You're listening to the man that created the scores for many great movies (including Nightmare Before Christmas, where he sang Jack Skellington's songs...you know, like a dead guy singing) and many great theme songs for TV (like "The Simpson"). Danny Elfman is a very talented guy, as I'm sure are the rest of the band as well.
He won an academy award, I believe, for Batman something (he wrote the music in hotels whilst on tour with Oingo Boingo). They were on the gong show in the 70s -they were called The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo -THAT is worth looking up on youtube
such as Batman and I think several TV shows like The Simpsons, the original Flash series, Desperate Housewives He's also the dad of actress Jenna Elfman
The party is a funeral and the chauffeur is the hearse driver, he's in a suit and tie, so he can shine at the viewing. My favorite Oingo Boingo tune. Only A Lad is another one you guys should check out. ✌
The Chauffert could be the Grim Reaper/ Charon etc with the mentions of coins on the eyes - I agree it's a funeral but it seems more about not being afraid of what happens after you die.
I know it's not the same, but have you ever gone to a "Dead Man's Party" concert? They play multiple times a year and Richard (Danny's older brother) and Johnny often attend the shows. It's the closest I'll ever get to seeing them live.... *le sigh*
This song was in Back to School. He didn't "star" in that movie. Oingo Boingo appeared in that movie, so I guess that was a part in the movie, but it wasn't a starring role.
I’m still patiently waiting for Brad and Lex to listen to “Grey Matter”. Hearing the audience singing the chorus at Oingo live shows was a highlight of my high school and college years
I've been requesting the song "Grey Matter" to literally every reactor on UA-cam and beyond, and up to this point and time, my request has still fallen on deaf ears. Everyone copycats each other and they all listen and react to the most popular, commercial songs. By totally dissing the advice of their wisest of followers, they are all missing out and also, they don't know what they are missing. I feel you. I bet we have similar tastes in music. By the way, I've seen Oingo Boingo live in concert three times.
Dead Man's Party album had all kinds of Mexican Day of the Dead artwork on the cover. Just Another Day and Stay are also great songs off that album because who doesn't like a xylophone in rock music (rhetorical question).
Oingo Boingo always has a full horn section!! Sorta like KC and the Sunshine Band, there's a dozen people on stage!! Danny Elfman went on to be a prolific movie score writer...as was the front man of DEVO, Mark Mothersbaugh!!
My favorite Oingo Boingo song! I love its energy and all the various sounds that come together so perfectly. So easy to see how Danny Elfman went on to write movie scores!
I especially like Oingo Boingo for the sheer range of topics they sing about - from "Little Girls" (sad old men preying on young women) to "Private Life" (the alternating comfort and despair of isolation) to "Only A Lad" (asking who's at fault for violent acts committed by children/adolescents). Any one of those three would be an excellent next choice!
@@strangeworldsunlimited712 and also creepy male music executives dating 18 year olds, which Danny found pathetic. One has to be lightning quick to explain that song to someone who has never heard it before
Bassline is such a great groove. As a bassist, and metalhead in mid 80's, my friends would cringe when the needle dropped on Oingo Boingo (and a very few other groups). But hey... i was classically trained (my grandmother started the city's symphony). I like the music for different reasons. Played all sorts of instruments until I graduated (mostly tuba and then drums) then stuck to bass. Its the groove man, its the groove.
Danny Elfman is one of my hero's. I was lucky enough to see Oingo Boingo back in 1990. I love all of thier music and have all of thier albums and Danny's solo stuff as well. After Oingo Boingo disbanded Danny did tons of movie sound tracks for Tim Burton. And he's married to Brideget Fonda so, ya that's a thing too. 😀
Oingo Boingo was known as the ultimate Halloween band. They always played a show (usually in Los Angeles) on Halloween and it was a total party out of bounds!! Their 1994 live video is filmed at their last Halloween concert of their career as a band and it is WILD!!! Danny Elfman is the lead singer/song writer and he is known for all those great spooky film scores, such as for Tim Burton films!
@@SebastianSmith-c5t to this day, that live video (and CD) just sets my mind to spinning! I can hardly keep up with the musicianship, the tempo changes and the kaleidoscope of musical styles! The editing of the video was crazy too! I love them!
"Wearin' my best suit and my tie / A shiny silver dollar on either eye" The custom used to be, the deceased person is lying in their coffin wearing a suit & tie, with 2 silver dollars on their eyes. The money is to pay the ferryman Charon, who takes the deceased aboard his boat across the River Lethe, the river of death. (It's from ancient Greek mythology.) I don't know if anyone still does the silver dollar thing nowadays...?
