Danny Elfman's Oingo Boingo performs Grey Matter 1985 Performed Live in Concert at The Ritz New York

Live Concert Performance!
From Nothing To Fear album 1982
Grey Matter by Oingo Boingo Lyrics:
They say you're stupid
That you're too young to vote
They say you'll swallow anything
That they shove down your throat
They say you can't think
That you haven't got a brain
That you're just there to listen
That you're just being trained
There's something inside your head
There's something inside your head
There's something inside your head
There's something inside your head
They say you lost the ability to even think
That your tiny little brain
Slipped down the kitchen sink
They say that you'll buy anything
That they turn your way
That you'll listen to everything
That they decide to play
Grey matter grey matter ooh . . .
Grey matter grey matter ooh . . .
Grey matter grey matter ooh . . .
Grey matter grey matter ooh . . .
I think you like it--like it
To be told what to do--isn't that true
I think you're better--better--better off
Stone cold dead--without your head
They say you're stupid
That you're too young to vote
They say you'll swallow anything
That they shove down your throat
If they say lie down, you'll do it
If they say--buy it now--you'll do it
If they say--turn around--you'll do it
If they say--hit the ground--you'll do it
If they say--bite the big weenie--you'll do it
If they say--wasn't that good--you'll do it
If they say--bend over baby--you'll do it
If they say--take it and like it--you'll do it
There's something inside your head
There's something inside your head
There's something inside your head
There's something inside your head
Songwriters: Danny Elfman
Grey Matter lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

[@TRUNGNGUYEN-bz9th]

Danny Elfman is so good rock performance.

[@thewhoman3182]

I love this song. It sounds even better live

[@janetpearson6467]

This song was always one of the highlights of their concerts for me. Nothing to Fear is my favorite Oingo Boingo album.

[@alhollywood6486]

So he's finally embraced his OB life. We've been here for decades, patiently waiting for him to come around.

[@sodakastronut]

That's a pretty sad way to look at someone else's choices in life - as if anyone else cares. I opine that DE is one who is constantly, fearlessly seeking to evolve and improve and not live in the past. One that lives fearlessly, creatively does not "come around" to things, they seek out challenges and growth...life comes around to them. You might wanna try doing something other than "patiently waiting" for someone else to meet your expectations.

[@cecilyerker]

Danny Elfman was teaching the youth to critically examine the mainstream media narratives, and disguising it as a fun song where he jumps up and down and hits a xylophone/marimba with John Avila.

[@jasonlieberman4606]

I wouldn't assume it's a "disguise" unless he specifically said that's the case. Sometimes an apparent contradiction between lyrics and music is just kinda how things fall into place. I think the sound definitely has an edge to it that fits the lyrical themes... It's harder than some of their other stuff with that agressive feeling coming through in a way that backs up the suggestion that the listener is smarter than they've been told.
It could be painstakingly crafted to interlock like that, or it could just be a collage of inspiration that meshed well.

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

@@jasonlieberman4606 The music kind of matches the theme of being brainwashed in that it has a repetitive, hypnotic quality to it.

[@sarahredfox7942]

That is definitely my favorite performance of Grey Matter!!

[@justicekelly5487]

Only boingo

[@aguyfromsocal]

The gourd xylophone duet starting at 2:15 is one of the finest live musical performances of all time

[@xix8165]

*toooo be told, whaaat to dooo, ain’t that true!*
why was that line so smooth

[@karenbrown4524]

Memories! I was just 21 when this song premiered. Danny Elfman is brilliant albeit only just slightly odd nowadays.

[@devarodgers4676]

wonderful

[@nate_feag8044]

This is when the coke was still good

[@pussycatjackson]

Definitely my favorite live version of this song. Their Farewell ‘95 version was pretty awesome, too. Mad respect for my favorite band, they always brought it to every venue.