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.
Gratitude
Danny Elfman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life's been so good to me,
Has it been good to you?
Has it been everything
That you expected it to be?
Was it as good for you
As it was good for me?
That it was all set up to be?
Now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
...now is that gratitude?
Now is that gratitude?
Or is it really love?
Some kind of reality
That fits just like a glove?
Now is that gratitude
For everything I've done?
Or is it something else
That's got me on the run...?
In the middle of a big tornado,
On the tip of everyone's tongue...
In the belly of a giant whale,
All the girls just want to have fun.
In the look of a frightened neighbor,
In a big warm bed at night,
In a broken elevator,
In the teeth of a dog that bites.
In the middle of a revolution,
In the look of a child's face,
In the silence of the dinner table,
In the stillness of disgrace.
Now is that gratitude? (...gratitude...)
Now is that gratitude? (...gratitude...)
Now is that gratitude? (...gratitude...)
Now is that gratitude? (...gratitude...)
But when I think of you,
And what you've done to me,
You took away my hope...
You took away my fantasy...
I once had lots of pride,
The world was in my hands.
I lived way at the top,
Of castles made of sand.
Oooohhhh...
I dream of you sometimes.
Oooohhhh...
I dream of you sometimes.
In - in the middle of a big tornado,
On the tip of everyone's tongue.
In the belly of a giant whale,
All the girls just want to have fun.
In the look of a frightened neighbor,
In a big warm bed at night,
In a broken elevator,
In the teeth of a dog that bites.
In the middle of a revolution,
In the look of a child's face,
In the silence of the dinner table,
In the stillness of disgrace.
Now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
...now is that gratitude?
Now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
...now is that gratitude?
Life's been so good to me,
Has it been good to you?
Has it been everything
That you expected it to be?
Was it as good for you
As it was good for me?
And was it everything
That it was all set up to be?
In the middle of a big tornado,
On the tip of everyone's tongue.
In the belly of a giant whale,
All the girls just want to have fun.
In the look of a frightened neighbor,
In a big warm bed at night,
In a broken elevator,
In the teeth of a dog that bites.
In the middle of a revolution,
In the look of a child's face,
In the silence of the dinner table,
In the stillness of disgrace.
Ohhh... [repeat chorus in background] ...ohhh...
Oooohhhh...
I dream of you sometimes.
Oooohhhh...
I dream of you sometimes.
Now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
...now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
Now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
...now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
Now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
...now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
Now is that gratitude?
Ooohhh...
...now is that gratitude?
*submitted by one_ion*
The song "Gratitude" by Danny Elfman is a contemplative piece on the theme of gratitude, questioning what gratitude truly means and what it is derived from. Elfman asks whether life has been "good" to the listener and poses further rhetorical questions about how their expectations have been met. He then questions whether the feeling of gratitude is truly love or simply a sense of reality that fits comfortably. He contemplates whether the listener's sense of gratitude is earned or derived from something else, as if hiding from something they cannot identify.
The song invokes many different scenarios, both positive and negative, such as the middle of a revolution or the stillness of disgrace, to highlight the fact that gratitude can be felt in many different situations. Elfman's lyrics also depict the struggles of a character who has had their hope and fantasy taken away, once living at the top of sand castles with pride, now dwelling in dreams of their tormentor. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, with Elfman asking once again if that feeling is indeed gratitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Life's been so good to me,
I have had a really great life so far.
Has it been good to you?
Has your life been good to you as well?
Has it been everything that you expected it to be?
Has your life gone as planned or has it thrown you some unexpected curve balls?
Was it as good for you as it was good for me?
Has your life been as great as mine?
And was it everything that it was all set up to be?
Did your life live up to your expectations?
Now is that gratitude?
Is being thankful for our lives the appropriate response to our good fortune?
Or is it really love?
Perhaps the feeling we have is more than just gratitude, maybe it's love?
Some kind of reality that fits just like a glove?
This feeling is a perfect fit for our current reality.
Now is that gratitude for everything I've done?
Are we being thankful for our own actions that contributed to our good fortune?
Or is it something else that's got me on the run...?
There may be another force at play that we're not sure about that's making us feel this way.
In the middle of a big tornado, on the tip of everyone's tongue...
We can feel gratitude or love even in the midst of chaos and in the public eye.
In the belly of a giant whale, all the girls just want to have fun...
Gratitude and love can be felt even in unusual or uncomfortable situations.
In the look of a frightened neighbor, in a big warm bed at night...
Gratitude can be felt in both good and bad times.
In a broken elevator, in the teeth of a dog that bites...
Gratitude can be felt even in negative or dangerous situations.
In the middle of a revolution, in the look of a child's face...
Gratitude can be felt even in times of social upheaval or when we see the beauty and innocence of children.