*River Styx Lethe is one of the rivers of the Greek Underworld, but Styx is the one between Earth and the realm of the dead which Charon has to ferry you across. :)
Y'all are killin' it. Boingo is another of those bands that I fell in love with in the 80s, and the last band our family saw live prior to Covid wrecking everything (sans Danny, but 5 of the main members making it sound incredible anyway, as the Former Members of Oingo Boingo). No One Lives Forever is one of those songs that lights a mosh pit on fire...
The party is a funeral, the song is from the point of view of the dead man. What's sad for the living is a party for the dead, interesting perspective.
This song was in the movie Back to School. When they had the dorm party. Epic seen where a young Iron Man ran the audio board so hard it blew out the windows
Danny Elfman a frkn musical genius! He composed music for so many movies, too; like Batman (Michael Keaton one), Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow He also wrote the music for Nightmare Before Christmas and is the singing voice of Jack Skellington.
I think it's like, he became a ghost and you knw, died, and that's the only way into this exclusive dead man's party. But also it's just a fun party jam that's a little bit spooky. The singer/songwriter from Oingo Boingo is also the guy who played Jack Skellington (just the singing parts) in A Nightmare Before Christmas. He just has that sort of vibe.
In this episode of Brad & Lex & Berto, Berto fits right in giving the tune a peppy "head and shoulder groove". Brother Brad will nonchalantly execute a statuesque "half sway" while building the story line with Lex as she releases her "frontal Boingo bop".
"Dead Man's Party" has been a Halloween party staple for many years now. I'm actually surprised you've never heard it, but kinda glad because it made for a great reaction video. You'll notice it's on all the "Halloween Music" compilation CDs and playlists along with other classic tracks from other bands like "Somebody's Watching Me", "Frankenstein", "Twilight Zone", "Thriller", and "Hocus Pocus". Oingo Boingo was a great band; one of the most underrated bands I can think of. All their albums are good IMO. Danny Elfman, lead vocalist/guitarist, is a very accomplished classical composer and writes the soundtracks for tons of movies I'm sure you've seen (pretty much all of Tim Burton's movies, for example, and many others). Check out his credits, you'll be shocked and impressed.
Honestly when most of these songs cameout back in the day nobody ever tried to figure out what these songs lyrics were about because we knew 5 out of 10 times the singers were either high or drunk when they wrote their lyrics and when asked about the meaning behind these songs in interviews back then they can't tell us because they don't even know themselves lol
Yes Grey Matter I saw someone recommend it and that's probably my favorite song from them,lol, they were definitely a different type of band, that's why I thought they were so good, so original.
This was one of my favorite bands growing up and still is. The song is an analogy for our mundane robotic life that has no soul. It is an allure that’s why Danny says don’t be afraid it’s only me. We get used to it. The every day life and rut is a dead man’s party.
Originally The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. Saw them a couple times in the late 70's with a dozen players on stage in small clubs. Incredible times
Brad laying out some deep stuff, Brad I gain more respect for you every post. Lex is Lex No way to box her in, but Brad you are rock of the team. I find your effort to listen and give your honest thoughtful Unbiased interpretation of the song is unmatched with other reactors. You can clearly see an influence on your younger brother. Lex and Brad thanks for sharing you with the world I find my self smiling, laughing, and learning from grounded young american couple as you.
The Song Is Talking About Death... He was struck by Lightning and the reaper comes to take him and he arrives at a party of dead people... The invitation to the Party is To Die...
Lex is always right on. Her spirit, the fact that she doesn’t occasionally slap Brad upside the head. She has an amazing appreciation and understanding of so much music. (And to Brad, I’m just teasing, you seem like a cool dude too. Just gotta give props to Lex).
They were a big band and made alot of their percussive instruments long before blue man group was even thought of saw them at aquafest in 83 or 84 freaking awesome
Yeah, Oingo Boingo used to do Halloween shows in SoCal. They called the concert "Dia de Los Muertos" This song and Grey Matter were the highlights, but the whole show was awesome! 🤘😎
Lead singer is Danny Elfman. Basically he does the music scores for all Tim Burton movies as well as music for numerous other movies and tv shows. The man wrote the theme for the Simpsons. He's everywhere. Fun fact: oingo boingo was a favorite of Kurt Cobain
When I was experimenting with new music I bought their album Good For Your Soul purely on a whim. I had never even heard of them before, but I was instantly hooked.
Dead Man’s Party suggests we don’t have to fear death. Everyone’s going- we’ll be there together eventually. The cost of entry: Leave your body and soul at the door.
You guys are really digging into the '80s new wave. This song was from the Rodney Dangerfield movie BACK TO SCHOOL Please do Pink Floyd SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND.
