Born in Los Angeles, he entered the film industry in 1976, initially as an actor. He made his film scoring debut in 1980 for the film Forbidden Zone directed by his older brother Richard Elfman. He has since been nominated for four Academy Awards and won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Tim Burton's Batman and an Emmy Award for his Desperate Housewives theme. Elfman was honored with the prestigious Richard Kirk award at the 2002 BMI Film and TV Awards. The award is given annually to a composer who has made significant contributions to film and television music.
He is the son of novelist Blossom Elfman and the brother of director Richard Elfman.
Elfman was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Blossom Elfman (née Bernstein), a writer and teacher, and Milton Elfman, a community in the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles. He spent much of his time in the local movie theatre, adoring the music of such film composers as Bernard Herrmann and Franz Waxman.
Stating that he hung out with the "band nerds" in high school, he started a ska band. After dropping out of high school, he followed his brother Richard to France, where he performed with Le Grand Magic Circus, an avant-garde musical theater group. Violin in tow, Elfman next journeyed to Africa where he traveled through Ghana, Mali, and Upper Volta, absorbing new musical styles, including the Ghanaian highlife genre which would eventually influence his own music. Elfman contracted malaria during his one-year stay and was often sick. Eventually he returned home to the United States, where he began to take Balinese music lessons at the CalArts. He was never officially a student at the institute, nonetheless, the instructor encouraged him to continue learning. Elfman stated, "He just laughed, and said, 'Sit. Play.' I continued to sit and play for a couple years." At this time, his brother was forming a new musical theater group, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. The group performed the music for Richard's debut feature film, Forbidden Zone. Danny Elfman composed his first score for the film and played the role of Satan. By the time the movie was completed, they had taken the name Oingo Boingo and begun recording and touring as a rock group.
In 1985, Tim Burton and Paul Reubens invited Elfman to write the score for their first feature film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure. Elfman was apprehensive at first because of his lack of formal training, but with orchestration assistance from Oingo Boingo guitarist and arranger Steve Bartek, he achieved his goal of emulating the mood of such composers as Nino Rota and Bernard Herrmann. In the booklet for the first volume of Music for a Darkened Theatre, Elfman described the first time he heard his music played by a full orchestra as one of the most thrilling experiences of his life.[citation needed] Elfman immediately developed a rapport with Burton and has gone on to score all but two of Burton's major studio releases: Ed Wood, scored by Howard Shore, which was under production while Elfman and Burton were having a fight, and Sweeney Todd, an adaptation of the 1979 Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical. He also, more recently, accompanied Tim Burton in the composition of music for "Almost Alice", the soundtrack for Alice in Wonderland.
Burton has said of his relationship with Elfman: "We don't even have to talk about the music. We don't even have to intellectualize – which is good for both of us, we're both similar that way. We're very lucky to connect" (Breskin, 1997).
In 2021 he released "Big Mess", his first non-soundtrack album since 1984's "So-Lo", which is often considered to rather be an Oingo Boingo album due to the presence of many other band members.
Elfman has three children: Lola, born in 1979; Mali, born in 1984; and Oliver, born in 2005. On November 29, 2003, Elfman married film actress Bridget Fonda. In 1997 he scored A Simple Plan – his only score for one of her films to date (although he did compose a cue for the film Army of Darkness, in which Fonda has a cameo). He is the uncle of actor Bodhi Elfman who is married to actress Jenna Elfman, known most notably in her role as Dharma in the TV series Dharma and Greg.
Everybody Knows
Danny Elfman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Oh, give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
When you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still picking cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
Everybody knows
The song "Everybody Knows" by Danny Elfman is a melancholic reflection on society and its inherent corruption. The repeated phrase "everybody knows" emphasizes the idea that the truths in the song are universally acknowledged, despite any potential attempts to deny them. The talk of loaded dice and fixed fights speaks to the idea that the game is rigged against certain groups of people. This is further exemplified by the fact that the war is over, but the good guys still lost. The imagery of a leaking boat and a lying captain implies a lack of confidence in leadership figures, and the idea that people are just waiting for the ship to sink.
The middle section of the song shifts focus to a more personal level, discussing themes of love, fidelity, and the human desire for connection. The singer acknowledges the existence of infidelity, but seems resigned to the fact that it's all part of the game. They also speak to the desire for material things, but with a hint of cynicism - the "long-stem rose" feels like a superficial gesture considering everything else that's going on.
The final sections of the song are somewhat apocalyptic in nature, discussing the coming of the Plague (potentially a metaphor for societal collapse) and the inevitable disintegration of what's left. The final line - "before it blows, everybody knows" - suggests that the end is nigh, and that everyone is aware of it, but no one can or will change it.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everyone is aware that life is not fair; some people are born with better odds than others.
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
People hope for the best outcome despite knowing the odds are against them.
Everybody knows the war is over
The battle has been lost, and there is no use fighting further.
Everybody knows the good guys lost
The righteous ones who fought for what they thought was right either died, quit or are now powerless.
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The competition was inherently unfair, but people still participated for the sake of playing.
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Society is structured in a way that ensures the gap between the wealthy and the less fortunate widens as time progresses.
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Things are falling apart or not functioning optimally, but people are still unwilling to abandon the ship.
Everybody knows that the captain lied
People have been misled by their leaders, and they are aware of it.
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
People are experiencing extreme emotion, pain or stress as if something important or valuable to them had just died or perished.
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows
People are longing for extravagances, but they cannot afford or have access to them.
Everybody knows that you love me, baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Oh, give or take a night or two
People are aware of your loving, but they also know that you are not perfect and make mistakes, just like everybody else.
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
Everybody knows
People are aware that you have been generally quiet and kept your affairs private, but also acknowledge that you had those fleeting moments of passion that you do not intend to reveal.
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
People share the same awareness of the situation, and that is just how life is.
Everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
When you've done a line or two
This is a critical moment, and it is either me or you. Also, once you have indulged in certain vices, you feel invincible despite the consequences.
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still picking cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
People are aware that society is built on a foundation of exploitation and slavery, but we continue to enjoy the fruits of that labor without feeling guilt or remorse.
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
Everyone is aware of the impending doom, disease or apocalypse just around the corner. People also know that traditional values and traditions are no longer relevant in modern society. Yet, we are still living recklessly and will have to face the consequences soon.
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
Everybody knows
People are aware that you have been through hardship and are undergoing a difficult period. Just as Christ's metaphorical blood marked his sacrifice, we all experience similar pains to some extent. Nevertheless, we continue to ignore the damage caused by our behaviors and lifestyle, and sometimes, it all comes crashing down.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Martin-yd7if
I had to be that guy, sorry.
Lyrics:
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Ah, give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah, when you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
@cammmhr
LYRICS
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Ah, give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah, when you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
@AlcantaraCaio
This song is the only thing that I'll miss from this movie after Snyder's Cut
@rishavroy0701
I think this was Snyder's scene
@maddenrichard
@@rishavroy0701 nope this wasn't in the Snyder Cut
But I do like the song tho
@ShanksTyata
yes I felt like the movie took off with such a great opening..
@spencertaylor5945
I just said the same
@spencertaylor5945
It fits the mood perfect
@gabrielschneider445
"everybody knows the plague is coming"
well thats a big YES lol
Edit: thanks y'all
@hadilka7743
Hhhh yea
@LargeAndUngrateful
It’s only the 10th or 11th plague in my lifetime and I’m only 35... I expect them to become more frequent and less treatable until the population is significantly reduced all over.
@-ghostly_green-1229
LOL YES