In the silence of the dinner table, in the stillness of disgrace...
Gratitude can be felt in moments of stillness, even if they are uncomfortable or shameful.
But when I think of you, and what you've done to me, you took away my hope...
Revisiting a past relationship has made me feel like I lost something important.
You took away my fantasy...
This person made me feel like I couldn't dream or have aspirations.
I once had lots of pride, the world was in my hands...
I used to feel confident and had everything going for me.
I lived way at the top of castles made of sand.
I had built up my life to be something grand, but it was ultimately fleeting.
I dream of you sometimes.
This person still holds a significant place in my mind, even if it's not positive.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANNY ELFMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mike gomes
Life's been so good to me
Has it been good to you
Has it been everything
That you expected it to be
Was it as good for you
As it was good for me
And was it everything
That it was all set up to be
(now is that gratitude)
Ooooh
(now is that gratitude)
Now is that gratitude
Or is it really love
Some kind of reality
That fits just like a glove
Now is that gratitude
For everything I've done
Or is it something else
That's got me on the run
In the middle of a big tornado
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor
In a big warm bed at night
In a broken elevator
In the teeth of a dog that bites
In the middle of a revolution
In the look of a child's face
In the silence of the dinner table
In the stillness of disgrace
(I used to eat little girls i knew
For breakfast
I used to fly high up in the sky
I used to chew up rocks and
Spit out gravel
I had a heart as cold as ice)
But when I think of you
And what you've done to me
You took away my hope
You took away my fantasy
I once had lots of pride
The world was in my hands
I lived way at the top
Of castles made of sand
Ooh
I dream of you sometimes
Ooh
I dream of you sometimes
In the middle of a big tornado
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor
In a big warm bed at night
In a broken elevator
In the teeth of a dog that bites
In the middle of a revolution
In the look of a child's face
In the silence of the dinner table
In the stillness of disgrace
Now is that gratitude
Ooooh
(now is that gratitude)
Now is that gratitude
Ooooh
Life's been so good to me
Has it been good to you
Has it been everything
That you expected it to be
Was it as good for you
As it was good for me
And was it everything
That it was all set up to be
In the middle of a big tornado
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor
In a big warm bed at night
In a broken elevator
In the teeth of a dog that bites
In the middle of a revolution
In the look of a child's face
In the silence of the dinner table
In the stillness of disgrace
(In the middle of a big tornado
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor
In a big warm bed at night
In a broken elevator
In the teeth of a dog that bites)
Ooh
I dream of you sometimes
Now is that gratitude
(now is that gratitude)
Now is that gratitude
(now is that gratitude)
Now is that gratitude
(now is that gratitude)
Now is that gratitude
(now is that gratitude)
AlicePerfected
Lyrics:
Life's been so good to me
Has it been good to you?
Has it been everything
That you expected it to be?
Was it as good for you
As it was good for me?
And was it everything
That it was all set up to be?
(Now, is that gratitude?)
Now, is that gratitude?
Or is it really love
Some kind of reality
That fits just like a glove
Now, is that gratitude
For everything I've done
Or is it something else
That's got me on the run?
In the middle of a big tornado
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor
In a big, warm bed at night
In a broken elevator
In the teeth of a dog that bites
In the middle of a revolution
In the look of a child's face
In the silence of the dinner table
In the stillness of disgrace
But when I think of you
And what you've done to me
You took away my hope
You took away my fantasy
I once had lots of pride
The world was in my hands
I lived way at the top
Of castles made of sand
Ooh...
I dream of you sometimes
In the middle of a big tornado
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor
In a big, warm bed at night
In a broken elevator
In the teeth of a dog that bites
In the middle of a revolution
In the look of a child's face
In the silence of the dinner table
In the stillness of disgrace
Now, is that gratitude?
Now, is that gratitude?
Now, is that gratitude?
Now, is that gratitude?
armandinodeformaggis
In the middle of a big tornado,
On the tip of everyone's tongue...
In the belly of a giant whale,
All the girls just want to have fun.
In the look of a frightened neighbor,
In a big warm bed at night,
In a broken elevator,
In the teeth of a dog that bites.
In the middle of a revolution,
In the look of a child's face,
In the silence of the dinner table,
In the stillness of disgrace.
(GREAT SONG TO ME!)