Danny Elfman is the frontman and writer of most of Oingo Boingo’s music. He became a prolific writer of movie soundtracks, particularly for Tim Burton’s movies.
If you want to get deep, my interpretation is also that it's about someone who died. After death, they get to go to a party where the recently departed go before heading off to the afterlife. One of the lyrics talks about the two silver coins over the eyes, and the chauffeur has room for one more. So, you use the coins to pay the fare to the afterlife. Like the ferryman on the river Styx. Then the "Don't be afraid. It's only me" is you as a ghost trying to interact with a living person. Possibly a loved one.
Saw them in 1983. Was an amazing show!!! Danny Elfman has gone on to do many movie scores. Also, he's the voice of Jack Skelenton in Nightmare before Christmas.
Check out Little Girls off their first album. Song that definitely wouldn't be released today, even though it's a parody of a sick person. Oingo used to play in our city every Halloween.
Oingo boingo have a lot of great songs, this is one of their generic radio hits. "Private Life" "Grey Matter" "1984" "Whole Day Off" and "Only A Lad" are just some of their other great songs.
Oingo Boingo is my favorite band. I'm so glad you guys are reacting to it. Danny Elfman is a genius! Tim Burton's Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, etc... all him. Tobey Maguire's Spiderman... that's his score.
You guys have really been sucked down the New Wave rabbit hole and I love it! This is the music I grew up with and still listen to. You have probably seen a ton of movies and didn't realize that the lead singer Danny Elfman did the music to it!
Dead man’s party is life. Going to a party where everyone is invited and everyone is going. “Walking with a dead man over my shoulder” is walking with the shadow of death over us at all times. “Don’t run away it’s only me” is from deaths perspective, don’t be afraid, it’s only me, it’s ok.
Such a great band. Many of their songs were featured in iconic movies from the 80s. Goodbye-Goodbye - Fast Times at Ridgemont High Better Luck Next Time - The Last American Vigin Something Isn’t Right - Bachelor Party Batchelor Party Theme Song Wild Sex ( in the working class ) - Sixteen Candles Happy - Summer School And many more…….
The song is about the universality of death - "Everybody's coming"! Death is seen as a great equalizer - no one escapes it, and the grave is no respecter of persons. Since we all are subject to death, we need not fear death - "don't be afraid - of what you can't see". The only way one can get to the party (that is, the grave) - is by crossing the river Styx, paying the boatman with the "shiny silver dollar on either eye". The band originated as a vaudeville troupe ("The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo") - and kept that sense of Carnivale / Dia de los Muertes throughout their existence. From those vaudeville roots, they blended some punk and ska and show-tune and whatever else worked, with lyrical content that didn't shy away from "touchy subjects". It should be noted that the lyrics are not always "family friendly", and can deal with some adult themes such as sexual deviance - and are often sung in the first person, as if the singer (Danny Elfman) were the one with those particular vices - recognize that if/when you get to songs like "Little Girls" or "Nasty Habits". The two primary songwriters and arrangers were Danny Elfman and Steve Bartek, who have gone on to compose and orchestrate a large library of great movie & TV soundtracks - "Beetlejuice", "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "The Simpsons Theme", and many, many more!
Love the song !! One of my FAVORITES of the 80's LOVE UR reactions so entertaining ...love the attitude U always bring ...continue success PROUD of U guys from ur amigo ALBERTO from MEXICO enjoys U so much! NOTE: The lead singer of OINGO BOINGO was DANNY ELFMAN who in todays generation is better known as the voice of JACK SKELLINGTON from the movie " A NIGTHMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS" this is a must ewatch classic also has composed many Movie themes for TIM BURTON (Director of BATMAN saga EDWARD SCISSORHANDS etc.)
The coins on the eyes is a reference to a dead man…. I don’t know if it was Vikings or who, but I think they needed the coins to pay the gatekeeper to let them in.
Ha! Oingo Boingo! Thats a blast from the past. Lol. Been decades! Forgot about them. I was like in elementary school. Your typical '80s fun, goofy quirky new wave music, band. They had a little bit of ska and punk in them, too. I remember this song on a movie back then too. Band was on there. I forget which movie though. This a Halloween party vibe song.
Boingo is also great his band after this. Insanity has vibes of Batman that he composed for the original movie. Pedestrian wolves and Mary are also great tracks on the album.
