlust" online. I'll talk about each of them and let you decide which one you think inspired this episode title. But I will just remind you that it is in this episode that we meet Gordon Walker who ends up being more of a monster than the vampires he hunts. 
 
"Bloodlust" is the title of a 1961 film staring Wilton Graff, June Kenney and Walter Brooke. The premise of the movie involves a hunter who kidnaps people and turns them loose on his estate where he hunts them for sport. (Sounds a bit like the Season One episode "The Benders")
 
"Bloodlust" is the title of a song by the band VENOM. The excerpt below seems to make it clear that the song is about vampirism, which leads me to believe this is the source of the title. What do you think?


 
Come on turn it up!
 
Madness
 
Stalking the night
Feeding fast on my prey
Draining the life
"˜Till the dawn of the day
Drinking and sucking
The blood rushing sweet
Half crazed with glory
Half crazed in heat
 
Bloodlust
 
2.4 "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things"
 
This title comes from the 1972 comedic horror film also known by another title; "Revenge of the Living Dead". This low budget zombie movie follows a group of six friends who dig up a corpse and conduct a satanic ritual to make the dead rise from their graves. The title is very appropriate considering that this is the episode where Sam and Dean investigate a college student's death only to find that her friend, and now love interest, has brought her back to life as a zombie. "What's dead should stay dead."



(From Alice - Did "Revenge of The Living Dead" have porn?  It should have.)
 
2.5 "Simon Said"
 
This episode title is probably taken from children's game Simon Says in which one person is elected "Simon" and issues instructions to the other players, which are to be followed only if prefaced with the phrase "Simon Says". You'll remember that this is the episode that we meet Andy, one of Azazel's special children, who has the power of persuasion. Andy used what was possibly his most entertaining act of persuasion on Dean. 
 
Andy: "This is a cherry ride."
Dean: "Yeah, thanks."
Andy: "Man, a '67. Impala's best year, if you ask me. This is a serious classic."
Dean: "Yeah. You know, I just rebuilt her, too. Can't let a car like this one go."
Andy: "Damn straight. Hey, can I have it?"
Dean: "Sure, man!"
 
Although "These are not the droids you're looking for" was a close second. 


 
2.6 "No Exit"
 
"No Exit" is the title of a 1944 French play that follows four characters into a room that they soon realize is hell. Locked in and expecting to be tortured, they are left to explore each other's sins, memories and desires until finally realizing that this is their punishment. 


 
I'm not entirely sure how related these two titles are but "No Exit" is the episode where Dean, Sam and Jo investigate the disappearances of blonde women in a Philadelphia apartment complex only to realize they are being abducted by the ghost of H.H. Holmes, America's first serial killer. 
 
2.7 "The Usual Suspects"
 
This episode title is taken from the 1995 movie of the same name. The film follows the interrogation of a Los Angeles con man who is one of two survivors of a massacre on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. The plot is very clever, working its way backward slowly connecting the dots with surprising twists along the way. The Supernatural episode works much the same way following Sam and Dean's interrogation following the death of a woman in St. Louis, which Dean is thought to be responsible for. The episode works backwards slowly connecting the dots as the boys weave a perfect web of lies. 


 
2.8 "Crossroad Blues"
 
"Crossroad Blues" is the title of a song by blues singer Robert Johnson. There is much legend linked with the life of Robert Johnson. Many believe that he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads for the ability to play music; this legend is probably kept alive by songs like "Crossroad Blues" and "Hellhound On My Trail". 
 
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, now save poor Bob, if you please
 
You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
That I got the crossroad blues this mornin', Lord, babe, I'm sinkin' down


 
The Supernatural episode "Crossroad Blues" is where we first learn of deals made with demons at the crossroads. A person is given what they desire and ten years to live in exchange for their soul when those ten years are up. These deals become very prominent later in the season when Dean makes a deal to save Sam's life. 
 
2.9 "Croatoan"
 
"Croatoan" is a word associated with the "lost" colony of Roanoke. When Governor John White arrived at the Roanoke colony in the 1580's he found it completely abandoned. The only clue as to what happened to the colonies inhabitants was a single word, "croatoan", carved into a tree in the center of the settlement. To this day, no one knows what happened to the people of this lost colony. 
 