Nicolas F. Costoglou
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Life's been so good to me
Has it been good to you
Has it been everything
That you expected it to be
Was it as good for you
As it was good for me
And was it everything
That it was all set up to be
[Post-Chorus 1]
Now is that gratitude (Ooooh)
Now is that gratitude
[Verse 2]
Now is that gratitude
Or is it really love
Some kind of reality
That fits just like a glove
Now is that gratitude
For everything I've done
Or is it something else
That's got me on the run
[Chorus 1]
In the middle of a big tornado
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor
In a big warm bed at night
In a broken elevator
In the teeth of a dog that bites
In the middle of a revolution
In the look of a child's face
In the silence of the dinner table
In the stillness of disgrace
[Post-Chorus 2]
Now is that gratitude (I used to eat people like you for breakfast)
Now is that gratitude (I used to fly high up in the sky)
Now is that gratitude (I used to chew up rocks and spit out gravel)
Now is that gratitude (I had a heart as cold as ice)
[Verse 3]
But when I think of you
And what you've done to me
You took away my hope
You took away my fantasy
I once had lots of pride
The world was in my hands
I lived way at the top
Of castles made of sand
[Bridge]
Ooh
I dream of you sometimes
Ooh
I dream of you sometimes
[Chorus 2]
In the middle of a big tornado (In the middle of a big tornado)
On the tip of everyone's tongue (On the tip of everyone's tongue)
In the belly of a giant whale (In the belly of a giant whale)
All the girls just wanna have fun (All the girls just wanna have fun)
In the look of a frightened neighbor (In the look of a frightened neighbor)
In a big warm bed at night (In a big warm bed at night)
In a broken elevator (In a broken elevator)
In the teeth of a dog that bites (In the teeth of a dog that bites)
In the middle of a revolution (In the middle of a revolution)
In the look of a child's face (In the look of a child's face)
In the silence of the dinner table (In the silence)
In the stillness of disgrace
[Post-Chorus 2]
Now is that gratitude (Ooooh)
Now is that gratitude
Now is that gratitude (Ooooh)
Now is that gratitude
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 4]
Life's been so good to me
Has it been good to you
Has it been everything
That you expected it to be
Was it as good for you
As it was good for me
And was it everything
That it was all set up to be
[Chorus 3]
In the middle of a big tornado (In the middle of a big tornado)
On the tip of everyone's tongue (On the tip of everyone's tongue)
In the belly of a giant whale (In the belly of a giant whale)
All the girls just wanna have fun (All the girls just wanna have fun)
In the look of a frightened neighbor (In the look of a frightened neighbor)
In a big warm bed at night (In a big warm bed at night)
In a broken elevator (In a broken elevator)
In the teeth of a dog that bites (In the teeth of a dog that bites)
In the middle of a revolution (In the middle of a revolution)
In the look of a child's face (In the look of a child's face)
In the silence of the dinner table (In the silence)
In the stillness of disgrace
[Chorus 4]
In the middle of a big tornado (Ooh)
On the tip of everyone's tongue
In the belly of a giant whale (I dream of you sometimes)
All the girls just wanna have fun
In the look of a frightened neighbor (Ooh)
In a big warm bed at night
In a broken elevator (I dream of you sometimes)
In the teeth of a dog that bites
[Outro]
Ooh
I dream of you sometimes
Now is that gratitude (Ooh)
Now is that gratitude (Ooh)
Now is that gratitude (Ooh)
Now is that gratitude (Ooh)
Now is that gratitude (Ooh)
Now is that gratitude
Now is that gratitude (Ooh)
Now is that gratitude
Christen Doney
Got to meet him briefly backstage after a concert. So quiet and shy. Maybe he was worn out after the show, but so nice. I was and am the hugest fan of anything Danny Elfman. A major talent!
blackngold cuttlefish
lol omg me too!! very briefly, like you said! and indeed, he was quiet, but nice! he had manager or guard or something with him trying to usher him away but he still stopped and listened to my tiny, awkward schpeal of praise. mine was outside after a concert, so he was really just trying to get to their car, so it was extra nice that he/they even humored me at all. you never know what weird people could be out there, as well. So yeah I tried to be brief while still conveying my, well, gratitude (get it?) and he said thank you. Even though it was so quick, I went home feeling all elated. He's been my favorite since I was about 8 or so...I grew up listening to him, so to get the chance to actually thank him in person was really nice.
Scarlet
LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY
help girl im trapped in the test tube
holy shit, nice
Emily Spector
YOU ARE SO LUCKY!! Back home in Chicago I gave him black Rose's and me kept smiling at me . Hey, I'm gorgeous, can't help it. Lol! (A lot of people have said that about me and I always am appreciative). But I would've loved to talk to him because we're both morbid. Lol. I still have a major crush on him. What did he have to say to you if u don't mind my asking???
Brian Matthews
I’ll fight you for that title…!😉 Elfman has been and always will be my numero uno performer. Period.
Cyber
I am so attracted to this guy, his voice and mannerisms I love it so much
Vanessa Fedele
Me too 😍😍😍
CutieCorpse
LITERALLYYY
Jummy Ran
Weird