"Dead Man's Party" is a standard Halloween party must-play in southern California (where Oingo Boingo is from) as a matter of fact there is a very popular Boingo cover band that goes by the name. I always thought the song was about either a party being thrown by the dead, or a party for the dead (like a wake) He's dressed in his best suit (as the dead often are) with "a silver dollar on either eye" (coins for the ferryman to cross the river Styx) and the chauffeur says "There's room for one more" (which is a phrase often attributed to the Grim Reaper)... lots of spooky fun! Boingo has such a varied catalogue, it's almost hard to pick a few other songs to suggest... But another Halloween favorite is "Weird Science", "Only a Lad" and "Grey Matter" really highlight the band's sardonic outlook, "We Close Our Eyes" is one of the prettiest songs in their repertoire, and "Insanity" is one of the darkest. and "No One Lives Forever" because it's my favorite.
Brad and Lex could listen to a song the entire lyrics of which are "this song is about a red truck." "What do you think this song is about?" "Well, it mentions red, that's the color of blood, so... something to do with blood?" "Yeah, but truck implies transportation, like, maybe it's a journey." "I have no idea what this song is about, let's listen to more."
You're listening to the man that created the scores for many great movies (including Nightmare Before Christmas, where he sang Jack Skellington's songs...you know, like a dead guy singing) and many great theme songs for TV (like "The Simpson"). Danny Elfman is a very talented guy, as I'm sure are the rest of the band as well.
Don't forget the first 2 Batman movies, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy hollow, Back to School, Beetlejuice, Alice in Wonderland, and dozens more.
Spider-Man too
He won an academy award, I believe, for Batman something (he wrote the music in hotels whilst on tour with Oingo Boingo).
They were on the gong show in the 70s -they were called The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo -THAT is worth looking up on youtube
He also wrote and performed the song "The Little Things" from the "Wanted" movie soundtrack starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman.
He can play anything. If you invent a NEW instrument D Elfman will master it in a day.
Danny Elfman is an absolute musical genius. He's teamed up with film director Timothy Burton for many years.
such as Batman and I think several TV shows like The Simpsons, the original Flash series, Desperate Housewives He's also the dad of actress Jenna Elfman
@@steveeverett1736 Not to mention the Simpsons! (BTW, he's Jenna's uncle)
He also wrote all the music for The Nightmare Before Christmas, in addition to being the singing voice of Jack Skellington.
@@steveeverett1736 - No he's not.
He's married to Bridget Fonda
The party is a funeral and the chauffeur is the hearse driver, he's in a suit and tie, so he can shine at the viewing. My favorite Oingo Boingo tune. Only A Lad is another one you guys should check out. ✌
The Chauffert could be the Grim Reaper/ Charon etc with the mentions of coins on the eyes - I agree it's a funeral but it seems more about not being afraid of what happens after you die.
@@alphaomega7191 I've considered that option too, or the ferryman.
@@jeffreyaverett1800 - Yeah it's obtuse enough that it could be Charon, The Reaper, a Hearse driver or all of them rolled into one.
Plus, he has coins on his eyes; it used to be common to do that to corpses.
There was nothing more fun than a Oingo concert on Halloween! Was lucky enough to go a couple times
so jealous!
I agree. It was a big party.
Yup agree 100. Got to go once.
I know it's not the same, but have you ever gone to a "Dead Man's Party" concert? They play multiple times a year and Richard (Danny's older brother) and Johnny often attend the shows. It's the closest I'll ever get to seeing them live.... *le sigh*
@@cleverlilvixen No, I haven't had the pleasure. But if Rick Elfman, John Avila & Johnny 'Vatos' Hernandez attend it's gotta be special.
Not only did he star in the movie of Back to School but his song is the theme song for Weird Science. Both 80s classics and must watch comedy's.
Who Rodney Dangerfield
This song was in Back to School. He didn't "star" in that movie. Oingo Boingo appeared in that movie, so I guess that was a part in the movie, but it wasn't a starring role.
He is a comedian from the 50s and. 60s he was known for the line. " I get No respect."
(Hot tub scene) Meet Bubbles, she's helping me straighten out my Longfellow! haha
I’m still patiently waiting for Brad and Lex to listen to “Grey Matter”. Hearing the audience singing the chorus at Oingo live shows was a highlight of my high school and college years
It was such a blast!!
I've been requesting the song "Grey Matter" to literally every reactor on UA-cam and beyond, and up to this point and time, my request has still fallen on deaf ears. Everyone copycats each other and they all listen and react to the most popular, commercial songs. By totally dissing the advice of their wisest of followers, they are all missing out and also, they don't know what they are missing. I feel you. I bet we have similar tastes in music. By the way, I've seen Oingo Boingo live in concert three times.
@@servantofg-d5393 grey matter is a bop. They’re missing out
Dead Man's Party album had all kinds of Mexican Day of the Dead artwork on the cover. Just Another Day and Stay are also great songs off that album because who doesn't like a xylophone in rock music (rhetorical question).