The title is very appropriate for this episode, which is about a small town plagued with a demonic virus that causes the residents to become violent. At the end of the episode, the remaining towns people vanish into thin air and the virus seems to disappear with no explanation. 
 
2.10 "Hunted
 
This was another tricky one. My best guess of the episode titles' origin is the 1952 movie of the same name. It follows and orphan boy who runs away from his adoptive parents after setting a small fire in their house. He takes shelter in a bombed-out building where he meets Chris and the body of the man he just killed. Now on the run, Chris realizes that the boy is the only witness to his crime and he will have to take the boy with him. 


 
In this episode, Sam meets Ava who warns him of a psychic vision she has where he dies in an explosion. Sam is eventually lured into the vision that Ava predicted when Gordon Walker kidnaps Dean, ties him up and forces him to convince Sam to come get him. Like I said, this isn't a perfect comparison so if you can think of a better one, let me know!
 
2.11 "Playthings"
 
This episode title seems to come from the old saying "Idle hands are the Devil's playthings" which essentially means that you're more likely to get into trouble if you don't keep yourself busy. 


 
This is the episode where Sam and Dean visit Pierpont Inn where they've been having a string of strange deaths. As it turns out, the Inn has been placed on the market and the ghost of a young girl who died there, Maggie, is not pleased. Her spirit has been kept at bay by the Inn owners mother Rose using hoodoo. It was only after Rose suffered a stroke and was no longer able to practice hoodoo that Maggie begins her killing spree. 


 

2.12 "Nightshifter"
 
This one really frustrated me. I assumed there was a pop culture reference to go along with this title. It sounded like a possible movie or book title but the only thing I found was "Night Shift" a collection of short stories by Stephen King published in 1978. Am I missing something? Maybe this episode was simply named for the MOTW. 


 
In this episode Dean and Sam hunt a shapeshifter who is working his way through a bank being robbed by do-gooder Ronald who thinks he is hunting a "mandroid". 
 
2.13 "Houses of the Holy"
 
This episode title comes from the song "Houses of the Holy", meant to be the title track of Led Zeppelin's fifth album but was removed when the band thought it didn't fit. It was later added to their album "Physical Graffiti". 
 
Let me take you to the movies. Can I take you to the show <
Let me be yours ever truly. Can I make your garden grow <

From the houses of the holy, we can watch the white doves go <
From the door comes Satan's daughter, and it only goes to show. You know. <

There's an angel on my shoulder, In my hand a sword of gold <
Let me wander in your garden. And the seeds of love I'll sow. You know. 


 
In this episode Sam and Dean investigate a string of murders. The murderers all claim to have had visions of an angel that led them to kill in return for redemption. 
 
2.14 "Born Under a Bad Sign"
 
This episode title is taken from the title track of Albert King's 1967 album "Born Under a Bad Sign".  
 
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
 
Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I been on my own ever since I was ten
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all


 
This title is especially appropriate for this episode. Sam has been missing for over a week and when he finally calls Dean he is covered in blood with no memory of what happened. Retracing his steps, they realize that Sam killed another hunter. Sam begs Dean to kill him before his dark side takes over. Dean refuses. As it turns out, Sam is possessed by a demon determined to push Dean to his limit in hopes that he will follow his father's orders to kill Sam if he can't save him. 
 
2.15 "Tall Tales"
 
This title seems to come from the characterization of a tall tale itself. A tall tale is a story that is overly exaggerated and full of unbelievable events. These stories are usually told in a humorous fashion and in some cases may even be based on actual events. 
 
In the case of this episode, this title works well. "Tall Tales" is where we meet the Trickster for the first time. And the episode is not only humorous; it's also chock-full of unbelievable events. I mean, slow dancing with aliens? And the way the boys relay the events of the past days to Bobby is nothing if not exaggerated.  


 
"You brave little soldier; I acknowledge your pain. You're too precious for this world!"
 