Oingo Boingo always has a full horn section!! Sorta like KC and the Sunshine Band, there's a dozen people on stage!! Danny Elfman went on to be a prolific movie score writer...as was the front man of DEVO, Mark Mothersbaugh!!
My favorite Oingo Boingo song! I love its energy and all the various sounds that come together so perfectly. So easy to see how Danny Elfman went on to write movie scores!
When this came out, how were we to know that Danny Elfman would become one of the most prolific movie score composers?
And marry Briget Fonda
@@vinceruland9236 Damn, I didn't know that till now. Peter Fonda is his father in law? That's amazing.
I especially like Oingo Boingo for the sheer range of topics they sing about - from "Little Girls" (sad old men preying on young women) to "Private Life" (the alternating comfort and despair of isolation) to "Only A Lad" (asking who's at fault for violent acts committed by children/adolescents). Any one of those three would be an excellent next choice!
"Little Girls" isn't about "sad old men", it's about groupies (too young groupies)
Great songs! Don't forget "Gray Matter."
@@strangeworldsunlimited712 and also creepy male music executives dating 18 year olds, which Danny found pathetic. One has to be lightning quick to explain that song to someone who has never heard it before
Can I hit "like" five times?
"Wild Sex (in the working class)"
...and Danny's saddest song of all, "Just Another Day"
Bassline is such a great groove. As a bassist, and metalhead in mid 80's, my friends would cringe when the needle dropped on Oingo Boingo (and a very few other groups). But hey... i was classically trained (my grandmother started the city's symphony). I like the music for different reasons. Played all sorts of instruments until I graduated (mostly tuba and then drums) then stuck to bass. Its the groove man, its the groove.
I was a bit of a Ska head as a teen and my mates gave me strange looks when I mentioned Prefab Sprout.
Ya man that bass tho!👍 Tho it kinda almost sounds like keys with a flanger hooked in. Still wicked👍👍👍
Danny Elfman is one of my hero's. I was lucky enough to see Oingo Boingo back in 1990. I love all of thier music and have all of thier albums and Danny's solo stuff as well.
After Oingo Boingo disbanded Danny did tons of movie sound tracks for Tim Burton. And he's married to Brideget Fonda so, ya that's a thing too. 😀
"80's Halloween Party...."
Mid 90's Oingo Boingo's Halloween show in LA was the ticket of the year.
Yes it was!! Good old days
@@jaquestraw1 Sadly, I never went...
Oingo Boingo was known as the ultimate Halloween band. They always played a show (usually in Los Angeles) on Halloween and it was a total party out of bounds!! Their 1994 live video is filmed at their last Halloween concert of their career as a band and it is WILD!!! Danny Elfman is the lead singer/song writer and he is known for all those great spooky film scores, such as for Tim Burton films!
I went to their Farwell show on Halloween night in 95. One of the best shows I ever saw.
@@SebastianSmith-c5t to this day, that live video (and CD) just sets my mind to spinning! I can hardly keep up with the musicianship, the tempo changes and the kaleidoscope of musical styles! The editing of the video was crazy too! I love them!
@@michaelbriefs9764 They played Only A Lad twice and Danny was emotional. Later I got to know Sluggo.
It's funny how the groove of this music is soo good that I just imagine a line of people, corps and skeleton just dancing without a care in the world.
"Wearin' my best suit and my tie / A shiny silver dollar on either eye"
The custom used to be, the deceased person is lying in their coffin wearing a suit & tie, with 2 silver dollars on their eyes. The money is to pay the ferryman Charon, who takes the deceased aboard his boat across the River Lethe, the river of death. (It's from ancient Greek mythology.) I don't know if anyone still does the silver dollar thing nowadays...?
*River Styx
Lethe is one of the rivers of the Greek Underworld, but Styx is the one between Earth and the realm of the dead which Charon has to ferry you across. :)
Y'all are killin' it.
Boingo is another of those bands that I fell in love with in the 80s, and the last band our family saw live prior to Covid wrecking everything (sans Danny, but 5 of the main members making it sound incredible anyway, as the Former Members of Oingo Boingo).
No One Lives Forever is one of those songs that lights a mosh pit on fire...
The party is a funeral, the song is from the point of view of the dead man. What's sad for the living is a party for the dead, interesting perspective.
“Who do you want to be today” is another great Boingo tune if you ever do another from this great band.
Bert asking the deep questions! Love this guy
“Just Another Day” is a good one to check out by them, it’s also haunting but with a great message.
SoCal got to see Boingo almost every Halloween at Magic Mountain and other venues like a religion.