2.16 "Roadkill"
 
There seems to be no popular culture reference associated with this episode title but it's still very appropriate considering that the Winchesters are hunting a ghost who doesn't realize she's a ghost. She died in a car crash that also killed a pedestrian 15 years ago and the two of them have been haunting the highway ever since. 


 
2.17 "Heart"
 
This episode title is based off of the MOTW. Madison is a secretary who doesn't realize she is a werewolf. She has killed many people and left them without a heart in the process. The less obvious reason for this title could be that Madison is the first woman that Sam has developed real feelings for since Jessica's death. In the end, he is forced to kill her because he can't find a cure and he's left heartbroken. 
 


2.18 "Hollywood Babylon"
 
 
"Hollywood Babylon" is the title of a 1959 book by avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger. The book details the scandalous lives of many Hollywood celebrities from the 1900's through the 1950's. 


 
This episode finds the boys investigating a supposedly haunted film set. What starts out as a publicity stunt turns into an actual haunting when the movies' disgruntled script writer begins summoning spirits to get revenge on the "suits" who ruined his script. 
 
2.19 "Folsom Prison Blues"
 
This title is taken from the Johnny Cash song of the same name. The song chronicles the story of a prison inmate dreaming of freedom. 
 
I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine,
Since, I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison,
And time keeps draggin' on,
But that train keeps a-rollin',
On down to San Antone.


 
In this episode, Sam and Dean allow themselves to be arrested so that they can investigate a string of mysterious murders inside the Green River Detention Center as a favor to John's friend. When Special Agent Victor Henrickson shows up, things get complicated.
 
2.20 "What is and What Should Never Be"
 
This is another title taken from a Led Zeppelin song with the same name. The song appeared on the 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. 

And if you say to me tomorrow,
Oh what fun it all would be,
Then what's to stop us pretty baby,
But what is and what should never be.

Catch the wind see us spin,
Sail away leave the day,
Way up high in the sky.

But the wind won't blow,
You really shouldn't go,
It only goes to show.
That you will be mine,
By taking our time.

So if you wake up with the sunrise,
And all your dreams are still as new,
And happiness is what you need so bad,
Girl the answer lies with you. 




 
This title fits well with the episode in which Dean is attacked by a djinn and sent into an alternate reality where his mother never died and he and Sam never became hunters. It's a world where Dean is happy. He has the normal life he's dreamed of and never been able to attain. But when a mysterious spirit begins popping up he starts to question if this reality is"¦reality. 
 
2.21 "All Hell Breaks Loose (Part 1)
2.22 "All Hell Breaks Loose (Part 2)
 
The title of these two episodes has a couple possible sources. There are two songs called "All Hell Breaks Loose" one by the band Destruction and another by the Misfits. I tend to think the Misfits version makes the most sense with the episode but I'll let you decide. 
 
Here is the on by the Misfits:
Walls start closing in around you
My twins of evil
They shake you by the collarbone
Then snap your ribcage

And broken bodies in a death rock dance hall
Please be my partner
Eyeballs pop, accelerated blood beat
Veins `a' shaking

And all hell breaks loose
Yea, evil is as evil does and who
Yea, who but me could write this book of cruel

I send my murdergram
To all these monster kids
It comes right back to me and it's
Signed in there parents' blood 
 
Here is the one by Destruction:
The fire in our eyes still burns
Longer than this tasteless planet turns
We've been fightin' on the darker side
The keeper of darkness is our guide

The end is near no you can pray
Dead men tell no fuckin' tales
Death and destruction but we'll stay
The poor believing mankind fails

Our evil preed prepared their meal really well
The fast food society right now can't tell
The suicide solution to escape our might
Won't help your soul to get out of sight

The end is near so you can pray ....
 




We all know what happens in this gut-wrenching two part finale. Sam and the other "special children" are abducted by Azazel and taken to a ghost town. It is a fight to the death that only one of them is allowed to walk away from. Sam is eventually stabbed by Jake and dies. In part 2, Dean, unable to accept Sam's death decides to make a deal with a crossroads demon. Seeing how desperate he is, she offers him one year and he accepts. 
 
So that's season two. It's a fun trip down memory lane, isn't it? So did I miss anything? Are there any references in the titles that you think I overlooked?