Aww man..I miss those shows!!
Very unique 80’s band . We had it all in the 80’s! This is a go to Halloween party song
This song was in the movie Back to School. When they had the dorm party. Epic seen where a young Iron Man ran the audio board so hard it blew out the windows
Danny Elfman a frkn musical genius! He composed music for so many movies, too; like Batman (Michael Keaton one), Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow
He also wrote the music for Nightmare Before Christmas and is the singing voice of Jack Skellington.
The afterlife IS the Dead Man’s Party.
I think it's like, he became a ghost and you knw, died, and that's the only way into this exclusive dead man's party. But also it's just a fun party jam that's a little bit spooky. The singer/songwriter from Oingo Boingo is also the guy who played Jack Skellington (just the singing parts) in A Nightmare Before Christmas. He just has that sort of vibe.
This 80s Banger got everyone moving!! You play this when the party or club was already jumping and it will go to the next level.
In this episode of Brad & Lex & Berto, Berto fits right in giving the tune a peppy "head and shoulder groove". Brother Brad will nonchalantly execute a statuesque "half sway" while building the story line with Lex as she releases her "frontal Boingo bop".
Is it Bert or Berto? Other than that you are dead on.
lololololol
Love how Danny Elfman is just rocking with this (and in Back to School)…Brad, Lex, look him up as he pretty famous
this song was sung as a sound track to the movie( back to school) with rodney dangerfield
"Dead Man's Party" has been a Halloween party staple for many years now. I'm actually surprised you've never heard it, but kinda glad because it made for a great reaction video. You'll notice it's on all the "Halloween Music" compilation CDs and playlists along with other classic tracks from other bands like "Somebody's Watching Me", "Frankenstein", "Twilight Zone", "Thriller", and "Hocus Pocus".
Oingo Boingo was a great band; one of the most underrated bands I can think of. All their albums are good IMO. Danny Elfman, lead vocalist/guitarist, is a very accomplished classical composer and writes the soundtracks for tons of movies I'm sure you've seen (pretty much all of Tim Burton's movies, for example, and many others). Check out his credits, you'll be shocked and impressed.
You can see Oingo Boingo performing in the Rodney Dangerfield movie Back to School.
Yup, at the Halloween party...this song makes me want to watch that movie every time I hear it.
"You look like the poster boy for birth control."
Ah thats the movie! Was trying to remember. Lol. That was a funny movie, too.
Honestly when most of these songs cameout back in the day nobody ever tried to figure out what these songs lyrics were about because we knew 5 out of 10 times the singers were either high or drunk when they wrote their lyrics and when asked about the meaning behind these songs in interviews back then they can't tell us because they don't even know themselves lol
"Hey Jason it's a party....snap out of it will ya"
Yes Grey Matter I saw someone recommend it and that's probably my favorite song from them,lol, they were definitely a different type of band, that's why I thought they were so good, so original.
This was one of my favorite bands growing up and still is. The song is an analogy for our mundane robotic life that has no soul. It is an allure that’s why Danny says don’t be afraid it’s only me. We get used to it. The every day life and rut is a dead man’s party.
From the movie back to school with Rodney Dangerfield featuring the great hilarious Sam Kinison
Originally The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. Saw them a couple times in the late 70's with a dozen players on stage in small clubs. Incredible times
they won on the Gong Show as The Mystic Knights...crazy.
Danny Elfman is also Jack Skellinton in nightmare before Christmas. And wrote the music for the movie.
Its about a funeral. Walking with a deadman over my should...pallbearers
Brad laying out some deep stuff, Brad I gain more respect for you every post. Lex is Lex
No way to box her in, but Brad you are rock of the team.
I find your effort to listen and give your honest thoughtful
Unbiased interpretation of the song is unmatched with other reactors. You can clearly see an influence on your younger brother.
Lex and Brad thanks for sharing you with the world
I find my self smiling, laughing, and learning from grounded young american couple as you.
Dude they haven't got a brain cell to rub together.
Traditionally when the band was performing they would play this every Halloween.
This was such a great Oingo Boingo song. Danny Elfman has gone on to create some of the greatest music for movies since his Oingo Boingo days.
The Song Is Talking About Death... He was struck by Lightning and the reaper comes to take him and he arrives at a party of dead people... The invitation to the Party is To Die...
Lex is always right on. Her spirit, the fact that she doesn’t occasionally slap Brad upside the head. She has an amazing appreciation and understanding of so much music. (And to Brad, I’m just teasing, you seem like a cool dude too. Just gotta give props to Lex).
They were a big band and made alot of their percussive instruments long before blue man group was even thought of saw them at aquafest in 83 or 84 freaking awesome
Was that aquafest in Austin?
@@cobbycaputo3332 yes
@@smkwhatsnext3411 I was probably there too then. The internet is a small place. I really miss aquafest.
@@cobbycaputo3332 I believe it morphed into South by southwest which is garbage
Oingo Boingo was part of the US reaction to UK post punk bands !
Yeah, Oingo Boingo used to do Halloween shows in SoCal.
They called the concert "Dia de Los Muertos"
This song and Grey Matter were the highlights, but the whole show was awesome! 🤘😎
Lead singer is Danny Elfman. Basically he does the music scores for all Tim Burton movies as well as music for numerous other movies and tv shows. The man wrote the theme for the Simpsons. He's everywhere. Fun fact: oingo boingo was a favorite of Kurt Cobain
When I was experimenting with new music I bought their album Good For Your Soul purely on a whim. I had never even heard of them before, but I was instantly hooked.
Dead Man’s Party suggests we don’t have to fear death. Everyone’s going- we’ll be there together eventually. The cost of entry: Leave your body and soul at the door.
Back in the day Oingo Boingo would play a show in LA every halloween.
Its not the lyrics but the groove. It's a dance song. This was in the movie , 'Back to School' with Rodney Dangerfield.
My favorite Boingo song is "Just Another Day" (but they're all great)
You guys are really digging into the '80s new wave. This song was from the Rodney Dangerfield movie BACK TO SCHOOL Please do Pink Floyd SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND.
Multi-layered and equivocal, this is like the kindness of strangers: a bit of a gamble...
Danny Elfman is the frontman and writer of most of Oingo Boingo’s music. He became a prolific writer of movie soundtracks, particularly for Tim Burton’s movies.
They performed this song in the 1986 movie Back to School
If you want to get deep, my interpretation is also that it's about someone who died. After death, they get to go to a party where the recently departed go before heading off to the afterlife. One of the lyrics talks about the two silver coins over the eyes, and the chauffeur has room for one more. So, you use the coins to pay the fare to the afterlife. Like the ferryman on the river Styx. Then the "Don't be afraid. It's only me" is you as a ghost trying to interact with a living person. Possibly a loved one.
Oh, it has been a Halloween party hit since the song was released. I think the song is about going to your own funeral…the dead man’s last party.
This song was on the movie Back To School Rodney Dangerfield Film back in the late 80s
Oingo uses to have a concert on Halloween back in the 80s...really fun shows!!! This song is a classic!!!
Saw them in 1983. Was an amazing show!!! Danny Elfman has gone on to do many movie scores. Also, he's the voice of Jack Skelenton in Nightmare before Christmas.
We were trying to get you guys to do this for Halloween... Glad you finally checked it out.
Love this song. Been waiting for someone to cover. Lex will love it.
They were the house band for Rodney Dangerfields party in the movie "Back to school."
Danny Elfman also wrote the music for the Simpsons
Check out Little Girls off their first album. Song that definitely wouldn't be released today, even though it's a parody of a sick person. Oingo used to play in our city every Halloween.
The video is amazing!
Oingo boingo have a lot of great songs, this is one of their generic radio hits. "Private Life" "Grey Matter" "1984" "Whole Day Off" and "Only A Lad" are just some of their other great songs.
Danny Elfman the lead singer.. Wrote the songs for Nightmare Before Christmas and he was Jack Skellingtons singing voice
In our partyin' days EVERY Halloween party HAD to have this song bumpin' man! Ah memories lol.
80s and 90s a Halloween party was not legit if that song was not played. Did not matter what music genre you sold your soul to.
Oingo Boingo is one of the best live shows I've seen. Danny Elfman is brilliant.
B52’s and Oingo Boingo concert. Psychedelic!
Oingo Boingo is my favorite band. I'm so glad you guys are reacting to it. Danny Elfman is a genius! Tim Burton's Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, etc... all him. Tobey Maguire's Spiderman... that's his score.
Party like there's no tomorrow. That's a dead man's party. ;-)
You guys have really been sucked down the New Wave rabbit hole and I love it! This is the music I grew up with and still listen to. You have probably seen a ton of movies and didn't realize that the lead singer Danny Elfman did the music to it!
Dead man’s party is life.
Going to a party where everyone is invited and everyone is going.
“Walking with a dead man over my shoulder” is walking with the shadow of death over us at all times.
“Don’t run away it’s only me” is from deaths perspective, don’t be afraid, it’s only me, it’s ok.
Iconic Halloween Classic!
Singer Danny Elfman is married to actress Bridget Fonda . He now writes movie soundtracks.
Such a great band. Many of their songs were featured in iconic movies from the 80s.
Goodbye-Goodbye - Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Better Luck Next Time - The Last American Vigin
Something Isn’t Right - Bachelor Party
Batchelor Party Theme Song
Wild Sex ( in the working class ) - Sixteen Candles
Happy - Summer School
And many more…….
The song is about the universality of death - "Everybody's coming"! Death is seen as a great equalizer - no one escapes it, and the grave is no respecter of persons. Since we all are subject to death, we need not fear death - "don't be afraid - of what you can't see". The only way one can get to the party (that is, the grave) - is by crossing the river Styx, paying the boatman with the "shiny silver dollar on either eye".
The band originated as a vaudeville troupe ("The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo") - and kept that sense of Carnivale / Dia de los Muertes throughout their existence. From those vaudeville roots, they blended some punk and ska and show-tune and whatever else worked, with lyrical content that didn't shy away from "touchy subjects".
It should be noted that the lyrics are not always "family friendly", and can deal with some adult themes such as sexual deviance - and are often sung in the first person, as if the singer (Danny Elfman) were the one with those particular vices - recognize that if/when you get to songs like "Little Girls" or "Nasty Habits".
The two primary songwriters and arrangers were Danny Elfman and Steve Bartek, who have gone on to compose and orchestrate a large library of great movie & TV soundtracks - "Beetlejuice", "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "The Simpsons Theme", and many, many more!
Oingo Boingo, released in 1985. The album cover art is an homage to the Mexican holiday Día de Los Muertos
Love the song !! One of my FAVORITES of the 80's LOVE UR reactions so entertaining ...love the attitude U always bring ...continue success PROUD of U guys from ur amigo ALBERTO from MEXICO enjoys U so much! NOTE: The lead singer of OINGO BOINGO was DANNY ELFMAN who in todays generation is better known as the voice of JACK SKELLINGTON from the movie " A NIGTHMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS" this is a must ewatch classic also has composed many Movie themes for TIM BURTON (Director of BATMAN saga EDWARD SCISSORHANDS etc.)
The coins on the eyes is a reference to a dead man…. I don’t know if it was Vikings or who, but I think they needed the coins to pay the gatekeeper to let them in.
My favorite Halloween song of all time! 🧟♀️
And it is.
Every Halloween party I've been to plays this :)
When hearing this song, I can't help but think of the Back To School movie with Rodney Dangerfield. One of my favorite comedies of all time.
Ha! Oingo Boingo! Thats a blast from the past. Lol. Been decades! Forgot about them. I was like in elementary school.
Your typical '80s fun, goofy quirky new wave music, band. They had a little bit of ska and punk in them, too.
I remember this song on a movie back then too. Band was on there. I forget which movie though.
This a Halloween party vibe song.
I grew up with this too!❤❤ The lead singer is Danny Elfman. You may know his voice from "The Nightmare Before Christmas "
Good one for a Holloween party!
Boingo is also great his band after this. Insanity has vibes of Batman that he composed for the original movie. Pedestrian wolves and Mary are also great tracks on the album.
Danny Elfman is genius. This is a great song.
Oingo Boingo lives in the palace of musical geniuses. Gotta check out my favorite of theirs "Just Another Day." I'm still in love with you, Lex! ❤
Classic track for a Halloween party. 🎃🎃🎃
If you throw your 80's Halloween Party be sure to include Surfin' Dead by the Cramps and Every Day is Halloween by Ministry
"Dead Man's Party" is a standard Halloween party must-play in southern California (where Oingo Boingo is from) as a matter of fact there is a very popular Boingo cover band that goes by the name. I always thought the song was about either a party being thrown by the dead, or a party for the dead (like a wake) He's dressed in his best suit (as the dead often are) with "a silver dollar on either eye" (coins for the ferryman to cross the river Styx) and the chauffeur says "There's room for one more" (which is a phrase often attributed to the Grim Reaper)... lots of spooky fun!
Boingo has such a varied catalogue, it's almost hard to pick a few other songs to suggest... But
another Halloween favorite is "Weird Science", "Only a Lad" and "Grey Matter" really highlight the band's sardonic outlook, "We Close Our Eyes" is one of the prettiest songs in their repertoire, and "Insanity" is one of the darkest.
and "No One Lives Forever" because it's my favorite.
Brad and Lex could listen to a song the entire lyrics of which are "this song is about a red truck."
"What do you think this song is about?"
"Well, it mentions red, that's the color of blood, so... something to do with blood?"
"Yeah, but truck implies transportation, like, maybe it's a journey."
"I have no idea what this song is about, let's listen to more."
Weird Science!!!
Sorry. 80’s flashback. 😂